Parliamentary hearings: the domestic violence act

1. Parliamentary hearings:the domestic violence act Tshwaaranang Legal Advocacy Centre

2. Key problems • Non-compliance/enforcement • Ineffective implementation • Under-resourcing • Inadequate training • A predominantly court and police response that is not embedded within a broader matrix of psycho-social, economic and practical assistance that both addresses current violence and prevents future/repeat victimisation

3. recommendation 1: • Encourage the development of a comprehensive, integrated national strategy to end domestic violence • Government and civil society response comprising: • Health, housing and shelter, counselling, skills development and employment, child care and help with child abuse, tested and effective abuser’s programmes, education, awareness and support for those forming part of the women’s personal networks • Driven by Ministry of Women, Children and People witmh Disabilities

4. recommendation 2: • Revision of the DoJ&CD’s regulations in terms of the DVA • Development of a performance monitoring framework • Service of the protection order • Ensuring the availability of shelter and counselling services • Develop norms and standards around training for court personnel

5. recommendation 3: • Revision of the SAPS National Instruction 7/1999 version 02.00 in terms of the DVA • Develop norms and standards around training for police • Set out clear guidelines around arrest • Develop a five year plan for the effective policing of domestic violence

6. Other recommendations • recommendation 4: Amend the legislation pertaining to the ICD in order to widen their powers • recommendation 5: Come up with approaches to address the marginalisation of some groups from the Act’s protection • recommendation 6: Prioritise the finalisation of legislation dealing with domestic partnerships • recommendation 7: PCWYCPD should develop a five year strategy and implementation plan setting out parliament’s role in addressing domestic violence in South Africa