Dealing with Domestic Violence in SA. 01/07/08

Are you a victim of domestic violence? Here's what you can do to protect yourself.

Domestic violence can be identified as any controlling or abusive behaviour which harms your health, safety or well-being or the health or well-being of a child, committed within the framework of a family.

A family includes anyone who is in a domestic relationship such as married persons (married according to any law or custom) who live together as husband and wife. It also includes people living together in a relationship similar to marriage as well as parties who are of the same sex and that are/were dating, engaged or in a customary relationship, and includes children in any "family" set-up.

Domestic violence includes physical abuse or threat of physical abuse; emotional, verbal and psychological abuse; economic abuse; sexual abuse; intimidation; harassment; stalking; damage to or destruction of property or entry into your residence without consent.

If you are going to take any action against physical abuse, you should remember to take photo's of your injuries and keep record of the number of times that the abuse occurred as well as when it occurred.

There are two ways in which to deal with domestic violence:

1. You can take preventative measures to stop the violence by applying for a Protection Order against the person who is abusing you; or

2. The person that abused you will be prosecuted criminally for his/her violent offences. It is a crime to assault, intimidate or abuse someone physically or sexually. In this instance the party who has been or is being abused must report this to the police. A charge will be laid against the abusing party and The State will continue to prosecute him/her in a Criminal Court. The wrongdoer may be sentenced to prison or a fine may be imposed upon him.

Which Act regulates domestic violence?
The Domestic Violence Act 116/1998 makes provision for a person who is being abused to apply to the Magistrate's Court for a Protection Order. This is done on Application and must be granted by a Magistrate, if there is evidence supporting allegations of abuse.

Who can apply for a Protection Order?
An order may be requested by anyone who is, or was, in a domestic relationship with the respondent (abusing party).

An application for a Protection Order can be brought on behalf of the applicant by any other person with the applicant's consent. A child may also apply for a Protection Order without the assistance of his/her guardian.

The Procedure:
You must approach the Clerk of the Magistrate's Court, charged with dealing with Protection Orders, closest to where you work or live and complete and sign a Form 1 which sets out the abusive actions that must be stopped. It is important to have your attorney present as there are certain allegations that you must make in your application and affidavit. If you are able to obtain the services of an attorney you should engage his/her services as there are certain allegations that you must make in your application and affidavit. If not then the Clerk of the court will assist you."

The Clerk of the Court will submit the application and affidavits to the Court. The Court hears the Application.

If the Court is satisfied, it will grant an Interim Order with a return date on which the respondent (the abusing party) must show cause why the Interim Order should not be confirmed.

The Interim Order must be served on the respondent by the Sheriff or Peace Officer of the Court. If an order is not properly served, then it is invalid. An interim order must be served on the respondent personally and can only be acted upon if there is proof of service. The State will give financial assistance to parties who do not have the financial means to pay for service of the order themselves. The cost of service varies in different areas. The minimum cost will be R42.00 and will escalate according to the distance that the Sheriff must travel.

A Warrant of Arrest will also be issued by the Clerk for the Arrest of the respondent if he/she contravenes the Interim Order. The Clerk of the Court will send copies of the Protection order to the relevant parties as well as copies of the Protection Order and the Warrant of Arrest to a police station of the applicant's choice, normally closest to where the applicant lives.

The applicant will be protected throughout the procedure as he/she does not have to supply their address on the Protection order. When does the Protection Order expire?

The order will have force until the applicant freely and voluntarily applies for the amendment or setting aside thereof. It may also be set aside at the hearing on the return date if good cause is shown by the respondent why it should not be confirmed.

What other remedies do you have?
1. You can apply for a Peace order at a Magistrate's Court.

2. Divorce is also an option should the violence / abuse be continuous and you are married.

Who can you talk to about domestic violence?
NICRO is an organisation which runs a programme to rehabilitate perpetrators of domestic violence.

(021) 422 1690

SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit Head Office: (021) 393 2363

Women Abuse Helpline: 0800 150 150

Childline: 0800 055 555

Please note this information is only meant to be used as a guideline. It is always better to consult with an experienced attorney and ensure that your attorney explains everything to you in detail until you understand.

To ask the Family Law Committee a specific question, click here.