GBV strikes nearly 200 in 4 months

GEORGE NEWS - At least 186 people fell victim to gender-based violence (GBV) in George between July and October this year. This is according to the statistics of Thuthuzela Care Centre in George where victims were treated.

A shocking statistic, which is in all probability more extreme, as many cases are not reported to authorities.

What makes this even worse is that the majority of these cases involved child victims and 103 of the cases involved sexual offences.

A total of 69 victims of domestic violence were seen by Thuthuzela and 14 offences were committed under the Children's Act. Most incidents occurred over weekends and in most cases the perpetrator is known to the victim.

Report police inefficiencies to ombud

It is a well-known fact that many cases of GBV do not get reported to the authorities. There are many reasons for this, one of which is police inefficiency.

As the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV commence, Western Cape Police Ombudsman (WCPO) Maj Gen Oswald Reddy encouraged the public to report instances of police service inefficiencies, particularly cases related to GBV.

Emphasising the valuable service provided to the public, Reddy invited individuals who are dissatisfied with the police to approach the WCPO for follow-up and assistance.

Reddy stressed that the WCPO aims to be a resource for those who seek assistance and resolution in cases of GBV and urges the public to utilise their services when faced with service challenges from the police.

"We are here to support you; reach out," he said.

A total of 186 people became victims of GBV in George between July and October this year.

National instruction dictates

The National Instruction 7 of 1999 on Domestic Violence provides clear directives on how police members must respond to and assist victims of domestic violence.

Former Eden Cluster Commander Maj Gen Oswald Reddy was appointed as the WCPO in 2021. Photo: Kristy Kolberg

Some of these are:

A complainant may approach the police for assistance at any time, irrespective of when or where the incident took place, and police members may under no circumstances turn complainants away
Complainants must be treated in a professional manner and must be assured that action will be taken
A member of the police who attends to a domestic violence complaint must take all reasonable steps to ensure the safety of the complainant, including securing the scene and searching for and seizing any dangerous weapons such as a firearm without a warrant
According to the instructions, station commanders must compile a list of organisations in the area offering services that complainants and victims of domestic violence might need.

This includes counselling services, alternative accommodation, medical treatment and more. The list must include their contact details and must be available to complainants and victims of domestic violence.

"The Domestic Violence Act ensures that victims of domestic violence have maximum protection from abusive domestic relationships," said Reddy.

"The police ombudsman was established to assist individuals who are not happy with the service they received from the police. If you are not happy with the service you received when you laid your domestic violence complaint, reach out."

For more information about the WCPO and to lodge complaints about police service delivery, go to westerncape.gov.za/police-ombudsman or email them at ombudsman@wcpo.gov.za.

A total of 186 people became victims of GBV in George between July and October this year.