How could they?

WOMEN’S Solidarity Namibia (WSN) has expressed dissatisfaction with how the criminal justice system handles cases of gender-based violence, with particular reference to the case of former Judge President Pio Teek.

WSN Director Rosa Namises told a media conference in Windhoek that the organisation was shocked and angered at Teek’s acquittal on charges of child molestation, arguing that the verdict could have been different if the Police investigation had been more thorough. She also felt that the performance of the social workers responsible for the counselling and trial preparation of the two girls left a lot to be desired.Further, judges and prosecutors dealing with gender-based cases needed training to understand cases of this nature and to be able to reach a verdict that took cognisance of relevant factors.Namises said women would be reluctant to lay charges of gender-based violence and sexual assault if they believed that the perpetrators would get off the hook easily.”We have gone 10 steps back and we now need to re-encourage women to put their …trust in the criminal justice system.But that can only happen if we have a system that commits to transforming itself and becoming gender sensitive.”NampaShe also felt that the performance of the social workers responsible for the counselling and trial preparation of the two girls left a lot to be desired.Further, judges and prosecutors dealing with gender-based cases needed training to understand cases of this nature and to be able to reach a verdict that took cognisance of relevant factors.Namises said women would be reluctant to lay charges of gender-based violence and sexual assault if they believed that the perpetrators would get off the hook easily.”We have gone 10 steps back and we now need to re-encourage women to put their …trust in the criminal justice system.But that can only happen if we have a system that commits to transforming itself and becoming gender sensitive.”Nampa