Protection order violators can be arrestedThe Commission for Gender Equality has urged South Africans to report cases of gender-based violence. © eevl – 123RF.com Commission Spokesperson Javu Baloyi said if women feel threatened in any way they should report to the police and apply for a protection order. According to the South African Police Service a protection order will prevent the respondent from committing any specified act of domestic violence or sexual harassment; entering the joint residence or a specific part of the residence; entering the victim’s residence if they are not living together; entering the victim’s place of employment or office and having contact with a child or children if it is in the best interest of the child. If a respondent contravenes any protection order, he or she can be arrested. How to apply for a protection order:
Cases of abuse can be reported at the nearest police station and gender discrimination can be reported to the Commission for Gender Equality at 0800 007 709. #100MenMarchGovernment and various social partners will host a national #100MenMarch to stop violence against women and children on 10 July in Pretoria. Various formations will in the spirit of #ThumaMina heed the call by President Cyril Ramaphosa that all citizens should take a stand to stop violence against women and children. The march will draw at least 100 men from various sectors of society, such as government, business, labour, faith-based organisations, non-profit and media organisations to stop the abuse of women and children. Members of the public can join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags #ThumaMina and #100MenMarch. *This article first appeared in the July edition of Vuk’uzenzele |