Department to raise awareness on domestic violence in the province

The Department of Police, Roads and Transport in the Free State will embark on a massive Campaign to raise awareness on Domestic violence in the Province as part of 16 Days of Activism for no violence against Women and children. The aim of the Campaign is to educate Communities about Domestic violence and to inform them about their legal rights in instances of Domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviour in a relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control over intimate partner or close relative. It is a serious crime against society and has unacceptable incidence in South Africa. The victims of Domestic violence are always the most vulnerable members of our society namely, Women and Children.

Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act no 116 of 1998) classify Domestic violence into five sections which are:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Financial abuse and
• child abuse

In addition to the above, conduct between people who are in such a relationship which, according to the Act, also qualify as Domestic violence includes:

• Intimidation
• Harassment
• Stalking
• Damaging of property and
• Entry into the residence of the victim without consent, where the parties do not share the same residence.

The number of incidents of Domestic violence in which Women, Children and the elderly are the victims appear to be continually on the increase in the Free State.

The table below from South African Police Services illustrates the reported cases in the Free State from financial year 2007/8 to 2011/12

Domestic violence awareness campaign which starts on the 15^th November 2012 at 17h00 at Ntswanatsatsi community hall in Cornelia, will also be rolled out to the following five towns in the Province during the Month of November 2012:

Enquiries:
Zolile Walaza
Cell: 082 410 6516

Saki Mohono
Cell: 082 385 5600