Protection orders are legal documents issued by court to protect individuals from harassment, domestic violence and other forms of harm. Properly serving these orders is crucial to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the individual involved. When a protection order is issued, it must be served on the person against whom the order is directed in order for a legal recourse to be enjoyed by the aggrieved individual.
South Africa has an escalating gender-based violence and femicide pandemic, which is further perpetuated by challenges relating to enforcement of laws and compliance that provide redress. This has resulted in communities losing faith in the justice system.

The South African Human Rights Commission in Eastern Cape has noted during its advocacy activities allegations that service of protection orders and assistance to complainants may be delayed within the Province, which may affect the lives and well-being of the complainants.

In view thereof, the Commission will be engaging with various stakeholders to ventilate possible areas of cooperation and assistance in view of the above. The areas to ventilate will include, challenges in providing protection order services, to ascertain continuous training and sensitizing of law enforcement officials, how public awareness on the services can be improved and how the availability of innovative support services can be increased. Collaboration strategies to ensure human rights of vulnerable groups are protected will be explored.  

The stakeholder engagement is scheduled to take place as follows:

Date:   22th of June 2023
Time:   10:00 – 12:00
Venue: Garden Court, East London

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For further information, contact the SAHRC Provincial Manager, Dr Eileen Carter @ 043 722 7828/072 638 9016 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Advocacy and Research Officer, Zukiswa N Mqakanya @ 043 722 7828 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.