What to expect when reporting incidents of sexual and physical abuse. Brixton Police Station has urged members of the community to report any and all incidents of abuse.
This comes after the reporting of sexual harassment cases taking place at Gauteng hospitals including Helen Joseph Hospital. Spokesperson for the station Jeanette Backhoff said that anyone reporting such will be expected to give a statement on how the incident occurred and a case will be opened.
“If a victim comes to the station to lay a domestic complaint whether it is sexual or physical abuse that person will be taken to the nearest hospital with the necessary documents and form that a doctor will need to complete as it will state all the injuries sustained by the victim.”
In cases of sexual assault, where the victim has been sexually assaulted, the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) Unit will go with the victim to the hospital with a rape kid. The case will then be assigned to a police officer at the FCS Unit who will place the docket on the court roll.
Brixton police reminded the public that abuse comes in various forms but stated the main ones as physical, sexual, emotional and economic. Backhoff said that every police station is expected to assist victims of abuse by helping them access medical assistance, shelter and counselling. “Police stations have a 24/7 victim empowerment room were victims are interviewed privately and where statements are taken from the complainant.
The people here are well trained volunteers who will treat each and every case as private and confidential and all victims will be treated with respect and dignity.” Backhoff concluded by saying, “If you are being abused get help immediately, no one has the right to hurt you.”
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