citizens can access the wide-range of government services available through e-government. The implementation of the Maponya Urban Thusong service centre in Soweto is being used as a benchmark. In addition, IDPs, LED processes, NEDLAC, Provincial Growth Development Strategies (PGDS’s), the National Council of Provinces (NCOP), the Constituency processes, and public hearings are all part of a long list of forums and interventions that provide space for dialogue and contribute to feedback in policy making. These cater for various stakeholders and different levels of society. In general the social contract between the state and the citizens needs to be continuously nurtured. In particular, consultation as well as constant feedback sessions with communities are a vital element which need strengthening. Citizens need to be consulted, not only about the level and quality of the public services they receive but also about the timeframes and possible delays. Consultation and feedback are crucial for sound economic as well as political governance and management. There are currently weaknesses and challenges in these areas, which South Africa continues to address. 3.1.3. Reducing crime and violence in general and particularly against women and children The widely reported cases of crime and violence against women and children are a serious concern to many South Africans. More concerning is that these kinds of crimes are contact crimes and happen in homes and are mostly committed by people who are known to the victims. This challenge requires that communities work together with the law enforcement agencies to raise awareness, give information on preventive and mitigation measures, on the justice system and apprehension of criminals. Government is now leading multistakeholder initiatives to root-out violence against women and children. Government institutions are increasingly becoming firmer in dealing with crime and violence within the ambits of the law. On its own, the criminal justice system will not be able to eliminate the scourge of crime in our society, hence the emphasis on collective action by all social partners. With regards to gender-based violence, it is worth reporting that the re-establishment of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units within the police force was instituted in 2010. Nationally there are 176 established Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units attached to all police clusters in the South African Police Service (SAPS)15. In support of the investigation of such crimes, over 2000 Forensic Social Workers were appointed to deal with crimes against children in order to provide expert evidence in court. Since the re-establishment of Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit, there has been a marked increase in conviction rates for offences related to gender based violence and child abuse, resulting in a combined 36 225 years of general imprisonments; 695 of which have been life imprisonments16. South Africans continue to work collectively to find lasting solutions to the challenge of sexual violence, which is often felt by the most vulnerable groups in the communities. Government recently announced the establishment of a task team to investigate the resuscitation of Sexual Offences Courts that showed impressive conviction rates in certain 15 16 NPA Annual Report 2012/13 NPA Annual Report 2012/13 38