JOHANNESBURG, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- South African government on Friday expressed concern over the increase in sexual offenses against women and children with more than 117, 000 cases having been reported from 2014 to date.
South African justice minister Michael Masutha, revealed the figures on Friday at the Presidential summit on gender-based violence in Pretoria.
"From 2014 to date, a total of 117, 811 sexual offences cases against women and children were reported. More than half of the 117, 811 cases, that is 67,342, were offenses committed against children, "said Masutha.
He said there is a need for improvement in the performance and efficiency of the criminal justice system, starting with policing, collection of evidence, and treatment of women from the reporting of cases up to the trial stage.
He also pointed out that sexual abuse happen among family members, friends and acquaintances.
Masutha said some cases are not reported or victims are pressurized. He called for harsher sentences for those committing sexual offences against women and children.
