FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD PROTECTION AND SEXUAL OFFENCES UNIT (FCS)

Establishment | Training | Crimes | Proactive & Reactive Policing | Successes | Hoax E-mail | Contact Details

ESTABLISHMENT OF CHILD PROTECTION UNIT (CPU): 1986

If the involvement of children in crime is under discussion, one can distinguish between crimes by children and crimes  against children. Crimes committed by children (delinquents) are investigated by the relevant unit, for example the Vehicle Theft Unit, Detective Branch, etc. 

The need to establish a unit within the South African Police Service to prevent and combat crimes against children, was identified during 1986. The primary task of the Child Protection Unit is to render a sensitive service endearing to the child victim. 

For the purpose of the Child Protection Unit's activities, a person is regarded a child if he/she is younger than 18 years. The definitions of a child, as stated in Sec 1 of the Child Care Act, 1983 (Act no 74 of 1983, as amended), and Sec 28(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of SA, 1996 (Act 108 of 1996), serve as a guide-line to determine age.

ESTABLISHMENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD PROTECTION AND SEXUAL OFFENCES UNIT (FCS): 1995

During the past years the need for the expansion of the sensitive service rendered to children, to adult victims of family violence and sexual offences was identified. This lead to the establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit

The establishment of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), was approved by the Provincial Commissioner, Gauteng, on 18 March 1995. The first Child Protection Unit to be transformed into a Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit (FCS), was Braamfontein (Johannesburg) on 18 March 1996 and the second one during July 1996 in Benoni.

Other units have also since then been transformed. The objective is to transform all Child Protection Units and establish Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units, depending on available resources and the occurrence of crimes policed by the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit.

At the moment there are 32 Child Protection Units (CPU) and 13 Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS) in the main centres. Specialised individuals are policing crimes against children in the smaller centres. These members are attached to the Detective Service. It is planned to establish at least 8 additional FCS Units in this financial year (2003/2004).

Crimes policed by members of the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit:

Family Violence (intra familial, victims of 18 yrs and older)

• Assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm
• Attempted murder.

Child Protection (victims under the age of 18 years)

• Rape
• Incest
• Indecent assault
• Attempted murder
• Assault with the intention to do grievous bodily harm
• Common assault (only if there were three or more incidents over a period of time - intra familial)
• Kidnapping
• Abduction
• Crimes with regards to the abuse/exploitation of children, under the Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993 (Act no 133 of 1993) and
• Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act no 116 of 1998)
• Crimes with regards to the sexual exploitation of children, under the Sexual Offences Act, 1957 (Act 23 of 1957, as amended)
• Child Care Act, 1983 (Act no 74 of 1983, as amended)
• Films and Publication Act, 1996 (Act no 65 of 1996) with regards to child pornography.

Sexual Offences (victims of 18 years of age and older)

• Rape
• Incest
• Indecent assault
• Crimes with regards to the sexual exploitation of adults, under the Sexual Offences Act, 1957 (Act 23 of 1957, as amended)
• Crimes with regards to sexual offences against adults, under the Prevention of Family Violence Act, 1993 (Act no 133 of 1993) and
• Domestic Violence Act, 1998 (Act no 116 of 1998)

back to top