Mid Term Report - Gauteng Online

tion across all spheres of government and with civilsociety organisations. Among the key initiatives ofgovernment, two strategic milestones were concludedin 2006 with the completion of the GautengProvincial Safety Strategy and the Gauteng RoadSafety Strategy, as outlined in section 3.2.Community involvement in anti-crime initiatives hasnot only contributed to the deepening of democracybut has resulted in a decline in criminal activities andimproved conviction levels. In this regard, CommunityPolicing Forums, through their civilian oversightrole, have led to better monitoring of the effectivenessand efficiency of law enforcement agencies.A range of mechanisms have been put in place tocurb crime. These include:• efforts to improve visible policing and sectorpolicing• the introduction of Metropolitan Police at localgovernment level• increasing the number and training of policeemployed by the South African Police Services• establishment of more police stations in identifiedcommunities• Building community-police relations and strengtheningCommunity Policing Forums (CPFs). TheCPFs bring together police and communityrepresentatives to discuss crime-related problemsand crime prevention and crime combattingmeasures.Violence againstwomen and childrenParticular attention has been paid to the preventionof violence against women and children, with an emphasison empowering women and protecting andpromoting the rights of women and children. This hasbeen boosted by new legislation such as the MaintenanceAct, the Termination of Pregnancy Act and theDomestic Violence Act.Trauma centres and victim empowerment centreshave been established across the province, andthe training of police officers, forensic nurses andother role players has been prioritised to ensure thatvictims of domestic violence and other sexual offencesare assisted in a humane and sensitive wayand to improve successful prosecutions against theperpetrators. A one-stop victim support centre, IkhayaLethemba, has been established and provides acomprehensive package of care services on a 24/7basis to those in need.A range of GPG programmes have focused on advocacy.These have included the following:• Encouraging women and the public in general tobreak the silence against abuse, and providinginformation on the procedures to follow whenthey are being abused, in line with the DomesticViolence Act and the Victims’ Charter• Creating awareness among women and thepublic in general about types of abuse, interven-Midterm Report - 2004/06 • 51