The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze IntimatePartner Violence (IPV). How does contemporary science illustrate men as victimsand women as perpetrators in these relationships? Ten articles were presentedand analyzed in a systematic literature study. The results show that men beingabused by their female intimate partner, do exist and that they in many ways doconform to abused women. There are many underlying causes to the violence inclose relationships. There are also many shapes and degrees in violence and inIntimate Partner Violence (IPV). Furthermore, Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) exhibitssymmetry in socio-demographic characteristics, such as gender and ethnicity. Thefindings also points out that Common Couple Violence (CCV) are a much morecommon form of violence than Intimate Terrorism (IT) and that both forms areused by men and women. Finally, violence is ambiguous, includes many aspectsand is not easy to explain among cultural values, norms and social contexts.Still, violence is a universal human issue which demands social interventions.

The term femicide was used to refer to the murder of women. Intimate femicide referred to the murder of women by men with whom they had an intimate love relationship. The purpose of this research was to make visible the intimate and domestic nature of femicide by describing all femicides in Saskatchewan between 1988 and 1992 inclusive. A second purpose of this research was to learn about prevention both from committed femicides and from two women who had survived an attempted intimate femicide. This research was feminist in nature and utilized elements of both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies. Data were gathered on all women known to be murdered between 1988 and 1992 from sources such as newspaper searches, coroners' reports, and police files. Based on these data, femicides were classified as intimate or non-intimate femicides and as possibly preventable or not preventable within the femicidal incident itself. Further data were gathered from interviews with two women who had survived an attempted intimate femicidal attack. Both sets of data were then reviewed and themes relating to the prevention of femicide were elicited. These themes focussed on failures of the communities in which these women resided or were murdered, failures of the medical community to correctly identify femicidal men, failures of the judicial system in their dealings with femicidal men, failures of the organized church, and failures of the institution of the family. Ten femicides were classified as possibly preventable within the femicidal assault itself. In addition, the interviews with both survivors identified many areas of possible intervention relating to prevention over a longer period of time. The study concludes with my reflections on the process of engaging in research on femicide, discussions about areas for further research and the identification of possible implications for public policy.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Intimate partner violence remains an international public health concern and a human right issue. Fewer studies have been undertaken to address the impact of partner violence on the well being of female university students. The focus has been mainly on adults’ intimate relationships such as marriage and cohabitation. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the factors contributing to the perpetration of intimate partner violence among female university students in Durban. It also seeks to understand the consequences of partner violence as well as barriers in reducing partner violence among female university. The study used mixed methods of data collection. 15 in-depth interviews and three focus groups discussions were conducted in Durban. Consistent with previous research, this study found that young female university students do experience different forms of intimate partner violence, such as physical violence, sexual and verbal abuse by an intimate partner. It also shows various consequences associated with the perpetration of violence against them. Various reasons were reported as barriers in reducing partner violence against female university students. Young women accept partner violence as normal in intimate relationships. Some cases of violence are not reported in law enforcement institutions by young women which make it difficult to prevent partner violence in intimate relationships. These serve as a cause for concern as it put these women at risk of future violence. There is a great need for intimate partner violence prevention programmes in South African educational institutions including the universities. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

My interest in pursuing this study is based on the response to the frequent media reports with regard to antisocial behaviour in schools and a virtual breakdown of the moral fibre in society. There is a growing interest globally in the study of youth, especially because of the rise in anti social behaviour, with particular reference to crime and violence. Crime and violence being a cause for concern is also a subject of entertainment (films, novels), this is a reflection of the strong public interest they provoke. Crime and violence in South Africa understandably gives rise to anxiety and fear. Therefore it is important to gain perspective on the youths own perceptions of violence, crime and safety issues. This study is an attempt to analyse the changing nature of African youth in the township, with particular reference to Umlazi location. This thesis gives the details of youths and communities perception on the awareness of crime, perceptions of the level and degree of crime and violence and how these inform and influence people‘s feelings of safety. The objectives of this thesis are to answer questions relating to: * Individual and community perceptions of the level of crime in the community; * The role of the family in shaping and determining youth values and discipline; * The impact of the changing family and youth behaviour; * The perceptions of ordinary people, of the level of anti social behaviour. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

Despite the large number of children and siblings who are exposed to domestic violence, relatively few studies have examined sibling influences on the psychosocial effects of exposure to domestic violence. The aim of this study was to explore the opinions of experienced child and family clinicians on whether, and how, the presence of siblings moderates children’s experiences of domestic violence and any subsequent effects on their development and wellbeing. This study employed an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to analyse interviews with five clinicians. Analysis of the interviews revealed six superordinate themes; one sibling taking on a protective and parental role; polarisation of sibling relationships; factors influencing sibling relationships; the impact on the sibling taking on a parenting or protective role; impact on the sibling being protected; and the importance of individual family context. Overall, the findings from the interviews with the clinicians suggest that in families where children are exposed to domestic violence one child tends to take on a parental role and also attempts to protect their siblings from the violence. These results also emphasise the importance of formulation in understanding the influence of sibling relationships on the psychosocial effects of domestic violence, as there are many different factors which need to be considered. Some implications for clinical practice are discussed and potential future research directions are outlined.

