Govt approves Victims' Charter
Thabo Mokgola
3 December 2004
The Cabinet has approved a charter consolidating the current legal framework on the rights of victims of crime and the services to be provided to them.
In its last meeting of the year, the Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa (the Victims' Charter) and Minimum Standards on Service for Victims of Crime.
Government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said the charter deals with minimum standards for such service by security agencies and government institutions.
"This includes the rights to fairness, to dignity and privacy, to offer and receive information, to protection, as well as to assistance, compensation and restitution", Netshitenzhe said.
Last week, President Thabo Mbeki expressed appreciation that the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development was close to finalising the Victims' Charter.
"Its implementation is expected to give additional support to victims of
crime and reduce the secondary victimisation that is frequently experienced, especially by women and children, which often leads to withdrawal of charges", Mbeki said.
Mbeki was speaking at the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign.
The government and civil society in SA have undertaken various initiatives to raise awareness about gender violence and to educate the public on how to prevent it.
Source: BuaNews
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