Read the latest legal news, updates and commentary from the offices of Simon Dippenaar & Associates.
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 […]
It may sound odd, but children can benefit from their parents’ divorce Much has been written about the damage caused to children by divorce, but is there another side to the story? Are there ways in which children benefit from divorce? Experts believe they can and do. Let’s look at some of the ways divorce […]
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 […]
Reprinted from iol.com, by Norman Cloete – 2020-12-19 Picture Noor Slamdien/African News Agency In what has been hailed a landmark victory for the recognition of Muslim marriages, the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruled that the Marriage Act 25 of 1961 and the Divorce Act 70 of 1979, are inconsistent with the Constitution. The SCA […]
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 […]
If you are a parent, here is how the proposed changes to the Children’s Act will affect you South Africa has some of the most progressive children’s legislation in the world. The Amendment Bill before Parliament strengthens protective measures for children even further and aims to close gaps in the child protection system. This article […]
The issue of abusive men – reprinted from the Guardian. By Sonia Sodha – 2020-11-01 Once again, a male perpetrator of violence is painted as terribly misunderstood Reeva Steenkamp: shot to death through a bathroom door Photograph: Gallo Images/Getty Images Her name was Reeva Steenkamp. She was a 29-year-old model who was the face […]
Nude selfies and use of such apps should not be taken as ‘blanket consent’, says CPS Reprinted from the Guardian, by Caelainn Barr – 2020-10-19 Dating apps like Tinder have come out on top of conventional dating websites like Match.com, at least among those under 35. As users exchange intimate photos and messages before even […]
Elite Models boss Gérald Marie was one of the most powerful men in fashion. Was he also a sexual predator? As French prosecutors investigate, four women tell their stories for the first time Reprinted from the Guardian. A special investigation by Lucy Osborne – 2020-10-17 It is three years since the news broke about Harvey […]
Western Cape High Court File picture: Africa News Agency (ANA) Reprinted from the Cape Times, by Chevon Booysen – 2020-10-01 Cape Town – Heterosexual life partners are now eligible to inherit from each other after the Western Cape High Court ruled that a section in the Intestate Succession Act (ISA) is unconstitutional and invalid. The […]
