United, resourced responses needed on women abuse

All interventions on violence and abuse of women and children in Alexandra and elsewhere should be better coordinated and resourced.

This plea was made by Elizabeth Mokwena of the Victim Empowerment Unit at the Alexandra Police Station after Women’s Month in August and Child Protection Week in June.

“Collaborations are needed to share and combine different competencies to end the scourge making women and children hostage in the home, community and country,” Mokwena said, urging for collaboration between state agencies in the social and criminal clusters, non-profit organisations and concerned residents. “Collaboration will strengthen and ensure effective enforcement of legislation and change attitudes and perceptions which encourage the abuse.”

She claimed that female victims of rape were let down by the criminal justice system which she urged should be jacked up by having fully functional equipment at all times and proficient investigations to ensure successful prosecutions.

“Victims and witnesses will be encouraged to report the abuse when they realise improvements in case handling and hearings. Anything to the contrary will continue the apathy when they feel justice is denied and deepen perceptions in abusers that they can get away with it.” Mokwena decried abuse by intimate partners of women saying it showed women were not safe anywhere.

She believed commemorative events and days to raise awareness about abuse have limited impact. “We need ongoing programmes and activities, better coordinated and resourced interventions that are holistic and integrated to avoid duplication, maintain momentum and share competencies.” Mokwena also blamed some practices in court which she said created additional trauma for victims, particularly sexually abused girls. “Some of the questions posed to victims are intrusive and officials could rely on the results of DNA tests for answers.”

She further urged for partnerships with traditional and men’s groups saying it was senseless for them to operate in isolation from organisations dealing with abused victims.

“Collaboration will expose them to in-depth information to improve their planning and decision making. Also they will be assisted to change negative beliefs and perceptions of women as children.”

Kgaladi Boshoma of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification linked the abuse to dysfunctional homes. “Cohesion in family units with fathers and mothers at the core is essential. The children will emulate their good examples and pass on positive traits to their peers and in so doing, stop negative influences fueling violence, rape and drug abuse. Respect and peace is the only way,” she said

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