In December 2007, Kenya held a presidential election. The incumbent was Mwai Kibaki of the Party of National Unity (PNU). His political opponent was Raila Odinga of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). The vote was peaceful and described by many in positive terms; that is, a continuation of the positive democratic transition that Kenya began toward the end of the 1990s. However, many in Kenya accused the government of foul play, when the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK) delayed declaring a winner for two days. The ECK eventually declared Kibaki President, and rushed the swearing - in ceremony, skipping the stipulated 72 hours. Two days after declaring Kibaki president, Samuel Kivuitu, the chair of the ECK, admitted he did not know whether Kibaki had won the elections. He insisted that he had agreed to release the results and announce Kibaki as president, under pressure from above. Kenya then experienced its worst bout of violence since the Mau Mau rebellion, before independence. The Post - Election Violence (PEV) lasted two months. It was resolved following an agreement, the Kenya National and Reconciliation Dialogue (K N D R), negotiated by a Panel of Eminent Personalities. The fighting parties agreed to form a Government of National Unity (GNU), a Commission of Enquiry into the Post - Election Violence (CIPEV) and an Independent Review Commission on the General elections (Kriegler Commission). The GNU was to have Kibaki reinstated as President, to add the post of Prime Minister for Odinga, and was to undertake a reconciliation and accountability process, prosecuting perpetrators. This thesis seeks to determine what were the politics that led Kenya to prosecute those who bore greatest responsibility for the PEV. More specifically, what were the politics that resulted in selecting the ICC, as the court where individuals were going to be held accountable?

Includes bibliographical references / This study examined the social representations of intimate partner violence (IPV) that emerged amongst violent men, their social networks and within the media, and framed within social representations theory and feminist poststructuralism. In-depth individual interviews were conducted with 11 men, recruited from two men's programmes at an NGO, and seven focus group discussions were conducted with the men's social networks. A total of 11 3 reports on violence against women were collected from two newspapers that draw the largest readership in the Cape Town area. A thematic decomposition analysis - emphasising language, power and subjectivity - revealed how participants' representations of respectability, morality, and reputation served to maintain patriarchy, and make violence permissible. The findings also shed light on the polarity of human thought, demonstrating how 'non-valid' victims of IPV are blamed and 'othered' for the violence perpetrated against them; yet in contrast, men who perpetrate violence are protected and defended. Understanding violence as an intersectional experience - defined by race, class, gender and sexuality in the context of post-apartheid South Africa - is central to the analysis. This study employed an integrated and unique methodology to sample men, their networks and printed media reports, which involved an analysis of violence as a social act. To my knowledge, it is the first study to have asked questions about what social representations of intimate partner violence emerge in men and their social networks' narratives and how these resonate in South African media's discourses. Suggestions for prevention and community-based programmes, interventions for perpetrators and victims of intimate partner violence, and practical recommendations for improved journalistic practice are provided. The community, relationships and individuals are shown to be inseparable spheres, and the contextualised analyses of power and oppression are shown to open possibilities for social change.

Nurses are at an increased risk for violence from patients compared to other healthcare professionals working in hospital emergency departments. In this setting, there are multiple factors contributing to patient violence including long wait-times, overcrowding, insufficient staffing, and lack of security personnel. This violence can be verbal, physical, or sexual in nature, and may result in psychological, emotional, cognitive, and social consequences. While there is an abundance of literature that explores how nurses working in the emergency department experience patient violence, less is known about how patient violence affects their day-to-day nursing practice. The purpose of this study was to explore how nurses working in Ontario emergency departments who have experienced patient violence enact their nursing care. This was an interpretive description qualitative study using semi-structured, conversation-style telephone interviews, set in Ontario, Canada. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The participants’ experiences with patient violence and its effect on their nursing care were described using four categories and seven subcategories: ‘Violent Context’ (Leadership), (Wait-Times), (Security Measures), ‘Being Responsible’ (Work Family), ‘Violent Patients’ (Patient for Whom we Anticipate Violence), (Patients who Surprise Us), and ‘Adapting their Practice’ (Engaging with Patients). Nurses working in the emergency department describe frequent occurances of physical and verbal violence as part of their daily practice. This violence leads to emotional and psychological consequences, as well as changes to their nursing care and interactions with future patients. Inconsistencies in hospital policies, resources, and supports create an environment where nurses are often left to manage both the violent encounter and their personal and professional responses.

No description available.

Drawing primarily on post-structural feminist conceptualisations of identity and power, this study explored Zimbabwean men’s comprehension of their own experiences of women-perpetrated abuse and the ways they construct meanings of such experiences in view of their masculine identities. To achieve this, the study specifically focused on five aspects: 1. The common conceptualizations of male identity in Zimbabwe; 2. The forms of women-perpetrated abuse experienced by men in Zimbabwe; 3. Male victims’ perceptions of abuse perpetrated by women; 4. Strategies employed by the victims in response to the abuse; 5. The support needs of men who have been abused by women who are their intimate partners. Interpretive phenomenology underpinned the qualitative approach adopted in this study. The main data sources were key informant interviews with selected individuals who, as part of their official jobs provided various services to abused men; semi-structured in-depth interviews with married and cohabiting men who had, in their recent past, been abused by their female intimate partners; focus group discussions with younger and older community members to solicit societal views on the markers of male identity in the Zimbabwean context. Tele-observation, which entails following television, social media websites and other media coverage of events and issues relating to the topic under investigation was adopted as an auxiliary method of capturing societal views on male identity and the types of abuse men are often subjected to by women in Zimbabwe. One of the main finding of the study is that there is no single form of male identity in Zimbabwe. Rather, male identity is fragmented, fluid and unstable. It is also marked by vulnerability that emanates from the reliance among men on third parties, among other sources, to define what constitute manhood. The study also revealed that vulnerability among men is demonstrated when they experience the different types of women-perpetrated abuse which include emotional, physical, sexual, psychological, economic and legal abuse, inter alia. Despite the inherent multiplicity of meanings derived by male victims from their experiences of intimate partner abuse (IPA), the perceptions that stood out are that; IPA is an expression of women’s power through both direct and indirect ways; and that women-perpetrated IPA is a basis for victims’ questioned identity (masculinity). It emerged that there are multiple coping mechanisms adopted by male victims, which in this study are categorised into primary and secondary coping strategies. The former includes seeking help from the justice system, family and friends, and civil society and faith-based organizations. The latter, on the other hand, entails individual actions such as alcohol abuse, home-desertion, suicidal thoughts and divorce. All in all, these coping options were shown to be ineffective and/or limited. To this end, the support needs of men abused by their female intimate partners were identified as informational support – regarding possible remedial actions they may consider, emotional support, instrumental support such as provision of temporary shelters, support through media coverage of cases of abuse against men, legal support and spiritual support. The overall conclusion of the study is that inclusive approaches, interventions and programs, which are open to acknowledging that persons of all genders can be victims or perpetrators of IPA, need to be adopted in the fight against IPA and all other forms of gender-based violence. The thesis concludes with recommendations for policy, practice and future research. / Thesis (DPhil Sociology)--University of Pretoria 2019. / UP DOCTORAL RESEARCH BURSARY / Sociology / DPhil Sociology / Unrestricted

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in Social Work in the Department of Social Work at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2012. / The study aimed at critically examining the causes of gender-based violence in Kwa- Nongoma. This study defines gender-based violence (GBV) as violence that is directed to a person on the basis of gender or sex. It includes acts that inflict physically, mentally, sexual harm or suffering; threats such as cohesion; and other deprivation of liberty. It also includes sexual violence, sex trafficking, forced prostitution, spousal abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, female genital mutilation, forced marriage, infanticide of female children, and discriminatory practice based on gender. For data collection purposes, the study used qualitative research method which allows researcher to interview targeted respondents. The targeted population were all people from the age of fifteen (15) to one hundred years (100). Among other things, the study revealed that the majority of respondents are aware of gender-based violence in the community. This violence includes a wide range of violations of women’s human rights, including trafficking in women and girls, rape, wife abuse, sexual abuse of children, and harmful cultural practices and traditions that irreparably damage girls and women’s reproductive and sexual health. Additionally, the results proved that the majority of GBVcase are directed towards women and girls but a few boys and men are also victims. Among other things highlighted, the respondents indicated that GBV encompasses the following forms of GBV:  Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual exploitation, sexual abuse of children in the household, dowryrelated violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence, and violence related to exploitation;  Physical, sexual, and psychological violence occurring within general community, including rape; sexual abuse; sexual harassment and robbery. In order to eradicate gender-based violence, respondents revealed that there is an urgent need for government to create job opportunities in the area. For instance the respondents suggested that there is a need for a garden projects which would help minimise poverty in the area. The respondents also revealed that through the garden project, they would be in a position to grow vegetables, maize, spinach, carrots etc. which they would sell to the tourists and other people. Additionally, the respondents indicated that shortage of job opportunities in the area is seen as a threat that perpetrates gender violence in the area. The respondents suggested that there is a need for a poultry project which would help eradicate poverty in the area. The respondents also revealed in the aforementioned study, they would be in the position to rear chickens both broilers and layers. They also indicated that the poultry project would be used as a place where white meat is produced for the community as a whole.

