MULTIDISCIPLINARY TRAINING ON SEXUAL OFFENCE PROSECUTIONS PRESENTER ADVOCATE RITA BLUMRICK DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS KWAZULU-NATAL 27 NOVEMBER 2006

The NPA established project oversight committees (POC) in each of the 9 provinces in South Africa to take responsibility for overseeing the rollout of the sexual offence courts.

It is a multidisciplinary committee and includes representatives of all role-players and include, inter alia, the National Prosecuting Authority (Chair), Department of Health, Department of Welfare, Department of Education, Department of Justice, Legal-Aid Board, Justice College, Lifeline/Rape crisis, Child Welfare, South African Police Service, the Child Advocacy Centre, Department of Community, Safety and Liaison and Childline.

POC - KEY FOCUS The successful prosecution of sexual offences against children while ensuring that the child is not subjected to further trauma. In support of this it seeks to provide information and training to all role-players. All role-players need to develop a coherent, coordinated approach in order to support the child, the family and each other through every stage in the criminal justice system.

Role-players need to be alive to the danger of confusing their roles and blurring the boundaries between their field and that of other professionals. Role-players need to know who to refer to, when and how. Role-players to provide comprehensive and effective care, need a shared set of values and principles.

Role-players need to understand the dynamics of each other role-player and the impact their work has on the other professionals working with the child. The aim is seamless cooperation between all professionals in providing a service that is victim centered.

The KwaZulu-Natal POC identified multidisciplinary training as the single most important action required to achieve the aims. The multidisciplinary POC training is on the prevention, early intervention, response, support and prosecution of sexual offences. Commencing in 2004 a series of 10 full day training sessions have been held a year.

The programme was based on the needs identified by the professionals themselves through inter-sectoral dialogue and evaluation of every training session. The interactive cycle of evaluation identified the most significant aspects of new learning and topics that needed to be dealt with. Questions posed by delegates during training identified further gaps that needed to be addressed.

The evaluations were collated after each training session and used to plan the way forward. The nature of the training encourages inter-sectoral dialogue and sharing expertise. The training helps each professional recognize and understand where their role begins and ends.

TOPICS PRESENTED IN TOPICS INCLUDED: - Roles and functions of professionals; -How to manage survivors and support them through the process; -Trial advocacy; -Custom and culture; -Myths and stereotypes; -Crime scene investigation; -Statement taking; -Suicide amongst sexually abused children. -Patterns of disclosure -Child’s memory IN TOPICS INCLUDE: - Introduction to inter-sectoral training: is this really necessary? -Court preparation: BEE Court Wise; -Adult and child sexuality; -Legal issues; -Child pornography; -Medical aspects; -Trafficking in children; -Forensic interviewing; -Victim impact statements. -Expert Witnesses -Intermediary system

EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAMME The evaluation of the 2005 programme revealed that delegates found the training of excellent practical and multidisciplinary value. Comments by delegates on the skills that they have acquired have included networking, insight into the role of other professionals and protocols, task orientated and step by step approach, and the barriers to reporting sexual abuse particularly in our culturally diverse society.

Role-players understand the differing perspectives of the other sectors. Debate has opened on best practice. The multidisciplinary approach assists in dealing with problems experienced across sectors.

A medical doctor summed up the programme as invaluable in that it gives “information that you cannot get in books”. Indeed, the information is from the presenter’s core experience.

To date the running total of delegates who have attended is 4,173! The support of UNICEF and IPT has been invaluable in allowing the POC to present the training to all the roleplayers in KZN free of charge. The continued support of UNICEF is essential to the success and continuation of the programme.

PRESENTER’S DETAILS Rita Blumrick Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions: KwaZulu-Natal Private Bag x 9008 Pietermaritzburg South Africa 3200