National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Radio Campaign on Domestic Violence

The National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) public education campaign with South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) radio will this week focus on domestic violence.

This week, prosecutors from all language groups have been selected to participate in the interviews and listeners are invited to call in to ask questions about domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 [PDF] was introduced to afford victims of domestic violence with the maximum protection the law can provide.

Domestic violence affects all, irrespective of race, gender or social status and it occurs when an abuser subjects the victim to any of the following forms of abuse:

• Physical abuse, e.g. when you are assaulted or threatened with violence.
• Sexual abuse, e.g. when you are raped, or forced to perform or watch humiliating sexual acts.
• Emotional, verbal and psychological abuse, e.g. when you are subjected to constant insults, ridicule or name calling.
• Economic abuse, e.g. when prevented from earning income.
• Intimidation, e.g. if you receive threatening and fearful messages or 'sms's'.
• Harassment, e.g. when you repeatedly receive phone calls or being constantly watched to cause you fear.
• Stalking, e.g. when your abuser repeatedly follows you or demands to talk to you against your will.
• Damage to property, e.g. when your abuser intentionally damages your property without your consent.
• Any other controlling or abusive behaviour that may cause harm to your safety, health or well-being.

This campaign is a 26 week partnership entered into by the NPA and SABC Education to educate the public about the work of the NPA in all their Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station. "The primary objective of the campaign is to improve the public's general understanding of the Criminal Justice System, and to engage listeners in their respective 'mother tongue' languages. This is an important way of facilitating better access to justice for all", says Ms Bulelwa Makeke, Executive Manager: Communication.

The campaign started on 2 May 2011 and will broadcast on 15 SABC radio stations in all official languages of the country, up to the end of October 2011. Key topics discussed include plea and sentence agreements, bail & bail conditions, asset forfeiture, maintenance and the Child Justice Act.

The weekly schedule for the radio slots is as follows:

Next week the programme will focus on the Asset Forfeiture processes which involve confiscation orders of both movable and immovable property.

Source: SAPA