Thesis (M.A.)--Northern Kentucky University, 2006. / Made available through ProQuest. Publication number: AAT 1438041. ProQuest document ID: 1212793721. Includes bibliographical references (p. 63-72)

In this dissertation, I examined the construction, function, and consequences of causal attributions in all British Columbia sexual assault trial judgements available through Quicklaw from 1986-1994. Most judgements contained causal attributions, that is, the judge discursively constructed an explanation of the assault. These attributions were analyzable as internalizing versus externalizing (i.e., under the individual's control or not); situating or saturating (i.e., situated in a particular time and place versus abstracted and pervasive), and as violent or nonviolent (i.e., caused by a choice or tendency to be violent versus a choice or tendency to use alcohol, to be sexually inappropriate, etc.). The preponderance of attributions for persons guilty of sexual assault cast the cause as something other than violence. This suggests that, despite laws which defined sexual assault as violent per se, judges are not treating these offenses as violent. These attributions along with two other sets of factors (case parameters identified by Ruby, 1994, and stranger versus nonstranger status) were then tested to determine which factors were related to sentencing. Causal attributions were significantly correlated with sentence. In particular, nonviolent attributions were significantly related to lower sentences. Only the relatively rare violent and internalizing attributions (e.g., "he chose to be violent") were significantly correlated with higher sentences. Most case parameters were either not associated with sentence or were actually correlated in the opposite direction. For example, breach of trust was negatively associated with sentence: judges gave offenders who assaulted children in their care systematically lower sentences. Stranger status was significantly correlated with the offender receiving a higher sentence, even when the stranger had not physically touched the victim. Overall, these findings illustrate the usefulness of examining judges' discourse as well as the facts of the case. When judges discursively constructed an assault as nonviolent, the sentence was lower. When they attributed the assault to violent causes and cast the offender as responsible, the sentence was higher. Moreover, the results suggest that the judges are not dealing with sexual assault and other sexualized offenses in the way that is consistent with the relevant legislative laws and sentencing principles. In particular, the legal system fails to protect children from those charged with their care and protection. / Graduate

The study examined rape counselling, with particular emphasis on countertransference reactions experienced by the counsellors of rape survivors. Four subjects participated in semi-focused, open-ended interviews, which were taped and transcribed verbatim. The phenomenon of countertransference was discussed, and countertransference reactions identified and examined. The management of empathic strain, in order to sustain empathic inquiry and therapeutic efficacy, was discussed. The main results of the study included the identification of common victim themes, and the feelings evoked in the counsellor in the therapeutic relationship. These included feelings of anger, hopelessness, helplessness and sadness, particularly in the counselling of children, who may be HIV positive as a result of the attack, and victims of chronic abuse. Challenges of rape counselling included shortcomings in the system, and rape myths which trivialize the crime and blame the victim. The need for education and enlightenment of both the public and magistrates on the deleterious effects of rape was emphasized by all subjects.

M.A. / This study explores the grief experiences of young adult siblings in the aftermath of murder. This research was motivated, firstly, by the perceived lack of focus on siblings, often referred to as the ‘disenfranchised grievers’ and, secondly, by the vulnerability of the young adult population who bear the scars of South Africa’s high levels of crime and violence. Three young adults were recruited to participate in interviews, in which they described their lived experience of loss. Data collection and the analysis were guided by a phenomenological research design resulting in the identification of five major themes: 1) Shock, disbelief and horror, 2) Intent and rage, 3) Recollecting and withdrawal, 4) Rupture and fragmentation, and 5) Resilience, healing and growth. These themes are discussed in relation to the research literature on sibling grief and homicide bereavement. In the concluding chapter, the key strengths and limitations of this study are reviewed and the implications of the findings of this research for further investigations are discussed

