Table View police have warned that sexual offences are increasing in the area.
Capt Adriana Chandler, Table View police spokesperson, shares a few tips on victim support and how to report sexual offences.
“When a sexual offence is committed, the victim suffers severe trauma. It is difficult to conceive of any other offence of which the bodily and psychological integrity, privacy and dignity of a victim is simultaneously violated more severely than when a sexual offence is committed. Furthermore, a sexual offence not only affects the victim alone, but also his or her family and personal life. Therefore, police members will assist victims in any way possible to lessen the trauma,” Chandler says.
The alleged commission of a sexual office may be reported by:
. the victim of the offence;
. a family member, friend or colleague of the victim or
. a person who witnesses or received information about the commission of the offence.
“Any person who has knowledge that a sexual offence has been committed against a child must report such knowledge to a police official. Failure to do so constitutes an offence. Any person who has knowledge or a reasonable belief or suspicion that a sexual offence has been committed against a mentally disabled person must report such knowledge to a police official. Failure to do so constitutes an offence.
Sexual offences may be reported at a police station or be reported by phone. No victim may be turned away simply because the alleged offence took place a long time ago or was allegedly committed in the area of another police station,” Chandler says.
Here are a few guidelines on what to expect when reporting a sexual offence to the police:
. The victim is permitted to have a person of his or her choice present to support and reassure him or her during the interview.
. The interview will be conducted in surroundings that are either familiar to the victim or reassuring to the victim.
. Once sufficient information has been obtained from the victim, a docket must be opened, registered on the CAS and an affidavit must be made containing the time and date on which the offence was allegedly committed, the place where the offence was allegedly committed, the nature of the alleged offence and the manner in which it was allegedly committed.
. The officer should determine whether the victim requires medical assistance and if so, make arrangements for the victim to obtain medical assistance as soon as possible.
. The purpose of the medical examination of the victim is to establish whether there is any evidence relating to the alleged sexual offence.
. The victim must be taken for the medical examination as soon as possible – even if the sexual offence was only reported more than 72 hours after it had been committed, and even if the victim had already washed.
Remember – If you have been a victim of a sexual offence, it is vital that evidence must be collected before washing away any body fluids of the perpetrator.
“If the victim is a child, a member trained by the FCS Unit or a specialised individual must be contacted. If there are grounds for believing that it will be in the best interest of the child to be removed and taken to a place of safe care, the provisions of the appropriate legislation relating to children must be applied,” Chandler says.
