VIDEO: Police urged not to be ‘fashion experts’ in rape and assault cases
“It is not your business to tell a woman her skirt is too short.”
Policemen are not fashion designers or fashion advisers, police minister Bheki Cele told officers at an awareness campaign in Pretoria CBD on Monday.
“Stop victimising women for what they are wearing,” he said.
“When violently attacked, it is not your business to tell a woman that her skirt might be too short.”
Cele made the remarks during a compliance visit to the Sunnyside police station on Monday.
The visit was aimed at assessing how victims of gender-based violence are being treated at police stations.
The visit also formed part of a protest march to create awareness about violence against women, children and other vulnerable groups.
The march saw hundreds of police officers march from Church Square to the Sunnyside police station.
The march ended at Jubilee Park in Sunnyside.
Cele said he was glad to see all the young police officers, who were still students, out in their numbers at the march.
Watch:
He told those present that police should start acting right towards women “as we all had similar rights as human beings”.
He said as policemen their duty was to make sure that the woman and children of South Africa were safe.
“No matter what the orientation of our people are, we call on you to respect them.”
He said all men should respect their female counterparts at home.
“Our police stations are the first place of sanctuary for women to report crimes,” he told the crowd.
Cele said police would often turn women away and victimise them when they reported crimes.
“Don’t repeat the victimization they have suffered, don’t ask silly questions.
“Never tell a woman reporting abuse to go negotiate with their abuser. That is not your job.”
He said a police officer’s job was to protect and arrest suspects.
“Your job is to respond and respond quickly.”
Cele was addressing students who are set to graduate in December and be deployed at various police stations.
“I hope you will not disappoint us. You will represent us soon at police stations. It is all in your hands.”
The march was led by the minister of police and male senior management from the Department of Police, Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid), Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira) and members of the Civilian Secretariat of the Police Service.
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