Oliver Tambo Institute of Governance and Policy Studies / MPM

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies /  Domestic violence is a social problem experienced by people in various settings and social relationships. Factors such as cultural beliefs, patriarchal practices, economic background, socialization process, gender stereotypes are key drivers of domestic violence in our communities. Internationally, the problem is said to be a social ill that contributes to many social problems. Domestic violence takes place across all walks of life regardless of race, age, sexual orientation or gender. It takes place in urban areas and in rural areas all over the world. Domestic violence happens to people who are legally or traditionally married and amongst intimate partners. This study therefore explores the contributory factors leading to domestic violence. The study made use of qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling procedure was used to identify participants who were more willing to take part in the study. The study used Semi structured interviews to collect data. Thus, discourse analysis was used in the study to analyse data. The study was conducted at Mangaya village in Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province in South Africa. The study findings revealed that unemployment is a challenge and contributory factor leading to domestic violence, most of women had suffered domestic violence for a long period of time, children are directly affected by domestic violence within families, most women sacrifice themselves in order to save their marriages and protect their children. The findings of the study indicate that there are various aspects that contribute to the problem of domestic violence. The study recommends that community and police should actively work together in helping the victims of domestic violence to overcome their irrational thinking that is combed by remaining in abusive situations. / NRF

Thesis (M. A. (Criminology and Criminal Justice)) -- University of Limpopo, 2021 / The purpose of this study was to explore domestic Violence, closely looking at the victimisation of women and children in the Mankweng police area, situated in Capricorn Municipality, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study sought to identify factors contributing to abuse against women and children, to assess types of abuse experienced by victims and to determine measures that can be applied to prevent it. This qualitative study applied the exploratory research design to recruit participants using non-probability sampling techniques, specifically purposive sampling tehniques. About Fifteen (15) participants, including Twelve (12) local SAPS officials and three (3) social workers attached to the SAPS FCS who work closely with domestic violence, were selected in this study. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Based on the transcribed data, themes were extracted and analysed using Textual Content Analysis (TCA). This study established that there are factors that contribute to the occurrence of domestic VAW and children; victims are affected by domestic violence (I.e., Be it physical, sexual, psychological and financial); and that there are measures that may reduce its occurrence. Findings of this study indicates that factors such culture, alcohol abuse, financial dependency, and exposure to abuse at early childhood contribute to the occurrence of domestic violence and that victims experience abuse differently. For recommendations, there is a need for Educational programmes on domestic violence legislative framework(s), especially the Domestic Violence Act [DVA] (No. 116 of 1998). They should be strictly enforced to assist perpetrators to note the seriousness of this crime and the detrimental effects of their actions. The response of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) on this practice should be efficient in this regard. The potential victims should be aware of different steps to take to avoid domestic violence and related abuse. There also a dire needs for the available service providers, such as the social workers, health professional and police to be familiar with effective ways to deal with this practice. Keywords: Children, Domestic violence, Domestic Violence Act [DVA] (No. 116 of 1998), Limpopo Province, Mankweng policing area, Women, VictimisationVictims

Barn som växer upp med våld i hemmet är inte ovanligt. Under 2015 gjordes 4070 anmälningar om fysiskt våld mot barn Brottsförebyggande rådet (BRÅ). Betydligt fler barn än så utsätts för psykisk misshandel genom att bland annat bevittna våld mot sina omsorgspersoner. Både fysisk och psykisk misshandel kan få allvarliga konsekvenser för barnets utveckling och de barn som är drabbade utgör också en riskgrupp vad gäller att hamna snett längre fram i livet. Syftet med studien är att få ökad kunskap om upplevelser och konsekvenser av att på nära håll leva med våldet under uppväxten. Studien är kvalitativ med en abduktiv ansats med viss induktiv inriktning, där datainsamlingen gjorts genom intervjuer av fyra, idag vuxna personer utifrån deras utsatthet av våld under uppväxten. Till intervjun användes en intervjuguide med fyra rubriker. Under varje rubrik fanns några uppföljningsfrågor som ansågs svara mot syfte och frågeställningar. Materialet har analyserats med konventionell kvalitativ innehållsanalys. Det studien visat är att isolering av känslor och otrygghet blir konsekvenser av att växa upp med våld i hemmet. Slutsatserna i studien visar att känslor som funnits under uppväxten omformas och till viss del präglar det vuxna livet.

Thesis (MA)--University of Stellenbosch, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study investigated demographic and family variables as possible risk factors for child sexual abuse within a sample of children and adolescents who have been exposed to a range of life-threatening traumas. A total of 94 traumatised children and adolescents were interviewed about their sexual abuse history. Forty females (42.56%) and 10 males (10.63%) reported sexual abuse. Family and demographic variables that were found to be significantly associated with increased risk of sexual abuse were female gender (!2 = 13.575, Q. < 0.05), family structure (growing up with parents who are single, divorced or widowed) (!2 = 6.327, Q. < 0.05) or a family with a member who receives a disability grant (!2 = 4.657, Q. < 0.05). / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie is ondersoek ingestel na demografiese en gesinsverander1ikes as moontlike risiko-factore vir kindermolestering in 'n steekproef kinders en adolessente wat aan 'n breë spektrum lewensbedreigende traumas blootgestel was. Onderhoude oor 'n moontlike geskiedenis van seksuele misbruik is met 94 kinders en adolessente gevoer. Veertig dogters (42.56%) en 10 seuns (10.63%) het seksuele molestering gerapporteer. Gesins- en demografiese veranderlikes wat betekenisvol met verhoogde risiko vir kindermolestering verband gehou het, was vroulike geslag ~2 = 13.575, g < 0.05), gesinstruktuur (om op te groei in 'n gesin met 'n enkel-ouer, 'n geskeide ouer of met een ouer oorlede) ~2 = 6.327, g < 0.05), en 'n gesin waarin 'n familie-lid 'n ongeskikheidstoelaag ontvang het ~2 = 4.657, g < 0.05).

