Good morning,
Sanibonani,
Dumelang,
Avuxeni,
Goeie more,
Ndi Matsheloni.
Yesterday morning the President of the Republic addressed your fellow learners at Glendale Secondary School in Mitchells Plain where he launched the Stop Rape Campaign spearheaded by the Department of Basic Education and LEADSA.
The President said, “We have come together to say that these horrendous attacks must stop. No woman or child should be beaten, raped, stabbed, shot or attacked in any manner anywhere in our country, whether by known or unknown attackers. We know that there are also boys and men who have been victims of sexual assaults.
This must also stop. I trust that you do make time to read and understand the Constitution. The Constitution also says that everyone has the right to bodily and psychological integrity which includes the right to security in and control over their body. We should respect these rights and respect one another at all times.”
South Africa has a Constitution that we struggled long and hard for. Many people were imprisoned, detained, tortured, exiled, executed and assassinated so that we are able to have this wonderful Constitution that is admired all over the world. It is a source of inspiration for many countries that are writing their own constitutions.
Just as many people took responsibility for struggling against the injustice of Apartheid in the past, we today have a responsibility to ensure that we honour the responsibilities that come with the rights in our Constitution and to be good citizens.
But we know that for as long as there are 64 000 cases of rape reported to the police like there were last year, for as long as women and children live in fear the promise of our Constitution would not have been realised.
South Africa has some of the best and most advanced legislation and policies against sexual and gender-based violence. Legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and Children’s Act are being used against perpetrators of violence against women and children.
Perpetrators found guilty of sexual and gender-based violence are already receiving heavy sentences. The SA Police have re-introduced Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units at the SA Police Service.
During the last financial year, the sexual offences units secured over 363 life sentences, with a conviction rate of 73 per cent for crimes against women above 18 years of age and 70 per cent for crimes against children under 18 years of age.
The Thuthuzela Care Centers operated by the National Prosecuting Authority are aimed at improving the care and treatment of rape victims at all points in the criminal justice system hence reducing secondary victimisation; and ensuring speedy, effective investigation and prosecutions of sexual offences cases, a reduction and an increase in conviction rates.
Over a four year period from 2008 until end of March 2012 the number of TCC sites increased from 17 centres dealing with 10 213 to 52 centres, fully as well as partially operation, at which 28 557 matters were reported. The conviction rate over this period varied between 60.7% and 64.45%.
In the Budget tabled by the Minister of Finance on Wednesday provision was made for increasing the number of Thuthuzela Care Centres from 35 in 2012/13 to 55 by 2015/16. The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development has also announced the intention to accelerate the establishment of Sexual Offences Courts.
It is envisaged that 58 Courts will be fully functional during the first six months of the new financial year the Minister will be making further announcements in this regard in the near future. But the criminal justice system, no matter how effective we make it, can only be a part of the solution.
Eliminating sexual and gender-based violence is inextricably linked to the fundamental transformation of our society from one characterised by patriarchal attitudes and power relations to a truly non-sexist society.
This change begins with you. Our future citizens, our future leaders. Today is the start of Human Rights Month. On 21 March we mark Human Rights Day. Let us start by acting on the pledge we take today.
Let us uphold the Constitution, let us abide by the laws of the country, let us respect the rights of others, regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, let us not rape, commit any form of sexual harassment, abuse or violence, let us report any wrong doing to the authorities, let us honour the responsibilities that come with these rights and to be good citizens.
I thank you!
