PublicationsResearchPre Democracy, Torture and State ViolenceThe State of Torture ReportTorture in South Africa has a complex and troubling history rooted in colonial and apartheid practices, where torture was used frequently by state security forces to suppress dissent and control Black and marginalised communities. Despite legal reforms during the post-apartheid dispensation, concerns about torture and ill-treatment persist, often associated with law enforcement practices and conditions in detention centres. Challenges therefore… Read More Sinqobile Makhathini, Amina Mwaikambo and Cathy-Ann PotgieterNovember 28, 2024
PublicationsMental Health, Psychosocial SupportMental Health and Psychosocial SupportThe aim of this manual is to outline mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in the context of enforced disappearances, and to provide insights into community-based psychosocial support interventions. It outlines strategies to mitigate risk factors for stress, secondary traumatization, and re-traumatization. It also takes into consideration that many of the participants of the Forensic Academies are practitioners, advocates, and… Read More Amina Mwaikambo and Cathy-Ann PotgieterMay 20, 2024
PublicationsResearchFORENSIC ACADEMY RESEARCH FINDINGS The Forensic Academy (FA) is a project created by Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala in partnership with the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience and the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR). The FA is a training program intended to educate and empower South-based activists and practitioners who work in the field of enforced disappearances… Read More Stacy Norman Hector, Amina Mwaikambo, Cathy-Ann Potgieter, KP Hartman and Meaghan HorsleyNovember 7, 2023
PublicationsResearchInequalities, Mental Health, Policing, Social CohesionPractice Brief: Towards caring and safeguarding research practices – A trauma-informed approach to violence-related qualitative researchRead More Gugu Resha and Amina MwaikamboOctober 16, 2023
PublicationsPolicing, Psychosocial Support, Transitional JusticeGUIDEBOOK ON A VICTIM-CENTERED APPROACH TO TRANSITIONAL JUSTICEThis guidebook is a product of the Victim-Centered Approach to Transitional Justice project implemented by the Global Initiative for Justice, Truth, and Reconciliation (GIJTR). The project was designed to aid civil society actors who work directly with victims in transitional justice contexts by providing training to further their current skills and exchange to learn and connect with civil society organizations… Read More Amina Mwaikambo and Tsholofelo NakediJune 14, 2023
ResearchGender-based Violence, Inequalities, Mental Health, Psychosocial SupportLiterature Review: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support in Transitional Justice in AfricaIntroduction This research publication provides a review of the peacebuilding and transitional justice literature on how MHPSS can and must be integrated into post-conflict reconstruction and restoration processes. It describes current approaches to peacebuilding and why transitional justice is a key component of peaceful and resilient post-conflict communities. The review details the limitations of current approaches that lack MHPSS components,… Read More Gugu Resha, Amina Mwaikambo, Modiegi Merafe, Percy Maimela, Stacy Norman Hector, Sumaiya Mohamed and Gugu ShabalalaApril 12, 2023
