Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) Consultative Stakeholder Summit
e
Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP)
Tenth Anniversary Conference
(Held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) Durban, South Africa
18 – 20 August 2008)
Partnership between the United Nations Office on Drugs
and Crime (UNODC), The Department of Social
Development (DSD) and European Union (EU)
Conference theme:
“Victim Empowerment in South Africa”
Produced by:
Audio Visual Conferencing
22 September 2008
Held at the Birchwood Hotel, Boksburg, Johannesburg, South Africa, 19 – 20 June 2008
European Union
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP)
Tenth Anniversary Conference
Report
Department of Social Development
Private Bag X901
Pretoria
0001
Tel: 012 312 7169/7568
Fax: 086 542 5177/012 312 7541
Website: www.socdev.govza
Hosting Directorate
Victim Empowerment Programme
Chief Director: Ms Connie Nxumalo
Partnerships
European Union & United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
Regional Representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime for Southern Africa:
Dr Lucas Jonathan
VEP Director: Dr Zodidi Tshotsho
Conference Overseer: Ms Joan Groenewald
Conference Coordinator: Ms Athalia Shabangu
UNODC Representative: Ms Rebecca Modipane
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................................................................... 3
2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................. 6
3.
LIST OF ACRONYMS ................................................................................................................................................................... 8
4.
FOREWORD ............................................................................................................................................................................... 10
5.
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................................................... 11
6.
BACKGROUND .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE ....................................................................................................................................... 13
DAY ONE: PRESENTATIONS..................................................................................................................................................... 14
7.
Opening Session - summary of speeches .................................................................................................................................... 14
7.1
Welcome Address: Mr Obed Mlaba, Executive Mayor, Ethekwini Metro ...................................................................................... 14
7.2
Legislation and oversight: Mr Mike Masutha, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Parliament ............................................. 15
7.3
Statement and Message of Support: Dr Jonathan Lucas, Regional Representative, United Nations Office
On Drugs and Crime
UNODC) ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 16
7.4
Welcome Address: Dr Langalibalele Mqadi, Acting Head of Department, Department of Social
Development, KZN ....................................................................................................................................................................... 17
7.5
Keynote Address: Dr Jean Swanson- Jacobs, Deputy Minister of Social Development ............................................................... 18
7.6
Vote of Thanks: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General of Welfare Services, DSD ............................................................ 19
8.
SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED AFTER THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS PLENARY SESSION ........................................... 20
8.1
Conference outline - Expectations, Objectives and Processes: Dr Juan Nel, VEP Task Team Member,
UNISA .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 20
8.2
Overview of the Criminal Justice System: Advocate Simon Jiyane, Deputy Director–General, Department
of Justice and
Constitutional Development ......................................................................................................................................................... 21
8.3
Overview of the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP): Ms Conny Nxumalo, Chief Director, Families
and Social Crime
Prevention, DSD .......................................................................................................................................................................... 22
9.
SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED IN THE THIRD SESSION. THEME : POLICY AND LEGISLATION ............................. 24
9.1
Introduction to the session theme: Policy and Legislation, Ms Vuyelwa Nhlapo, Deputy Director-General:
DSD ............................................................................................................................................................................................... 24
9.2
Criminal Law (Sexual offences and related matters. Amendment Act 32/2007): Advocate Brandon
Lawrence, NPA ............................................................................................................................................................................ 24
9.3
Implementation of the Children’s Act: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General, Welfare Services
Transformation, DSD ................................................................................................................................................................... 26
10.
SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED IN THE FOURTH SESSION. THEME : SECTOR SPECIFIC
RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................................................................................................... 31
10.1
Introduction to the Sector Specific Responsibilities: Ms Nomfundo Mogapi, VEP Management Team, DSD .............................. 31
10.2
Panel Discussion – Empowering Victims: A case study involving a panel of stakeholders that review their
roles and responsibilities in assisting a client (victim) who has been assaulted by her husband. ............................................... 31
10.3. Panel: Round Table Discussion ................................................................................................................................................... 35
DAY TWO COMMISSION WORK AND FEEDBACK TO PLENARY ............................................................................................................. 38
11.
Summary of the Commissions held in the Fifth Session .............................................................................................................. 38
11.1
The Summary of the Day 1: Ms Sharon Kouta, DSD Western Cape............................................................................................ 38
11.2
Commission 1: Theme 2: Management and Partnership ............................................................................................................. 41
11.3
Commission 2: Theme 2: Management, Partnerships and Research .......................................................................................... 45
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11.4
Commission 3: Theme: Service Delivery ...................................................................................................................................... 59
11.5
Commission 4: Theme 3: Service Delivery ................................................................................................................................... 63
11.6
Commission 5: Theme: Training, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation and Research .................................................. 68
12.
Summary of the Commissions held in the Fifth Session .............................................................................................................. 74
12.1
Commission 1: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................. 74
12.2
Commission 2: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................. 79
12.3
Commission 3: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................. 88
12.4
Commission 4: Theme 5: Research ........................................................................................................................................... 100
12.5
Commission 5: Theme 5: Research ........................................................................................................................................... 104
13.
FACILITATORS’ REPORT BACK TO PLENARY: ..................................................................................................................... 112
SESSION 1: COMMISSIONS 1- 5 ............................................................................................................................................................... 112
13.1
Commission 1: Theme 2: Management and Partnership ........................................................................................................... 112
Facilitator: Ms Prudence Ramolehe .......................................................................................................................................... 112
13.2
Commission 2: Theme 2: Management, Partnerships and Research ....................................................................................... 114
Facilitator: Mr Joel Mokonoto .................................................................................................................................................... 114
13.3
Commission 3: Theme 4: Service Delivery................................................................................................................................. 115
Facilitator: Ms Gladys Mangwani .............................................................................................................................................. 115
13.4
Commission 4: Theme 5: Service Delivery ................................................................................................................................ 116
Facilitator: Prof Tandeka Mkiwane / Report back by UNODC Consultant .................................................................................. 116
13.4
Commission 5: Theme 5: Training, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation..................................................................... 117
Facilitator: Ms Myrtle Morris ...................................................................................................................................................... 117
14.
FACILITATORS’ REPORT BACK TO PLENARY: ...................................................................................................................... 119
SESSION 2: COMMISSIONS 1- 5 ............................................................................................................................................................... 119
14.1 Commission 1: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................ 119
Facilitator: Ms Thembi Madidimba .............................................................................................................................................. 119
14.2 Commission 2: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................ 120
Facilitator: Ms Zoleka Mteto ........................................................................................................................................................ 120
14.3 Commission 3: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................ 121
Facilitator: Ms Sharon Kouta ...................................................................................................................................................... 121
14.4 Commission 4: Theme : Research .............................................................................................................................................. 122
Facilitator: Ms Innocentia Mosemeng......................................................................................................................................... 122
14.5 Commission 5: Theme 5: Research ............................................................................................................................................ 122
Facilitator: Mr Radesh Byroo ...................................................................................................................................................... 122
15.
Panel Discussion: Points of clarity and questions ........................................................................................................................ 124
15.1 Aspects raised by the delegates ................................................................................................................................................. 124
