Recently-concluded survey finds Knysna domestic violence cases fourth highest in Western Cape
On January 13, the Western Capes Department of Community Safety (DoCS) released a statement on its census project, monitoring the level of compliance with the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) of 150 police stations in the province over a six-month period.
The most reported forms of domestic violence included physical abuse (46%) and emotional, verbal and psychological abuse (29%). Of the total 34,209 incidents reported in 2018/19, the majority were reported in the Cape Flats areas of Mitchells Plain (3.155 cases). Delft (2,071), and Harare (1.716), with Knysna at 1.620 cases taking a close fourth place.
Of great concern to the department is that the census revealed the W-Cape SAPS remained non-compliant with the Act and that more volunteers were required for victim support rooms.
Said provincial Community Safety minister Albert Fritz: “The DVA places several obligations on SAPS and other state departments regarding its implementation. DoCS is mandated to monitor and evaluate police compliance with the Act and make recommendations regarding non-compliance”
Fritz reiterated the importance of victim support rooms in addressing Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
“These rooms provide victims with much needed psycho-social support during periods of trauma. The results of the census project show that victim support rooms are undermined by a lack of volunteers.
“I, therefore, call on all station commanders to work closely with their local Community Policing Forums, victim support units and neighbourhood watch structures to increase the number of volunteers at their stations. Additionally, 1 call on members of the community to assist their local victim support rooms by volunteering.”
Further findings revealed that:
• 67% of VISPOl and 74% of detectives at the top 20 stations have not undergone the five-day DVA training course (it was noted that domestic violence training was included in the basic training curriculum in July 2004):
•In 2018/19, only 12 DVA courses were provided for the station level personnel of the Western Cape by the office of the provincial commissioner.
• A lack of alignment between the DVA register and other records, including the Occurrence Book and pocketbooks of members at certain stations:
• Protection orders are not always served within the targeted 48 hours and copies are not filed correctly as they are not readily available at certain stations: and – A lack of trained volunteers in victim-friendly rooms at some stations and a lack of safe-house facilities within the precincts of many stations.
Fritz said the serving of protection orders was another concern, as in some cases there was no proper record keeping. “This means that known perpetrators of GBV are free to roam the streets, directly threatening the lives and wellbeing of their chosen victims.”
Fritz concluded: “Of the total 159 GBV-related cases monitored by the Court Watching Brief Unit between April 2018 and September 2019, 86 investigations were incomplete, 54 dockets did not arrive at court, 15 forensic reports were outstanding and two accused were not brought to court within 48 hours of arrest, while two witnesses were not at court.
“These factors contribute to cases being struck off the roll and are a complete miscarriage of justice, infringing on the constitutional rights of the victim.”