While local laws may vary slightly from community to community, don`t be afraid to report violence to the police. The police will file a report, which is the beginning of a legal process to get help and protection under the law. The information contained on this website is intended to provide advice to the public on the law in South Africa. This information was not provided to meet the individual needs of a particular individual, and LegalWise insists that legal advice be sought to take into account an individual`s unique circumstances. It is important to remember that the law is constantly evolving, and although LegalWise strives to keep the information up to date and of high quality, there can be no guarantee that the information will be updated and/or without errors or omissions. Accordingly, in no event shall LegalWise, its employees, independent contractors, employees or third parties accept any liability for any innocent or negligent act or omission of LegalWise that may result in damages or liabilities arising out of the use of or inability to use the information provided. WHAT`S NEXT? Considering that one in five women in South Africa has been a victim of sexual abuse. Or that one in three young people in South Africa has experienced some form of sexual abuse, we clearly have a long way to go to tackle gender-based violence. The following infographics paint a bleak picture of the ongoing gbv scourge.
@GlblCtznAfrica @GlblCtznImpact thank President @CyrilRamaphosa for signing laws to end #GBV and #childabuse we have been advocating with #globalcitizens since 2020. However, we want to send the message that the real solution is to #EndGBV NOW! pic.twitter.com/Q5AAtTO97X The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 is considered one of the most comprehensive and progressive laws, according to Smythe (2009). This is because it recognizes a wide range of GBV, recognizes that GBV can occur in a variety of family and domestic relationships, and gives judges the power to serve court orders on offenders. President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed a law to step up efforts to end gender-based violence, with a focus on tackling this dehumanizing pandemic. The President approved: (i) the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act; (ii) the Crime and Related Matters Amendment Bill and (iii) the Domestic Violence Amendment Bill. The legislation adopted is the result of the National Strategic Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which was requested at the Presidential Summit against Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) in November 2018. The summit produced a statement in which, among other things, it was decided: They emerged from the 2018 presidential summit against gender-based violence and femicide. During the summit, the declaration decided that the gaps in the law should be filled and that all outstanding laws should be accelerated. A national strategic plan on gender-based violence and femicide was developed at the summit. He stressed the need to take further steps and improve implementation.
The laws, which were passed in parliament in July 2021 and signed in February 2022, were mentioned in the summit and plan. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa recently said laws on gender-based violence and sexual offences would be strengthened and that there were three amending laws to fill gaps and curb the exploitation of the legal system by perpetrators of gender-based violence. In addition to the legal provisions, the government has also ensured that the police and our courts take a hard line against gbV perpetrators. Our police officers have been ordered to prioritize incidents of gender-based violence, and our courts are tasked with cracking down on those who commit acts of violence and abuse. For example: It also highlights studies that show that certain factors that influence GBV at the individual level grow up in an abusive household that normalizes later in life as a means of communication. Or having an absent father or a father who is not a positive role model. Stats SA`s report on poverty trends in South Africa shows that female-headed households are still significantly poorer than male-headed households. Gender-based violence activists welcomed the new laws and hailed them as a step in the right direction. With many laws and regulations, South Africa has often been hailed as very progressive.
For example, the Constitution is considered one of the most progressive in the world. The laws and regulations surrounding the LGBTQIA+ community are also seen as very forward-looking. As a society, we need to mentor and teach young boys to always appreciate and respect young girls and women. We also need more men to stand up and make a difference. Men`s voices and actions are crucial in the fight against violence and abuse. There`s more on how these laws can help and protect survivors of GBV VIOLENCE, we have a breakdown for you here. It is clear that as a society, we need to do more to combat gender-based violence. We need to get everyone in society to say enough, that`s enough! This must be accompanied by a change in behaviour. Any form of violence is illegal.
Laws on violence against women provide additional support to women and families affected by violence. The main laws relating to violence against women are the Violence against Women Act and the Domestic Violence Prevention and Services Act (FVPSA).