The introduction of cyber technology, accompanied by its fast developing nature, has not only resulted in numerous advantages to its user and society as a whole but has also produced harmful consequences specifically impacting on cyber crime. One of these harmful effects is cyber stalking. Cyber stalking is the use of the Internet or any electronic medium to stalk, harass and pursue victims. This unwanted perusal has various negative implications for the victim, as cyber stalking can disrupt many aspects of an individual’s lifestyle. In this study, the occurrence, nature and the impact of cyber stalking among the victims of cyber stalking were explored. Additionally, protective measures available to victims of cyber stalking were examined as a way to facilitate the operational efficiency of related legislation. This was done through determining the occurrence, nature and the impact of cyber stalking as well as the extent of the usage of social networks in the commission of cyber stalking. Legislation specific to South Africa and the effectiveness of such legislation were examined. The study implemented a qualitative approach. Twelve research participants who met the requirements of the study were selected by means of purposive and snowball sampling methods. The study was publicised on the Internet through current popular social network sites. In conjunction to the cyber theme of the study, the research participants were requested to complete an online e-mail interview to share their personal cyber stalking victimisation experiences. Within the constraints of the e-mail interview, a semi-structured interview schedule was incorporated in order to guide the research participants in sharing their cyber stalking victimisation experiences. The findings of the study were extensive; ranging from emerged patterns to unique and exclusive experiences. In brief, the study concludes that cyber stalking is occurring in South Africa, its nature and impact is complex and although there are many common themes within cyber stalking, it is uniquely situated to individual cyber stalking incident(s). Although there is no current South African legislation specifically aimed at addressing cyber stalking, South African legislation comprehensively deals with addressing the problem of cyber stalking within various related legislation. It was determined that although cyber stalking is effectively addressed in the drafting of legislation, it is ineffectively administered at grass roots level, where the police act as the gatekeepers and vital role players in the reporting and intervention of crime. Based upon the findings, as guided by the aims and objectives of the study, recommendations for the prevention and intervention of cyber stalking as well as recommendations for future research were made. As derived from the research participants’ responses as well as from current literature, recommendations focused on all victims of cyber stalking while specifically paying attention to young victims and victims who are business users. Recommendations were also made to assist in dealing with cyber stalking as well as recommendations aimed at assisting professional role players. In the final chapter of the study, emphasis is placed on awareness and educational campaigns aimed at informing the cyber community of cyber stalking. / Criminal & Procedural Law / Masters of Arts (Criminology)

Thesis (MSocialWork)--Stellenbosch University, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Through the establishment of victim support centres, NICRO Eastern Cape aims to develop community networks that render available and appropriate support services to victims of crime. Social workers empower volunteers to run the centres. In order for the social workers to empower volunteers, they need to clearly understand their role in the empowerment process. The goal of the study is to clarify the role of social workers when empowering volunteers at community victim support centres. The profile, motivation and current empowerment of volunteers at NICRO Eastern Cape were determined and described by means of questionnaires. The respondents were fifteen volunteers and three social workers. Conclusions and recommendations were made which focused, among other aspects, on the training of social workers and strategic planning around empowerment. The framework of this research report can be utilized by social workers in the empowering of volunteers, which could possibly lead to victim support centres that are managed by volunteers, as representatives of communities, independently from NICRO. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: By die slagofferondersteuningsentrums te NICRO Oos-Kaap word daar gepoog om 'n gemeenskapsnetwerk te ontwikkel waardeur slagoffers van misdaad beskikbare en toepaslike ondersteuning ontvang. Dit word gedoen deur die bemagtiging van vrywilligers deur maatskaplike werkers. Ten einde die vrywilligers te bemagtig, is dit belangrik dat maatskaplike werkers hul rol in die proses van bemagtiging begryp. Die doel van die studie is om die rol van die maatskaplike werker uit te klaar met die bemagtiging van vrywilligers by 'n gemeenskapslagofferondersteuningsentrum. Die profiel, motivering en huidige bemagtiging van vrywilligers by NICRO Oos-Kaap is deur middel van vraelyste bepaal en ontleed. Die respondente het uit vyftien vrywilligers en drie maatskaplike werkers bestaan. Gevolgtrekkings is gemaak en aanbevelings gedoen wat onder andere fokus op die opleiding aan maatskaplike werkers en strategiese beplanning rondom bemagtiging. Die raamwerk van hierdie navorsingsverslag sal deur maatskaplike werkers benut kan word in die bemagtiging van vrywilligers en dit kan moontlik aanleiding gee tot slagofferondersteuningsentrums wat onafhanklik van NICRO deur vrywilligers, as verteenwoordigers van gemeenskappe, bestuur word.

