SAHRC to host Victims’ Charter seminar, 30 Mar

28 March 2005

In November 2004 Cabinet approved the service charter for victims’ of crime
in South Africa (the Victims’ Charter). This was a positive move towards a
victim centred and restorative criminal justice system. The charter’s
effectiveness relies heavily on role players’ compliance to the attached
minimum standards on services for victims of crime.

Notwithstanding the above and other related developments, the rights of
victims of crime in South Africa are still not adequately provided for. This is
evident when reviewing the Charter in the light of vulnerable groups in society
such as women and children who are prone to becoming the victims of violent
crimes and are not afforded the necessary protection of the law.

In response to these issues the South African Human Rights Commission
(SAHRC) will host a seminar at its office in Parktown, Johannesburg from 08h30
– 15h00 on 30 March 2006. The seminar will locate its discussions within the
Victims’ Charter and intends on making recommendations, which can be used to
assist stakeholders in the charter’s implementation.

The broad objectives of the seminar are:
* To assess the success of the charter’s functionality;
* Its effectiveness in addressing the rights of victims;
* To identify shortcomings in the current criminal justice system that may
thwart the charter’s objectives;
* To formulate solutions to any identified shortcomings in the charter’s
operation;
* To examine the expectations of victims of crime in relation to what the State
can reasonably provide; and
* To explore the experiences of role players and victims in utilising the
charter.

Various groups from civil society working with and or conducting research on
victims of crime have been invited to speak at the seminar as well as service
providers from relevant government departments. These include representatives
from People Opposing Women Abuse (POWA), Themba Lesziwe, the Centre for the
Study of Violence and Reconciliation, Standing together against Needless Death,
an older persons’ representative, the Department of Social Development, the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the Department of Correctional Services
and the South African Police Service (SAPS).

Members of the public are welcome as well as other stakeholders who wish to
contribute to the open discussions.

Enquiries:
Monique Davis

Tel: (011) 484 8300 Ext 2334 / 2252
Fax: (011) 484 1360
Cell: 082 499 3965
E-mail: mdavis@sahrc.org.za

Media enquiries can be directed to the Chairperson or the Acting Chief
Executive Officer of the South African Human Rights Commission. They can be
reached on:

For media details contact:
Jody Kollapen
Commissioner
Tel: (011) 484 8300 Ext 2290 /2291

Issued by: South African Human Rights Commission
28 March 2006