Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana Police Service has launched child friendly policing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Speaking at the launch in Gaborone on Tuesday, acting Police Commissioner, Mr Phemelo Ramakorwane, said the SOPs would facilitate provision of quality and comprehensive services to children who come into contact with the police.
He said the standard operating procedures for reception, interviewing and referrals of cases would help children get effective referrals for medical and psychological support.
“The main purpose is to strengthen and standardise child-friendly and age-sensitive procedures for all children in contact with the law, whether as victims, witnesses or suspected offenders,” he said.
For instance, the e 2022 statistics showed that a total of 2 984 cases were recorded across all the child friendly centres, he said, adding that the most prevalent offence was defilement followed by rape and females were the most affected victims at 91 per cent of cases recorded.
“This is a clear indication of the vulnerability of the girl child, especially to sexual assault,” he stated.
Therefore, he said the Standard Operating Procedures reinforced other available protocols and conventions that guaranteed dignity, safety and access to justice for children.
Mr Ramakorwane further said in developing the standards, greater attention was given to linkages with other international instruments and treaties that covered spectrum of children’s rights.
He said the underpinning linkages included non-discrimination, best interest of the child, the right to life and respect for the views of the child.
Botswana Police Service’s director for gender and child protection branch, Senior Assistant Commissioner Ms Goitseone Ngono said the police had integrated child friendly policing within its processes and was making strides affording children a conducive environment.
She said to achieve the Standard Operating Procedures, a technical team comprising various stakeholders embarked on countrywide consultations, which identified problems and evaluated effectiveness of the police practices and policies.
“Based on the findings from these consultations and reviews, we have made significant improvements to our response to child protection issues,” he said.
The UNICEF Country Representative, Dr Joan Matji said statistics showed that at least one in every three children in the country experienced violence, be it physical, sexual or emotional before attaining the age of 18.
She said the SOPs were a continuation of the national agenda and joint commitment amongst various stakeholders to end violence against children in Botswana and to help the police provide consistent, uniform and effective services to children across the country.
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