adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
PLAN International Zimbabwe has constructed and equipped two victim friendly courts to support quick processing of child abuse cases and bring justice to the children of Zimbabwe. The regional victim friendly courts (VFC) located in Chiredzi and Mutasa district were officially opened by chief magistrate Mr Mishrod Guvamombe on 4 and 11 December 2015 respectively.
In total, Plan International Zimbabwe has now constructed four victim friendly courts inclusive of Mutoko and Tsholotsho.
A victim friendly court is a specialised court whose main objective is to ensure that vulnerable survivors and witnesses are supported to actively and meaningfully participate in the justice process.
It is made up of the main court room (where the magistrate and the accused sit), and a separation room (where the witness and an intermediary sit).
These two rooms are connected by a CCTV which allows the witness to testify from the comfort of their room without having to interact with the perpetrator face-to-face. In addition to the intermediary, a close relative is allowed to be in the same room with the witness to offer moral support.
“Children’s rights are violated everyday yet only a few cases are reported. In the absence of specialised justice systems, children seeking justice have often been victimised, generating further harm. Distance to the courts has also been a barrier to accessing justice.
“We greatly appreciate Plan International’s support, as it is in line with the Judicial Service Commission’s vision to promote and facilitate the delivery of world class justice,” Mr Guvamombe said.
Mr Lennart Reinius, the country director for Plan International, said the occasion was a landmark as it comes at a time when Zimbabwe as a country is experiencing a serious increase in incidences of child abuse.
“When I see children gathered here and I think about all those who are not here, I feel better knowing that this court will serve as an important means to deliver justice for all children. The Court will also be a deterrent to perpetrators of child abuse, effectively demonstrating that they will not escape from the law,” he said.
Plan International Zimbabwe has a long history of working in partnership with the Judiciary Services Commision and District Child Protection Committees to ensure justice for all children.
The new facilities which were constructed and fully furnished with financial support from Plan International Germany each have two court houses, an en-suite regional magistrate’s office, several offices for legal officials and external ablution facilities. Arrangements are in place to construct the witness quarters.
Reiterating on the importance of preventing child abuse, Mr Reinius said: “As an organisation, and together with our partners, we carry out crucial prevention work in the best interest of the children. In addition, we support the strengthening of community-based child protection mechanisms. Research and experience in working with children has revealed that these are more effective as they are the first line of defence. The initiative to bring this victim friendly court to Chiredzi complements these efforts.”
Chief Tshovani who represented the traditional leaders said: “Child abuse cases will no longer frustrate us in our village courts, I am urging all fellow chiefs to bring all perpetrators to this court to be effectively prosecuted.”
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