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
against women and children and to develop a comprehensive strategy to deal with the
scourge of violence against women and children The Committee comprised the Ministers
of Social Development, Women, Justice and Constitutional Development, Health, Home
Affairs, Police and Basic Education. The findings of the research done has led to the
development of the Integrated Programme of Action which will address violence in
general, as well as violence against women and children, working hand in hand with all
relevant stakeholders, including civil society. The Integrated Programme of Action has
four key outcomes221 that must be achieved by 2018.
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A major component of our fight against sexual violence are the Thuthuzela Care Centers
(“TCCs”). We have also recently re-established the sexual offences courts. These
dedicated services use intermediaries, audio-visual equipment and specialised training,
among other measures. In June 2012, the former Minister of Justice and Constitutional
Development established the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Adjudication of Sexual
Offences Matters (MATTSO) to investigate the feasibility of re-establishing sexual
offences courts (SOC’s). The investigation led to the recommendation for the reestablishment of the SOC’s, and in Aug 2013, the 1st SOC was launched by the former
Minister in August 2013. Some 33 regional courts have since been upgraded into sexual
offences courtrooms.
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The NPA’s Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit developed comprehensive
training manuals which are updated annually to be in line with the latest developments
in law for specialist prosecutors and also an integrated training manual for stakeholders
at our TCCs. Through sexual offences courts, we are able to provide specialised victimsupport services, improve the effectiveness of witnesses in court, reduce the turnaround
time in the finalisation of sexual offences matters, and improve conviction rates. The
courts aim to minimise secondary trauma for victims. The Physical Features of Sexual
Offences Courts include
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Separate Private waiting rooms for child victims and adult victims with relaxing
furniture and information services;
Private Toilet facilities for witnesses to which accused persons have no access;
Information screens in the waiting rooms to empower victims with witness court
preparation and other court services;
2-Way CCTV to enable witness to identify the accused from the testifying room, where
the identity of accused is in dispute;
The four outcomes are –
1. The creation of a national enabling environment to transform attitudes, practices and behaviours leading to
women and children living free from violence in line with human rights principles;
2. Women and children at-risk, and survivors of violence, must benefit from improved access to comprehensive,
integrated and timely support services;
3. There must be an increased number of female and child survivors utilising long-term care, support and
empowerment services, and
4. Ensuring that women and children are better protected from violence through a strengthened system of supportive
legislative, policy, institutional frameworks, adequate resources, organisational capacity and a comprehensive and
evolving evidence base.
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