The Portfolio Committee on Police on Thursday said it supports the emergency interventions outlined by President Cyril Ramaphosa during the joint sitting of the National Council of Provinces and the National Assembly aimed at fighting the rising scourge of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
Responding to the upswing of GBV, Ramaphosa on Wednesday told the extraordinary joint sitting: "We affirm our position that the state should oppose bail for suspects charged with rape and murder of women and children and that those who are found guilty of such crimes, should not be eligible for parole; and if sentenced to a life sentence, this must mean just what it is - life in prison".
Women must be encouraged to report acts of violence perpetrated against them and police stations must ensure that safe environment always prevails for reporting of such cases. Senior management of the South African Police Service must move with speed, to begin with the mentioned training," said the committee in a statement.
It also called for harsh penalties for officials caught transgressing sensitivity measures.
Government-issued the following tips for victims of sexual offences:
