Justice system workers need more training to deal with GBV - Kholeka Gcaleka

John Perlman speaks with Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka, Public Protector of South Africa.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

The Public Protector recently released a report into the administrative failures of the criminal justice system when it comes to gender-based violence cases.

According to Gcaleka, they found both general issues with the justice system structures, but also with specific treatment of GBV victims.

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Part of the issues come from staff who have the wrong attitude towards GBV victims, and people who have not been properly trained to understand the context of these cases.

“GBV is not like dealing with any other matter. There are a lot of sensitivities involved.”

- Kholeka Gcaleka, Public Protector 

She adds that these cases can have a strong psychosocial impact on the employees dealing with these cases too.

Her office has outlined remedial actions and have requested an audit and implementation plan from government to show how this will be addressed in the short, medium, and long-term.

Listen to the interview in the audio below.