LL.M.

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Community-based Counselling Psychology on 15 March 2016 / Despite the often publicised occurrence of residential robberies being accompanied with additional forms of violence there is a limited amount of research exploring these forms of intersecting violence, specifically within the South African context. The latest statistics released by the South African Police Service (2015) indicate that residential robberies are continuing to increase. The co-occurrence of rape in such residential robberies is under-studied. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore and describe a profile of residential robberies that are accompanied by rape in Gauteng, South Africa between 2002 and 2012. This was done by exploring the temporal, sociodemographic and situational factors related to reported instances of this crime. The study consisted of cases obtained by the Crime Administration System (CAS). The study focused specifically on instances of reported residential robbery, in Gauteng. Overall there were 68178 cases analysed, with 1104 cases containing instances of reported co-occurring rape. The initial descriptive results indicated that specific variables significantly influence the co-occurrence of rape during a residential robbery. Whereby, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of rapes co-occurring within the 2002 to 2012 period Additionally, binary logistic regression analysis showed that Black females between the ages of 12 and 17 years are the demographic group most at risk when other situational factor are additionally present. Other findings of the regression indicate that there is an increased risk of a rape co-occurring during the residential robbery; over the weekend, between the hours of 00:00 and 06:59 and when no firearm is used as the method of entry or during the residential robbery. Overall, the study present significant findings related to this specific co-occurring crime and a number of areas that can be further explored in relation to the co-occurrence of rape during residential robbery and other forms of co-occurring violence, specifically in the context of South Africa

A report submitted to the University of Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Sociology by Coursework and Research Report The Department of Sociology The Faculty of Humanities March 2016 / Rape is an important topic of enquiry in South Africa due to the high incidences of rape and the underreporting of the crime to legal authorities. This research is exploratory in nature and is concerned with how the four women interviewed employ specific narratives to aid or inhibit their ability to speak about their experience of being raped, and the ways in which rape survivors position themselves within their own stories and societal discourses of rape. A detailed analysis was done of the research available on hegemonic masculine power, societal discourses and myths about rape, silencing and personal and public narratives. Through this analysis rape is placed within a framework of patriarchy and control. Four female rape survivors living in Johannesburg were found using targeted sampling, and were interviewed using a recording devise and unstructured, one-on-one interviews. These interviews were transcribed and coded, and then analysed using Thematic Narrative Analysis. Great care was taken throughout the research process to ensure that it is ethical and that no harm was done to any of the interviewees or anyone else. It was found that each of the interviewees came to represent three distinct narratives, namely the stranger rape narrative, the date/acquaintance rape narrative and the child rape narrative. These narratives appear to sometimes be in tension and conflict with one another, creating confusion in the positionality and believability of the rape survivor. It was also found that narratives are often employed as ways of defining the experience of rape and challenging rape myths and public narratives of rape. The women interviewed for the purposes of this paper drew attention to various themes within their narratives, such as tensions between their own experience of rape and societal discourses of rape, empowerment, safe spaces to talk about trauma, education, consent and control. Further research could be conducted to explore this topic in greater detail and expand upon the knowledge that was gathered and investigated in this research report. / MT2017

A research report submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology in the Faculty of Humanities at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, August 2017 / This study forms part of the broader project by Dr Yael Kadish, aimed at exploring participants’ experiences of the annual Wits Silent Protest against sexual violence march. This particular study aimed to explore how male supporter participants in the Silent Protest made meaning of their participation in the protest, how they experienced participation in the protest as men, and to explore the views of the male supporter participants on how the protest can improve the experiences of male supporter participants in order to improve male participation. This study is an exploratory study that made use of a qualitative research design. Six males who participated in the Silent Protest at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2015 were interviewed. Participants were recruited on the day of the protest and data was collected using semi-structured in-depth interviews. Reflexivity throughout the research process included considerations of being a woman interviewing men on a relatively sensitive issue, as well as touching on the overlap of advocacy and researcher roles. Five major themes were derived from the interviews: Personal Reasons for Participating in the Protest; Lack of Knowledge and Understanding of the Purpose of the Protest; Sexual Violence Happens only to Women; Negotiating one’s Sense of Masculinity in the Silent Protest; and More Male Faces Needed in the Protest. These themes illuminated three major findings in this study: The first of these is that the issue of sexual violence was thought by interviewees to be a women’s issue. The second is that they often feel that they are unfairly painted as potential perpetrators of sexual assault. Lastly, the third is that participation in the protest appears to be in direct contravention of the ideals of hegemonic masculinity. Finally, it is suggested that in order to lower societal desensitization and the level of tolerance for sexual violence and to effect real social change, it is important to include all members of society - individuals from all social and gender groups and categories, not just women. / XL2018

The study investigates the profile of rape in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding area. The data were generated by retrospective review of 691 rape survivors' records from October 2002 to December 2004. Numerous variables were analyzed using frequencies, chi-square and multiple regression. Patterns that emerged from the data help to describe rape as recorded by staff at the local Rape Crisis Centre where the administration of anti-retroviral and Postexposure Prophylaxis medication following rape is monitored. The mv status of the survivors was analyzed and incidence found to be comparable to UNAIDS (2006) statistics. Many patterns were identified in the data. For example, survivor age was associated with other variables including; race of the perpetrator, day of the week, type of violence used, location and relationship between survivor and perpetrator. Furthermore, relationship to perpetrator was found to impact on time delay before reporting, location and number of perpetrators. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

The primary purpose of this paper is to indicate how Canadian legislative reforms could provide valuable insights regarding the reform of sexual assault law in South Africa. The first section of this paper contains an examination of three particular evidentiary rules in the South African context. In the second section a feminist critique of rape law is used to explore the significance of these rules in rape trials, using the framework of significant themes of the feminist enquiry. In the third section I look at the development of these evidentiary rules in Canada and evaluate the present legal position in this regard, with particular reference to decision of the Supreme Court of Canada in R v Seaboyer, R v Gayme (1991) 83 D.L.R. (4th) 193. In the final instance, an attempt is made to identify some significant lessons for those seeking to formulate the much needed reforms to these rules in South Africa.

The intention of this dissertation is to expose the gendered experiences of rape victims, based on the notion that while it should be the purpose of rape laws to protect victims of rape, in many circumstances the legal process results in disempowering experiences for victims, particularly women. Therefore, I suggest that the courtroom, a supposedly just space, is one which is laced with patriarchal undercurrents that work specifically against women. Rape is a complex and multi-faceted subject that is fast becoming an epidemic. In relation to HIV/AIDS and sexuality, the issue of rape certainly becomes compounded. Deconstructing the historical and cultural experiences of women is not only necessary in attempting to understand rape, but also the reasons why the justice system, which is dominantly a male domain, may still cling to patriarchal principles. One reason for the marginalization of rape victims may be the continued regard of women as second class citizens. The rape trial, in which Jacob Zuma was the alleged rapist, is a starting point, and by referring to this case, I intend to reveal and discuss weaknesses with regard to rape law within the South African context. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2009.

The study undertaken is concerned with the reformulation of the common law crime of rape from a juridical and socio-psychological perspective. It is based on the premise that the common law definition of rape is insufficient. Specific attention is given to the current crime of rape and the proposed amendments introduced by the South African Law Commission. In the haste to transpose the concept of gender-neutrality implemented in other countries to the crime of rape in South Africa, the basic reasoning behind why the crime of rape should be extended to certain categories of victim has been neglected. Rape as a form of penetrative sexual assault is critically examined. The focus of this study is to identify categories of penetrative sexual assault victim in order to justify the extension of the crime to certain victims and to facilitate the application of an extended definition to factual situations. The classification of victims is accomplished with reference to psycho-social data in order to provide a plausible explanation as to why the crime of rape, which was originally created as a property crime, should be extended to additional victims. The common law crimes which can be applied to penetrative sexual assault victims are critically examined. A comparative overview of the definitions of rape adopted in Australia, Britain and the United States of America is undertaken. An investigation is also undertaken into the impact of HIV on rape victims. The extension of the definition of rape to persons who engage in unprotected sexual intercourse with a person who intentionally exposes him or her to the HIV virus or another life threatening illness is examined. The possibility of consolidating the common law crimes into a statutory offence applicable to harmful HIV related behaviour for purposes of expediency and deterrence is examined. A perspective is therefore provided as to the motivation behind why additional penetrative sexual assault victims should be classified as rape victims. The efficiency of the current and proposed definitions of rape is highlighted and examined. Where lacunae are established, solutions are proposed. / Thesis (LLD)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Jurisprudence / Unrestricted

No description available.

Dissertation / The impact of stranger rape on the victim and those close to the victim is widely researched. However, little data is available on couples’ experiences of stranger rape and their relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. The researcher aimed to explore and gain an in-depth understanding of the unique experiences and relationship dynamics of couples dealing with stranger rape in order to enhance what is known about these couples. A qualitative research methodology was employed which consisted of conducting unstructured in-depth interviews with each of the three participant couples as well as obtaining individual written reflections from each participant. The study explicated unique descriptions of each couple’s experience of stranger rape, illuminated the interconnectedness and recursiveness between the rape and the couples’ relational and system dynamics and identified possible systemic effects at play in these couples’ relationships in the aftermath of such trauma. Key terms: stranger rape, couples, post-traumatic stress disorder, relational dynamics, systems, family systems theory, qualitative research, hermeneutics, social constructionism, postmodernism / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)