15.2 Responses by the Panel of Facilitators ....................................................................................................................................... 126
DAY 3
PROVINCIAL FORUMS AND CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS ................................................................................................. 128
16.
Summary of the previous day ...................................................................................................................................................... 128
Ms Melanie Goble, Executive Director, Leving Waters, East London. ......................................................................................... 128
17.
A SWOT ANAYSIS BY NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL FORUMS OF THE VEP ....................................................................... 129
17.1 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Free State
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 129
17.2 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Gauteng
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 131
17.3 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Eastern
Cape Province.............................................................................................................................................................................. 132
17.4 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Kwa-Zulu
Natal Province .............................................................................................................................................................................. 134
17.5 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Mpumalanga
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 137
17.6 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forum in the North West
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 138
17.7 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Western
Cape Province.............................................................................................................................................................................. 140
17.8 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Cape
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 142
17.9 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in the Limpopo
Province ....................................................................................................................................................................................... 144
17.10 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: National Stakeholders ....................................................................... 146
18.
Message from the Civil Society Summit - June 2008, Ms Venessa Padayachee, NICRO (Summary) ......................................... 149
19.
Endorsement of the Conference Resolutions: Advocate Brandon Lawrence, VEP Management Team
Member, NPA ............................................................................................................................................................................... 152
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20.
Vote of thanks: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General, DSD .............................................................................................. 155
21.
Annexure ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 157
21.1 Annexure A: Speeches by Dr Jean Swanson – Jacobs, Deputy Minister of Social Development; Dr
Jonathan Lucas, UNODC,
Mr Mike Masutha, Portfolio Committee, Advocate Simon Jiyane, DOJCD .................................................................................... 157
21.2 Annexure B: Conference Resolutions, Conference Programme ................................................................................................... 167
22.
Delegates List and Contact Details ............................................................................................................................................... 171
23.
Evaluation of the Conference ....................................................................................................................................................... 187
23.1 Expectations covered during day 1 .............................................................................................................................................. 187
23.2 Relevancy of presentations during day 1 ..................................................................................................................................... 187
23.3
Expectations of video ................................................................................................................................................................. 188
Day 2 ...................................................................................................................................................................................................... 188
23.4
Average percentage of break-away commission’s – Expectations met ...................................................................................... 188
23.5
Relevancy of presentations to the work ..................................................................................................................................... 189
23.6
How the facilitators managed the commissions?........................................................................................................................ 189
Day 3....................................................................................................................................................................................................... 190
23.7
Duration of the program ............................................................................................................................................................. 190
23.8
Was the conference practical for your professional needs? ....................................................................................................... 191
23.9
How did you found the overall standards of the presenters?...................................................................................................... 192
23.10 Has the conference met your expectations? .............................................................................................................................. 193
More commissions and role clarification .................................................................................................................................... 193
23.11 Did the presenters cover the topics adequately? ....................................................................................................................... 193
23.12 Did the presenters provide opportunities for delegates to participate?....................................................................................... 194
24.
Further comments from delegates .............................................................................................................................................. 194
24.1
Other needs are: ........................................................................................................................................................................ 194
24.2
Overall assessment of the programme and suggestions ........................................................................................................... 194
25.
Evaluation of Presentations ........................................................................................................................................................ 195
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2.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Department of Social Development and the European Commission/United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC) wishes to extend a word of thanks to the Victim Empowerment
Programme Task Team who planned and organized the very successful event. A special word of
appreciation to the following persons, departments and civil society organizations which
participated and contributed to the success of the conference:
●
The Executive Mayor of the Ethekwini Metro for welcoming the 10th Anniversary VEP conference
and the delegates to Durban.
●
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Mike Masutha who provided the conference with
the parliamentary perspective and expectations concerning the provision of services, especially to
the vulnerable groups in South Africa.
●
The UNODC Representative, Dr Jonathan Lucas for a very detailed message of support and for
highlighting the importance of developing partnerships and coordination with civil society.
●
The KZN Department of Social Development, Acting Head of Department, Dr L Mqadi for his
welcome address in which he asked that the needs of the various victims be taken into
consideration and urged greater coordination.
●
The Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs for the welcome address
and for remaining at this important conference for almost its entire duration, and in so doing
appraising herself of the inputs, the important processes and a cross-section of points of view.
●
The various chairpersons of the plenary for their excellent work done in leading the conference
with insight and humour and for keeping the conference on track and on time.
●
All presenters for sharing their expertise and for stimulating vibrant discussion. Their papers
were insightful, inspiring and suggested a number of options as to the way forward. Many lessons
regarding the VEP sector were learned and could benefit South African society.
●
The facilitators of the commissions who managed the process very well and provided excellent
feedback to plenary and who elaborated well on subsequent points of clarity.
●
Delegates from national and provincial departments, civil society organizations, the business
sector, academic and research institutions for their active participation and meaningful
contributions. In addition, the delegates deserve thanks for their excellent analysis, their conduct
and their professional manner.
●
The Durban Divas band that entertained the delegates during the Gala Dinner gave truth to
Mayor Mlaba’s opening words: “Durban, where the sun never sets.”
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
●
The service provider that professionally captured and recorded the conference proceedings.
“WELL DONE.”
●
The VEP Management Team members who willingly assisted with the facilitation of the
commissions. This was a clear illustration of teamwork.
●
Provincial coordinators for inviting civil society delegates from their respective provinces and for
facilitating the provincial breakaway groups.
●
●
The European Commission and UNODC for funding the 10th Anniversary Conference.
Finally the Task Team from the National Department of Social Development and UNODC who
were responsible for logistical arrangements and which ensured that the delegates were well
accommodated and transported to the conference venue.
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3.
LIST OF ACRONYMS
ARV
BAC
BEE
CASE
CDW
CJS
CPF
CJP
CJS
CPF
CSOs
DCS
DG
DHA
DOE
DOH
DOJC
DSD
DV
EAP
EC
ECD
EPWP
EU
FBO
FCPU
HOD
ICC
IDMT
IDP
IJS
IOM
ISS
JCPS
KPA
KZN
LCMC
METF
M&E
MINMEC
Anti-retroviral
Business Against Crime
Black Economic Empowerment
Community Agency for Social Engineering
Community Development Workers
Criminal Justice Centre
Community Police Forums
Criminal Justice Processes
Criminal Justice System
Community Policy Forum
Civil Society Organisations
Department of Correctional Services
Director General
Department of Home Affairs
Department of Education
Department of Health
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
Department of Social Development
Domestic Violence
Employee Assistance Programme
European Commission
Early Childhood Development
Expanded Public Wellness Programme
European Commission
Faith Based Organisations
Family and Child Protection Unit
Head of Department
International Conference Centre
Inter-Departmental Management Team
Integrated Development Programme
Integrated Justice System
International Organisation of Migration
Institute of Security Studies
Justice, Crime, Prevention Secretariat
Key Performance Area
Kwa-Zulu Natal
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Medium Expenditure Term Frame
Monitor and Evaluation
Ministers and Members of Executive Committee
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MOU
MSP
NAP
NCPS
NDA
NGO’s
NICRO
NPA
NPO
NW
OSW
OSC
PCU
PEP
PTSD
RJS
SALGA
SAPS
SAQA
SASSA
SETA
SGB
SGV / SGB
SLA
SOCA
Memorandum of Understanding
Multi-Sector Partnership
National Action Plan
National Crime Prevention Strategy
National Development Agency
Non Governmental Organisations
National Institute of Crime and Reinforcement of Offender
National Prosecuting Authority
