Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2016 / This study sought to investigate governmental intervention in maintaining the victim empowerment centres of the Bohlabela Municipality in Mpumalanga. The issue is contemporary and as a social worker the author can confirm that this scourge still affects our society today and understanding government interventions is useful in terms of ensuring that they work as effectively as possible to assist citizens in the discharge of their mandate. The study uses a qualitative approach. Data collection was through interviews and a questionnaire which had open-ended questions. This research design had been chosen because it has allowed to give solid descriptions and narratives to come out from the real life experiences of social workers and victims of domestic violence as well as the challenges associated with the implementation of the victim empowerment programme. To that end, a phenomenological paradigm was adopted to achieve that ambition. The findings of the study indicate that there are acute challenges which the three centres face and these include a lack of funding, poor structure and poor marketing. The recommendations provided are intended to contribute to the centres’ viability and provide effective services in the communities in which they operate. To that end, there is a need for the government to deploy more resources such as funds, infrastructure, equipment and permanent staff as well as the establishment of permanent structures at these centres to ensure their effectiveness. Additionally, the study found that there is a need for intensive and extensive publicity and marketing of the Victim Empowerment Programmes and Victim Empowerment Centres to increase their visibility and ultimately accessibility. The study found that the centres should ideally be managed by an administrator with clinical staff, a nurse and a police officer and/or a member from the judiciary and the centres should be attached to either hospitals or police stations working at extended hours.

Crime is a complex social problem which has a diverse range of socioeconomic and legal consequences. Its effects upon victims are equally wide-ranging. In the cases of both violent and non-violent crimes, the effects and consequences for victims can assume any of a great many different forms. Dinisman and Moroz (2017) confirm that the effects can be deleterious in respects such as the physical health, emotional well-being, financial security, and prospects for employment or higher education. In addition, the intensity of the effects upon victims is influenced by many different factors. Evidence suggests that the nature of crimes which are committed and their seriousness do not in themselves account solely for differences in the severity of the effects which victims experience (Dinisman & Moroz, 2017). In the past, many organisations, including government departments, have been concerned mainly with rendering services to victims of child abuse and domestic violence, often at the expense of victims of serious crimes such as murder, rape, car hijacking, armed robbery and assault. A qualitative study was conducted, in order to obtain an understanding from both providers of victim empowerment services and victims of violent crimes of the services which are provided to victims. A significant amount of data was collected in the form of suggestions from both groups of participants for improving the effectiveness of existing VE services and diversifying them to make the rendering of services a more holistic endeavour than it is at present. The study was conducted in the provinces of Mpumalanga, Gauteng, the Western Cape, and the Northern Cape and the data was collected from semi-structured face-to face interviews and focus group discussions. The findings revealed that there were no standardised guidelines for rendering VE services to victims of different categories of crimes and the suggestions of the participants underscored the need for the development of appropriate referral protocols as a component of the guidelines for practice which were to be developed from the findings of the study. Some of the victims who participated in the study maintained that although some of their basic needs were being met in the shelters in which they were housed, in some instances counselling and therapeutic services were not available. Victims who were accommodated in shelters with their children expressed concerns with respect to a lack of educational programmes and facilities for the children. Many also expressed the belief that programmes which enabled them to develop skills to become financially self-sufficient upon leaving shelters were crucial to both their rehabilitation and empowerment. From the findings of this study, it was evident that guidelines for practice needed to be developed in accordance with the types of crimes which are committed against victims. From a careful analysis of the suggestions and recommendations of the participants, the researcher developed guidelines for practice for designing and implementing victim empowerment programmes in accordance with the objectives of providers of VE services and the needs of victims. The guidelines take the form of information pertaining to relevant programmes and services, appropriate referral protocols, and monitoring and evaluation framework templates to enable providers of VE services to assess their performance in relation to whether their services fulfil their mandates and whether the victims to whom they are rendered consider them to be sufficiently effective and appropriate. The guidelines are also intended to reduce inappropriate variations in the rendering of VE services and to stipulate standardised practices. The guidelines were circulated to members of the Victim Empowerment Management Forum who are also providers of VE services, for their comments and suggestions, which have subsequently been incorporated into the final draft of the guidelines for practice. / Social Work / D. Phil. (Social Work)

