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

Films and Publications, 1996
ACT 65 OF 1996

PROACTIVE POLICING

The role of the Child Protection Unit/ Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in preventing the relevant crimes is very limited, due to factors such as the commission of crimes within the family circle to which the police do not really have access. Although limited, these units have a role to play in educating the members of the public.

The primary goal is to make the public aware of the existence of these crimes, the role of the public in preventing and combating these crimes and the role of the Child Protection Unit/Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit. Awareness is fostered by multi disciplinary meetings, articles in the media and the presentation of lectures, talks, etc, at schools, universities, youth and church organizations, etc. The lectures are presented to people of all ages, ranging from children to adults.

REACTIVE POLICING

Reactive action comprises the investigation of these alleged crimes which have been brought to the attention of the Unit. The investigation of a crime is a process, and briefly comprises the following:

The identification of the problem (crime or a social welfare matter or both)
The contacting of other community organizations such as social welfare organizations and school aid services
The obtaining of relevant statements from the victim and all other witnesses
The utilization of all possible investigation aids (eg fingerprint expert)
The collection of all relevant evidence (eg letter, note, hair, etc)
The forwarding of evidence to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (where applicable)
The medical examination of the victim and the alleged perpetrator (where applicable) by the "district surgeon"/medical practitioner
The photographing of external injuries
The tracing of the alleged perpetrator
The preparation and provision of support to the child/adult witness during the court procedures in conjunction with other relevant role players, i.e social workers, educators, victim support organizations, etc.

Members of the public often report matters of a social nature which do not constitute criminal offences, to the Unit. The information is then conveyed for the attention of the relevant social welfare organization for further assistance and support. The Child Protection Unit/Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit forms part of the multi-disciplinary team.