ArticlesMediaCriminal Justice, Restorative JusticeCSVR Submission on the Child Justice BillThe Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation has read the proposed Bill and would like to comment on one aspect thereof that relates to Restorative Justice elements. Broadly speaking, the CSVR is satisfied that the Bill sets out the basic principles of Restorative Justice, and that these principles are reinforced throughout the Bill and its provisions. However, when… Read More CSVROctober 28, 2002
ArticlesMediaCorrectional ServicesSex Behind the Bars'He may be fucking his cellmate every night' but if you ask him: 'Have you had a homosexual experience in prison?' he will truthfully, as far as he is concerned answer, NO'. This is a warning that Stephen Donaldson, a Stop Prison Rape activist, once gave researchers of prison sex. Sexual practices among male prisoners show that sex acts in… Read More CSVROctober 25, 2002
ArticlesMediaPolicingLethal Force Ruling Provides Greater Clarity, but Questions RemainAs might have been predicted there has been a high level of controversy around last week's Constitutional Court judgment, dealing with the use of lethal force in effecting arrest, in the case of s v Walter's. In the judgment the court struck down Section 49(2) of the Criminal Procedure Act, a legal provision created by the apartheid government to give… Read More CSVRMay 28, 2002
ArticlesMediaPolicingWhen Is It OK to Kill?Should there be any circumstances where a person is lawfully able to kill another human being? Killing to defend someone is clearly legally justified in South Africa. In 1995 in the case of S v Makwanyane, the Constitutional Court stated that the approach taken in law is to balance 'the rights of the aggressor against the rights of the victim,… Read More CSVRApril 17, 2002
ArticlesMediaRacismRacism in the SAPS Must Be Stamped OutOnce again Racism will receive unprecedented attention at the World Conference Against Racism in Durban later this month. This concerted effort of different countries to meet for the purpose of having such discussions is indicative of the fact that racism is a worldwide problem. For South Africa, the host country, it is important to examine how successful our own country… Read More CSVRAugust 10, 2001
PublicationsResearchCriminal Justice, Reparations, Transitional JusticeSentencing: A Compensation Scheme for Victims of Crime in South AfricaThis report considers the feasibility of establishing a Victim Compensation Scheme (VCS) in South Africa. It begins by providing an overview of the nature and extent of violent crime in the country. This is considered critical to understanding the foundation for such a compensation scheme and for realistically costing such an endeavor. The report also briefly documents the economic, physical… Read More CSVRJuly 2, 2001