Non Profit Organisations
North West
Office of the Status of Woman
One Stop Centre
Programme Coordinating Unit
Post Exposure Prophylaxis
Post Dramatic Stress Disorders
Restorative Justice Centre
South African Local Government Association
South Africa Police Service
South African Qualification Authority
South African Social Security Agency
Skills Education Training Authorities
School Governing Body
Standard Generating Body
Service Level Agreement
Sexual Offences and Community Affairs
STD
SWOT
TB
TCC
TIMS
TOR
TRC
UCAP
UN
UNICEF
UNODC
VE
VEP
WAC
Sexually Transmitted Disease
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
Tuberculosis
Thuthuzela Care Centers
Trafficking Information Management System
Terms of Reference
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
UNISA Centre for Applied Psychology
United Nations
United Nations Children Fund
United Nations on Drugs and Crime
Victim Empowerment
Victim Empowerment Programme
Woman Against Crime
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4.
FOREWORD
The National Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) was established as a key feature of the
National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS), which was a proposed strategy to address the factors
that contribute to the high levels of crime in South Africa.
The Victim Empowerment Programme focuses on promoting a victim centered approach to crime
prevention. VEP is also based on a partnership between national, provincial and local government
departments and civil society organizations, volunteers, business sector, academic and research
institutions. The purpose of the VEP is to facilitate the establishment and integration of interdepartmental/inter-sectoral programmes and policies for the support, protection and empowerment
of all victims of crime and violence with special focus on women and children.
Victim empowerment initiatives by civil society organizations in South Africa were in existence long
before the National Victim Empowerment was established in 1998. Although a multitude of
initiatives in victim empowerment existed at local levels across the country, many of which were
provided by non-profit organizations (NGO’s), these resources were not equally distributed,
coordinated and sustainable.
In the past, most of the civil society organizations operated in opposition to the government rather
than cooperation with government. In post 1994 period, the relationship between civil societies
changed significantly. The focus on the reconstruction and development was accompanied by the
recognition that government alone cannot deliver all services. This necessitated a re-examination
of the role of government in relation to civil society organizations. Despite the positive contributions
made by NGO’s in victim empowerment, there are challenges that threaten the sustainability of
many civil organizations. These include funding and financial constraints, lack of technical
expertise, skilled and experienced staff, administration gaps, managerial and organizational
capabilities. The Victim Empowerment Management Team is an inter-departmental and intersectoral forum responsible for giving strategic direction for the realization of effective and adequate
governance of VEP structures. The NGO’s are part of the National and Provincial VEP Forums.
Their role within these forums is to function on an advisory capacity, participate in the development
and implementation of policies, the development of victim empowerment strategies, and
coordination of victim empowerment support services nationally, provincially and regionally. Lack
of coordination of services has been identified as a major constraint by the National VEP Team
towards effective implementation of victim empowerment programmes.
The conference therefore aimed to agree on one common vision around facilitating better
cooperation between government and civil society organizations with the financial support from
European Commission and UNODC. The purpose of the conference was to generate solutions to
VEP challenges and to ensure that government’s partnership with civil society fulfil their roles in the
field of victim empowerment. The government in partnership with European Commission and
UNODC seeks to cultivate human rights culture by ensuring that victim’s material, physical and
emotional needs are met. The European Commission Programme of Assistance seeks to improve
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institutional capacity of both government and civil society organizations dealing with victim
empowerment.
The successful implementation of victim empowerment programmes requires a serious
commitment from all three levels of government and the civil society organizations.
We earnestly hope that this conference has been able to yield the desired outcomes in
strengthening government partnership with civil society organizations and in addressing the
challenges faced by the VEP sector.
5.
INTRODUCTION
Internationally the needs and rights of victims were recognized and addressed through, amongst
others, the adoption on 29 November 1985, by the General Assembly of the United Nations of the
Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power and South
Africa is a signatory of this convention. The Declaration is based on the philosophy that victims
should be adequately recognized and treated with respect for their dignity. Victims are entitled to
access to the mechanisms of justice and prompt redress for the harm and loss suffered. They are
also entitled to receive adequate specialized assistance in dealing with emotional trauma and other
problems caused by the impact of victimization.
Other international instruments include; the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all
forms of Violence against Women (CEDAW), the Convention on the Rights of Children and the
SADC Declaration on Gender and Development Addendum on Prevention and Eradication of
Violence against Women and Children, 1997.
The Bill of Rights, as contained in chapter 2 of the Constitution, 1996 (Act No.108 of 1996)
entrenches the right of every person to equality and to freedom and security. It applies to all people
in the country and requires respect for the rights of all people. It imposes a duty on government to
take appropriate steps to ensure that the human rights of persons are respected. In doing so, the
Constitution guarantees the rights contained in the Bill of Rights.
The Constitution lays the foundation for other legislation and policy that affirms victim’s rights.
Some of the policies include the National Policy Guidelines for Handling of Victims / Survivors of
Sexual Offences, 1997 and the Batho Pele principles. Examples of affirming legislation include the
Criminal Law Act 75 of 1995, the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998, the Witness Protection Act
112 of 1998 and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007.
Since the establishment of the Victim Empowerment Programme, the country has responded to
both the UN Declaration and the Bill of Rights, by establishing the Minimum Standards for services
to victims of crime which were launched in 2002. These were part of the processes that informed
the development of a Service Charter for the Victims of Crime, which was approved by Parliament
in 2004. Both documents serve as a means of protecting and promoting the rights of victims in
compliance with international obligations under the international and regional human rights
instruments.
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6.
BACKGROUND
The Department of Social Development in partnership with the European Commission and the
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime hosted the Tenth Anniversary Conference, the Victim
Empowerment Programme at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
from 18 – 20 August 2008. This conference brought together 520 delegates from all corners of
South Africa.
The Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) was officially launched in August 1998 as one of the
key programmes under pillar one of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). It is an intersectoral and inter-departmental approach to holistically address the diverse needs of victims of
crime and violence.
The VEP aims to promote and implement a victim-centred approach to crime prevention focusing
on minimizing the negative impact of crime on victims and on breaking the cycle of violence as well
as creating a victim friendly criminal justice system.
The significance of the conference also relates to its location and its timing. The Tenth Anniversary
Conference took place at the venue named after one of the finest warriors of the struggle for
freedom and the first South African to receive the Nobel Peace Prize: Inkosi Albert Luthuli. He was
also one of the leading figures in the non-violent Defiance Campaign protests against the pass
laws.
Having given significance to the venue of the conference the timing thereof was also considered
important. August 2008 naturally represents a decade of the existence of the VEP, but the
conference also took place at the same time as the 52nd anniversary of the historic women’s march
against the pass laws.
A further significance is the fact that South Africa at this time celebrates Women’s Month which
focuses the mind on the progress made in women’s issues in South Africa and the challenges that
lie ahead in the areas of employment, security, equality, non-violence against women and
economic opportunities for women and girls.
The approach of the VEP is strongly based on building and maintaining partnerships between
government and civil society organisations, volunteers, research institutions, academics and the
business sector. A significant amount of progress has been made in putting into place the
legislative and policy platforms which serve as the building blocs of service delivery in South Africa.
It also includes important international protocols that cover a wide range of issues from the
protection of women and children, trafficking and drug abuse among others.
All delegates to the conference agreed that with such a framework in place, the way forward
required proper and considered implementation that included the coordination and integration of
sustainable service delivery that encompassed ongoing capacity building.
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Allied to this was the important purpose of the conference, viz. to examine the ten years
subsequent to the establishment of the VEP in1998 and, importantly, to effect an evaluation of this
period. This process would in effect culminate in a planned programme of monitoring and
evaluation for the next few years. The structure of the conference speaks to these important
processes. There were ten commissions with an average three expert presentations per
commission that examined virtually every aspect of the sector, ranging from women and children
protection, trial preparation for victims, programmes for ex-combatants and trans-generational
trauma, parliamentary research into service delivery in South Africa, to one-stop centers and
shelters, capacity building, academic applied research and the engagement of men and boys in the
campaign against gender based violence. Furthermore, on the last day a cross-section of the
stakeholders of each province conducted analyses as to how their province could benefit from
greater VEP coordination within the province and with national departments and organizations.
This latter area has been an issue that the sector has wanted to address for some time.
Accordingly, the nine provincial breakaways together with a national breakaway provided a number
of solutions to what were previously considered obstacles to the proper functioning of the VEP in a
number of provinces.
Lastly the conference resolutions were adopted to take the VEP into and beyond 2010 with a
continuous monitoring and evaluation system being implemented for this period.
6.1
OBJECTIVES OF THE CONFERENCE
The conference had a number of objectives with one of the important objectives being further
examination of the process and the results of the consultative stakeholder Summit held in June
2008 at the Birchwood Hotel, Gauteng Province. The other important objectives were related to the
resolutions of the last national conference and the progress in their implementation. In addition, the
conference examined how to further the ‘restorative justice approach’ in South Africa; an approach
that is in line with the National Crime Prevention Strategy’s victim centred mission for the criminal
justice system.
As was the case in June 2008 during the stakeholders Summit, the dialogue was characterised by
open and frank discussion by all participants. The study on the first day set the tone for the work of
the ten commissions that would follow and generate discussions.
In addition to the above objectives the following essential and central objectives of the conference
were:


