South Africa: More Must Be Done to Report Abuse

December 5, 2007 – (AllAfrica) Withdrawn rape and domestic violence cases and false reports of abuse are some of the problems hindering the justice system's response to gender based violence.

This emerged at a two-day Communities Protecting Children summit held in Pretoria on Wednesday. Addressing the opening, Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Susan Shabangu said gaps still exist in reporting and recording rape and domestic violence cases and this was affecting statistics.

"Community dynamics such as lack of cooperation between communities and members of justice system need to be addressed.

"Indifference of communities towards violence committed within neighborhoods also weakens the protection of vulnerable people such as women, children and the elderly for early interventions," said Ms Shabangu.

The summit is hosted by the ministry, the South African Police Service, faith-based and non-governmental organisations. A programme of action to increase community participation and installing moral regeneration was devised during the summit.

Chairperson of the National Community Policing Forum (CPF) Mandla Mphuti said: "Full community participation can be achieved by ensuring that schools, families, community leaders, faith based organisations are mobilised for sustained and active involvement in addressing these violence.

"Crime is undermining our democracy and it is for this reason that community members should mobilise with CPF against these violent crimes."
The summit will also address various strategies that will impact on the contributing factors and causes of rape, sexual offences and withdrawals of these cases.

From:http://allafrica.com/stories/200712050907.html