The Sexual Offences and Community Affairs (SOCA) Unit of the National
Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is hosting the Sexual Offences Indaba as per the mandate of the Inter – Departmental Management Team (IDMT). This is a national management forum chaired by the SOCA Unit. The IDMT comprises of representatives of the following national departments:
* Justice and Constitutional Development
* Health
* Social Development
* Police (formerly known as Safety and Security)
* Correctional Services
* Education
* Treasury
* GCIS
The IDMT developed the Thuthuzela ("To Comfort") Care Centre Model as one of the initiatives to address rape-care management. The TCC model is accordingly a culmination of empirical research which places the victim at the forefront of service delivery. It is victim centred approach that not only allows for victim empowerment but journeys the victims through the criminal justice system seeking to transform them from victims to survivors and ultimately to more empowered witnesses in the criminal justice process.
The aims of the programme are mainly:
a. to improve care and treatment of rape victims at all points in the criminal justice system, thereby reducing secondary victimisation
b. to ensure speedy, effective investigation and prosecution of rape cases in order to cause a reduction in cycle times and bring an increase in conviction rates.
Last year's Indaba saw the formation of provincial task teams on sexual offences management as a tangible outcome. These teams assisted with the roll out of seven Thuthuzela Care Centres in Limpopo, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and the Northern Cape in 2008.
This year's Indaba once again brings national and provincial role players together with implementing partners responsible for the rollout of Thuthuzela Care Centres to review progress made since 2008 and to consolidate plans for 2009. Furthermore, the Indaba will consider the alternative models as well as how best to implement plans in order to provide appropriate and standardised rape management services.
Members of the media fraternity are invited to the Sexual Offences Indaba whose proceedings are open (save for those indicated in the programme as per the details hereunder:
Date: 18 to 20 May 2009
Time: 10h00
Venue: Emperor's Palace, Gauteng
The Minster of Justice and Constitutional Development, Mr Jeff Radebe and the acting National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP), Advocate Mokotedi Mpshe will address the conference. Furthermore, both the Minster and the acting NDPP are expected to address journalists during the media briefing as per the details below:
Date: Monday, 18 May 2009
Time: 13h00
Venue: Emperor's Palace, Gauteng
Draft programme
Day one: National Overview of Sexual Violence Management and Prioritisation
Plenary Chair: Mr Bryant Greenbaum (National Treasury)
10h00-10h15: Opening and welcome address Advocate M Mpshe Acting National Director of Public Prosecutions
10h15-10h30: Purpose of 2009 Indaba and Advocate Thoko Majokweni
Alignment to 2008 Indaba Special Director: SOCA
10h30-10h40: Message from USAID Mr Gary Juste
10h40-10h50: Message from Danish Government Ambassador Dan E Frederiksen
10h50-11h00 Message from Inter-Departmental Mrs Mmabatho Ramagoshi
Management Team (IDMT)
11h00-11h20: Keynote Speech Honourable Minister Jeff Radebe Justice and Constitutional Development
11h20-11h30: Tea Break
Background: Contextualisation of Sexual Violence in South Africa
11h30-12h00: An Overview of the Challenges of Violence against Women and Rape and links to HIV Prof Rachel Jewkes
12h00-12h10: Tsireledzani Programme Ms Malebo Kotu Ramopoo
Milestones towards Prevention of Sexual Violence
12h10-12h30: Progress toward the Prevention Mr Rabbuh Raletsemo Model
12h30-12h45: Girls Empowerment Programme Advocate Omashani Naidoo
12h45-13h00: 'One Man Can' Campaign
13h00-14h00: Lunch
Institutional arrangements to respond to sexual and gender-based violence
14h00-14h20: Consolidated Departmental Priorities and Trafficking Ms Xoli Bikitsha
14h20-14h40: Report on the 1st SO Indaba, 2008 Ms Pumeza Mafani and progress thus far
14h40-15h00 Pilot TCC Information Mr. Chris Kelley Management System (TIMS) Adv Brandon Lawrence
The Way Forward in Addressing Sexual Violence
15h00-15h15: Sexual orientation, gender identity Phumi Mtetwa and violence
15h15-15h30: Towards 2010: What the country Minister in the Presidency must do to address sexual violence
15h30-15h45: Tea Break
15h45-16h30: Preliminary findings: National Audit Ms Tamara Braam of Multidisciplinary Sexual Violence Services 2009
16h30-16h45: Plenary discussion on Basic Standards for Strengthening the Anti-Rape Strategy
16h45-17h00: Summary and announcements
19h00-22h00 Stakeholder dinner
For enquiries, please contact:
Mr Tlali Tlali
NPA Spokesperson
Cell: 082 333 3880
Ms Mona Moerane
Gauteng: Regional Communications Manager
Cell: 084 271 6808
Issued by: National Prosecuting Authority
15 May 2009
