Intimate Partner Violence continues to be a significant social problem in South Africa, requiring a systematised and effective response at multiple levels. The organisation at the centre of this research offers crisis intervention to victims of intimate partner violence, providing basic psychological support, legal information and referrals. The volunteer crisis interventionists are exposed to numerous in-depth accounts of violent and distressing victimisation, making them more vulnerable to vicarious traumatisation. Through this work, their prior assumptions about personal safety, the trustworthiness of other people, and basic justice in the world, are challenged. The challenge to these assumptions increases the likelihood of countertransference victim blaming responses, as it is often easier to hold the client responsible for the tragic event than for the support worker to transform their own assumptions about safety and justice. This victim blaming response is supported by the dominant patriarchal ideology which frequently seeks to maintain the systems of oppression, excusing the perpetrator and placing responsibility on the victim. It was therefore clear that in order to do this work effectively, volunteers needed to be trained to identify their countertransference reactions and emotional responses, as well as undergo a critical re-assessment of their ideas relating to intimate partner violence and victimisation. Using an Intervention Research paradigm, this research designed and developed a training programme based on transformative learning theory, moving away from traditional information models of training to a focus on emotional skills and critical self-insight. The phases of the intervention refined the intervention in order to ensure that the research objectives were met and that the programme could be easily replicated. The evaluation of each phase showed an increased capacity for critical insight, and evidence for a transformative shift in the trainees understanding and approach to intimate partner violence.

The death of a parent is one of the most serious stressors that can occur in a child’s life. The aim of this study was to describe an 11-year-old child’s journey through traumatic grief after the violent death of her mother. The conceptual framework utilised was Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). The case study approach was applied as it provided a suitable research design in which to give an account of the subject in a therapeutic situation. A purposive sampling technique was utilised to select the research subject in the study. The following three principles of data collection were adhered to: a) using multiple sources of information, b) creating a case study database, and c) maintaining a chain of evidence. Irving Alexander’s content-analysis technique in conjunction with Guba’s model of trustworthiness was employed for data analysis. The finding that emerged from the study was the resilience shown by Linda in relation to her adaptive functioning following the trauma of witnessing the violent death of her mother. Conclusions and recommendations were made following the findings based on the information obtained during the therapy sessions.

Research indicates that victims of childhood abuse are at increased risk for transmitting violence in adulthood-a phenomenon known as the intergenerational transmission of abuse (ITA). Adult survivors of childhood victimization (i.e., child abuse or witnessed parental violence) are at increased risk for becoming abusive parents, perpetrators of intimate partner violence, and victims of intimate partner violence. The current study examined the latter form of ITA, in which a survivor of childhood victimization is re-victimized in adulthood by intimate partner violence. Attachment theory has been used to explain the ITA by positing that abuse is transmitted across generations via insecure attachment. The purpose of this study was to use structural equation modeling to test the attachment theory of ITA by examining the role of childhood and adult attachment in predicting re-victimization and symptoms of distress in adulthood. In the hypothesized model, childhood victimization by one's parents was hypothesized to predict adult intimate partner violence victimization through insecure attachment relationships in childhood (with one's parents) and adulthood (with one's partner). Furthermore, adult romantic attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance were hypothesized to predict different symptoms of distress. Self-report measures from 59 adult woman seeking services for intimate partner victimization at a domestic violence clinic were analyzed using a partial least squares path analysis. Results supported a reduced model in which insecure attachments in childhood and adulthood significantly predicted the ITA, but only through father-child attachment and not mother-child attachment. In addition, adult romantic attachment anxiety and attachment avoidance predicted different symptoms of distress. Results supported the attachment theory of the ITA and highlighted the importance of examining outcomes of adult attachment anxiety and avoidance separately. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

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Researchers agree that there is a relationship between alcoholism and domestic violence but theoretical perspectives have not established a correlation between the variables. Alcoholism and domestic violence are a manifestation of a complex system of family interactions characterized by inadequate communication skills.

