In contrast with South Africans celebrating women during August, the country’s criminal justice system fails miserably in supporting victims of gender-based violence and femicide.
“There is no cause to celebrate,” says Ian Cameron, Action Society’s director for community safety. “If perpetrators do get arrested, they receive laughable bail conditions. If a docket does not go missing or if a case makes it to court after years, abusers get meagre sentences.”
To shine the spotlight on how the criminal justice system fails victims of GBVF, Action Society, in cooperation with Philisa Abafazi Bethu, will, on Tuesday, 2 August, allow Janelle Laattoe to tell her story.
She’s been beaten since 2018. Not just by her boyfriend but also by the bodies which should support and help to heal her. She will tell the story of thousands of women in South Africa.
Ian Cameron and Lucinda Evans, the founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, will accompany Janelle.
Any interested media can attend the event in person. Please wear black in support of GBVF victims. The event will also be available via live stream at this link for supporters to follow the program.
Date: 2 August 2022
Time: 11:00
Venue: Philisa Abafazi Bethu – 57 Strauss Road, Steenberg, Cape Town
