A new online tracking tool joins fight against gender-based violence.
Gender-Based Violence Monitor South Africa (GBV Monitor SA) is hoping to be a platform that promotes accountability. The non-profit organization launched on Thursday, August 26, 2021 is demanding action from all sectors of society in protecting and supporting survivors of violence.
The GBV tracking tool uses data from media reports and the National Prosecuting Authority. Details like location, police station where the incident was recorded, charges laid, and other relevant details are used to populate entries.
To date, the GBV Tracker has 84 entries including the trial of Sello Abram Maponya, a convicted serial rapist. Maponya was sentenced to five life terms and 988 years in prison in May 2021.
Founder and executive director of GBV Monitor SA, Omogolo Taunyane-Mnguni, told Wits Vuvuzela: “The GBV Tracker is a critical tool in shedding light on challenges pertaining to the criminal justice system.”
Taunyane-Mnguni said that not all GBV cases are reported due to the culture of silencing and doubting survivors both publicly and in private. Reported cases are most likely not a true reflection of all incidents.
“The high prevalence of GBV shown in our stats points to a national crisis, one that has prevailed for a long time without government putting in place interventions to address this,” she says.
The tracking tool will assist in “giving insight into patterns that we can address through our reportage and research in efforts to contribute solutions to eliminate GBV,” said Taunyane-Mnguni.
GBV Monitor SA launches after the police minister, Bheki Cele, released the crime statistics for the first quarter of the 2021/2022 financial year in August 2021. “10 006 people were raped between April and June 2021, a 72.4% increase compared to the previous reporting period,” said Cele.
Although GBV Monitor SA’s logo represents the women affected by GBV in the country, the platform advocates for children, men and LGBTQIA persons affected by GBV.
FEATURED IMAGE: Founder and executive director of GBV Monitor SA, Omogolo Taunyane-Mnguni. Photo: Provided
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