The summit was a huge success, opening with the announcement of the DNA lab in Gqeberha that will officially start operating in February 2023. The lab will hopefully address the backlog of rape cases and improve the performance of the criminal justice system.
The statistics of the crimes committed to women and children still paint a horrific picture and prove that there is still so much work that needs to be done. The premier committed to taking up the recommendations given by the delegates to strengthen provincial responses to GBVF.
The issue of bail and parole for murderers and rapists came up and it was suggested that they must not be eligible for them. This is to curb secondary victimization for the victims and survivors.
The efforts and energy the state used to fight the first pandemic (COVID- 19), must be used in the fight against the second pandemic, GBVF as it was declared by president Cyril Ramaphosa.
There is a lack on integration and co-ordination in the response mechanism to GBVF.
The functioning and management of police stations needs to be closely monitored.
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