To showcase VEP and related services and programmes;
To create linkages between the 10th Anniversary and existing campaign to raise awareness and
inform communities of the impact and psychosocial consequences of crime and violence;

To strengthen the partnership with Civil Society Organisations;

To critically reflect on the achievements and challenges of the VEP and

To come up with the way forward and obtain re-commitment from all VEP stakeholders.
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DAY ONE: PRESENTATIONS
7.
Opening Session - summary of speeches
7.1
Welcome Address: Mr Obed Mlaba, Executive Mayor, Ethekwini Metro
A warm welcome to you and all dignitaries to Durban - where the sun never sets. You are here for
a very important conference where you intend to review the performance of the Victim
Empowerment Programme (VEP) initiative that was started some ten years ago. This process will
entail the identifying of any gaps that may exist and where we can move forward as a nation. This
is an interesting process as it raises the question as to what kind of a society we are that requires
victim empowerment. For us to establish a VEP we accept the fact that this will be with us for a
long time and during the conference it might be instructive to look at what are the causes of crime
in our society.
South Africa in 1994, being the last democratic dispensation on the continent, prompted the
question whether we could not have done better by avoiding the mistakes of previous
democracies. As we are asking ourselves such questions, the question does arise as to South
Africa having been such a racially, socially and class divided society for so many years. Have we
been able and are we still able to start to examine ourselves and to ask what we can do to have a
fully integrated society where all live in harmony and that victims become a phenomenon of the
past.
I sometimes wonder whether we used the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) initiative to
its full potential. Should we not acknowledge that we come from a very violent society where
violence was legal and was driven by the state itself? Should the TRC not have continued for
longer so that the TRC could deal with the victims and their problems and how to treat these
victims, some of whom were ordinary people that were victims of a former violence? Is this not part
of the violence that we see every day because we live with very angry people whose problems
have not been addressed.
Lastly I would urge you to deal with the role of the family and family values and of having a home in
a democratic South Africa. Will we produce good citizens and good leaders or will we produce
criminals. And, are we so reliant on state institutions that we have opted out of our responsibility as
family members and blame the state for everything?
We need to guard against a sizable part of our society becoming a society of victims who take on a
‘victim’s psychology’. I feel that it is high time that we talk about these very issues; we will have to,
if we are to build our society and move away from our very cruel past which still lives with us.
Once again you are most welcome to Durban.
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7.2
Legislation and oversight: Mr Mike Masutha, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee,
Parliament
I have been asked to address the conference regarding the role of parliament and law making. I
have worked in civil society, for a firm of attorneys involved in human rights and I have worked in
government and the DSD legal section before becoming a politician. Thus I have a good
background and not just have a bird’s eye view.
In the field of social development most of the services that are rendered are not possible without
the collaboration between civil society and the three spheres of government. In parliament, when
we process legislation, especially in the service sector, we need to strengthen the collaboration
between the 3 spheres of government. The role of local government and the provision of social
services has not been institutionalized and formalized over the years in the manner that it should
have been; with certain areas of legislation having not been properly assigned. I hope that this is
one of the areas that will get attention in the conference.
Collaboration also extends to the different line functions in government. Most of the laws that are
the focus of this conference, e.g. the Child Justice Bill, the Children’s Act, the Sexual Offences Act,
the Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Procedures Act are examples of the clear need for the
justice communities to collaborate in every aspect. This principle also applies to social
development.
Recently the Portfolio Committee approved a bill against substance abuse. The committee felt that
despite an existing good structure, it was not satisfied that the departments themselves have fully
internalized the aspect of collaboration. Therefore the committee requested individual departments
to provide information regarding their plans and how they proposed to implement them. We found
that departments tend to focus, or to confine themselves to their particular domain. In fact most of
the areas of work need some kind of collaboration at the budgetary level, in policy development
and in law making. In this way a system can be developed and then implemented in an integrated
way. I must say that this seems to consistently characterize the work of the Victim Empowerment
Programme (VEP). We look at the reports of different departments and it seems that each of the
partners speak the same language and look at victim empowerment in terms of the related actions
amongst them.
Of course the other function of parliament is to hold government accountable and to exercise its
oversight right over government. On a routine basis we invite the President and Ministers to brief
the Committee on certain issues. We strive to probe and determine as to where services are being
extended to people, especially the poor. As public representatives we are there to promote the
best interests of the people; that is our point of departure. When we evaluate the effectiveness of
policies the prime focus is: do the people benefit? When we campaign, we have to show the
people that we have delivered the services that government undertook to provide.
I must continue to place the emphasis on the partnerships that need to be strengthened between
civil society and government, as without this we will not go far as a country. Last week I was at a
conference regarding the retirement and pension system, where the issue was identified that South
Africa was becoming a younger and younger nation compared to the more developed countries.
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Therefore we need to invest more and more in our youth. If we look at the future of a country in
which the people are becoming younger, then we have to start to become more youth oriented.
Substance abuse is becoming a problem and we have to look at how to address youth
empowerment. We have to address the needs of the youth and the underlying causes that create
problems.
There are various types of vulnerabilities that women face; and these need to be addressed. Other
vulnerable groups are the disabled, the elderly, children; some of whom have been abandoned.
We need to look at the needs of all the vulnerable people in our programmes and activities and we
need to demonstrate that we are a caring society.
7.3
Statement and Message of Support: Dr Jonathan Lucas, Regional Representative, United
Nations Office On Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
In celebrating the tenth anniversary of the VEP in South Africa we applaud the Government of
South Africa and other stakeholders for the adoption of the Service Charter for Victims of Crime in
South Africa (“Victims Charter”) and the Minimum Standards on Services for Victims of Crime, and
the efforts for their implementation. Implementation is a key objective of the VEP.
In addition to the above the focus has also gradually shifted from a retributive criminal justice
system to that of Restorative Justice which has at its centre the recognition that crime equates to
an offence against the state and is an injury/wrong done to another person.
The ultimate goal is victim empowerment through meeting victims’ needs and I am confident that
this Victims Charter will assist in the implementation of the applicable laws so that it serves its
purpose, i.e. “making justice a reality for all.”
The partnership between the national, provincial and local government departments and civil
society organisations, including volunteers, business sector, religious leaders, institutions of higher
learning and research institutions – must be strengthened, as must the capacity of the various role
players.
What the joint programme will achieve
The joint program between the government and the UNODC aims to improve the implementation
of the Victim Empowerment Policies by building capacity, improving coordination and
strengthening relations between the government and civil society organisations to address:




