South African Women and Children: Know Your Rights
South African women and children facing violence deserve justice—not excuses. Too many police officers are refusing to open cases, especially for gender-based violence (GBV), leaving victims hurt twice: once by the crime, then by the system. Tina Thiart from 1000 Women Trust—a group fighting GBV for over 20 years—says it’s time to know your rights and push back. A rule called National Instruction 3 of 2011 says SAPS has to help you, no matter what. Here’s what you need to know—and how to stand up.
The Problem: Police Saying No
SAPS put out a notice because it’s happening too often: officers won’t log cases, especially for women and kids. Their excuses? Weak stuff like:
- “You don’t know the suspect’s name.”
- “Bring the suspect here yourself.”
- “It didn’t happen in our area.”
- “This isn’t serious enough.”
- “Go sort it out with the person who hurt you.”
That’s not okay. If you’re a woman beaten by a partner or a mom reporting abuse on your kid, hearing this is a slap in the face. It’s called secondary victimization—when the system fails you again.
Your Rights: National Instruction 3 of 2011
There’s a rule—National Instruction 3 of 2011—that says SAPS can’t dodge you:
- They Have to Listen: Any officer must sit with you, hear your story, and check if it’s a crime. No brushing you off.
- No Sending You Away: Even if it happened somewhere else, they can’t tell you to go to another station. They take your report right there.
- Respect and Speed: The Community Service Centre (CSC) at every station has to treat you kindly, write down everything properly, and act fast.
Tina Thiart says, “It’s time for South African women who’ve suffered GBV and faced police refusal to remember Instruction 3 of 2011 and report officers who won’t help.” If they break this rule, their bosses—station or cluster commanders—should punish them.
Why This Hurts Women and Kids
When police won’t open a case, it’s not just annoying—it’s dangerous. GBV is already a crisis here—women attacked, kids hurt—and if SAPS shrugs, abusers walk free. Telling a mom to “sort it out” with a violent dad? That’s not help; it’s a trap. Thiart calls it “unacceptable,” and she’s right—victims need support, not roadblocks.
The Stupidity of Their Excuses
Those police lines are nonsense. “No name”? They’re supposed to investigate, not you. “Bring the suspect”? You’re a victim, not a cop. “Wrong area”? The rule says they handle it anyway. “Not serious”? A bruise or a threat isn’t their call to dismiss. “Fix it yourself”? That’s dumping law for chaos. It’s lazy, it’s wrong, and it leaves women and kids exposed.
What You Can Do
You’ve got power here. If SAPS refuses your case:
- Report It: Call the National Complaints Centre at 0800 331 777 or 0860 264 487. Tell them the officer’s name, station, and excuse. Make it stick.
- Get Support: 1000 Women Trust backs women and kids against GBV. Check www.1000women.co.za or email info@1000women.co.za for help.
How Do We Stop This?
Police turning away women and kids isn’t new, but it’s got to change. Every refused case keeps violence alive—1000 Women Trust has been fighting this for over two decades. So, what’s the fix? More women demanding SAPS follow the rules? Training so officers get it right? Something bigger to protect you and your kids? What could make this better where you are?
