Gender based violence still remains an international public health and human rights issue and a concern to many. Very few studies have been undertaken to address the impact of gender based violence on men. The aim of this dissertation is to try and fill this gap by exploring gender based violence against men in the Clermont Township using qualitative and quantitative research methods. The quantitative method used was a survey conducted with 100 men, and the qualitative method used was in-depth interviews with 20 men in Clermont Township. Consistent with previous research, this study found that abused men experience different forms of gender based violence at the hands of their intimate partners. This study found various reasons why abused men stay in abusive relationships. This study also found that abused men do not report the incidents because they feel that no one will believe them and the community will ridicule them. This under reporting of gender based violence against men makes it difficult to have accurate statistics and also to prevent further abuse of men in intimate relationships. Various reasons were given for not reporting the incidents to the relevant institutions. This study also shows that there are not any institutions that provide services for male victims of gender based violence. This is of concern as this pandemic is escalating and it puts men at risk of future violence. Communities should also embark on door-to-door campaigning about GBV against men, so that the communities will know that it is happening, and that it is a threat to many families. / Thesis (M.Dev.Studies)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

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.