Because of this new facility, recordings of testimony by child victims of family violence and sexual abuse can now be used in court without the child having to attend the court proceedings. In many cases, perpetrators of sexual offences against children had to be withdrawn in the past, as children under a certain age group could not be sworn in as a witness in court.
The facility, with audio video recording and one way glass in a beautifully painted room, was especially refurbished for children - the result of 12 cyclists who raised money by cycling from Johannesburg to Cape Town.
The Xtreme Cycle Tour group is managed by Matla A Bana, a Non-Profit Organisation started by ex-Al Qaeda
hostage, Monique Strydom. The budget for this project is estimated at more or less R60 000.
"If we can help by bringing one more perpetrator to the book, we have succeeded," cyclist and tour manager Dirk Lourens said.
Forensic social workers can now consult with children who have been exposed to sexual offences and harassment, and have their statements recorded.
A forensic social worker, Capt Jacqueline Appels, said the new room will ease the burden on the unit.
"It will help us to obtain more convictions for child rapists. When a judge sees a tape recording of a child's disclosure, one cannot argue that what the child has disclosed, was untruthful."
The Unit Commander of the FCS-unit, Capt Ashley Moolman told Monique and the cyclists that he was humbled by their generosity.
"I admire the courage and effort that you have put in here."
The tour
The 12 men cycled from Johannesburg to Cape Town to raise awareness on the terrible child rape statistics in South Africa, which is known as the Rape Capital of the world. The focus of this charity is to minimise the secondary abuse children suffer when they report crimes perpetrated against them.
It is estimated that one child is raped every three minutes in South Africa. Most of these children are girls between the ages of eight and 12 years and most of them have been raped by a father, brother or an uncle.
Other child friendly facilities implemented by Matla A Bana at SAPS FCS units have helped more than 20 000 children who reported abuse against them.
"With the tour, we hope to inspire children, especially young men, to not only live a healthy lifestyle by doing sport, but to also grow a healthy belief system, by not abusing women and children."
The provincial commander for the FCS unit, Col Sonja Harri, said on Wednesday that the unit does not always have the financial capability to paint and refurbish rooms for children. "We bring in children that have mostly seen the ugly side of life. Now they can speak to a forensic social worker in a room where they are welcomed as just children, as it is meant to be."
Commanding Officer of the FCS Unit in the Western Cape, Col Sonja Harri, cuts the ribbon together with cyclist Dirk Lourens, while the rest of the team looks on.
ARTICLE: LOUISE KARSTEN, MOSSEL BAY ADVERTISER JOURNALIST
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