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In a country plagued with violence against women, the news that South Africa will open 58 dedicated sexual offences courts is very welcome. Yet schools and other social institutions need to do more to combat South Africa’s rape crisis, says Yusuf Boda, head of servicing at Legal & Tax.
With nearly 65,000 reported rape incidents a year, South Africa has one of the highest incidences of violence against women in the world. Against this backdrop, the courts have an important role to play in deterring violence against women, says Boda.
With Human Rights Day on the horizon, it is sad to reflect how many women and children are deprived of their rights by sexual offenders, who all too often are their uncles, fathers, brothers, husbands, or supposed friends, Boda adds.
“The tragic case of Anene Booysen has given a public face to this horrible crime,” says Boda. “We can only hope that the outpouring of rage about her gang rape and murder will translate into more sustained effort to combat sexual violence in our country.”
Boda says that as important as it is to arrest and convict sexual offenders, South Africa needs to focus as much on preventing rape and other violent sexual offences as it does on punishing them. This demands a shift in culture and in the way women and children are seen and treated.
“Schools must do more to educate kids on sexuality and respect,” says Boda. “Many kids come from violent or dysfunctional homes or grow up on the streets, so it is up to the educational system to impart an understanding of human rights to them.”
Courts must also play their part by imposing harsh sentences for sexual offenders to send a message that these types of crimes will not be tolerated. This will serve as a deterrent for sexual offenders, says Boda.
President Jacob Zuma identified fighting rape and violence as a key issue in his annual state of the nation address last month. The new courts show that government isn’t just paying lip service to the need to address these problems, Boda says.
The new courts will sit within existing courts and hear all cases of sexual assault, including attacks on lesbians and gays. “It is pleasing that government is stepping up to defend the rights of women, children as well as lesbians and gays,” comments Boda. "We cannot pretend to be a country that cares about Human Rights unless we confront these issues and work together to solve them."
For more information on Legal & Tax, visit http://www.legalandtax.co.za, call 0860 LTS LTS (587 587) or email info@legalandtax.co.za. Follow us @LegalandTax on Twitter or join us on Facebook to keep up with Legal & Tax news and views.
With nearly 65,000 reported rape incidents a year, South Africa has one of the highest incidences of violence against women in the world. Against this backdrop, the courts have an important role to play in deterring violence against women, says Boda.
With Human Rights Day on the horizon, it is sad to reflect how many women and children are deprived of their rights by sexual offenders, who all too often are their uncles, fathers, brothers, husbands, or supposed friends, Boda adds.
“The tragic case of Anene Booysen has given a public face to this horrible crime,” says Boda. “We can only hope that the outpouring of rage about her gang rape and murder will translate into more sustained effort to combat sexual violence in our country.”
Boda says that as important as it is to arrest and convict sexual offenders, South Africa needs to focus as much on preventing rape and other violent sexual offences as it does on punishing them. This demands a shift in culture and in the way women and children are seen and treated.
“Schools must do more to educate kids on sexuality and respect,” says Boda. “Many kids come from violent or dysfunctional homes or grow up on the streets, so it is up to the educational system to impart an understanding of human rights to them.”
Courts must also play their part by imposing harsh sentences for sexual offenders to send a message that these types of crimes will not be tolerated. This will serve as a deterrent for sexual offenders, says Boda.
President Jacob Zuma identified fighting rape and violence as a key issue in his annual state of the nation address last month. The new courts show that government isn’t just paying lip service to the need to address these problems, Boda says.
The new courts will sit within existing courts and hear all cases of sexual assault, including attacks on lesbians and gays. “It is pleasing that government is stepping up to defend the rights of women, children as well as lesbians and gays,” comments Boda. "We cannot pretend to be a country that cares about Human Rights unless we confront these issues and work together to solve them."
For more information on Legal & Tax, visit http://www.legalandtax.co.za, call 0860 LTS LTS (587 587) or email info@legalandtax.co.za. Follow us @LegalandTax on Twitter or join us on Facebook to keep up with Legal & Tax news and views.
