SA spends more on its VIPs than on women and children

South Africa spends more money on VIP protection than on specialized policing aimed at combating gender-based violence and crimes against women and children, according to a parliament committee. The Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) policing environment receives approximately R1.614 billion, while VIP Protection Services receive about R2.46 billion, leaving a difference of roughly R846 million.

Teddy Bear Foundation clinical director Shaheda Omar highlighted the need for prevention programs that focus on boys and girls before violence occurs, including positive parenting, healthy relationships, consent, and boundaries. Additionally, addressing harmful sexual behavior among children, interventions with young people exhibiting violent or sexually harmful behavior, school-based prevention initiatives, and community programs challenging the normalization of violence should receive greater investment.

Omar emphasized that children should not be treated as collateral victims of gender-based violence, as witnessing violence, losing a caregiver, experiencing displacement, developing trauma, or becoming vulnerable to further exploitation can severely impact them. She cautioned against framing the issue simply as "VIPs versus women and children," stating that proportionality, transparency, and public accountability should be prioritized instead.

Omar warned that if gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide were genuinely considered a national crisis, the urgency should be reflected in the available resources for police officers, social workers, forensic practitioners, prosecutors, and support services for families. Robyn Wolfson Vorster, a child protection expert, pointed out that although GBV was declared a national disaster in November 2025, the government's budgetary response suggests it has yet to put its money where its mouth is.

The inadequacy of the FCS unit budget has resulted in service gaps and disparities in service delivery across provinces and regions.