South African women are at risk of becoming victims of gun violence. That's according to organisation, Gun Free South Africa.
It alongside other NGO's - National Shelter Movement;
Heinrich Böll Stiftung Office Cape Town - launched the "Removing The
Trigger" campaign, in Manenberg, on Wednesday.
A national study found that more women (57%) were murdered
by their husbands or boyfriends (called intimate femicide) than by strangers.
Guns played a major role in these murders; guns were used in 17% of the cases
seen.
PICTURE: PixabayThe campaign aims to understand the nature of gun-related
domestic violence incidents in the country; to educate and raise awareness; and
to analyse the effectiveness of the Domestic Violence Act, and Firearm Controls
Act.
"The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 as amended (2021)
compels the court to make an order for the removal of a gun/s where access to a
gun is indicated – the order is included in Domestic Violence Protection Orders
issued by the court. You can apply for a Domestic Violence Protection Order
using the application form below."
Gun Free South Africa aims to work together with SAPS and
the judiciary.
The campaign was created after Jessica Shah, the mother of
Sasha-Lee Shah, approached Gun Free SA to seek justice for her daughter. The
25-year-old Sasha-Lee was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in October 2022
despite having a protection order against him.
Together with @gunfreesa @NSM_ZA @boellza we launch the Remove The Trigger campaign, to strengthen the rights of victims of gun-related domestic violence. Join us at Saartjie Baartman Centre at 10:30am #RemoveTheTrigger #LoveDoesntHurt pic.twitter.com/CjzntN9GrU
— MOSAIC Training & Healing Centre (@mosaicngo) February 14, 2024
The campaign was also launched on the day model Reeva
Steenkamp was killed by former Paralympian, Oscar Pistorius.
Gun Free SA director, Adele Kirsten says guns in domestic
violence remains a critical issue in the country.
"How much do we really know what is happening in this
space and how do we raise awareness of protecting women at home, and what law
enforcement agencies, particularly SAPS, about what their duties and
responsibilities are about domestic violence"
Done By: Mitchum George
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