REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA COMBINED SECOND PERIODIC REPORT UNDER THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON HUMAN AND PEOPLE`S RIGHTS and INITIAL REPORT UNDER THE PROTOCOL TO THE AFRICAN CHARTER ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AFRICA and information to cope with the stress of giving evidence through the use of a specific model. Furthermore, the merits of the case are not discussed during the court preparation process. 121. Ke Bona Lesedi, which means “I see the light”, is a court preparation programme designed to address fears and concerns of child witnesses going to court. It is intended to contribute towards the effective implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act75 and to assist prosecutors to have effective, nontraumatised and credible witnesses. The programme contributes towards successful convictions and a reduction in the withdrawal of cases. 122. The National Register for Sex Offenders came into operation on the 30th of June 2009 in terms of Chapter 6 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act No 32 of 2007. The objects of the Register are to protect children and persons who are mentally disabled against sex offenders by establishing and maintaining a record of persons who have been convicted of a sexual offence against a child or a person who is mentally disabled; or are alleged to have committed a sexual offence against a child or person who is mentally disabled. 123. The registration progression in the past three financial years is as follows: 2011/2012 2 340 75 2012/2013 3 526 2013/2014 15 545 124. The latter figure clearly indicates a steep progressive increase from 2012/2013 to 2013/2014 resulting from the robust intervention actions since 2012 to populate and update the Register. However, while the national register is not open to the public, employers in the public or private sectors, such as schools, crèches and hospitals, are accorded the right to check whether a job applicant is fit to work with children or mentally disabled people. 125. A strategy to address gender-based and sexual orientation-based violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people is being developed. A National Task Team (NTT) was re-established in May 2013, with government together with representatives from Chapter 9 institutions and civil society organisations working in partnership to achieve a number of formidable tasks. These included, amongst others, to develop a National Intervention Strategy to respond to, and prevent, gender and sexual orientation-based violent crimes perpetrated against LGBTI persons and to develop an Inter-sectoral Implementation Plan which would link parallel and complementary initiatives. 126. The NTT also undertook to strengthen government’s ability to respond to LGBTI needs and to strengthen the capacity of civil society organisations to deliver related services. It set out to improve linkages with other government departments, to undertake Act No. 32 of 2007 39