The study used a qualitative and quantitative approach in evaluating the handling of domestic violence cases in the Alice cluster by the South African Police Service officials. Fifty SAPS officials and twenty victims of domestic violence participated in the research study. Forty cases of domestic violence and four inspection reports by the Eastern Cape Evaluation Service from the Alice cluster were also consulted which served to confirm the responses from the respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were utilized for data collection. The research study revealed that SAPS officials were not properly trained in domestic violence, as a result domestic violence cases were not handled according to the Domestic Violence Act. Some domestic violence victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the handling of their cases. The suggested recommendations include adequate training necessary for SAPS officials to improve service delivery to the victims of domestic violence and proper supervision by the station management. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing))

In this qualitative study five police stations in the Tshwane Policing Precinct were selected. The objectives were to describe and explore the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials’ experiences on the nature and extent of domestic violence and the responsive strategies by relevant stakeholders thereof. Data collection literature review and key informant interviews were selected. Purposive sampling was adopted to cater for 40 sworn SAPS officials; each station was represented by seven participants. The findings suggest that many academics around the world overlook the importance women and children as core victims. As a result, they become the neglected people in our society. Thus, there is no simple solution to this crime to date. For recommendations a multi-agency approach whereby all relevant stakeholders try to address this scourge is needed to enhance reporting channels, advance SAPS skills and obtain more convictions. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The study investigated Zimbabwean Christian and Muslim women who had experienced domestic violence with a view to finding out the extent to which these women used provisions of the Domestic Violence Act of 2006. The study was conducted in urban Masvingo and its surroundings. The methodology applied to the empirical investigation was qualitative and was informed by the phenomenological, feminist and pragmatic theoretical frameworks. Data was collected, by means of in-depth semi-structured interviews, from 30 participants, 22 Christian and 8 Muslim, who were selected using purposive sampling and snowball sampling techniques. In investigating the women’s experiences, some questions guided the study. These include: Where and to what extent does a select group of Christian and Muslim women who fall victim to domestic violence normally seek help? How do religious and cultural beliefs and practices influence the response to domestic violence by the abused as well as those to whom they report? To what extent do religious communities prevent selected victims of domestic violence from seeking legal assistance? Data was analysed by coding responses according to themes. The study revealed that the participants perceived domestic violence as having diverse causes and most of them saw their religion as crucial in addressing their plight. It emerged that a majority of the participants sought help from their religious communities as well as relatives and friends. Mixed responses emanated from these sources of help. The most common response, based largely on religious and cultural beliefs, was to encourage participants to avoid reporting to authorities. It also emerged that most of the participants were not willing to seek help from the police, courts or legal practitioners to seek redress because of the advice they received as well as their own internalised beliefs. Religious, social, and economic factors prevented most participants from appealing to provisions of the Domestic Violence Act.It was concluded that the Zimbabwean Domestic Violence Act had limited usefulness for participants because of religious, social and economic factors. It was recommended that if relevant stakeholders could jointly work together, domestic violence would be alleviated. Recommendations for further research were also made. / Religious Studies & Arabic / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies)

Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2003. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Violence against women, commonly known as women abuse, is currently evolving into a serious social problem. In South Africa thousands of women are victims of violence inflicted by their intimate partners. Although violence against women is a serious violation of human rights, it is often not recognised as such. Violence against women in intimate relationships often results in women experiencing serious physical, psychological and reproductive health problems. When living or trapped in abusive relationships, women are exposed to injuries, ailments and diseases, wounds, chronic pain, infertility and internal bleeding. In spite of the fact that governments, including the South Africa government, have committed themselves to addressing women abuse through legislation, large numbers of women still experience extraordinary high levels of violence. However, many women neglect to report incidents of violence. Many women remain in such relationships, legislation aimed at protecting their rights not withstanding. The aim of this study was to explore why women neglect to report incidents of violence and to explore women's experiences of violence. Seven coloured women between the ages of 21 and 38 years and living in a small rural town in the Western Cape participated in the study. In-depth interviews were used to obtain information from these women. The extent of the problem of women abuse worldwide and in South Africa is illustrated by research conducted internationally as well as locally. Radical feminism is used as a theoretical framework to interpret the causes of women abuse, the 'acceptance' of women abuse by the community and society and the reasons why women choose not to report incidents of abuse. The analysis and the interpretation of the data is done against the background of social practices embedded in the patriarchal structuring of society. It was found that women's experiences and lives are predominantly structured in terms of their sex and that women comply with expectations set by their intimate partners, family and friends. In order to maintain their relationships, secure a household income and to protect their children against poverty, women remain silent about the abuse they suffer. The study also found that women's responses to abuse relate to the sources and options available to them. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Geweld teen vroue wat algemeen bekend staan as vrouernishandeling, is tans besig om in 'n ernstige sosiale probleem te ontwikkel. Binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks is duisende vroue die slagoffers van geweld binne intieme verhoudings. Alhoewel vrouernishandeling 'n ernstige skending van menseregte is, word dit nie altyd as sodanig erken nie. Mishandeling binne intieme verhoudings lê dikwels ten grondslag van vroue se fisiese, sielkundige en reproduktiewe gesondheidsprobleme. Vroue wat vasgevang is in sulke verhoudings word blootgestel aan beserings, kwale en siektes, wonde, kroniese pyn, onvrugbaarheid en interne bloeding. Ten spyte van die feit dat verskeie lande se regenngs, insluitende Suid-Afrika, hulself verbind het tot 'n stryd teen vrouernishandeling met behulp van wetgewing, ervaar groot getalle vroue wêreldwyd nog steeds buitengewone vlakke van geweld. Baie vroue versuim egter om insidente van mishandeling te rapporteer. Baie vroue bly in intieme verhoudings ten spyte daarvan dat wetgewing wat gerig is op die beskerming van hul regte in plek is. Die doel van hierdie studie was dus om vas te stel waarom vroue versuim om insidente van mishandeling te rapporteer en om insig te verkry in die ervaringswêreld van mishandelde vroue. Sewe Kleurling vroue tussen die ouderdomme van 21 en 38 jaar en woonagtig in 'n klein plattelandse dorpie in die Wes-Kaap het aan die studie deelgeneem. 'n Kwalitatiewe benadering is gevolg en data is met behulp van in-diepte onderhoude ingesamel. Die omvang van vrouernishandeling wêreldwyd en binne die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks word geïllustreer aan die hand van internasionale en plaaslike navorsing oor die verskynsel. Radikale feminisme word as teoretiese vertrekpunt geneem in die interpretasie van die oorsake van vroumishandeling, die 'aanvaarding' van die verskynsel deur die gemeenskap en samelewing en die redes waarom vroue nie insidente van geweld rapporteer nie. Die analise en interpretasie van data is gedoen teen die agtergrond van sosiale praktyke binne die konteks van patriargale strukturering van die samelewing. Die studie bevind dat vroue se ervarings grootliks gestruktureer word in terme van hul geslag en dat hulle hul gedrag in ooreenstemming bring met die verwagtings van hul intieme maats, vriende en familie. Ten einde hulle verhoudings in stand te hou, 'n huishoudelike inkomste te verseker en hul kinders teen armoede te beskerm, besluit vroue om 'n stilswye rondom hul mishandeling te handhaaf. Die studie toon dat vroue se response verband hou met die bronne en opsies wat tot hul beskikking is.

In this study, the research problem sought to explore the degree of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Domestic Violence Act clearly stipulates the responsibilities of members of the South African Police Service in terms of the policing and management of domestic violence. Data was collected by means of a literature study and individual interviews conducted with SAPS members at the station level. These police officials are responsible for implementing the provisions set out in the DVA. The researcher also drew on her investigative experience in the SAPS, including the investigation of domestic violence. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature study of national legislation, internal SAPS policies and directives that govern and promote the regulation of domestic violence in South Africa, the policing of domestic violence, media and newspaper reports as well as library resources and international studies. The findings of the research indicate that participants had a diverse understanding of domestic violence. This study also serves as testimony that the majority of the participants perceived and experienced the implementation of the DVA by the SAPS in various ways. However, participants understand their role and responsibilities to efficiently implement the provisions of the DVA. It was further determined that most of the participants knew their responsibilities regarding record keeping in incidences of domestic violence, and that members of the SAPS knew the procedure to follow in order to serve protection orders. It is, however, questionable whether they will be able to do so when necessary as most of them have not served it themselves as there are specific members at the station level who have been designated the duty of serving protection orders. However, it became evident that SAPS members are confronted with various challenges, at the station level, which hinder the proper implementation of the DVA. The recommendations made in this study may provide the SAPS with knowledge regarding the challenges and shortcomings that police officials experience in effectively implementing the provisions set out in the DVA, the role and responsibilities of SAPS members to efficiently implement the DVA, as well as the training and resources necessary to effectively execute the DVA. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

The purposes of the study was to conduct a needs assessment in order to assess the problem of substance abuse among the women in domestic violence agencies. Data was collected by surveys that were mailed out to the directors of domestic violence agencies within two counties, San Bernardino and Los Angeles, California.

