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The Department of Justice and Constitutional Development reaffirms its commitment to the re-establishment of dedicated Sexual Offences Courts. Currently the model is being developed to address the gaps identified by the Task Team established to investigate the desirability of re-establishing Sexual Offences Courts.

The preliminary report of the Task Team confirms and stresses that there is a need to determine how other dedicated service models, such as the Thuthuzela Care Centre could significantly strengthen the functioning of these courts. A legal framework is required to define and guide the inter-sectoral coordination of these services and their resources to establish a victim-centred criminal justice system that is quick, effective and responsive to the special needs of the victim of sexual offences.

The Task Team is finalizing the development of a Sexual Offences Court Model that seeks to address the gaps that led to the demise of the previous Specialized Sexual Offences Courts. This is to ensure that mistakes of the past are not repeated. The final report is expected to be submitted to the Minister before the end of the year.