16 Days of Activism to focus on plight of lesbians

The minister went on to point out that such rapes and murders are a violation of lesbian women’s constitutional right to sexual orientation. Meanwhile, Democratic Alliance (DA) spokesperson on police, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, has accused the government of failing to practice what it preaches.

Of the 56 000 reported sexual offences last year, 28% were committed against children

She says while the government is claiming to prioritise the protection of women and children, its actions are not showing that. Kohler-Barnard was taking part in the Parliamentary debate on the 16 Days of Activism on Violence Against Women and Children.

She says although there is legislation in place for the protection of women and children, it is not being implemented effectively. In her address to Parliament, the DA representative argues that there is a huge disconnect between saying, year after year in Parliament, that “we honour the 16 Days of Activism.”

She says, “Not with the 56 000 reported sexual offences last year where 28% were committed against children, which means 77 children were sexually violated everyday.” Kohler-Barnard says 42% of all sexual offences committed were specifically against children.