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In August 2013, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe announced the reintroduction of sexual offences courts in South Africa.
This news was highly welcomed by NGO groups and society at large considering the sky rocketing rape statistics this country currently has.
The Minister hopes that the reinstating of such courts would result in an increase of reported rape and sexual assault cases.
But not everyone shares the same prospects as the Minister; affiliates of the Shukumisa Campaign and the MOSAIC centre for women amongst others, are doubtful that sexual offences courts will actually make a difference in the number of rapes reported and successful rape convictions.
Sexual Offences courts were first introduced back in 1993 but the project had to be cancelled due to incoherent policies and conflict between key government members.
Sceptics argue that the bill isn’t realistic in its objectives and hasn’t offered a detailed plan on how the courts will be structured. The people need to know exactly how these courts will operate and the infrastructure that will be used to ensure their successful implementation and execution.
The sexual offences courts can be successful if the Minister, along with his staff learn from their past mistakes; this means having a stronger, committed budget and hiring competent staff.
Grier Schoeman of the SANAC Women's Sector secretariat, believes that the existence of sexual offences courts is essential considering the decline in rape prosecution over the past few years.
In a country that is facing a rapid increase in rapes committed against women and children, we have to remain optimistic and hope that the reintroduction of sexual offences courts will make a significant difference.
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This news was highly welcomed by NGO groups and society at large considering the sky rocketing rape statistics this country currently has.
The Minister hopes that the reinstating of such courts would result in an increase of reported rape and sexual assault cases.
But not everyone shares the same prospects as the Minister; affiliates of the Shukumisa Campaign and the MOSAIC centre for women amongst others, are doubtful that sexual offences courts will actually make a difference in the number of rapes reported and successful rape convictions.
Sexual Offences courts were first introduced back in 1993 but the project had to be cancelled due to incoherent policies and conflict between key government members.
Sceptics argue that the bill isn’t realistic in its objectives and hasn’t offered a detailed plan on how the courts will be structured. The people need to know exactly how these courts will operate and the infrastructure that will be used to ensure their successful implementation and execution.
The sexual offences courts can be successful if the Minister, along with his staff learn from their past mistakes; this means having a stronger, committed budget and hiring competent staff.
Grier Schoeman of the SANAC Women's Sector secretariat, believes that the existence of sexual offences courts is essential considering the decline in rape prosecution over the past few years.
In a country that is facing a rapid increase in rapes committed against women and children, we have to remain optimistic and hope that the reintroduction of sexual offences courts will make a significant difference.
Follow Women24 on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