The capacity of the DSD and other departments nationally and provincially.
Address the fragmentation of services through improved coordination.
VEP awareness and information campaigns (national and provincial).
Build the capacity of CSOs and community based organisations.
A Partnership with Civil Society
A key element of the programme is an effective strategic partnership between national, provincial
and local government departments with CSOs and CBOs.
In recognition of the critical role played by NGO’s in delivering services to victims, we expect
NGO’s to better manage funds, projects, and services to victims of crime at the end of the
programme. Strengthening CSOs must remain one of our strategic objectives.
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UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Launches the Campaign to End Violence Against Women
Gender based violence, particularly directed at women and children remains a serious concern in
South Africa, and elsewhere in the world. In his State of the Nation address in 2007, President
Thabo Mbeki highlighted the abuse of women and children. We also salute the pioneering work
undertaken by the SOCA-NPA in the work that they have done.
On 25 February this year the SG of the UN, Ban Ki-moon launched a global campaign calling on
Member States, Civil Society and individuals to focus on concrete actions to eliminate violence
against women and girls.
Eliminating Violence against women: A priority for UNODC
Eliminating violence against women and children is one of the priorities of UNODC crime
prevention and criminal justice strategy. UNODC has published the first International Handbook for
Effective Police Responses to Violence against Women. Furthermore, we will soon start
implementing a regional project in certain SADC countries and SARPCCO on effective law
enforcement responses to violence against women.
Conclusion
I would like to commend the Government of South Africa and Civil Society Organisations for the
policies adopted and for the action already taken to support victims of crime, particularly women
suffering from gender-based violence and vulnerable children. The challenge we face is
implementation and delivery.
UNODC is privileged to be associated with this enterprise which will serve as a model for the
Southern African region and for the rest of the world. The European Union (EU), by funding the
VEP project, has shown its commitment as a partner of the Government of South Africa.
I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deep appreciation to the DSD, the VEP, under the
leadership of Ms. Connie Nxumalo and Dr Tshotsho, for their strong leadership and exemplary
commitment.
7.4
Welcome Address: Dr Langalibalele Mqadi, Acting Head of Department, Department of
Social Development, KZN
This conference marks the 10th Anniversary of the VEP, and it crucial for South Africa as it deals
with issues of victims. Although there have been definite strides countrywide in dealing with
victim’s needs and rights, there is still a lot more that needs to be done. Although the VEP has a
special focus on women and children, it remains a cross-cutting approach that encompasses the
elderly (elder abuse), victims of crime, child abuse, and domestic violence among others. The
scope of the programme is wide and no one person or organisation can alone offer the necessary
services and programmes. There is a need for integration of programmes within departments and
the NGO sector. There needs to be inter-sectoral programmes amongst all stakeholders and at all
levels, be it prevention, early intervention, statutory and at the level of planning and policy
formulation.
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Different victims of crime have different needs and our services and programmes have to take this
into consideration. Colleagues, men are the main perpetrators of violence against women and
children. Consequently I want to stress to you the need to develop and intensify programmes that
will focus on men as perpetrators. We need to engage with offenders and hold them accountable
to the people whose rights they violated and engage them in programmes so that they can repair
the damage that has been done.
We have excellent policies, legislation and strategies related to the VEP. We need to provide
sufficient resources and capacitate our staff adequately to improve implementation so as to assist
and support victims of crime and abuse.
7.5
Keynote Address: Dr Jean Swanson- Jacobs, Deputy Minister of Social
Development
During August, we celebrate Women’s Month which is a celebration of the successes in the
empowerment of women, this despite gender discrimination in our society, the high incidents of
rape, matricide, HIV/AIDS and domestic violence. Further, significantly this 10th Anniversary
Conference coincides with the 52nd anniversary of the historic women’s march against pass laws.
Critical challenges still face women: poverty, under-representation, substance abuse,
unemployment and HIV/AIDS. Further challenges include trafficking in women and children, it must
be noted that both girls and boys are trafficked.
The aim of the programme is to promote a victim-centred approach to crime prevention. At the
same time I would like to express our gratitude to the European Commission (EC) and to the
UNODC for their unwavering support throughout the years.
The reality in South Africa is that civil society organisations (CSOs) are in the forefront of providing
services to victims of crime and abuse and we cannot achieve the objectives of the programme
through government actions alone. It was for this reason that we organized the Stakeholder
Summit from 19-20 June in Ekurhuleni. A number of key issues emerged from the summit and
deserve mention:
Partnerships
Of most importance and rightfully so the absence of the Department of Provincial and Local
Government at the summit; also bemoaned was the lack of business sector support for the VEP.
Services in shelters
The shortage of personnel and professional services in many shelters was identified as a major
challenge. To make provision for victims with special needs such as children and people with
disabilities, we have commenced with the process to review the shelter strategy in line with the
Victims Charter.
Financing
Generally speaking, VEP services are under-funded. CSOs call for greater predictability and an
improved innovative resource mobilization strategy. I further appeal to the private sector to make
victim support part of their social investment programmes; in this way, Transnet Foundation has
generously sponsored shelters in the past.
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Sustainability
I agree with the summit deliberations that sustainability is not just about funding; it is about
capacity building among others. Accordingly, one pillar in our partnership with the EU and UNODC
is capacity building and mentoring of emerging community-based organisations.
We must also strengthen prevention programmes and build effective partnerships with the
communities, while government has prioritised combating crimes against women (domestic
violence, rape, assault, and child abuse) by programmes through the Justice Crime Prevention and
Security Cluster.
I hope the conference will spend a considerable amount of time on practical strategies to
implement the Policy Framework, Strategy for Shelters as well as the Minimum Standards for
Service Delivery in Victim Empowerment Programme.
Do not need to reinvent the wheel: we need to implement existing policy.
Currently, a study is underway to determine the extent of domestic violence. We will also finalise
the strategy on the engagement of men and boys in gender-based violence programmes. Also,
central is the need to equip shelters for victims with resources to increase their coverage,
especially in rural areas.
It is my firm belief that we need to entrench the campaign on “No Violence Against Women and
Children” in all our programmes and not in isolation.
I thank all of you for your attendance, and wish you fruitful deliberations that will contribute to
improving the lives of individuals and families.
7.6
DSD
Vote of Thanks: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General of Welfare Services,
I would like to thank all the speakers of this session who have brought to our attention a number of
important aspects and who have raised a number of necessary issues for our consideration and
deliberation.
The Executive Mayor of Ethekwini, Mr Obed Mlaba importantly made us aware that we need to
look at what causes crime and gender violence and pointed out that we need to look at the role of
the family and at values in the home in our examination of violence against women and children.
Mr Mike Masutha emphasized the importance of collaboration at all levels of government and
government departments and with other stakeholders, as the tendency is to ‘work in silos’.
Government departments need to ensure that budgets and policies and legislation were integrated.
Dr Jonathan Lucas highlighted the need to focus on the Victims Charter and its significance in the
management of the programme for the vulnerable in South Africa. You reaffirmed your
commitment to South Africa and in the building of capacity of NGO’s, among others, as well as
creating awareness programmes. Further, violence is a global problem and what the UNODC is
doing in South Africa is aligned to UNODC programmes in other countries.
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Dr L Mqadi emphasized the need for integration and that victims often received minimal services
and assistance that are not well resourced.
The Deputy Minister highlighted that the conference is taking place in the context of the month of
August - Women’s Month. She made the analogy to the women’s march in 1956, and to the
position of women today who are fighting against a different type of oppression; the oppression of
gender based violence. You have emphasized that we need to empower women and to look at the
effect of HIV/AIDS on women. Further, that we also needed to look at the problem of drugs and
human trafficking. The Deputy Minister has also made the point that often the services provided to
victims are performed by NGO’s and that they remain under-resourced; and that we needed to
help them. You emphasized the need for the prevention of violence and the need to implement
existing policy frameworks. You have asked this conference to come up with strategies to address
these issues and we hope to deliver such strategies and solutions.
8. SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED AFTER THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS PLENARY
SESSION
8.1
Conference outline - Expectations, Objectives and Processes: Dr Juan Nel, VEP Task Team
Member, UNISA
This is the 3rd National VEP Conference, with the 1st such conference taking place in 1998 in
Kimberley. Many will remember that the 2nd VEP Conference was held in 2005 here at the ICC in
Durban. Although there was a National VEP Conference in 1996 in Midrand this was before the
official programme started in 1998 after Ministerial approval.
The idea for this conference came from the management team; its purpose is to serve as a vehicle
for critical reflection on the work of the VEP over the last 10 years and thus to reflect on the
progress, the achievements, the challenges and the limitations of the VEP. This conference should
also re–new our passion and our energy and strength in our contribution to the victim
empowerment sector.
There were certain principles that informed the conference programme drafted by the task team.
We wanted it to be a working conference with a balance between expert inputs and discussions,
and we wanted the conference to be representative of the role players in the sector i.e.
government and civil society which are often structured at the national, provincial and local levels.
There are times that conferences can be very exclusionary and we also wanted to ensure the
informal discussions and learn of the practical applications of people and organisations.
We also wanted to cover all five themes that are integral to victim empowerment policy. The five
themes are captured in the five commissions that will be held on the 2nd day of the conference:
o
o
o
o
o
Policy and Legislation.
Management and Partnerships.
Service Delivery and Programmes.
Training and Capacity Building.
Research, Monitoring and Evaluation.
Regarding the structure of the programme, in the plenary of Day 1 the focus will be on the 1 st
theme, namely the macro aspects and will form part of the backdrop against which the VEP has to
do its work. The end of Day 1 is designed to look at the sector roles and responsibilities where
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some of the sector players will be able to state their case in plenary and we can all engage in this
process.
Day 2 will focus on themes 2 – 5 and will be in the form of breakaway groups (commissions).
There will be feedback from each commission to plenary so that everyone will be informed of the
work of all the commissions.
During Day 3 we hope to achieve three things:



To give delegates the opportunity to network.
To focus on the VEP forums and participate in important SWOT analyses.
To link the outcomes of our work to those of the civil society conference in June 2008, and to
thus develop appropriate conference resolutions.
A last observation; most of the people at the conference have been sponsored. There were many
persons that wanted to be part of this conference but could not be accommodated. So in some way
we have a responsibility to make the most of this gathering in terms of what it is that you will do to
contribute to this meeting.
Also, I would like you to turn to the person next to you and introduce yourself and get clarity for
yourselves as to what you want to obtain from being here and what it is that you want to contribute
to the gathering.
8.2
Overview of the Criminal Justice System: Advocate Simon Jiyane, Deputy Director–General,
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
I have been asked to address the conference regarding the role of parliament and law making. I
have worked in civil society, for a firm of attorneys involved in human rights, and in the DSD legal
section before becoming a politician. Thus I have a good overall background and a bird’s eye view.
In parliament, when we process legislation, we need to strengthen the collaboration in the 3
spheres of government. The role of local government and the provision of social services has not
been sufficiently institutionalized and formalized and I hope that this area will receive attention in
the conference.
Collaboration extends to the different line functions in government. Most of the laws that are the
focus of this conference are examples of the need for the justice communities to collaborate; this
principle also applies to social development.
Recently the Portfolio Committee approved a bill against substance abuse and we requested
departments to provide their implementation plans. We found that departments tend to confine
themselves to their domain where in fact most areas of work need some kind of collaboration at the
budgetary level, in policy development and in law making.
Of course the other function of parliament is to hold government accountable and to exercise its
oversight right over government. On a routine basis we invite the President and Ministers to brief
the Committee on certain issues. Further, when we evaluate the effectiveness of policies the prime
focus is: do the people benefit? I must continue to place the emphasis on the partnerships that
need to be strengthened between civil society and government.
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South Africa is becoming a younger and younger nation compared to the more developed
countries and therefore we need to invest more and more in our youth and address their needs
and the underlying causes that create the problems.
Furthermore, there are various types of vulnerabilities that women face; and these too need to be
addressed as do other vulnerable groups such as the disabled, the elderly, and children. We must
look at the needs of the vulnerable people in our programmes and demonstrate that we are a
caring society.
8.3
Overview of the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP): Ms Conny Nxumalo, Chief
Director, Families and Social Crime Prevention, DSD
The VEP is a programme under Pillar One of the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) of
1996 which was later replaced by the Justice Crime Prevention Strategy in 1999. The NCPS itself
advocated a victim centred restorative justice system approach to crime prevention. The
programme is based on strong partnerships with government, civil society organisations,
volunteers, business, academics and research institutions.
The VEP is an inter-sectoral and inter-departmental programme and the DSD is responsible for the
coordination, managing, and facilitating development and implementation of victim empowerment
policies, services and programmes. Importantly, the provinces also have provincial VEP forums
that facilitate interaction of all relevant stakeholders in each province.
The programme has 5 key objectives:





Policy and legislation.
Management objectives to establish and sustain effective VEP governance and management
systems within government at all levels.
Service delivery which aims to enhance the scope and quality of service to victims of crime and
violence especially in rural areas.
Facilitate training and capacity building of VEP service providers in government and the CSO
sector.
Research, monitoring and evaluation focusing on monitoring and evaluating the impact of VEP
projects on victims and the development of a database of victim empowerment related research,
norms, standards and practice guidelines.
In terms of the achievement of the above and that which DSD and partner departments need to
achieve - we are looking ten years hence. Regarding the last ten years, there is a report available
that provides more information.
The Victims Charter was approved in 2004 and is currently being implemented. Also important is
the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, 116 of 1998. We welcome the promulgation and
implementation of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 32 of
2007, as we do the Policy Framework and Strategy for Shelters for Victims of Domestic Violence in
South Africa. We have come up with minimum standards for service delivery in Victim
Empowerment and we are busy with a strategy for the Engagement of Men and Boys in the
Prevention of Gender-Based Violence.
We also have four One-Stop-Centers for victims of crime and violence established in four
provinces. This may appear too few but it should be noted that prior to this there were none. Other
accomplishments were:
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•
•
•
The establishment of the Sexual Offences courts.
Research was conducted in the VEP sector for evidence based planning and programming e.g.
an impact analysis of the VEP projects, “From Policy to Practice”, as well as Victim Empowerment
in South Africa and a National Survey on Domestic Violence, just to mention a few.
Appointment of full time VEP coordinators in all nine provinces, something that had not been
done before.
More shelters for abused women have been established: from 39 in 2001 to 86 in 2008 and we
also have the Thuthuzela Care Centres. The DSD film in DVD format will be able to provide more
information. We also have guidelines for management of child abuse and a clinical forensic
medicine policy has been developed.
We have thus made good progress but the challenges remain that we need to deal and provide
solutions. There is inadequate funding for CSOs working in the sector and inadequate facilities for
victims of crime as well as the geographic spread of such facilities. Some NGO’s have closed due
to lack of funding. We believe that with the partnership of the UNODC and the EU we can do more
and we hope to be able to talk to National Treasury to obtain assistance to sustain that which we
have achieved over the past few years.
There is a delay in the finalisation of the VEP Policy and the re-deployment and transfer of staff in
provinces. Further, there are gaps in the functioning of the VEP Forums at local levels as well as
the functioning of Provincial Forums. Critically, there is the lack of marketing and communication
strategies for the programme as we need to market what the programme does. Also we need to
market our work so that the programme becomes well known to the victims and to potential
victims.
In conclusion, there is a specific budget to support CSOs and a number of senior project
coordinators at Director level are presently in certain provinces and we believe that they will be
able to make a difference in each province. Furthermore, a specific budget to fund NGO’s VEP
initiatives has been set aside whilst plans to strengthen provincial and local VEP forums are in
place.
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9. SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED IN THE THIRD SESSION. THEME : POLICY
AND LEGISLATION
9.1
Introduction to the session theme: Policy and Legislation, Ms Vuyelwa Nhlapo, Deputy
Director-General: DSD
The previous presentations touched on some key areas including policy and legislative aspects. In
this session the presenters will examine the various policies and legislation that are essential to
services that are provided to victims of crime and of abuse.
9.2
Criminal Law (Sexual offences and related matters. Amendment Act 32/2007): Advocate
Brandon Lawrence, NPA
It is apt that this presentation was included in the programme and I would like to commence by
taking a broad look at two parallel processes that started ten years ago:
o
o
o
o
In 1998, the South African Law Reform Commission requested comments regarding the Sexual
Offences Bill.
Also in 1998 the VEP delegates called for the sector to provide such inputs for the Sexual
Offences Bill.
In 2004 the Bill went to parliament, while in the same year a resolution was taken at the VEP
conference to lobby for the passing of the legislation.
And in 2007 the Bill was enacted into law: The Criminal Law Sexual Offences and Related
Matters Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
You may ask yourselves: “Where am I heading with this?” The point is that you need to look at
what you have done so far and you need to applaud yourselves for what you have accomplished.
The preamble of Act 32 of 2007 says that women and children are particularly vulnerable, and are
more likely to become victims of sexual offences, including the participation in adult prostitution
and the sexual exploitation of children.
Further, there are international obligations such as protocols on; trafficking and child prostitution,
the rights to dignity and equality, and to be free from all forms of physical and psychological harm.
This took almost five years to develop.
The most important part of the legislation is that parliament did not leave out any important
aspects. Also, the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,1996
incorporates the right to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources, and
the rights of children and other vulnerable persons to have their best interests considered to be of
paramount importance.
Rape more broadly defined
Previously rape was gender specific and only a female could be raped. Today it is gender neutral
and any person who unlawfully and intentionally commits an act of sexual penetration with a
complainant, without the consent of the complainant, is guilty of the offence of rape. Furthermore,
forced oral sex is now classified as rape as is using an object to rape.
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Indecent assault was defined in terms of the common law as the unlawful and intentional assault of
an indecent nature. In terms of the Act, sexual assault occurs where a person unlawfully and
intentionally sexually violates a complainant, without the consent of the complainant. Sexual
violation is now specifically defined in section 1 of the Act and includes guidelines as to what acts
are included: any act which causes direct or indirect contact between for example the genital
organs or anus of one person or, in the case of a female, her breasts, and any part of the body of
another person or any object.
The Act includes aspects such as compelled rape where one person compels another to rape
someone. It also includes ‘grooming’ where for instance, a father had groomed his children over 6
years to become used to the idea that they would accept rape. This is an extremely difficult aspect
to prove. Child pornography is also included and so is using children or persons with mental
disabilities for sexual exploitation.
The National Register for Sex Offenders
A National Register for Sex Offenders has been established to regulate those that wish to work
with children and the disabled among others. The objectives of the Register are to protect children
and persons who are mentally disabled against sexual offenders by establishing and maintaining a
record of persons who have been convicted of a sexual offence against a child or a person who is
mentally disabled.
Thus a person, whose particulars have been included in the Register, may not for example:
o
o
o
Be employed to work with children or mentally disabled persons in any circumstances,
Hold any position, related to his or her employment, which places him or her in any position of
authority, supervision or care of a child or mentally disabled person,
Be granted a licence to operate any entity, business concern or trade in relation to the
supervision over or care of a child or mentally disabled person.
The national policy framework
The national policy framework regulating all matters in the Act includes:




The manner in which sexual offences and related matters must be dealt with uniformly in a
coordinated and sensitive manner, by all Government departments and institutions. This links up to
the discussion so far at this conference regarding improved integration and collaboration between
government and CSOs. It is important to note that the Department of Justice obtained the help of
several CSOs to assist with this aspect.
The issuing of national instructions and directives to be followed by the law enforcement
agencies, the National Prosecuting Authority and health care practitioners to guide the
implementation, enforcement and administration of the Act in order to achieve the objects of the
Act.
The establishment of an Inter-sectoral committee to be known as the Inter-Sectoral Committee
for the Management of Sexual Offence Matters.
This has forced government, for the very first time, to develop training programmes.
Human trafficking
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One of the greatest strides taken in this area is the bill before parliament on human trafficking.
There is an interim provision relating to the trafficking in persons for sexual purposes; section 71
prohibits trafficking in persons for sexual purposes. These provisions are enacted pending the
adoption of specific legislation (Trafficking in Persons Bill) in compliance with the United Nations
Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and Children,
Supplementing the United Nations Convention Against Trans-National Organized Crime (signed on
14 December 2000) in order to comply with our international obligations and to deal with this
rapidly growing global phenomenon.
HIV testing
A very important and controversial aspect of the Act is the HIV testing of offenders, and as some
persons contend, it may be unconstitutional.
Provisions made include:
The compulsory testing of offenders on application by the victim
The provision of Post Exposure Prophylaxis
Establishment of Health Care nodal points for PEP services
Medical practitioners MUST inform the victim of the importance of obtaining Post Exposure
Prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours
The need to obtain medical advice for other STD’s and other services
Services in terms of subsection 1
Medical practitioners MUST explain that the victim has the right to bring an application in
terms of section 30