This report is the culmination of literature study and semi-structured interviews which assisted in developing a Model for Implementation of Restorative Justice in the South African Correctional System. The study explores the use of Restorative Justice as part of rehabilitation in a prison setting. Literature focuses mainly on Restorative Justice as part of diversion, in cases of first offenders and less serious offences. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders has been gaining momentum, though. Diversity in terms of language, cultural and religious practice as well as social background, should be considered as it affects the decision to enter into a Restorative Justice process. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders is challenging and in the main a largely unsupported field. The study draws on experience from other countries, while at the same time advocate for uniquely South African practice. The involvement of the most important role players, namely victim, offender and the community is emphasized. Attitude and insufficient training seem to be some of the challenges for the implementation of Restorative Justice. Successes are reported in the few sites where Restorative Justice is implemented in the Correctional System, but a change of mindset, of being open to possibilities other than lock-up and punish in the entire Criminal Justice System is needed. Restorative Justice in the Correctional System seems to have been approached as yet another new programme, and not as a paradigm shift for the entire Criminal Justice System. Dealing with conflict in a restorative way should be at the front end of the chain, with young children whose behaviour can be directed, as changing behaviour of adults proves to be difficult. Repentance and forgiveness in different cultures and spiritual backgrounds are some of the issues that are grappled with, although forgiveness is nowhere indicated as a requirement for a successful Restorative Justice process. Voluntary participation is required from victims and offenders with support from communities. It remains a deeply spiritual and individual journey for those who choose to turn away from anger, fear and hatred, and start the process of personal healing and restoration. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders can assist in dealing with the aftermath of crime. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

South Africa is a country steeped in decades of conflict and animosity. Apartheid and its consequences do not simply die: it has created a society struggling for survival. Against the backdrop of a country and its people still experiencing an extended social crisis, these struggles are socially constructed through various forms of aggressive, traumatic and violent behaviours such as crime victimisation. The resultant effect is that many South Africans are traumatised and require assistance to manage and deal with the impact of traumatic exposure. Counselling and psychological services within the South African context are limited, potentially expensive and often inaccessible to the poor. One way to address the needs of victims of crime and violence, is through the establishment of one-stop multidisciplinary crisis centres that specialise in short term crisis intervention service delivery. One such a crisis centre is the Sinoville Crisis Centre (SCC). The purpose of the study is to present an exploratory qualitative and participatory action research account of the SCC's endeavours and ongoing challenges in providing crisis intervention services as well as to serve as a guideline for future development. Research interviews with seven (7) SCC counsellors were complimented with a focus group interview. Subsequent conclusions were grounded in relation to relevant subject theory. Three (3) broad categories of recommendations are provided. Specific recommendations are levelled in relation to: * The SCC's crisis intervention models * The SCC's need to manage organisational change and loss; and * The SCC's role within the Victim Empowerment Programme. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This dissertation is the culmination of extensive literature study on the application of Restorative Justice in the South African Correctional System. International and national resources on the application of Restorative Justice both in Corrections and as pre-sentence option had been studied. The background of the penal system and the development of Restorative Justice as part of the Criminal Justice System are investigated by looking at ancient practices, indigenous and modern practices. The study intends to draw on experience from other countries, while at the same time advocate for the development of a uniquely South African model or practice. The role of the most important stakeholders, namely victim, offender and community is emphasized with reference to the challenges that offenders face in terms of reintegration and the lack of resources in communities to enable them to honour Restorative Justice agreements. / Criminology / M. A. (Criminology)

This research focused on the personal experiences of both male and female victims of violent crimes. The aim of this research was to explore how indigenous Black South Africans understand and deal with victimisation. An African epistemology was used to help gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of the participants. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling strategy. Five participants were selected for this study. Data was collected using individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Based on the transcribed data, themes were extracted and analysed using content analysis. The results indicate that participants attributed varying meanings to their victimisation. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)