The introduction of cyber technology, accompanied by its fast developing nature, has not only resulted in numerous advantages to its user and society as a whole but has also produced harmful consequences specifically impacting on cyber crime. One of these harmful effects is cyber stalking. Cyber stalking is the use of the Internet or any electronic medium to stalk, harass and pursue victims. This unwanted perusal has various negative implications for the victim, as cyber stalking can disrupt many aspects of an individual’s lifestyle. In this study, the occurrence, nature and the impact of cyber stalking among the victims of cyber stalking were explored. Additionally, protective measures available to victims of cyber stalking were examined as a way to facilitate the operational efficiency of related legislation. This was done through determining the occurrence, nature and the impact of cyber stalking as well as the extent of the usage of social networks in the commission of cyber stalking. Legislation specific to South Africa and the effectiveness of such legislation were examined. The study implemented a qualitative approach. Twelve research participants who met the requirements of the study were selected by means of purposive and snowball sampling methods. The study was publicised on the Internet through current popular social network sites. In conjunction to the cyber theme of the study, the research participants were requested to complete an online e-mail interview to share their personal cyber stalking victimisation experiences. Within the constraints of the e-mail interview, a semi-structured interview schedule was incorporated in order to guide the research participants in sharing their cyber stalking victimisation experiences. The findings of the study were extensive; ranging from emerged patterns to unique and exclusive experiences. In brief, the study concludes that cyber stalking is occurring in South Africa, its nature and impact is complex and although there are many common themes within cyber stalking, it is uniquely situated to individual cyber stalking incident(s). Although there is no current South African legislation specifically aimed at addressing cyber stalking, South African legislation comprehensively deals with addressing the problem of cyber stalking within various related legislation. It was determined that although cyber stalking is effectively addressed in the drafting of legislation, it is ineffectively administered at grass roots level, where the police act as the gatekeepers and vital role players in the reporting and intervention of crime. Based upon the findings, as guided by the aims and objectives of the study, recommendations for the prevention and intervention of cyber stalking as well as recommendations for future research were made. As derived from the research participants’ responses as well as from current literature, recommendations focused on all victims of cyber stalking while specifically paying attention to young victims and victims who are business users. Recommendations were also made to assist in dealing with cyber stalking as well as recommendations aimed at assisting professional role players. In the final chapter of the study, emphasis is placed on awareness and educational campaigns aimed at informing the cyber community of cyber stalking. / Criminal and Procedural Law / M. A. (Criminology)

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 study looks at the construction of white identity within postcolonial conflict in Zimbabwe. Is it possible to be white and African? And how will the white African look when his identity as 'privileged' is stripped from his/her? This study also challenges the church to respond to the endemic violence by finding ways of bringing hope and healing. The role that trauma plays in our ongoing narratives is explored along with ways to exit these cycles without re-traumatizing large sectors of the community who are considered 'outsiders'. It ends with questioning the usefulness of 'white' and 'race', except as a political construction that benefits those in power to be able to tap into past historic pain and injustice. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology (Pastoral Therapy))