The scientific study of child abuse and infanticide is a relatively young practice in the field of medicine, psychiatry and psychology, and although the role of parents in child homicide has been studied, minimal research has focused on the role of the male paramour, or the child's mother's boyfriend, as the perpetrator of child homicides. This study aimed to examine the differences between male paramours and biological fathers who kill children and hypothesized that biological fathers or step-fathers are significantly more likely than the child's mother's male paramour to kill their children due to relationship factors between the perpetrator and the child's mother, specifically and for the purpose of this study in the context of domestic violence. Child homicides committed by male paramours, in comparison, are more likely to have resulted from factors that are individually or child-centered. Decedent children ages 0-17 that were killed at the hands of their biological father, male-stepfather, or biological mother's male paramours between the years 1999 through 2005 in Miami-Dade County were be studied. The age of the perpetrators and child victims killed by the two groups were compared using an independent samples t-test, with a significance level set at .05. The two groups of male perpetrators were compared on prior domestic violence histories, prior criminal histories, evidence of prior trauma to the child, and perpetration of multiple homicide and post-incident suicide using a chi-square test, with a significance level set of .05. Significant differences were found between the two groups. Specifically, paramours are significantly more likely to be younger than biological fathers and children killed by paramours are more likely to evidence prior trauma. Further, biological fathers are significantly more likely to have a history of domestic violence, as a perpetrator, engage in multiple killings, and commit suicide after perpetrating the child death. The study demonstrates the need for prevention resources to target the two groups differently, to be most effective in prevention. The study also demonstrates the need for more extensive research comparing differences child homicide versus child abuse and in those that perpetrate the two. Lastly, it should inform public policy and the law and how these are applied to cases of domestic violence and child welfare.

published_or_final_version / Social Work / Master / Master of Social Sciences

<p>This thesis sought to explore the challenges experienced by selected clergy within the Anglican Church in dealing with domestic violence. The sample was drawn from the Diocese of Cape Town of the church of the Province of Southern Africa, based on the participants' experience of the phenomenon and their willingness to participate in the study. The researcher used face-to-face interviews utilizing a semi-structured interview guide for data collection. Questions were open-ended to allow for free flow of information. Because of the sensitive nature of the study, probing questions were followed up by responses to get in-depth perceptions and experiences of clergy's involvement in domestic violence. With reference to the ethical considerations in this study, all participants were thoroughly briefed before the interview with clear explanations of the goal, procedure and advantages of the study. Participants had the opportunity to withdraw at any stage of the interview as participation was completely voluntary.Consistent with literature, this study confirmed the complex nature of domestic violence. Participants experienced various challenges on different levels in the ministry pertaining to domestic violence.These challenges primarily related to the lack of training in dealing with real life issues such as domestic violence during their theological training, the lack of theological guidelines offered by the church to address patriarchal societal practices, beliefs and gender stereotyping, and the lack of guidance on contexual interpretation of Scriptures.</p>

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Intensive Filial Therapy in: (a) improving the self-concept of child witnesses of domestic violence; (b) reducing internalizing behavior problems, such as withdrawal, somatic complaints, anxiety and depression, of child witnesses of domestic violence; (c) reducing externalizing behavior problems, such as aggression and delinquency, of child witnesses of domestic violence; (d) reducing overall behavior problems of child witnesses of domestic violence; and (e) increasing communication of empathy between mothers and child witnesses of domestic violence. A second objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of Intensive Filial Therapy with Intensive Individual Play Therapy and Intensive Sibling Group Play Therapy with child witnesses of domestic violence. The experimental group consisted of 11 child witnesses of domestic violence whose mothers received 12 Intensive Filial Therapy training sessions within a three week period and had 12 mother-child play sessions. The Intensive Individual Play Therapy comparison group, consisting of 11 child witnesses, and the non-treatment control group, consisting of 11 child witnesses, were utilized from the Kot (1995) study. The Intensive Sibling Group Play Therapy comparison group was utilized from the Tyndall-Lind (1999) study. Children in all studies completed the Joseph Preschool and Primary Self-concept Screening Test and the Child Behavior Checklist. Mothers who received Intensive Filial Therapy training conducted pretest and posttest play sessions for the Measurement of Empathy in Adult-Child Interaction. Analyses of Covariance revealed the children in the experimental group significantly increased in self-concept, and significantly reduced overall behavior problems. A comparison of t-test scores of the pretests and posttests revealed mothers in the experimental group significantly increased communication of empathy to their children.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of women's anger and religiosity on their expression of violence toward their partner. The sample consisted of the 664 women who completed three interviews for Project HOW: Health Outcomes of Women, a study of low-income, ethnically diverse women in Dallas county. Across the waves, women completed measures of relationship violence, anger, and religiosity. Religiosity was not found to moderate the relationship between women's anger and their use of violence. When partners' threats and violence were included in the regression equations, these variables were consistently related to women's behavior. Due to several methodological limitations, clinical implications of the results should be considered with caution.