http://www.saps.gov.za/org_profiles/core_function_components/fcs/policing.htm
South African Police Service
FAMILY VIOLENCE, CHILD PROTECTION AND SEXUAL OFFENCES UNIT (FCS)
PROACTIVE POLICING
The role of the Child Protection Unit/ Family Violence, Child Protection and
Sexual Offences Unit in preventing the relevant crimes is very limited, due to
factors such as the commission of crimes within the family circle to which the
police do not really have access. Although limited, these units have a role to
play in educating the members of the public.

The primary goal is to make the public aware of the existence of these crimes,
the role of the public in preventing and combating these crimes and the role of
the Child Protection Unit/Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences
Unit. Awareness is fostered by multi disciplinary meetings, articles in the
media and the presentation of lectures, talks, etc, at schools, universities,
youth and church organizations, etc. The lectures are presented to people of all
ages, ranging from children to adults.

REACTIVE POLICING
Reactive action comprises the investigation of these alleged crimes which have
been brought to the attention of the Unit. The investigation of a crime is a
process, and briefly comprises the following:

a.. The identification of the problem (crime or a social welfare matter or
both)
b.. The contacting of other community organizations such as social welfare
organizations and school aid services
c.. The obtaining of relevant statements from the victim and all other
witnesses
d.. The utilization of all possible investigation aids (eg fingerprint expert)
e.. The collection of all relevant evidence (eg letter, note, hair, etc)
f.. The forwarding of evidence to the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory (where
applicable)
g.. The medical examination of the victim and the alleged perpetrator (where
applicable) by the "district surgeon"/medical practitioner
h.. The photographing of external injuries
i.. The tracing of the alleged perpetrator
j.. The preparation and provision of support to the child/adult witness during
the court procedures in conjunction with other relevant role players, i.e social
workers, educators, victim support organizations, etc.
Members of the public often report matters of a social nature which do not
constitute criminal offences, to the Unit. The information is then conveyed for
the attention of the relevant social welfare organization for further assistance
and support. The Child Protection Unit/Family Violence, Child Protection and
Sexual Offences Unit forms part of the multi-disciplinary team.

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