For years social workers have been involved in the investigation of child abuse cases, which includes the sexual abuse of children. The forensic social worker primarily engages with the investigation of child sexual abuse allegations and their involvement begins when a criminal case of alleged child sexual abuse is registered with the police. The core function of forensic social workers is to objectively assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the judicial system during the investigation of crimes against children, which includes cases of alleged sexual abuse of babies. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the forensic social worker in cases of sexual abuse of babies in the Boland. A qualitative research procedure was followed and data was gathered through in-depth interviews with three state prosecutors working in regional courts in Worcester, Ceres and Paarl. In-depth interviews were also conducted with three SAPS forensic social workers in these areas. The results of the investigation were summarised according to certain themes. The results of the study indicate that the successful prosecution and conviction of offenders of the sexual abuse of babies are limited, because a baby is unable to deliver testimony. The crucial role of the qualified forensic social worker in the investigation of these cases was highlighted in the study. The participants found the thorough investigation of collateral sources and the interpretation of information gathered by forensic social workers of great value. As an expert witness the forensic social worker can therefore play a prominent role in the conviction of offenders of sexual abuse of babies. / Thesis (MA (SW (Forensic))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

South Africa, notwithstanding her comprehensive legislation, has disturbingly high figures of child sexual violence. These crimes and the low conviction rates should put any role-player within the field of sexual violence to shame. Concerns are raised that, unless trained professionals deal with child sexual abuse victims, we will fail to protect children from abuse and fail in our quest for justice. The South African police, in its efforts to prioritize crimes against women and children, employed forensic social workers. This article presents the results of an explorative study of the role and responsibilities of the forensic social worker in the SAPS. Data was collected from three groups of participants (forensic social workers, state prosecutors and police investigating officers) according to a mixed method approach. Both qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (statistical data) methods were therefore employed. The forensic process is designed to answer a question of relevance to the legal system, which makes the role of the forensic social worker very specific. If roleplayers in the field of child sexual offences, however, are not entirely familiar with what forensic social work entails, it could not only complicate matters for the forensic social workers, but it could also mean that their services are not used optimally and effectively. The findings of the study indicate that forensic social workers make a valuable contribution to the successful investigation of child sexual offences; however, in the absence of adequate continuous trainin training, supervision and consultation, they could fail in providing a proficient service. / Thesis (MSW (Forensic Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

For years social workers have been involved in the investigation of child abuse cases, which includes the sexual abuse of children. The forensic social worker primarily engages with the investigation of child sexual abuse allegations and their involvement begins when a criminal case of alleged child sexual abuse is registered with the police. The core function of forensic social workers is to objectively assist the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the judicial system during the investigation of crimes against children, which includes cases of alleged sexual abuse of babies. The aim of this study was to determine the role of the forensic social worker in cases of sexual abuse of babies in the Boland. A qualitative research procedure was followed and data was gathered through in-depth interviews with three state prosecutors working in regional courts in Worcester, Ceres and Paarl. In-depth interviews were also conducted with three SAPS forensic social workers in these areas. The results of the investigation were summarised according to certain themes. The results of the study indicate that the successful prosecution and conviction of offenders of the sexual abuse of babies are limited, because a baby is unable to deliver testimony. The crucial role of the qualified forensic social worker in the investigation of these cases was highlighted in the study. The participants found the thorough investigation of collateral sources and the interpretation of information gathered by forensic social workers of great value. As an expert witness the forensic social worker can therefore play a prominent role in the conviction of offenders of sexual abuse of babies. / Thesis (MA (SW (Forensic))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

South Africa, notwithstanding her comprehensive legislation, has disturbingly high figures of child sexual violence. These crimes and the low conviction rates should put any role-player within the field of sexual violence to shame. Concerns are raised that, unless trained professionals deal with child sexual abuse victims, we will fail to protect children from abuse and fail in our quest for justice. The South African police, in its efforts to prioritize crimes against women and children, employed forensic social workers. This article presents the results of an explorative study of the role and responsibilities of the forensic social worker in the SAPS. Data was collected from three groups of participants (forensic social workers, state prosecutors and police investigating officers) according to a mixed method approach. Both qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (statistical data) methods were therefore employed. The forensic process is designed to answer a question of relevance to the legal system, which makes the role of the forensic social worker very specific. If roleplayers in the field of child sexual offences, however, are not entirely familiar with what forensic social work entails, it could not only complicate matters for the forensic social workers, but it could also mean that their services are not used optimally and effectively. The findings of the study indicate that forensic social workers make a valuable contribution to the successful investigation of child sexual offences; however, in the absence of adequate continuous trainin training, supervision and consultation, they could fail in providing a proficient service. / Thesis (MSW (Forensic Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.