Action Society

Action Society is a non-profit organisation based in Cape Town, South Africa, focused on civil rights, community safety, and crime prevention. The organization engages with communities and advocates for victims of crime, specifically those affected by gender-based violence and sexual offences.

Background
Action Society has been engaged in addressing issues related to public safety and has had confrontations with Police Minister Bheki Cele concerning community safety events and policies.

The organization attracts attention due to its vocal stance against perceived inadequate policies and resources allocated to fight crime in South Africa.

Ian Cameron
Ian Cameron is the Community Safety Director at Action Society. Cameron is a main figure in the organization's efforts to advocate for reforms in the justice system and to advocate against gender-based violence.

Cameron became more publicly known following an incident with the police minister, Bheki Cele, during a community policing engagement in Gugulethu, Cape Town. Cameron's comments during a question-and-answer session drew sharp reactions from Cele, leading to Cameron's removal from the premises. Cameron's emphasis is largely on addressing the high incidences of violent crimes, particularly those against children, advocating for increased societal awareness and responsiveness to these issues.

Born in Kempton Park, Cameron moved to the UK with his family at the age of six but later returned to South Africa. He holds a background in police science from Unisa and has undertaken various courses related to incident command and local government from various institutions. Before joining Action Society, he worked for AfriForum, focusing on farm attacks and victim support.

Advocacy
Action Society works to bring attention to social ills that continue to impact South African communities. The organization has particularly highlighted issues related to the handling of DNA backlogs by police and has criticized the reporting of backlog numbers as misleading.

The organization has also engaged in efforts to challenge what they deem to be inadequate deployment of police resources in crime-afflicted areas and has been involved in discussions about the devolution of policing power to local levels in the Western Cape.

Submissions
Action Society is actively involved in the legislative process and regularly participates in public participation processes to submit comments and insights on proposed legislation. The organization has proactively engaged in discussions and provided inputs on several amendment bills including:
 * The Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Bill,
 * Domestic Violence Amendment Bill,
 * Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill,
 * Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Bill [B25-2021, and
 * Independent Police Investigative Directorate Amendment Bill [B21-2023].

The organization's focus during these advocacy initiatives is often oriented towards enhancing the justice system and applying pressure on the government to enact reforms, particularly in areas relating to gender-based violence.

Impact
The organization has experienced increased interest and support following its interactions with Minister Bheki Cele. Action Society hasplayed a role in sustaining momentum around addressing crime and has been involved in the oversight of investigations and prosecutions. The organization also actively participates in addressing cases of gender-based violence, seeking to assist in various capacities to bring justice to victims.