Submitted by: Democratic Alliance and Svenska Folkpartiet

Noting that:

We are is outraged and saddened by the continued reports of gender-based violence and cases of missing women and children in South Africa;

The reported cases of gender-based violence and domestic abuse pale in comparison to the unreported cases which often occur in the most remote areas of South Africa where there is little to no support for the victims. 

Believing that:

Places like police stations need to be safe havens, where officers are properly briefed on how to process such complaints and where the necessary counselling is offered;

• We must also address socio-economic challenges such as the vast inequality, joblessness, and economic exclusion, which women and young people bear the brunt of. If we do not fix these economic imbalances, we will not fix the broken society in South Africa;

• Societies free of gender-based violence do not exist, and South Africa is no exception.

Considering that:

• It is high time that the national South African Government, and Governments around the world, get serious about protecting the most vulnerable in society. The perpetrators must have the full might of the law brought down on them.

Calls for:

• Member parties and other liberal organisations to support the DA and South Africa in their fight against gender-based violence;

• All police stations, across all provinces in South Africa and around the world, to have the required number of adult and paediatric rape kits in stock;

• Police officers who fail to assist victims that are reporting rape or abuse to be dealt with far more harshly in South Africa and around the world;

• Member parties and other liberal organisations to take responsibility to be vigilant and to help those who are victims of domestic abuse or child abuse.