It is clear that the Act has gone a very long way in clarifying issues of sexual offences.
Challenges
One of the aspects that up until now I have said nothing about are the challenges. If we take into
account what some of the speakers have so far noted, the challenge lies in applying the legislation,
i.e. the implementation. It is one of the greatest challenges that we face at the moment.
9.3
Implementation of the Children’s Act: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General, Welfare
Services Transformation, DSD
The Children’s Act is of critical importance for the protection of children. The purpose of the
presentation is to brief you on the Children’s Act (38 of 2005) and, as amended, the Children’s
Amendment Act (41 of 2007), focusing on the overview of the Act, other related processes and to
highlight certain sections in the Children’s Act particularly child protection issues.
A brief overview is that the Children’s Act (38 of 2005) was approved and signed by the President
on 08 June 2006. The Children’s Amendment Act (41 of 2007) was signed by the President on 18
March 2008, which now included the aspects pertaining to the provinces.
The regulations pertaining to the Act have been published for public comment. We are presently
looking at these inputs and hope to finalise the regulations by the end of September. We hope that
by the end of October we can put legislation into operation nationally and in the provinces. We are
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also busy with the training guidelines for social workers and related professionals. Further, norms,
standards and practice guidelines are being developed. Unfortunately with this legislation we did
not have a policy when we developed it, thus we are now working on this.
The development of a National Policy Framework for the implementation of the Children’s ActProject is underway. Monitoring and evaluation indicators for the Children’s Act are being
developed as well as a communication strategy that will target conferences, radio programmes and
newspaper adverts. Fortunately we have donor support in these endeavours.
The costing of the Children’s Act was done in 2006 and the revelation was that the legislation
needs a lot of social workers and child welfare workers among others, and also has implications for
magistrates. We are in the process of finalizing the recruitment of personnel for DSD.
The Children’s Act promotes the preservation and strengthening of families and importantly gives
effect to the constitutional rights of children. It ensures that the best interests of a child are of
paramount importance in every matter concerning the child and it sets out parental rights.
It also gives effect to the Republic’s obligations concerning international instruments binding on the
Republic.
The Act makes provision for structures, services and the means for promoting and monitoring the
sound physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional and social development of children. Further it
protects children from discrimination, exploitation and any other physical, emotional or moral harm
and provides care and protection to children who are in need of care and protection; and
recognizes the special needs that children with disabilities and chronic illnesses may have.
Section 4 deals with inter-sectoral collaboration and the Victims Charter and the Act says that it
must be integrated. Inter-sectoral collaboration implies that we also have to work with CSOs.
Child Participation is important and decisions must be made with the children so that services will
be provided.
Section 10 provides that every child that is of such an age, maturity and stage of development has
to participate in any matter concerning him or her, and has the right to participate in an appropriate
way, and views expressed by the child must be given due consideration.
Regarding social, cultural and religious practices, section12 prohibits the following social, cultural
and religious practices:





Forced marriages
The practice of giving out children below the minimum age in marriage or engagement
Genital mutilation or circumcision of a female child
Virginity testing for girls under the age of 16
Circumcision of boys under the age of 16 unless if it is performed for medical or religious
purposes.
The child’s access to court is dealt with in section14. Every child has the right to bring, and to be
assisted in bringing a matter to court, provided that the matter falls within the jurisdiction of that
court. Furthermore, persons who may approach the court if the child’s rights has been infringed or
threatened is dealt with in section 15:
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o
o
o
o
A child who is affected or involved in the matter adjudicated
Anyone acting in the best interest of the child
Anyone acting in the interest of a group or class of persons
Anyone acting in the public interest.
Section 17 deals with the age of majority which has been lowered from 21 to 18 years to bring it in
line with the Constitution, with International Conventions and with local legislation. This means that
children who do not have parents or guardians would be in a position to act independently and
make certain decisions without assistance. Hence such a major may administer and safeguard
property and property interests and enter into administrative, contractual and other legal matters.
Also give or refuse any consent required by law including consent to marriage, departure from the
Republic, application for a passport and consent to the alienation or encumbrance of any
immovable property. This provision is very important to safeguard children estates.
Regarding parental rights and responsibilities; the main responsibilities links to the VEP in terms of
prevention. It includes the rights and responsibilities of unmarried fathers who have to comply with
certain conditions to be recognized as such, e.g. support the mother and the children. The Act also
makes provision for agreements to be signed by partners regarding the children.
Parental rights and responsibilities include the right and the responsibility to:




Care for the child
Maintain contact with the child
Act as a guardian of the child
Contribute to the maintenance of the child
A guardian may give or refuse any consent required by law in respect of the child, including:






Consent to the child’s marriage.
Consent to the child’s adoption.
Consent to the child’s departure or removal from the Republic.
The child’s application for a passport.
Consent to the alienation or encumbrance of any movable property.
An important provision is that a child may have more than one guardian.
The Act provides for Children’s courts under the following sections:



Section 45(1) pertains to matters that a children’s court may adjudicate and cuts across all the 22
chapters of the Act.
Section 46 covers orders that can be made by the children’s court, which include amongst others,
a child protection order, an alternative care order, a contribution order, or a shared care order.
Section 65 determines that a children’s court may monitor compliance made by it in a matter or
the circumstances of a child following an order made by it.
An important aspect is the representation of children in court and the assistance of the legal aid
board in such matters where it is required. It also includes pre-hearing aspects and includes of the
family.
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The Act makes provision for partial care; which is a place where children are taken care of for
specific hours. They are ECD facilities and the process of developing norms and standards has
already been completed. Such facilities have to be registered.
Another important aspect is the mandatory reporting by persons and officials that work with abused
children and neglected children. Regarding the children’s register – all people that work with
children need to be on the register. Those that are found guilty of abuse will not be able to work
with children.
Section 150(1) states that a child is in need of care and protection if, the child:






has been abandoned or orphaned and is without visible means of support;
displays behaviour which cannot be controlled by the parent or care- giver;
lives or works on the streets or begs for a living;
is addicted to a dependence-producing substance and is without any support to obtain
treatment for such dependency;
has been exploited or lives in circumstances that expose the child to exploitation;
lives in or is exposed to circumstances which may seriously harm that child’s physical,
mental or social well being;
Children in need of care and protection
o
o
o
may be at risk if returned to the custody of the parent, guardian or care-giver of the child as there
is reason to believe that the child will live in or be exposed to circumstances which may seriously
harm the physical, mental or social well-being of the child;
is in a state of physical or mental neglect; or
is being maltreated, abused, deliberately neglected or degraded.
In section 150(2) a child found in the following circumstances may be a child in need of care and
protection and must be referred for investigation by a designated social worker:


A child who is a victim of child labour; and
A child in a child headed household.
Section 152 stipulates that a designated social worker or a police official can remove a child and
place the child in temporary safe care without a court order if there are reasonable grounds for
believing that the child’s life is in danger.
National Child Protection Register
In part (A) the Act makes provision for keeping a register of all reports of abuse or deliberate
neglect of a child, all convictions of all persons on charges involving the abuse of a child and all
findings of a children’s court that a child is in need;
Part (B) of the Act makes provision for keeping register of persons who are unsuitable to work with
children; the information in the register would be used to protect children in general against abuse
from such persons.
Access to contraceptives
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The Act protects children from contracting sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies
by giving the child over 12 years access to:



Condoms from a facility that sells or provide them for free;
Other forms of contraceptives without the consent of a parent or a care-giver provided the child is
properly examined and given proper counselling.
Legislation affirms the need for counselling.
Adoptions
o
o
o
Protective measures around adoption are provided through matching adoptable children with
prospective adoptive parents through a register for adoptable children and prospective adoptive
parents (RACAP)
Extending adoption to poor families as they have an option of applying for social assistance
where applicable.
Inter-country adoption should only be considered when there are no prospective adoptive
parents locally.
(s272) The Central Authority may disclose to a person above 18 years, who as a child was
adopted, any information in the records concerning that person’s origin.
•The Act prescribes that when an application for guardianship is made by a non-South African
citizen, the application must be regarded as an inter-country adoption.
Child trafficking



