The Right and the Real: Implementing the Domestic Violence and Sexual Offences Acts - Publications

On August 11th 2011, the Tshwaranang Legal Advocacy Centre (TLAC) formally launched a report investigating the progress made by five government departments in implementing the Domestic Violence Act (DVA) and the Sexual Offences Act (SOA). The report provides a comprehensive overview of the implementation of the two Acts by the Departments of Justice and Constitution Development, Police, Health, Social Development and Correctional Services. The report analyses the departments’ annual reports, budgets, and strategic plans.

The research findings attest to the pertinent role of Portfolio Committees in exercising oversight on the departments. One of the key recommendations of the report highlights the potential for joint civil society and Portfolio Committee work in holding departments accountable to the progressive implementation of the two pieces of legislation, therefore ensuring compliance with the provisions of the two acts.

Findings of the report were previously presented (May 16th 2011) to a select audience of parliamentary researchers and civil society activists in a seminar jointly hosted by TLAC, Heinrich Boell Foundation and the Parliamentary Programme of the Community Law Centre, UWC. The seminar explored the targeted departments’ implementation progress to date, ways in which Parliament’s oversight role can be further strengthened and how civil society organisations can hold government to account on their constitutional obligations to respect, protect and promote the rights of women in this regard. 

For the full report, media coverage of its findings as well as the report on the seminar proceedings see below.