With a caseload of 50 to 60 cases per month and an average of four convictions monthly, members of the Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit’s (FCS) diligent work ethic is ensuring that offenders are brought to book.
Consisting of a team of 11 detectives servicing six police stations, the unit’s commander Col Cecile Veldman says that teamwork and thorough investigation is producing fair justice for victims of sexual crimes.
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The FCS, based at the Benoni Police Station, was established in 2009 following the disbanding of the Child Protection Unit.
“We take over investigations once a case is reported to one of the police stations within our jurisdiction,” said Veldman.
“Our duties include meeting with the victims and facilitating medical consultations in order to collect medical evidence. In cases where children are involved, we procure the services of therapists to engage with the victims in order to verify their statements.”
She said that cases mostly include rape, molestation, abuse, child neglect and abandonment.
“We work hard as a team and our strategy is simple, which is to ensure that our investigations and dockets are 100% complete and airtight to ensure that offenders are successfully prosecuted and imprisoned,” she said.
“Once we are certain that all of the aspects of the investigations are met and the culprit has been identified, we move forward with arrests.
“By removing the threat from the society we are assisting with the victim’s healing process.”
According to Veldman, the biggest challenge facing the unit is statutory rape as well as sensitive content being shared on social media.
She explains that Sections 15 and 16 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act of 2007 stipulates that anyone older than 12-years may give consent to partake in sex and sexual activities.
“Parents will subsequently lay a charge of statutory rape against their child’s sexual partner. However, when we engage with the victim, they will often refuse to give a statement,” she said.
“They will claim their undying love to the partner. Without their statement and cooperation, our hands are tied in pursuing the matter further.
“I am of the opinion that sex education that forms part of the life orientation curriculum is being introduced too early. A child of 12-years is not emotionally mature enough to make decisions regarding their sexuality much less sharing it with a partner.”
Veldman hopes that continued awareness campaigns at local schools will in time achieve its goal in removing the ‘glamour’ of adolescent sexual behaviour and rather instil a sense of self-respect and abstinence.
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