Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
Why are we still fighting high rates of femicide? As we stagger towards the end of the year, exhausted but at least relieved that the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us and life has returned to some semblance of normality (Eskom’s woes notwithstanding), it’s time once again to turn our attention to the […]
Reprinted from the Guardian, by Anna Moore – 2022-05-09 Can men who assault or intimidate their partners be taught to respect women? We talk to campaigners and perpetrators – and sit in on one of their classes In this Zoom call, four men are looking at a list of family duties and marking which they […]
We welcome new legislation aimed at tackling our gender-based violence epidemic. This article, reprinted from Business Tech, explains the terms of three new laws, signed into effect by President Cyril Ramaphosa recently. Reprinted from Business Tech – 2022-01-31 President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law three new pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening efforts to […]
Largest analysis of its kind finds one in seven globally said they had experienced violence in the last year We know we have a problem with gender-based and domestic violence in South Africa, and we know it is a global phenomenon, as reports that have emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic have shown. But this study, […]
Family finds closure after 17 year battle to get justice for their slain daughter Reprinted from the Cape Argus, by Mwangi Githahu – 2022-01-17 Cape Town – A Pietermaritzburg family whose daughter was killed in 2005 say they have finally gained closure after two Western Cape High Court judges last week upheld the killer’s 15-year […]
As we currently observe 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, this article from the UK’s Guardian newspaper gives voice to the experience of a child raised in a home where domestic violence was a frequent and unwelcome guest. Although the author was not the direct victim of the abuse – […]
Guns and gender-based violence – what’s the connection? Does widespread use of guns contribute to a violent culture in general, particularly with regard to women? In other words, is there a connection between guns and gender-based violence? Experts believe there is, and gun control has – finally, some might say – become a priority for […]
This article is from the UK’s Guardian newspaper. It contains some shocking statistics on violence against older women. We are sharing it because we believe this happens in our society as well, and these victims are invisible. We know that gender-based violence is endemic in South Africa, but we think of it in the context […]
Reprinted from the Observer. By Andrew Anthony – 2021-02-21 Jane Monckton Smith: ‘The clues are very often in what the person says about themselves.’ Photograph: Gareth Iwan Jones Photographer/Gareth Iwan Jones for The Observer The author and professor of public protection on the red flags of coercive control and how courts should change to give abuse […]
President Ramaphosa extends Alert Level 3 and announces new measures to combat “second pandemic” of GBV and femicide The President’s speech on 11 January, coming just two weeks after he announced a return to Alert Level 3, albeit “adjusted”, harboured few surprises. Some might have hoped for an end to the alcohol ban, but it […]
Actor says playing role of abused wife gave her new insight and hardened her stance on the issue This is a shocking statistic: “…for every three months that lockdowns continue, an additional 15 million women around the world are expected to be affected by violence”. Nicole Kidman speaks out against gender-based violence after playing an […]
As we embark on another 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign (16 Days Campaign), which takes place from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human Rights Day), we have nothing to celebrate. Rates of violence against women and children have been on […]
