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Expanding Child-Friendly Courtrooms in South Africa
31 October 2026
The South African Department of Justice is expanding the country's network of child-friendly courtrooms to better support vulnerable witnesses and promote judicial independence. According to the Department, there are now 94 sexual offences courts across the nation, up from 22 established in 2013. These specialised courts aim to prevent secondary victimization by providing a more comfortable and less traumatic environment for minors to testify.
A Comprehensive Approach to Child-Friendly Justice
The rollout encompasses both physical infrastructure, like private testifying rooms and separate waiting areas, and support services designed with children in mind. Regulatory frameworks, such as section 55A of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, outline the required facilities and services for these courts, including two-way CCTV systems, counseling, and court preparation programs.
These measures build on an evolving framework for child-sensitive justice in South Africa. Early initiatives, like the 1999 Customer Service Charter, focused on providing basic child-friendly amenities in courts. The 2013 reintroduction of sexual offences courts marked a significant step forward, with subsequent years seeing progressive expansion. The Department reported in 2022 that the rollout has now reached all provinces.
Why Child-Friendly Courts Matter
The stated policy goal of these specialised courts is to prevent secondary victimization – the additional trauma experienced by victims when testifying in open court. A report by the South African Human Rights Commission highlighted how renovations at the Gqeberha High Court, including an overhaul of the children's witness facilities, helped create a safer environment for young witnesses. The Child Justice Act also mandates that child court hearings should be held in rooms designed to put children at ease.
Progress and Remaining Challenges
Despite the expansion, gaps remain in the justice system's capacity to support child victims. A 2013 Department report found that, out of 298 courts with CCTV systems, only 106 had waiting rooms specifically for children, and only 49 had multiple waiting rooms for different age groups. While these figures have improved with recent developments, ongoing oversight remains crucial for consistent implementation.
The Department has committed to prioritizing child-friendly infrastructure within available resources. In 2022, it stated that extended court services would include children's court services alongside other family-oriented functions. Tracking whether these developments translate into improved access and experiences will be important for future assessment.
With the number of children's courts in South Africa reaching 482 in 2016, policymakers must ensure these new specialized courts integrate effectively with existing structures while improving the experience of child witnesses and victims.