Exploring policing strategies in response to violence against women and girls in Johannesburg

Abstract

This study aims to explore policing strategies in response to violence against women and girls in South Africa. Data was collected by conducting in-depth interviews with South African Police Service members from the Johannesburg Central Cluster in Gauteng, who attend to domestic violence complaints as first responders as well as investigators at the station level who conduct domestic violence investigations. The in-depth interviews provide a comprehensive understanding of participants’ experiences relating to policing strategies to address violence against women and girls. Moreover, a review of international best practices provides an enhanced sense of policing strategies to combat violence against women and girls. The research findings reveal the South African Police Services experience numerous shortcomings in its strategies to address violence against women and children, various internal challenges concerning the proactive and reactive policing of violence against women and girls, and inconsistencies in the service that the police service provides to women and girls, which consequently influence its ability to address violence against women and girls effectively. Based on these findings, a procedural framework to enhance policing strategies in response to violence against women and girls is proposed, thus contributing to the current body of knowledge.