South Africans live in a traumatized society where crime and violence are a big crisis. It is specially farm attacks that in the recent time show an increase. At the moment there are 274 farmers per 100 000 of the population in comparison with for example 153 policemen per 100 000, that are being murdered each year. In this study, a trauma counselling program is established, especially to give social support to victims of farm attacks. There are different reasons why a trauma counselling program for victims of farm attacks bas to be established: Farm attacks increase rapidly, - more than any other crimes. Farm attacks and - murder are brutal and gruesome. The farm attackers focus on torture and the infliction of severe pain and suffering. The fear that is inspired by this, leads to the termination of basic assumptions such as, that people are invulnerable, that there is a reason for everything happening and that something good will come forth. The termination of these basic assumptions lead to long term bio psychological changes in the life of the victim, his/her family and loved ones that saw or heard about the attack. This form of traumatization needs counselling. The purpose of this research was to determine the traumatic experience and the needs of victims after a farm attack. Through explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory evaluative research a way to establish and to guide the victims to take control of their lives, on the same level of social functioning as before the attack, is suggested. In this study the focus were on the following goals: Knowledge has to be gathered about the intensity of the attack and post traumatic stress reaction To achieve this aim a questionnaire for victims of farm attacks in the Northwest province has been designed and completed. The results show that there is a need for a trauma counselling program for victims of farm attacks. A trauma counselling program was designed after the results of the questionnaire were interpreted, other programs evaluated, and behavioural models studied The group work process seems to be the most appropriate to implement. The single system as method was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the designed counselling program. The results showed that the program could be used successfully to bring the necessary and desired changes in the lives of the victims of farm attacks / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

South Africans live in a traumatized society where crime and violence are a big crisis. It is specially farm attacks that in the recent time show an increase. At the moment there are 274 farmers per 100 000 of the population in comparison with for example 153 policemen per 100 000, that are being murdered each year. In this study, a trauma counselling program is established, especially to give social support to victims of farm attacks. There are different reasons why a trauma counselling program for victims of farm attacks bas to be established: Farm attacks increase rapidly, - more than any other crimes. Farm attacks and - murder are brutal and gruesome. The farm attackers focus on torture and the infliction of severe pain and suffering. The fear that is inspired by this, leads to the termination of basic assumptions such as, that people are invulnerable, that there is a reason for everything happening and that something good will come forth. The termination of these basic assumptions lead to long term bio psychological changes in the life of the victim, his/her family and loved ones that saw or heard about the attack. This form of traumatization needs counselling. The purpose of this research was to determine the traumatic experience and the needs of victims after a farm attack. Through explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory evaluative research a way to establish and to guide the victims to take control of their lives, on the same level of social functioning as before the attack, is suggested. In this study the focus were on the following goals: Knowledge has to be gathered about the intensity of the attack and post traumatic stress reaction To achieve this aim a questionnaire for victims of farm attacks in the Northwest province has been designed and completed. The results show that there is a need for a trauma counselling program for victims of farm attacks. A trauma counselling program was designed after the results of the questionnaire were interpreted, other programs evaluated, and behavioural models studied The group work process seems to be the most appropriate to implement. The single system as method was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the designed counselling program. The results showed that the program could be used successfully to bring the necessary and desired changes in the lives of the victims of farm attacks / Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Acts of violence on farms and smallholdings are continuing unabated in spite of the efforts of the government and the agricultural unions to quell attacks on members of the farming community. Although research has been done on various aspects of farm attacks, empirical information regarding farmers’ perceptions of their susceptibility to attacks, the consequences that are suffered and the coping strategies that farmers apply after victimisation, is limited to that contained in the Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Farm Attacks. In order to gain first-hand information with regard to this phenomenon, the researcher interviewed 15 direct victims of attacks on a one-on-one basis. All the attacks occurred in the Mpumalanga Province and the adjoining Nokeng Tsa Taemane region in the Gauteng Province. Based on the analysis and interpretation of the data, it was found that most of the respondents felt unsafe on their farms. In spite of this, they were all taken by surprise by their attackers. While the majority of the respondents believed that their homes were reasonably secure, financial and familial constraints prevented some from improving the guardianship on their farms. Those who had good security systems in their homes, were attacked outside or in the early evening before the systems were activated. The findings also revealed that the immediate reactions of victims of farm attacks do not differ fundamentally from those of other victims of crime. Reactions include surprise, fear of being killed, injured and/or raped and powerlessness. After the attacks they often experienced anger and bitterness. Analysis of the data furthermore indicated that physical injuries ranged from minor to serious injuries that necessitated hospitalisation. Emotional and social harm were also experienced by victims, causing them to be fearful and distrustful of black persons, as the attacks were all black on white. Farm attacks also had negative financial consequences for the victims. Capital that might have been used for other purposes had to be used to pay medical and funeral bills and upgrade security, especially since most victims feared re-victimisation. After the attacks some respondents preferred to relocate. While many of the respondents found it too costly to implement the necessary target hardening measures, avoidance behaviour in the form of alertness was identified as the most effective means of preventing victimisation in the future. Other avoidance tactics included feeding dogs in the afternoon when visibility is still good and sending employees out to establish the reason for the visit of black strangers who arrive on the farm without an appointment. Erroneous perceptions with regard to the motives for attacks and the profile of attackers, as well as complacency about security which often sets in because of the routine nature of farmers’ lifestyle, were identified as the main reasons for farmers’ susceptibility to victimisation. It was also found that the respondents’ coping strategies varied. While some relied on their Christian faith and the support of family and friends, others exerted their inner strength to regain their emotional equilibrium. On the basis of the above findings, recommendations were made regarding further research and measures that might be implemented by both the government and farmers to reduce the number of farm attacks. It was highlighted that factors such as hate speech, socio-economic conditions in rural areas, the acceleration of land reform and education deserve further attention. Farmers must guard against complacency and make informed decisions about security on the farms. As coping strategies vary, it was furthermore stated that victimised farmers need to persevere until they have assimilated the negative experience. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted