Launch of the Programme of Assistance to the Victim Empowerment Programme
STATEMENT BY MR ZANE DANGOR, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE MEDIA LAUNCH OF THE PROGRAMME OF ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME 5TH MARCH 2008
SHERATON HOTEL (PRETORIA)
Programme Director,
Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr Antonio Maria Costa,
Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of South Africa, Ambassador Lodewijk Briët,
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors and High Commissioners,
United Nations Agencies,
Dignitaries,
Distinguished guests,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentlemen:
Allow me, to acknowledge and welcome to our country our international guests, especially, the Under-Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Director of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa. I also wish to extend an apology on behalf of the Minister of Social Development, Dr Zola Skweyiya who could not be with us today due to competing demands.
This year (2008) marks the 10th Anniversary of the Victim Empowerment Programme. The Victim Empowerment Programme was launched in August 1998 under pillar one of the National Crime Prevention Strategy of 1996. The aim of this Programme is to develop, strengthen and monitor the implementation of the integrated victim empowerment policies in partnership with civil society organizations. The emphasis of the programme is placed on prevention of victimization, providing support, protecting and empowerment of victims of crime and violence with a special focus on vulnerable groups such as women, children, elderly and people with disabilities. The Department of Social Development together with its social partners will be hosting a number of activities aimed at commemorating the ten years of victim empowerment in South Africa.
Our presence here today is the culmination of events that began in 2005 with signing of the Financing Agreement between the European Community and the Government of South Africa for the Programme of Assistance to the Victim Empowerment Programme of the Department of Social Development. The implementation of this programme has been delayed due to challenges known to the Department and the European Commission.
We are here to show respect and express our gratitude as the Department of Social Development on behalf of the people of South Africa especially the most vulnerable groups of our society, women and children who will be the direct beneficiaries of the Programme of Assistance to the Victim Empowerment Programme. The purpose of this Programme is to support the Victim Empowerment Programme of South Africa by developing the capacity of the Department of Social Development to lead the intersectoral and intergovernmental Victim Empowerment Programme, and to ensure proper implementation of the Government’s commitments with regard to the empowerment of victims of crime and violence.
Programme Director, The President of the Republic of South Africa, President Thabo Mbeki has indicated in his State of the Nation Address that “Our success in the fight against crime depends on co-operation among all of us as law-abiding citizens, inspired by the principle of law, respect for our judiciary and pursuit of equal human rights, which our Constitution enjoins us to observe in our daily lives...”. He further indicated that we need to give life to the Victim’s Charter, which is the confirmation that our government has prioritized the issues of victims.
Furthermore, I need to make it known that prevention of violence against vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with disabilities and older persons, is one of the priorities of the Department of Social Development.
Ladies and gentlemen, the Department of Social Development has a long standing relationship with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime which is the implementing partner for this programme. The partnership that we have is related to the establishment of One Stop Centers for Victims of Crime and Violence wherein the victims receive services from a multi-disciplinary team to reduce secondary victimization. Four One Stop Centers for Victims of Crime and Violence have been established since 2003 in the Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape and Western Cape. Another project of partnership between the two organizations is the Kemoja Campaign against drugs abuse.
The implementation of this programme will strengthen the victim empowerment programme as follows:
- The Victim Empowerment Programme staff complement in the provinces will be boosted.
- All the personnel that are responsible for co-ordination of the victim empowerment programme within government nationally, provincially and local level will be capacitated with skills and knowledge.
- Civil Society Organisations that render services to victims of crime and violence will be funded and capacitated on financial management and other related skills.
- Victim Empowerment Forums will be strengthened at National and Provincial levels.
- A strong network of victim empowerment civil society organizations will be established.
We are looking forward to the fruitful partnership during the three years of implementation of this Programme of Assistance to the Victim Empowerment and beyond.
I thank you
Enqiuries: Zingaphi Jakuja, (012) 312 7381.
Issued by the Department of Social Development
Pretoria