The purpose of this study was to investigate intervention outcomes for domestic violence in families and adult children. This study targeted intervention outcomes of families and adult children from domestic violence homes for the purpose of comparing those self referred versus those who were mandated for intervention.

This thesis focuses on the impact of domestic violence upon Zulu women, and the role that the Christian faith plays in both helping and hindering the survivors. Through an examination of the relationship between religion and power, the thesis notes how the Christian faith can work both to legitimize oppressive structures and practices, and to provide a form of resistance or survival in times of difficulty. The way in which the Bible and theology deal with domestic violence is examined from this perspective. The thesis builds upon earlier work on domestic violence and the church done in South Africa by a range of scholars, but provides new insights into the way that Zulu women deal with domestic violence and their relationship to the Christian faith. Research undertaken in Sweetwaters, outside Pietermaritzburg, identified the following eight concerns to be of importance for these women in terms of domestic violence: lobolo and women as property, unemployment and male frustration, alcohol, children and the wider family, the scandal of divorce in the Zulu community, lack of social support, the cycle of violence, and the impact upon women. In terms of their relationship to the church, they saw Christianity as a power that both hinders and helps. In terms of the former this had to do with abusers in church leadership, theologies of blame, theologies of forgiveness, disinterestedness and silence, and sanctity of marriage. In terms of the way that Christianity helps, this has to do with prayer, bible reading, manyano and izimvuselelo. In the final chapter the thesis suggests that if the church is to make a difference in the lives of the women who are facing the experiences of domestic violence, then it needs to both challenge the negative and strengthen the positive. This could involve working with young men, men and perpetrators, challenging culture where it abuses women, breaking the silence, legal education, affirming the spirituality of the women, counseling, networking, economic empowerment, and training manyano leadership. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of KwaZulu- Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The primary goal of this study is to promote knowledge and understanding of the restructuring process of the Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit in the South African Police Service (SAPS) through impact evaluation. Many evaluation programmes provide blueprints and methods to manage and help solve organisational transformation. They, however, lack dealing with the unique organisational transformation process characterised in the South African Police Service (SAPS). Given this importance, there appears to be potential value in evaluating the impact of the restructuring process in the FCS. During the research extensive panel studies and individual interviews were conducted in the West Rand policing district with FCS members, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) directly involved with family violence, child protection and sexual offences, Senior Public Prosecutors involved with cases concerning the FCS and researchers at a security research institute. Furthermore, a descriptive literature study was conducted to acquire relevant information and perspective from available national and international literature. Various objectives were fulfilled in this study: • The impact of the restructuring process in the FCS, to assess the internal and external climate on service delivery, was identified and described. • It was determined whether the restructuring process in the FCS is achieving its proposed objective. • Feedback to help improve the effectiveness of the restructuring process and improve future strategies was provided. Moreover, this study and its results provide a framework to the SAPS as an organisation that is currently going through an extensive transformation process. As a result, the management of the SAPS will receive first hand information on the areas to specifically focus on during the restructuring of the FCS, or utilised this impact evaluation as a learning curve and an opportunity to rectify shortcomings and also systematically be guided through this process in realisation thereof. Consequently, this impact evaluation could act as a management tool to support and further develop the transformation process in the SAPS. Finally, this study contributes to the baseline of knowledge, with regard to structural transformation in the specialised field of policing. / Police Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

The study used a qualitative and quantitative approach in evaluating the handling of domestic violence cases in the Alice cluster by the South African Police Service officials. Fifty SAPS officials and twenty victims of domestic violence participated in the research study. Forty cases of domestic violence and four inspection reports by the Eastern Cape Evaluation Service from the Alice cluster were also consulted which served to confirm the responses from the respondents. Questionnaires and interviews were utilized for data collection. The research study revealed that SAPS officials were not properly trained in domestic violence, as a result domestic violence cases were not handled according to the Domestic Violence Act. Some domestic violence victims expressed their dissatisfaction with the handling of their cases. The suggested recommendations include adequate training necessary for SAPS officials to improve service delivery to the victims of domestic violence and proper supervision by the station management. / Police Practice / M.Tech. (Policing))