Violent cnme is among the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of South African society, it has a severely traumatising effect on the populations concerned. Based on research :findings and existing literature, this study explores traumatic effects of violent crime on the most intimate associate of the victim (the partner). Accordingly, this study deals with the much-neglected topic of secondary trauma, by focusing on the following aspects of or conditions associated with violent crime and the secondary victim: cognitive, emotional and relational effects the experience of trauma, loss, vulnerability, depression and acute stress. It reveals that, depending on the severity of the incident, its consequences for the partner of the victim may range from post-traumatic stress to acute stress or secondary traumatic stress. From the similar results returned for primary and secondary victims, it is apparent that in the future, both victim and supporter should have their needs addressed with equal emphasis. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Specialisation in Guidance and Councelling)

The South African Constitution, with its Bill of Rights, represents a decisive break with the past and a great advance by South Africans in reclaiming their human dignity and fundamental freedoms. Before 1993 punishment of crime was defined by the social order which had been designed under the apartheid government; prisoners were generally subjected to cruel and degrading treatment while criminal suspects could be detained indefinitely and without trial. The penal system was to some extent directed at controlling and regulating the conduct of Blacks. The constitutional dispensation has resulted in a re-look at our penal policy and has placed great emphasis on the rights of prisoners. These rights flow from the rights to equality, dignity and liberty. The Constitution has entrenched certain rights of criminal suspects, including the right to a fair trial. Legislation has been introduced to ensure compliance with the constitutional imperatives. The new dispensation has given rise to debate on many issues, and facilitated a rise of a victims’ movement seeking to promote victim interests. This movement has noted that offenders and alleged offenders enjoy a series of constitutional rights, and that corresponding rights for crime victims need to be introduced. Victims are unlikely to be accorded rights in the literal sense of the word; nevertheless, they need to be accommodated within the criminal justice system. This need has given birth to a charter for crime victims, a document that seeks to empower crime victims. The perception remains, however, that offenders and crime suspects still enjoy too much protection, to the detriment of victim interests. The development of victim rights is hampered by the adversarial nature of the country’s criminal justice system and the perception that victims have no role to play within the criminal process, other than as witnesses. The purpose of the thesis is to analyse the extent to which our Bill of Rights strikes a balance between the interests of alleged offenders and offenders on the one hand, and crime victims on the other. It also seeks to create awareness about the plight of crime victims and to make suggestions on possible solutions. / Criminal and Procedural Law / LLD (Criminal & Procedural Law)

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)

The research project investigated whether victims of housebreaking experienced motivational, cognitive and emotional deficits central to the Learned Helplessness phenomenon. In keeping with the Reformulated Learned Helplessness theory the attributional style of victims, were also assessed. The State-Trait Inventory developed by Spielberger, Gorsuch, Lushene, Vagg and Jacobs was administered to measure the anxiety levels of victims. Sub-goals served as illustration for the learned helplessness phenomenon. Three- hundred victims, using probability sampling techniques, were interviewed by means of an interview schedule. Support was found for cognitive and some motivational deficits and a common range of emotions experienced by victims. The majority of victims exhibited a global attnbutional style. Burglary victims did not show appreciably higher trait and state scores means, except for females in the 19-39 age group, when compared to a psychological norm. Environmental factors did play a role in rendering homes vulnerable. Recommendations addressing the fear of housebreaking were made at a therapeutic and practical level. / Sociology / M.A. (Criminology)

The purpose of this study was to unveil what the Lutheran Church has done and could do to heal the wounded society of Mberengwa during the political violence of 2000-2009. The researcher interviewed six (6) selected informants who were all members of the Lutheran church. They shared their political violence experiences. The methods used to collect data were the questionnaire and unstructured interviews. The study began with the general introduction, followed by various themes as indicated by various literatures on healing of memories, Pastoral Care and Counseling and the church’s mandate in crisis situations. After the data analysis the findings confirmed that the church failed the community during its time of need. The study recommended that the church should come-up with a pastoral care model to the wounded community of Mberengwa. This model encompasses the Healing of memories and reconciliation as its basis. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)