MGS / Institute for Gender and Youth Studies /  Domestic violence is a social problem experienced by people in various settings and social relationships. Factors such as cultural beliefs, patriarchal practices, economic background, socialization process, gender stereotypes are key drivers of domestic violence in our communities. Internationally, the problem is said to be a social ill that contributes to many social problems. Domestic violence takes place across all walks of life regardless of race, age, sexual orientation or gender. It takes place in urban areas and in rural areas all over the world. Domestic violence happens to people who are legally or traditionally married and amongst intimate partners. This study therefore explores the contributory factors leading to domestic violence. The study made use of qualitative research approach. Purposive sampling procedure was used to identify participants who were more willing to take part in the study. The study used Semi structured interviews to collect data. Thus, discourse analysis was used in the study to analyse data. The study was conducted at Mangaya village in Thulamela Local Municipality, Vhembe District, Limpopo Province in South Africa. The study findings revealed that unemployment is a challenge and contributory factor leading to domestic violence, most of women had suffered domestic violence for a long period of time, children are directly affected by domestic violence within families, most women sacrifice themselves in order to save their marriages and protect their children. The findings of the study indicate that there are various aspects that contribute to the problem of domestic violence. The study recommends that community and police should actively work together in helping the victims of domestic violence to overcome their irrational thinking that is combed by remaining in abusive situations. / NRF

Thesis (M. A. (Criminology and Criminal Justice)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The purpose of this study was to analyse violence towards educators in the selected high schools in the Mankweng policing area. This was done by identifying factors contributing to school violence, assessing consequences of violence on victims of violence and determining measures that can be applied to effectively prevent, combat and investigate this scourge. This qualitative study applied the explanatory research design to recruit participants using non-probability sampling techniques, specifically purposive and snowball sampling respectively. Eighteen (18) participants were selected for this study, comprising of Six (06) educators from each of the Three (03) selected high schools of Mankweng policing area. Data were collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and documentary studies. Based on the transcribed data, themes were extracted and analysed using inductive Thematic Content Analysis (TCA). This study established that there are factors that contribute to the occurrence of school violence; victims are affected by school violence (I.e. Be it social, psychological and physical); and that there are measures that may reduce the occurrence of these violence. Findings of the research indicate that factors such as demographic location, substance abuse, peer pressure, gang groups are the causes of violence, leading to victims facing consequences such as depression, anxiety attacks and early retirement. For recommendations, this study provides that the community get involved in reducing school violence, the DBE should provide pro-active and re-active measures to combat violence, enforce a strong collaboration between stakeholders and enforce legislative framework implemented about workplace safety.

The purposes of the study was to conduct a needs assessment in order to assess the problem of substance abuse among the women in domestic violence agencies. Data was collected by surveys that were mailed out to the directors of domestic violence agencies within two counties, San Bernardino and Los Angeles, California.

The focus of this study was domestic violence in a faith-based setting. The researcher utilized the constructivist approach in building a subjective understanding of the research topic and possible interventions.

The purpose was to give a theoretical perspective on domestic violence in middle-childhood. The aim was therefor to explore and describe domestic violence in middle-childhood from a Gestalt perspective with guidelines for play therapists to utilise with middle-childhood children experiencing domestic violence. Due to the nature of qualitative research triangulation was used where firstly an in-depth literature study on middle-childhood, the Gestalt approach and domestic violence. Secondly semi-structured interviews in the empirical research in example a self-developed questionnaire. Together with this mediums and techniques of Gestalt play therapy for the main purpose of obtaining more information from the respondents. The literature was utilised from a explorative and descriptive nature of the research to refine concepts through semi-structured interviews with six children as respondents. This information is given graphically and applied for guidelines from Gestalt perspective to play therapists to assist these children. The objectives of the study have thus being achieved. / Practical Theology / M. Diac.