‘Cops not well-equipped to probe sexual violence’
By Patrick Cull Political Correspondent
Source:The Herald Online
Cape Town – A NATIONAL Council of Provinces (NCOP) report on sexual violence states that police show “a distinct lack of effort in the investigation of cases” and that this is compounded by a lack of sufficient resources.
The report was compiled after a visit to a number of provinces, including the Eastern Cape, and public hearings held by the provincial legislatures.
It will be debated in the NCOP this afternoon.
The report states that in provinces where hearings were held it was clear that the problem of sexual harassment and violence against girls was “widespread and cut across all race and class lines”.
It says that in the majority of incidents, perpetrators were adult males known to the victims, who were primarily female between the ages of 12 and 18, “although incidents of survivors as young as seven were reported”.
In addition, sexual harassment, including rape and assault also occurred between pupils, according to the report.
The report says that in the majority of cases reported to the education committee that compiled the report, there was “inadequate action to deal with the perpetrators and assist the survivors.
“A number of perpetrators have not been charged by the criminal justice system, nor have they faced disciplinary action from education authorities.
“Many perpetrators continue to teach in the same school where the survivors are pupils.”
The report said most of the perpetrators were teachers and that most cases of sexual violence went unreported and it was apparent that “principals, school governing bodies and parents are turning a blind eye to sexual violence”……..