M.Cur. / The effect of domestic violence on abused women subjected to domestic violence, the family as a unit and the broader community is of such a nature that it inhibits emotional growth in the individual and the community. This may lead to a breakdown in the mental health status of those involved. Facilitation of the mental health of abused women subjected to domestic violence is needed. They experience a lot of negative emotional dynamics in the process of shattering of the self and shattering of other relations. They are entangled in the process of abuse. They are also under the wrong impression that they are victims and that they cannot do anything about it. This is confirmed by the researcher's previous research done on the lived experience of abused women subjected to domestic violence (De Beer, 2001 : 25 - 52). The psychiatric nursing specialist is a person placed and equipped in the community health services to provide the facilitation of the mental health of abused women subjected to domestic violence. Up till now psychiatric nursing specialists did not receive the necessary credit and were not utilised to benefit the community health services, hospitals and the individuals involved.

M.A. (Clinical Psychology) / Despite similarities, shame is expressed differently among individuals. The aim of this study is to explore the lived experience of shame in two female victims of acquaintance rape. Using the tenets of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a case study approach was adopted. The findings revealed how the female victims' relationship with the known assailants influenced the experience of shame. Moreover, encountering acquaintance rape twice had implications for how shame was experienced. For instance, intense self-blame and the belief in being inherently flawed was evident. Of equal importance, in both women, anger manifested primarily as indignation. Furthermore, shame manifested primarily as feeling dirty and having elements of moral impurity. However, shame did not affect the self-identity of one of the participants; instead she displayed resistance to the notion of shame affecting her global self. Thus, the study concluded that despite similarities in some features, the manifestation of shame in the context of acquaintance rape is different from in other contexts. These findings have implications for future research and clinical practice. Ultimately, this study adds to the discourse on shame in women in the context of acquaintance rape in South Africa. Moreover, it provides a theoretical framework that enables the therapist or healthcare worker to intervene with clients in such a context.

M.A. / Restorative justice is a new way of thinking about crime. Restorative justice ensures that the needs of the victims are not forgotten and it sets about repairing the harm caused to victims. In restorative justice, victims of crime are placed in the centre of the criminal court. It was of great importance to find out how the victims of crime perceive restorative justice. Eight victims of crime committed by juvenile offenders in Malamulele were selected to participate in the study. An exploratory study was conducted to gain insight into the feelings of the victims of crime towards restorative justice. To find out what meaning victims of crime attach to restorative justice, qualitative research methodology was utilized. Information was collected through a semi-structured interview to obtain a detailed picture of the victims’ perceptions on restorative justice by using an interview schedule. Non-probability purpose sampling was used to select the easily available victims of crime. It was discovered that the respondents perceived restorative justice as a relevant way and tool of settling the dispute face to face through reconciliation, peace and forgiveness. Recommendations are based on the findings to implement a restorative justice programme and to involve the victims of crime in the justice system. Recommendations for further research are presented. / Ms. H. Ellis

The principal of this thesis is to show how the Church can use the shepherding model of pastoral care as a method to address victims of the 2008 political violence in Zimbabwe. The model is biblically sound and is quite challenging to an African Christian practicing pastoral care. The Palestinian shepherds when herding the flock they are in front while in Africa, Zimbabwe in particular, we herd from behind. The Palestinian model is important for the Church to emulate. Could the African – Zimbabwean model be the one that the Churches in Zimbabwe have employed? The Church has been reacting when things are happening. The church has not been helpful by prophetically confronting the evil of political violence. The shepherding model of pastoral care calls the church take a risk, trusting God for providence. The church can not afford to be silent when people are being traumatized by political violence. Remaining silent will be regarded as siding with the evil that traumatize people. It is the church that can only be a vehicle of hope, healing and reconciliation. The three stories shared in chapter four is a clear testimony that the church has a lot to do in terms of creating safe environment, rehabilitation and even integrations. / Dissertation (MA(Theol))--University of Pretoria, 2011. / Practical Theology / unrestricted

