An alleged domestic abuse victim in the north of Pretoria was beaten so badly she had to undergo plastic surgery recently, police said.
Her husband was arrested for assault, said Sinoville police spokesperson Warrant Officer Johan van Dyk.
“However, domestic violence – although not often reported – remained a problem in the area,” said Van Dyk.
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“The problem is that nine out of ten cases would be withdrawn by the victims.
“Getting a successful conviction in these cases is, therefore, not likely.”
Sinoville police and crisis centre supports a number of campaigns yearly to create awareness against abuse.
“It’s something we feel very strongly about,” said Van Dyk.
Whether the abuse was physical, emotional or financial, Van Dyk said it was important for victims to speak out about it.
“Often victims would keep quiet about their abuse. Perhaps they somehow feel guilty – that they are to blame for their partner’s behaviour, or whether they think they could change their partner,” explained Van Dyk.
“The one certain thing we know about domestic abuse is that it always escalates.”
Police urged victims to get a protection order against abusive partners.
“We (police) and crisis centre are here to protect you. Victims can seek help at any police station and an independent centre for abuse.”
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The procedure to apply for a protection order is as follows:
The victim must write an affidavit and complete an application form at a police station.
The form explains the victim’s rights and the steps they may take to protect themselves, their children and other members of the shared household.
Supporting affidavits by persons who have knowledge of the matter in question may accompany the application.
These documents must be handed to the clerk of the nearest court.
The court will consider the application immediately.
The application for a protection order is not limited to the complainant.
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An application for a protection order may be brought on behalf of the victim by any other person who has an interest in the well-being of the victim.
This includes a counsellor, a health service provider, a social worker, a teacher or a member of the police.
If the court is satisfied that sufficient evidence of an act of domestic violence exists, the court may issue an interim protection order against the respondent.
The application for an interim protection order may be brought at any time and not only during office hours or on court days.
The interim protection order has no force or effect until it has been served on the respondent.
The court is also required to issue a suspended warrant of arrest for the respondent.
A breach of the protection order requires that the respondent must be arrested by the police immediately.
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The interim protection order is, however, not a final order from the court.
It is a temporary order, which grants immediate relief until the return date. This is the date on which the applicant and the respondent, after being given due notice, are to appear before court to have the protection order made a final order.
On this return date, the respondent is afforded the opportunity to present to the court reasons why the protection order should not be made final.
The court may make a final order if the respondent does not appear in court on the return date. It can do so if the court is satisfied proper notice has been given to the respondent and there is sufficient evidence the respondent has committed, or is committing, an act of domestic violence or sexual harassment.
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