Restoring the Social Fabric

Publications, Research, ,

This is a shortened version of a paper given by Wandile Zwane at a workshop held in Washington, DC, on CSVR's work in schools. The CSVR's Children and Violence Intervention Programme (CVIP) began in 1994 as a pilot project in four schools in Soweto. In addition, a teacher training programme called the "40 Schools Project," which services both primary and high schools, was initiated in 1996. The primary aim of the project was to reach children and to provide a service that would help to decrease the negative impact of violence. Since its inception, it has grown to include caregivers such as teachers, parents and extended family members.

Wandile Zwane
01 Dec 1997
Publications, Research, , ,

A range of organisations had previously worked on human rights abuses under apartheid, particularly through the 1980s, when detention without trial, assassinations, torture and disappearances were daily occurrences for the oppressed in South Africa. These organisations held a wealth of information in their files, which had been gained from the statements and affidavits of victims and their families, from court records, newspapers and reports. The advent of the TRC provided an opportunity for the organisations to provide their material to the TRC so that it could gain an accurate picture of human rights abuses. This paper describes the project which was set up for this purpose. The use of EVSYS for the project is outlined in detail and evaluative comments on the project as a whole are provided.

Lydia Levin, Polly Dewhirst and Brandon Hamber
11 Nov 1997
Publications, Research, ,

This paper identifies shortcomings in the criminal justice system and explores the treatment of victims. It indicates that high crime levels can be attributed in part to insensitive treatment of victims by the criminal justice system. This paper explores aspects of that relationship and points to Community Policing and Community Justice Forums (CJFs) as a viable alternative to the existing system.

Duxita Mistry
29 Oct 1997
Publications, Research, ,

South Africans' response to sexual violence is far from consistent. The rape survivor may be labelled either as a 'good' or 'bad' victim with serious implications for how women are treated by the police, courts and medical profession. This article aims to understand the factors creating and contributing to our rape-prone society.

Lisa Vetten
03 Jun 1997
Publications, Research, ,

This paper briefly describes the extent of violence in South Africa, and explores the resulting psychological and social consequences. As an introduction, brief definitions of violence and trauma are provided, as well as a brief description of violence in South Africa in the 1980s and 1990s. The paper then discusses the category of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and the implications for a society with a high number of victims of violence – with a particular emphasis on the concept of vicarious traumatisation.

Brandon Hamber and Sharon Lewis
01 Jun 1997
Publications, Research, ,

As an introduction to the research topic, the paper provides an overview of the previous psychological literature in the area of child trauma, and specifically extrafamilial child sexual abuse. The psychological sequelae of childhood trauma, particularly in the latency period, and the significance of maternal reactions for the victim's psychological adjustment will be explored. The effects of prejudicial societal attitudes and rape myths on victims of this trauma comprise an important aspect of this discussion.

Sharon Lewis
28 May 1997
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