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family advocate enquiries

FAMILY ADVOCATE ENQUIRIES

Family Advocates are independent family law officials tasked with giving recommendations or confirmation to the Courts as to what care and contact arrangements in respect of minor children they believe are in the best interests of those children. The Family Advocates will intervene, when requested to do so by

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE - WHEN IT’S TOO CLOSE TO HOME

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – WHEN IT’S TOO CLOSE TO HOME

Domestic violence remains a deep-rooted problem in South Africa, and it is regarded as a serious social evil. South Africa has one of the highest incidences of domestic violence of any country worldwide. Every day, women are murdered, physically and sexually assaulted, threatened and humiliated by their partners, within

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what to know when looking to adopt in south africa

What To Expect When Adopting: A Guide to Legal Adoption in SA

Giving a permanent home to a child is a noble act, but the legal path is paved with rigorous requirements. Governed by the Children’s Act, the process focuses on the best interests of the child. From eligibility to finalising birth certificates, discover how to navigate adoption in SA.

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TOGETHER, LET US TAKE ACTION! SAY NO TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE!

TOGETHER, LET US TAKE ACTION! SAY NO TO GENDER BASED VIOLENCE!

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence is an international campaign to challenge violence against women and children. Although accurate statistics are difficult to obtain for many reasons (including the fact that most incidents of GBV are not reported), it is evident South Africa has particularly high rates

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a step in the right direction - civil union amendment bill passed into law

Civil Union Amendment Bill Passed Into Law

Many same-sex couples can now breathe a sigh of relief as Section 6 of the Civil Union Act 17 of 2006, which previously allowed a marriage officer to inform the Home Affairs Minister of his or her objection to officiate same-sex unions on the grounds of conscience, religion or

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is the justice system failing those in need?

IS THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FAILING THOSE IN NEED?

A Verulam man accused of gross sexual abuse and the rape of his stepdaughter has pleaded not guilty to 56 charges ranging from rape, sexual exploitation of a child, human trafficking, and the creation of child pornography. The 45-year-old man was arrested in June 2018 after the child –

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the cost of abusing applications for protection orders

THE COST OF ABUSING APPLICATIONS FOR PROTECTION ORDERS

The Domestic Violence Act and Protection from Harassment Act respectively set out the procedures to be followed to obtain a Protection Order against someone. Protection Orders are critically important in providing safety and security for those most vulnerable people who are affected by domestic violence and/or harassment, but unfortunately

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A NEED FOR STATUTORY RIGHTS FOR GRANDPARENTS?

The Children’s Act sets out the responsibilities and rights in respect of children which are acquired by parents (care, contact, guardianship and maintenance), and which allows for the immediate statutory enforcement of these in the various courts. Grandparents of children, however, do not readily acquire these same parental responsibilities

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE – THE INJUSTICES OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM

The increase in the heinous and brutal acts of domestic violence during South Africa’s lockdown period is difficult for many of us to conceptualise. What is most frightening however, is inadequate protection which a protection order is supposedly meant to provide to its victims. In terms of the Domestic

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