Question NW2362 to the Minister of Social Development

Reply:

1. Progress Made:

Governments’ response to gender based violence:

An Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) on Violence against women and children (VAWC); which is led by the Department of Social Development, was established on the 3rd May in 2012. The IMC on VAWC comprised of seven (7) state departments, namely DSD, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development; Department of Women, Home Affairs; South African Police Services, Health and Basic Education.

A comprehensive strategy to address the scourge of violence against women and children which is the Integrated Programme of Action addressing violence against women and children (POA- VAWC; 2013-2018) was developed in 2013. The aim of the POA- VAWC is to eliminate of all forms of violence against women and children. The programme is an important foundation in a longer journey to realize the long term vision of all women and children living free from violence in South Africa. The framework for the realization of this vision is articulated in the three pillars namely (1) Prevention and Protection, (2) Response, as well as (3) Care and Support.

Progress since 1 August 2016- 31 August 2017:

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT:

Child Protection System Review, finalized in November 2016; this review strengthens the response to child protection.

Children’s dialogues are conducted with community based plans developed, seeking solutions on how to improve services to children.

National dialogues conducted by the department of social development and women on gender based violence.

Children’s Parliament, Child Protection Week, Human Trafficking week, 16 Days on no violence against women and children, National Children’s Day and Orange Day are observed on the 25th of each month.

Strengthening of family support through Parenting programmes as well as Fatherhood and Men’s Care programme

Gender Based Violence Command Centre (GBVCC) has established technical task team looking at integration of systems and capabilities of being connect.

The Minister of Social Development, Bathabile Dlamini and the Deputy Minister Hendrietta Bagopane-Zulu successfully launched the GBVCC enhancements to cater for People with Disabilities on the 2nd of December 2016:

• The Centre operates an Emergency Line number- 0800 428 428
• A Skype Line (Helpme GBV) for members of the deaf community.
• An SMS Based Line (31531) for persons with disability.

National Emergency Response Team (NERT) is established - 24 hour response on trauma- rendered to the victim/family, provide crisis intervention and refer to provinces for further interventions. The team is manned by highly skilled social workers and psychologist trained on management of trauma.

Advocacy and awareness campaign is undertaken through Government Communication Information Systems (GCIS); communication messages around reporting and available services for victims of gender based violence is shared with victims and the public e.g services rendered by the Gender Based Violence Command Centre.

A total number of 1371 people reached by NERT in provinces between April 2016 July 2017 for immediate trauma counselling, psychosocial support to both individuals and family members and dialogues with entire community when need arises.

NERT will continue with provision of emergency interventions in all GBV related incidences and provide immediate trauma counselling in institutions of higher learning.

Awareness campaign against Ukuthwala of girl child in the following provinces –Free State, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu Natal and Limpopo.

Prevention of Violence at Institutions of Higher Learning

Ndabezitha Izimbizo against Domestic Violence in Rural Communities of Ga-Mphahlele- Limpopo, Peddie- Eastern Cape, eDumbe- KZN; Batlokoa Ba Mokgalong (Vrede) in Free State; Sokhulumi (Bronkhorstspruit) in Gauteng

Prevention of Violence at Institutions of Higher Learning

Establishment of Everyday Heroes Ambassadors in provinces as change agents for gender based violence.

Consultations in all provinces with Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transsexual, Intersex community

Deputy Minister of Social Development launched GBV Enhancement.

Launch of POWA-APP linked to the Gender Based Violence Command Centre.

DSD developed a Policy of VEP Support Services. A draft Bill on Victim Support Services has been developed and is certified by State Law Advisor. Socio Economic Impact Assessment report certified by the DPME.

The table below indicates the number of GBV cases that have been referred with incidences, intervention, and referral and follow up.

The GBV Command Centre statistics for the period August 2016 to July 2017 are listed in the table below:

Incident Type	Number of Calls Received
	August	September	October	November	December	January	February	March	April	May	June	July	Total
Abandoned Children	1	2	7	1	13	3	2	3	2	3	12	3	52
Indecent Assault	0	2	0	0	1	0	0	3	0	0	2	1	9
Physical Violence	67	52	92	58	103	58	19	79	37	46	98	83	792
Rape	6	8	19	11	17	12	8	26	12	19	44	24	206
Verbal Abuse	7	3	15	12	7	1	3	10	3	6	23	12	102
Other GBV Incident *	109	27	135	58	144	72	50	124	49	79	147	109	1103
Other Type of Incident**	526	445	1350	414	1000	1146	523	1416	312	410	932	535	9009
Total	716	539	1618	554	1285	1292	605	1661	415	563	1258	767	11273

(Total figures represent tickets opened on the GBV CCIS)

• Includes other types of GBV, not specifically listed on the GBV Command Centre Information System ( CCIS): Stalking, economic abuse, emotional abuse, sexual harassment, forced marriages, forced prostitution, forced abortion, human trafficking, child marriage, exploitation of domestic workers, bride kidnapping, violence against foreign nationals, grade 12 related queries, intimidation and assault, substance abuse, child neglect, abuse of elderly citizens, family disputes, protection order enquiries, bullying, child custody incest etc.

2. (a) The department and the national cluster departments have made strides in terms of responding by providing trauma counselling, conducting awareness campaigns, information sessions and other emergency services

An integrated system that captures data for all people affected by violence has not yet been finalized hence it’s difficult to confirm whether the number is increasing or decreasing of people affected by the scourge of violence.

The monitoring electronic integrated system is envisaged to be operational in the new financial year.

At this stage it is not possible to tell if the number of people affected by the scourge decreases.

(b) South African society is perceived to be having one of the highest prevalence of violence and violence-related injury in the world. The high levels of violence against women and children are particularly alarming and continue to have devastating and lasting effects on survivors. Thus measuring the notable decrease in the number of people affected by this scourge needs to be on a National level rather than a departmental level. The aim of the department is to sensitize the community to speak up and not be silent about things that matter to them.