POLICE SUPPORT 16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM
By Edwin Tshivhidzo, Pretoria

November 24, 2003 – (BuaNews - Pretoria) In support of the 16 Days of Activism of No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign, police are determined to ensure that the perpetrators of violence on women and children face the wrath of the law.

The 16 days of activism campaign kicks of tomorrow and ends on 10 December.

Addressing media in Johannesburg today, Captain Bongani Linda of the Police Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences unit said women would in future not be allowed to drop charges against alleged abusers.

"We want to ensure that the perpetrators are sent were they belong," said captain Linda. "We also want to ensure that sexual offences and violent cases involving women and children drop."

"We would also like to encourage people to continue reporting these cases to the police," he said, adding that trained police officers were ready to assist the victims in every police station in the province and throughout the country.

Executive Director of Gender Links Colleen Lowe Morna who was also part the media briefing said she was satisfied by the manner in which government had shown interest in the fight against the abuse of women and children.

Gender Links is a non-governmental organisation that deals with issues related to women's rights.

She called on communities to work jointly with government in ending the scourge of violence directed at women and children.

"We need to get rid of gender-based violence in this country, we want everybody to live in a free society," she said.

She said Government remained committed to combating violence and related forms of abuse directed at women and children.

In a bid to ensure that the victims received good care when reporting rape and other sexual related offences, government has trained police
officers to specifically deal with sexual related offences.

Government has also introduced sexual offences courts to prioritise sexual offences.

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/200311241015.html