Tough laws don’t stop domestic violence, says Security Minister

DESPITE the introduction of laws such as the Combating of Rape Act and the Domestic Violence Act, violent crimes against women and children seem to be escalating.

Minister of Safety and Security, Peter Tsheehama, yesterday referred to the findings of research conducted by the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC). Reported cases of rape and domestic violence have steadily increased from 564 in 1991, to 854 in the year 2000, and 1 184 last year, Tsheehama said.The LAC’s research also concluded that for every 100 000 peope, there are 60 cases of rape and one-third of these involve children under 18 years.”Tough sanctions given to offenders do not offer any remedy.The introduction of the Combating of Rape and Domestic Violence Acts, tough as they are, have not brought expected results as perpetrators seem not to take heed of them,” Tsheehama said.The minister was speaking at the start of a two-day SADC conference discussing the findings of research on the root causes of gender-based crime in Namibia.The research project was launched earlier this year by the Ministry of Safety and Security, the University of Namibia (Unam) and Women’s Action for Development (WAD).Tsheehama said a more strategic approach was needed in finding ways to stop the rise of rape and domestic abuse, as “punishment has its limits”.”It reaches a point where it does not make sense.As indicated several times, deterrence is an old method of dealing with crime that has proved to be expensive for nothing and not working in terms of reducing crime.”As part of the research project, researchers, clinical psychologists, social workers and sociologists conducted interviews with convicted prisoners in various prisons across the country.They looked at social behaviour, domestic conditions and other factors which could play a part in a man’s decision to perpetrate crime against women and girls.The report, based on the past nine months’ interviews and research, is scheduled to be tabled today.Reported cases of rape and domestic violence have steadily increased from 564 in 1991, to 854 in the year 2000, and 1 184 last year, Tsheehama said.The LAC’s research also concluded that for every 100 000 peope, there are 60 cases of rape and one-third of these involve children under 18 years.”Tough sanctions given to offenders do not offer any remedy.The introduction of the Combating of Rape and Domestic Violence Acts, tough as they are, have not brought expected results as perpetrators seem not to take heed of them,” Tsheehama said.The minister was speaking at the start of a two-day SADC conference discussing the findings of research on the root causes of gender-based crime in Namibia.The research project was launched earlier this year by the Ministry of Safety and Security, the University of Namibia (Unam) and Women’s Action for Development (WAD).Tsheehama said a more strategic approach was needed in finding ways to stop the rise of rape and domestic abuse, as “punishment has its limits”.”It reaches a point where it does not make sense.As indicated several times, deterrence is an old method of dealing with crime that has proved to be expensive for nothing and not working in terms of reducing crime.”As part of the research project, researchers, clinical psychologists, social workers and sociologists conducted interviews with convicted prisoners in various prisons across the country.They looked at social behaviour, domestic conditions and other factors which could play a part in a man’s decision to perpetrate crime against women and girls.The report, based on the past nine months’ interviews and research, is scheduled to be tabled today.