Page 19 - SCAT GBV Report - Addressing Gender-Based Violence - 2021

In many cases we actually interfere – by talking to the male and telling him that we would go to the police and lay a charge of abuse or assault, because she’s too afraid to do it. It’s also to tell the perpetrator there are also other people keeping an eye on it.
Wendy Pekeur, Ubuntu.
Other times I try to talk to him [a perpetrator], and tell him the consequences of what he will face if he continues with what he is doing now. And sometimes they listen.
Jenny Fredericks, Ubuntu.
The accompaniment role of LDAs requires that they keep their clients connected to the prospect of a just outcome and maintain pressure on key role-players to fulfil their obligations to be both responsive and accountable. Empowering survivors by informing them of their rights is part of the LDA package of support for accessing justice. By assisting and accompanying survivors, and closely monitoring the criminal justice system’s handling of their cases, LDAs seek to give their clients increased power and strengthen the probability of a positive case outcome.16
2.4 Rallying the role-players for rights and recourse: “Not just to leave it there, but to go all out”
Another strategic pathway is to rally key role-players – both inside and outside the state – to proactively address incidents of GBV in a manner aligned to their respective mandates and authority. This includes holding role-players to account when they fail in their roles and obligations in respect of law, policies, procedures and protocols. A range of methods are used to do this, including: case monitoring; stakeholder forums e.g. with traditional and community leaders, local politicians, and victim empowerment services; WhatsApp groups e.g. with key service providers; public advocacy campaigns e.g. court protests; and the strategic use of the media e.g. to publicly expose case delays.
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Our role is not just to leave it there, but to go all out. Whether it’s getting in the social worker, or contacting the police to do their job, it’s to get the role-players involved.
Wendy Pekeur, Ubuntu.
If you are working on GBV, you must have a forum in the area so that the case will not collapse on the way, and to share the problems we have encountered in the cases. That is the victim empowerment forum of social development and all the people who are working with the victims. Tembakazi Mthembu, PSJAC.
WhatsApp groups with stakeholders hold the managers of those departments accountable. You need to account on GBV. When we say we are going to have a [public education] slot – and we put it on the WhatsApp – you must then tell us from the department how you will address this.
Jeanette Mqomo, KSDF.
High levels of attrition of protection order applications mean that few women obtain the protection of the law (Vetten, Le & Leisegang, 2010).
“Finish this Elephant”: Rural Community Organisations’ Strategic Approaches to Addressing GBV 19