The purpose of this study was to examine control beliefs and their role in the different ways victims cope with burglary. Two studies were conducted. In the first study, participants were college students who had been burglarized within the previous year. The volunteers were men and women between the ages of 19 and 37 (N=61). The participants completed Levenson's (1981) locus of control scale. The following week, in order to assist recall, the participants viewed a 2-minute video that depicted a residential burglary in progress. Immediately following the video, they completed a coping measure, situational appraisals of control measure, and importance of outcome measure. The second study was a conceptual replication of the first study and therefore followed the same procedures. However, in order to assess locus of control prior to victimization, participants were male and female college students (N=102) who had never been burglarized (experimentally induced victims). Zero-order correlations, discriminant analysis, and hierarchical multiple regression were used to examine the main, mediating, and moderating effects of locus of control, importance of outcome, situational appraisals of control, and gender on coping functions. Because previous research has found gender differences in reaction to criminal victimization, i t was hypothesized that the influence that gender has on coping results from an individual's locus of control orientation. It was also expected that the direction or strength of the locus of control and coping relation would be influenced by an individual's gender and by how much importance he or she attached to the victimization experience. In both the victim group and experimentally induced victim group, emotion-focused coping was significantly predicted by gender, locus of control, importance of outcome, and situational appraisals of control. However, problem-focused coping was significantly predicted by gender, locus of control, importance of outcome, and situational appraisals of control for the victim group only. Locus of control did not influence the gender and coping relation. The results indicated that in both groups men who held strong powerful others locus of control beliefs used less emotion-focused coping. In contrast, in the burglary victim group, women who held strong powerful others locus of control beliefs used more emotion-focused coping. However, there was no relationship between powerful others locus of control beliefs and emotion-focused coping for women in the experimentally induced victim group. For experimentally induced victims, both men and women with high chance locus of control beliefs used more emotion-focused coping. In both groups, importance of outcome did not moderate the locus of control and coping relation. Implications of these results and suggestions for future research are discussed. / Education, Faculty of / Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of / Graduate

Le législateur cherche à favoriser l'indemnisation des victimes de certains types de dommages comme le démontre la mise en place de plus en plus régulière des fonds d'indemnisation. Cette multiplication n'est pourtant pas le gage d'un respect des droits des victimes, qui a priori favorisées, doivent parfois faire des sacrifices discutables. S'il nous faut admettre que les victimes sont aujourd'hui mieux indemnisées, les liens entre les fonds d'indemnisation et les droits des victimes apparaissent ambigus. Des questions demeurent. Les victimes sont-elles égales face aux fonds d'indemnisation? Le système instauré hors des prétoires ne vient-il pas porter atteinte à des droits jugés essentiels? Il s'agit alors de confronter aux mécanismes établis le respect des droits des victimes. Si, effectivement, les fonds d'indemnisation permettent aux victimes un accès à l'indemnisation rendu difficile par les règles du droit commun, il apparaît que l'indemnisation des victimes se révèle perfectible. À tous les stades de la procédure, de profondes inégalités sont mises en lumière entre les victimes relevant d'un fonds, entre ces dernières et les victimes du droit commun, mais également entre les fonds d'indemnisation et les victimes demanderesses. Ainsi, un fonds d'indemnisation unique, garantie d'un système plus égalitaire et plus cohérent, doit être proposé afin de faire des fonds d'indemnisation une véritable alternative pour les victimes. / Lawmakers tend to favor the victims of certain kind of damages as evidenced by the growing establishment of compensation funds. However, this multiplication doesn't guarantee respect for victims' rights. Although they seem to be favored at first sight, sometimes the victims have to make questionable sacrifices. Admittedly, victims are compensated better nowadays; however, the links between the compensation fund and the rights of victims appear equivocal. Some questions remain.Are victims treated equally before compensation funds? Does this system impair essential rights?An analysis of respect for the victims' rights by the compensation funds is required. Even though compensation funds offer to the victims an easier access to compensation, the mechanism turns outto be improvable. Deep inequalities are highlighted between victims of a same funds between those and the victims of the ordinary law, but also between the compensation funds and the plaintiff victims. Thus, a more egalitarian and more coherent system should be offered to make compensation funds a real alternative for the victims.