A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, South Africa, 2014 / Domestic violence is a global issue, and it is affecting many people of different cultures and backgrounds around the world. South Africa is one of the countries which are highly affected by various forms of violence. Different people are using different coping mechanism in dealing with violence in general. This study investigates the coping mechanisms of survivors of domestic violence. It looks at the various coping mechanisms that each survivor employs to deal with such experience. This study employed qualitative research design and the target population were women. A sample of ten participants was recruited from the Empangeni Magistrate’s Court, and they all participated voluntarily. Only participants who had been involved in domestic violence for at least six months were asked to participate in the study, and those women who had taken the step of going to court and reporting the matter, or laying charges. The process of getting participants was a challenge and many survivors were reluctant to participant in the study. To collect data, semi structured interviews were used and during the interview a tape recorder was used and content analysis was used to analyses the data. The findings of this research indicated the following: survivors of domestic violence view it as physical abuse. It seems most survivors have experienced this type of abuse. Others indicated that it is verbal and emotional abuse and extramarital affairs that affect them. To them they are other forms of domestic violence, and they have experienced them in their relationships. The lack of communication, sexual needs and controlling behaviour were also indicated to have been experienced by survivors of domestic violence in this study. As regards the second and third questions, which focused on coping mechanisms, survivors of domestic violence indicated to have used problem focused strategies as a way of coping. They break the silence by reporting the matter to court, and claiming a protection order. Some participants are religious, and they pray to God. Some women, though, seemed to use negative coping strategies, such as conditioning themselves, tolerating the violence and keeping silent. In conclusion, it seems like there is still a great deal to be done in terms of educating the society and empowering victims of domestic violence. It is then recommended that the methodology to be changed by researchers on the same topic and there is also a need to educate community and empowerment to the survivors of domestic violence. The media can also play a role in broadening the awareness of domestic violence.

A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Community Psychology in the Department of Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2008. / Evidence from literature (Edleson, 1999; Ross man, 1998; Graham-Bermann, 1996) has shown that children who witnessed family violence suffer from emotional, behavioural, social and cognitive problems and are often in conflict with the law and adults. For this reason, the main aim of the present study was to form and evaluate a therapeutic group for children who witnessed family violence in an attempt to promote health at secondary and tertiary levels. The sample for this study consisted of 12 children aged 8-13 years (who constituted the therapeutic group) and their mothers (who evaluated children's progress). Specifically designed questionnaires were used to collect data which was analyzed by using descriptive statistics. The findings of the study showed that children who witnessed family violence benefited from group therapy as a treatment approach. Children's post-test responses showed a significant improvement when compared to pre-test responses. This was also affirmed by mothers' post-test responses. These findings suggest a critical need for provision of group therapy to children who witnessed family violence.

Workplace violence against nurses causes stress, job dissatisfaction, injury, and financial burden. The purpose of this project was to examine training for nurses on violence, risk factors and on reporting workplace violence. The practice-focused question was designed to examine the effectiveness of educating nurses regarding violent patients and how to report episodes of violence. Benner's novice to expert theory guided the skill acquisition training of a convenience sample of 25 Midwestern medical nurses. The nurses participated by completing a survey prior to and following a violence simulation. A qualitative design was used with the 25 nurse participants who completed the pre-and post-simulation education surveys to assess for increased knowledge. Data were manually tabulated by coding responses into categories. Categorical themes of risk factors related to violence included environment, behavior, and illness-related; and themes related to interventions to prevent violence included awareness, education, communication, de-escalation, and calming. Overall results indicated that nurses saw the importance of reporting all injuries and violence to supervisors. The project makes a meaningful contribution to nursing practice by informing nurses how to report violence and injury from violence, and by informing administrators of the need for education in the recognition of risk factors for violence. The positive social change impact of this study for nurses is increased awareness that violence is not acceptable, and that a healthy work environment benefits nurses and promotes a safer healthcare work environment for patients and visitors to the healthcare setting.

Interpersonal violence is a global health issue, the impact of which filters through every facet of society. Studies have shown that more than 1.6 million people die annually across the world as a result of violence; injured survivors may suffer from a range of physical, sexual, reproductive and mental health problems.3 The aim of this study is to describe the trends and profile of violence-related injuries originating in a South African community, with regard to the hospital records of an urban emergency department and crisis centre. Materials and Methods: A retrospective, descriptive study was conducted by reviewing patient files at Leratong Provincial Hospital. Relevant clinical information such as victim’s age and gender; time, date and day of hospital attendance; nature of injury; presence/absence of alcohol; and nature of weapon (if any) was extracted. Each patient record was given a unique study number and patient confidentiality was maintained at all times. The extracted information was recorded on a data sheet and analysed statistically. Results: Leratong Hospital sees a large number of patients with injuries due to interpersonal violence throughout the year, with an increase in May, November and December. Higher numbers of patients present in the last week of the month, and as found in other studies Saturday and Sundays experience the most hospital attendances due to interpersonal violence. Victims were predominantly male (64%), except in the case of sexual assault where the victims were all (100%) female; females also suffered more blunt injuries than penetrating injuries. Blunt injuries were the most frequent type of injury in the overall sample, although over the weekend males sustained more penetrating injuries than blunt injuries. Young males were noted to be the main victims of interpersonal violence, and possibly also the main perpetrators. Conclusion: This study highlights the trends in interpersonal violence injuries seen at Leratong Provincial Hospital. Young adults, especially males, are noted to be significantly affected by interpersonal violence.