The Fight Against Sexual Offences is Everyone’s Responsibility

Statement by Dan Plato, Western Cape Minister of Community Safety.

This morning I convened a meeting to bring together various government departments on provincial and national levels to discuss and tackle sexual offences, assault and rape. Following a spate of brutal murders and rapes of young girls, it is time to reflect on the causes and solutions and to ask for partners in putting an end to these crimes.

A full contingent of senior provincial South African Police Service (SAPS) management was present as well as Western Cape Social Development Minister, Albert Fritz, and senior Western Cape Government officials.

We are bringing a renewed focus and vigour to existing plans and projects and how these can be streamlined and linked together, across government, to prevent sexual crimes. The focus will be on short, medium and long term interventions and a follow-up meeting will be convened shortly.

We will also be drawing in academics and civil society for a better together solution. Through a whole of society approach government and citizens can take the lead to increase safety in our communities and for our young girls.