South Africa is a country steeped in decades of conflict and animosity. Apartheid and its consequences do not simply die: it has created a society struggling for survival. Against the backdrop of a country and its people still experiencing an extended social crisis, these struggles are socially constructed through various forms of aggressive, traumatic and violent behaviours such as crime victimisation. The resultant effect is that many South Africans are traumatised and require assistance to manage and deal with the impact of traumatic exposure. Counselling and psychological services within the South African context are limited, potentially expensive and often inaccessible to the poor. One way to address the needs of victims of crime and violence, is through the establishment of one-stop multidisciplinary crisis centres that specialise in short term crisis intervention service delivery. One such a crisis centre is the Sinoville Crisis Centre (SCC). The purpose of the study is to present an exploratory qualitative and participatory action research account of the SCC's endeavours and ongoing challenges in providing crisis intervention services as well as to serve as a guideline for future development. Research interviews with seven (7) SCC counsellors were complimented with a focus group interview. Subsequent conclusions were grounded in relation to relevant subject theory. Three (3) broad categories of recommendations are provided. Specific recommendations are levelled in relation to: * The SCC's crisis intervention models * The SCC's need to manage organisational change and loss; and * The SCC's role within the Victim Empowerment Programme. / Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

This report is the culmination of literature study and semi-structured interviews which assisted in developing a Model for Implementation of Restorative Justice in the South African Correctional System. The study explores the use of Restorative Justice as part of rehabilitation in a prison setting. Literature focuses mainly on Restorative Justice as part of diversion, in cases of first offenders and less serious offences. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders has been gaining momentum, though. Diversity in terms of language, cultural and religious practice as well as social background, should be considered as it affects the decision to enter into a Restorative Justice process. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders is challenging and in the main a largely unsupported field. The study draws on experience from other countries, while at the same time advocate for uniquely South African practice. The involvement of the most important role players, namely victim, offender and the community is emphasized. Attitude and insufficient training seem to be some of the challenges for the implementation of Restorative Justice. Successes are reported in the few sites where Restorative Justice is implemented in the Correctional System, but a change of mindset, of being open to possibilities other than lock-up and punish in the entire Criminal Justice System is needed. Restorative Justice in the Correctional System seems to have been approached as yet another new programme, and not as a paradigm shift for the entire Criminal Justice System. Dealing with conflict in a restorative way should be at the front end of the chain, with young children whose behaviour can be directed, as changing behaviour of adults proves to be difficult. Repentance and forgiveness in different cultures and spiritual backgrounds are some of the issues that are grappled with, although forgiveness is nowhere indicated as a requirement for a successful Restorative Justice process. Voluntary participation is required from victims and offenders with support from communities. It remains a deeply spiritual and individual journey for those who choose to turn away from anger, fear and hatred, and start the process of personal healing and restoration. Restorative Justice with sentenced offenders can assist in dealing with the aftermath of crime. / Penology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Penology)

This dissertation is the culmination of extensive literature study on the application of Restorative Justice in the South African Correctional System. International and national resources on the application of Restorative Justice both in Corrections and as pre-sentence option had been studied. The background of the penal system and the development of Restorative Justice as part of the Criminal Justice System are investigated by looking at ancient practices, indigenous and modern practices. The study intends to draw on experience from other countries, while at the same time advocate for the development of a uniquely South African model or practice. The role of the most important stakeholders, namely victim, offender and community is emphasized with reference to the challenges that offenders face in terms of reintegration and the lack of resources in communities to enable them to honour Restorative Justice agreements. / Criminology and Security Science / M. A. (Criminology)

This research focused on the personal experiences of both male and female victims of violent crimes. The aim of this research was to explore how indigenous Black South Africans understand and deal with victimisation. An African epistemology was used to help gain a deeper understanding of the experiences of the participants. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling strategy. Five participants were selected for this study. Data was collected using individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews. Based on the transcribed data, themes were extracted and analysed using content analysis. The results indicate that participants attributed varying meanings to their victimisation. / Psychology / M. A. (Clinical Psychology)