This is an indication that government is indeed serious about protecting the vulnerable groups, particularly children and people living with disabilities.
A study conducted on Prevalence and Patterns of Gender-based Violence and Revictimization among Women Attending Antenatal Clinics in Soweto, by various researchers painted this bleak picture; the prevalence of physical/sexual partner violence (55.5%), adult sexual assault by non-partners (7.9%), child sexual assault (8.0%), and forced first intercourse (7.3%). This study was done in 2004, the figures have since risen.
According to Gender Links’ research done in 2012, 77% of women in Limpopo province, 51% of women in Gauteng, 45% of women in the Western Cape and 36% of women in KwaZulu-Natal have experienced some form of violence (emotional, economic, physical or sexual) in their lifetime, both within and outside intimate relationships.
These figures indicate the extent of violence in our society. Through various interventions by government including conducting awareness campaigns to sensitize communities on issues of domestic violence, more cases on these crimes are now reported. Society is gradually opening up and recognises domestic violence as a serious crime.
Confidence in the criminal justice system has been a challenge for most of the victims. Cases are struck off the roll due to a number of factors .The ineffectiveness of the forensic evidence which often leads to lack of evidence. In order to improve forensic capacity in the province, the department through forensic task team identified forensic social work course, offered by the University of Cape Town. A total of 30 students have commenced with studies in this discipline, through a bursary scheme funded by Gauteng Department of Community Safety. These bursaries will also be extended to medical graduates to pursue careers as forensic pathologist, forensic officers, clinical forensic nurses and laboratory technicians.
Forensic Social Work is an emerging field of specialized practice in social work. It involves the law both criminal and civil as well as the legal system. Included in the tasks of the forensic social worker, are conducting assessments regarding suspects’ mental competency to understand their behaviour and stand trial; making recommendations concerning child custody, divorce, and the placement of emotionally disturbed or delinquent juveniles; preparing for court presentations as expert witness, advocating for welfare rights and providing victim support, mediation and empowerment. The lack of effective forensic social work reporting was identified as a serious gap in the value cycle of criminal justice services.
The Department envisages delivering a comprehensive package of services in the fight against domestic violence and sexual abuse prioritising vulnerable groups such as children and mentally challenged victims. Children and people living with disabilities, particularly those that are mentally challenged, have been preyed on by perpetrators of sexual violence. This is due to the fact that in most instances children and those that are mentally challenges will give incoherent statement and evidence, leading to the case being struck off the court roll and ultimately the perpetrator getting off. The forensic social work will assist by making sure that the victim is ready and fit to face trial, but also the through assessment of the perpetrator, particularly if the crime committed by a minor or juvenile. A number of researches have proven that many children are exposed to abuse, violence and crime, and that exposure damages their mental and physical health, often leading to these children becoming abusers themselves as adults. The programme will look into the background of both the victim and the perpetrator and that will assist by preventing the perpetrator committing the same crime over again. But also this will assist with therapeutic jurisprudence for perpetrators and ultimately break the cycle of violence. Therapeutic jurisprudence ensures that all role players in the criminal justice system play their role in order diminish the chances of the perpetrator committing the same crime again, but is also vital in ensuring that the victim does not fall prey of crime again.
The first batch of the these forensic social workers will graduate during the 16 Days of No Violence Against Women And Children campaign and the Gauteng Department of Community Safety will train 30 new forensic social worker annually over the next five years.
Faith Mazibuko, MEC for Community Safety in Gauteng
