Recent cases of violence against children exposes ineffectiveness of abuse policies – advocacy group
The Women’s Legal Centre has criticised government for failing to implement abuse policies, arguing that on paper, the rights of women and children are protected but not so much in reality.
Community members gathered outside the Protea Glen Magistrate's Court on 12 August 2025 where they called for justice for the Eldorado Park four-year-old girl whose parents are charged with her rape, murder and child abuse. Picture: Jabulile Mbatha/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - An advocacy group, the Women’s Legal Centre, said the recent cases of violence against children are exposing the ineffectiveness of government policies against abuse.
The group has criticised government for failing to implement abuse policies, arguing that on paper, the rights of women and children are protected but not so much in reality.
ALSO READ: Child sexual abuse: Activists stand 10 toes down
The criticism comes on the back of news that a four-year-old child was raped and murdered, allegedly by her father, in Eldorado Park.
Legal Centre director Charlene May weighed in on the matter: "We only tend to talk about the vulnerabilities, the harsh realities of women when it’s Women's Month and when it’s 16 Days of Activism and the rest of the year, the crimes that are committed against women does not receive the same level of attention."