By Sheila Ponnie
The Ministry of Interior through the South Sudan National Police Service has urged residents across Juba City to report all cases of sexual assaults, including rape and other forms of sexual violence.
The Head of Special Protection Unit, Col. James Dak Karlo told the public last week to report all forms of violence in their geographical locations, especially where there is a Special Protection Unit.
“The community needs to know that the Special Protection Unit facility belongs to them and it is open 24 hours. There are supposed to come and report cases of violence to the police,” Karlo said during a visit by the Minister of Gender and Social Welfare at the Special Protection Unit and Community Policing in Gudele Block 9.
“To prevent violence against woman and children in the community, residents have to challenge the beliefs and behaviors that promote violence and inequality.
In June, South Sudan National Police Service (SSNPS) launched the coordination center for the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and Community Policing Unit in Gudele, a residential area popular for a high rate of criminality.
Karlo added that his office deals with divisions where SPU are within Juba and these divisions are located at the northern division in Juba, Malakia, Gumbo, Munuki, Gudele, Lologo, and Miyasaba jurisdiction.
“So this Jurisdiction deals with criminal cases and gender-based violence (GBV). People should not shy away and there is need for them to deal away with traditional beliefs and taboos of believing that when they report rape cases then they will not get married again,” he said.
He also outlined the functions of the SPU in the sector of law enforcement that the facility helps in raising awareness for monitoring and protection of SGBV cases and for protection of victims, investigation, and apprehension of perpetrators.
Karlo lamented saying, the community exerts no efforts in helping the police and yet they are supposed to come out and report crimes, especially ones that are sexually-based.
“We need the community to help us, let them come out and we work together in order to overcome the violence happening in the areas, we need the community to come out,” he emphasized.
South Sudan National Police Service Spokesperson Major General Daniel Justin explained piled blames on victims who do not finalize matters due to impatience over the policing procedures.
“Some people simply don’t like making lines, they’re always in hurry and even if you tell them to wait they don’t want and others report and when the police ask them to bring in a witness they go and don’t come back. At times we do follow them up and we solve the issue.
“That’s one of the challenges here. But so far all the cases reported in the police are followed up,” he added.
Daniel urged the public to defy cultural baggage and report all cases of SGBV as they are crimes punishable by law through community policing.