August being Women’s Month, the head of communications at Sandton Police Station, Captain Granville Meyer, advised residents to report and speak out on domestic violence.
According to Meyer, domestic violence is often thought to include physical violence only, but the acts, behaviour and consequences that constitute domestic violence vary in nature and frequency. “Domestic violence is regulated by the Domestic Violence Act which applies to violence in a domestic relationship.”
Meyer explained domestic violence as:
- Sexual abuse (whether you are married to the other person or not)
- Physical abuse or assault (for example, slapping, biting, kicking, and threats of physical violence)
- Damage to property or anything you value
- Stalking (when the other person follows or approaches you or your children repeatedly)
- Economic abuse, that is, when the other person keeps money to which you are legally entitled from you in an unreasonable manner by refusing to pay or share the rent or mortgage bond for the home you share, or disposing of any property (household goods) in which you have interest, without your permission.
- Emotional abuse (that is, degrading or humiliating behaviour, including repeated insults, belittling, cursing and threats)
- Any other controlling or abusive behaviour which poses a threat to your safety, health or well-being.
When asked what the options are if someone is abused, Meyer said, “You have the right to apply for a protection order at the nearest police station or magistrates’ court, or lay a criminal charge at the police station and apply for a protection order.”
He explained that one could have a domestic relationship with:
- Someone you are or were married to
- Your parents or guardian
- Any family member(s), including your own child(ren)
- Anyone you have lived with, regardless of whether you were married to that person or not
- Your life partner of the same sex
- Someone you went out with, even for a short time, or had sex with or
- Someone with whom you share a child.
Meyer stated that a person who can apply for a protection order was any victim of domestic violence and children if they are too young, a parent or guardian, or any person acting on behalf of someone who is responsible for them, but with their permission, a police official.
“Should a police officer fail to carry out this commitment, you can report the matter to the station commissioner at the relevant police station. The complaint will be noted in a complaints register, stating the name of the member concerned, the date on which the complaint is lodged, and the details of the complaint. The station commissioner will take disciplinary steps against the member involved.
“The Police Service will also refer the complaint to the Independent Complaints Directorate (ICD) for their recommendations. If you are not satisfied with the way in which a station commissioner is dealing with your complaint, you may personally report the matter to the ICD. We will send monthly reports on your complaint(s) against police members to the Saps head office.”
Meyer urged community members to blow the whistle on domestic violence and should contact their local police station; Saps 10 111; Saps Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit, Head Office, Pretoria 012 393 2363; Saps Crime Stop 08600 10111; Women Abuse Helpline 0800 150 150; Childline 0800 055 555; Aids Helpline 0800 012 322 or 011 725 6710.
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