Trafficking means the recruitment, transportation, harboring, or receipt of a child for the
purposes of exploitation;
No person may traffic a child or allow a child to be trafficked;
It is no defence that a child or a person having control over the child has consented to the
intended exploitation.
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10. SUMMARY OF PAPERS PRESENTED IN THE FOURTH SESSION. THEME : SECTOR
SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
10.1
Introduction to the Sector Specific Responsibilities: Ms Nomfundo Mogapi, VEP
Management Team, DSD
Over the last few years there have been shifts regarding the policy and legislative framework that
have assisted those of us who are involved in the sector. We are presently facing many challenges
and for the next ten years I feel that the major challenge is: implementation, implementation and
implementation!
The Deputy Minister said this morning that we should not attempt to develop new policies but must
implement those we already have. How do we take policies and ensure that they are practical and
apply them where it really matters in terms of service delivery. How do we really change the
system and implement policies to make a difference.
The objective of this session is to look at transforming policy into practice. I hope that this session
will create a dialogue as to how best to work with victims and to get a better and clearer idea of the
responsibilities of the different actors in the sector. We need to understand what the principles are
that guide the work that we do and look at the inter-sectoral collaboration. We want to make this
process as participatory as possible. Hence we thought of doing a typical scenario where we will
ask each of the different service providers in the sector how they will respond to such a client
(victim).
10.2
Panel Discussion – Empowering Victims: A case study involving a panel of stakeholders
that review their roles and responsibilities in assisting a client (victim) who has been
assaulted by her husband.
The panel members: Ms Tsholo Moloi (DSD), Ms Spino Fante (Department of Education), Mr Joel
Mokonoto (Department of Health), Ms Jeanette Mokoena (Department of Correctional Services),
Ms Gladys Mangwani (SAPS), Adv Bonolo Madiba (Department of Justice and Constitutional
Development), Adv Brandon Lawrence, (NPA), and Karen Tewson (NPA).
Facilitator: Ms Nomfundo Mogapi
Scenario:
The client is ‘Many” and she is in her early thirties and she has two children aged 9 (a boy) and 7 (
a girl) and she is also eight months pregnant. She has run away from her husband who has beaten
her severely; she has bruised arms and eyes and she is in an emotional state and is too scared to
go home as she fears that her husband will hurt her and her unborn child. According to her this has
happened several times in the past five years. He would get angry with her if she came late from
work. He has in the past beaten her so badly that she ran to her family in North West. Her family
insisted that she reports him to the police. She did that and got the first protection order.
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Now, it is the middle of the night and she goes to the police station.
Facilitator: How will SAPS provide assistance?
SAPS response:
o
o
o
o
o
o
There are communities service centres (CSC) at the police stations where such victims are
received.
We will note the victim’s bruising and that she has her children with her.
SAPS is not responsible for counselling but will treat the victim with respect and dignity.
We will take the victim to a victim friendly facility where there are NGO’s or volunteers who can
counsel her.
SAPS will look to referring her to the Department of Health / hospital if her injuries warrant it.
SAPS will rely on the DSD regarding her children.
Facilitator: How does SAPS take information from an emotional woman?
o
If there is no NGO, SAPS must try to calm her down.
Facilitator: How will the Department of Health provide services? Besides her injuries she is
pregnant and she is struggling to sleep, a problem that she has had for the past few months she
tells you. What will you do?
Department of Health response:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
The service will be given to her at a victim support centre and will be given by a nurse or a
doctor.
We will render medical and forensic services (medico-legal) and we will contain the trauma.
We will offer the information that the department of health offers and obtain information from her
and will manage the client based on this exchange of information.
Will manage the client based on her needs and based on the Victims’ Charter.
We will document our findings, both clinical and legal, the former we keep and the latter is
provided to the SAPS with the client’s consent. We will provide the J88 forms.
Will also refer the client for after-care services and as she is pregnant we will refer her to an
ante-natal unit or to DSD.
And then we will also refer her to the external stakeholders.
Facilitator: How will the DSD work with the client?
She does not have work (she lost it a few months ago due to her absence from work which was
linked to her pregnancy). Her husband is the major bread winner and her family is in the North
West Province (NW) and she has no place to go to. She has been seen by SAPS and by
Department of Health.
DSD response:

When she comes to DSD she should have a referral letter as well as a case number and a
medical report regarding the extent of her injuries and if any medication is needed.
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







We will attempt to obtain further information regarding where she lived and what and how she
lost her work.
We also need to look at the situation of the children. The 9 year old and the 7 year old must be at
school.
We must establish whether there is any family support system that exists before we can put her
in a shelter; the shelter is the last step. She would have to agree to go to a shelter in any event.
We also assess her educational and other personal background and what her goals and needs
are. Thereafter we assess how DSD can help with a care plan and the needs of children.
An important aspect is that the children must go to school. DSD will attempt to establish which
school they had attended and then we will have to place them immediately in a school so that their
education is not interrupted.
Also she needs to go to the ante-natal clinic and DSD can refer her to one that is closest, but only
if she wants to go there.
Regarding the shelter, we will have to determine what her needs are as there are medium term
and long term shelters. We must communicate with her family in the NW if she goes to the shelter.
From the beginning we need to take a holistic approach and to communicate in a holistic manner.
Further if she wants to be near her family we must find out if there is a service/s in that area to
provide for her needs.
Also, the husband also needs assistance with his behaviour as this is part of the restorative
justice approach; he needs to obtain insight into his behaviour.
All role players must be involved at the very beginning and it is often the client that provides such
information.
Facilitator: Who do you work with from this point on?

DSD response
We will deal with the ante–natal clinic and will give a letter in this regard. Other stakeholders will
be the Department of Justice if she requires a protection order and if she wants to make a case
against her husband.
Facilitator: How will the Department of Justice provide assistance?
Now she is really scared of the husband and her other concern is that the husband is the
breadwinner and assistance is needed for the children.
Department of Justice response:






When she arrives at the court she is required to go the Clerk of the Court that deals with
domestic violence.
The Domestic Violence Act of 1998 has the intention to ameliorate the relations between
husband and wife and also other family members.
The clerk of domestic violence will give advice and will see if her case falls under the purview of
the Act. There are different types of domestic violence: e.g. physical and emotional abuse and
financial abuse etc. If it resorts under the Act, the necessary forms are completed and the
perpetrator will be subpoenaed to appear before a magistrate.
The husband must give reasons why the order should not be made permanent.
The magistrate will look at both sides of the story and based on the evidence the magistrate will
decide where the guilt lies. If he rules against the husband he can make out a protection order
which is coupled with instructions that the husband must comply with in the future.
Depending also on the extent of the violence we may not be able to send the victim back home
as the violence may be repeated.
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Facilitator: How does the Department of Justice implement these aspects, taking into consideration
the anxieties she has about her husband who may ignore the protection order and also may not
continue to support her and/or the children? Also which other stakeholders will you work with?
Department of Justice response:


What is important is that the client must give us the relevant information so that we can make a
proper assessment and provide the correct advice. We have a maintenance section that deals with
this. Furthermore, we establish whether there has been a breach of the court order as this is
considered to be in contempt of court and any police station must then affect an arrest.
We will work with others such as DSD regarding some of the emotional aspects and with the
NPA.
Facilitator: Now the client comes to the NPA – what will you do for this person?
She will go ahead with the process and she is very scared of the husband and the husband’s
family has made threats against her. How the NPA will assist the client?
NPA’s response:

The client should have come to us before going to the Department of Justice and certainly before
the client went before the magistrate. In this way the NPA can assist her with her court preparation.

In the normal course of events regarding herself and her two children and the fact that she is
pregnant and that her husband is perhaps going to jail, we would immediately want the referral
from the SAPS. The moment the charges are laid against her husband she needs protection as
well as a referral to obtain support through the criminal justice system, be it via the NPA or an
NGO; but it must be done as early as possible. Thereafter when the docket is opened and it goes
to court, then the court preparation is required. In short, once we have the information we contact
the client and we explain our role and our functions and we contact the investigating officer. The
client needs to come in and we will help her prepare for court etc.

In essence we give support and aim to address her fears and to empower her so that she
understands the various roles and also to prepare her for cross- examination. After that she will be
referred for further assistance to an NGO and to correctional services if the husband is convicted.
Facilitator: How will the Department of Correctional Services assist and which other stakeholders
would the Department work with? Also, the husband now says that he wants to continue his
relations with his children and that he really is sorry for what he has done.
Department of Correctional Services response:
o
o
In this scenario the husband is already in custody and part of our responsibility is to guide him
through the rehabilitation process. The Department has since moved away from a punitive system
to a more restorative and rehabilitative system. Hence we commence the rehabilitation process
based on the offence that he has committed. We have specific programmes and we use many
stakeholders such as our social workers. If the offender needs further intervention then he is
further referred. If it is serious we can refer him to outside service providers or to other NGO’s.
While he is incarcerated we have adopted a restorative justice approach to help both the victim
and the offender.
An aspect for consideration is how conducive is the environment for the return of the offender.
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o
o
o
We check that the offender is truthful if he states that he regrets what has done; notwithstanding
we still take him through the rehabilitation process. It is also the right of the victim to be involved is
she so wishes. The stakeholder/s are informed so that they can include this in the mediation
process and rehabilitation process.
In terms of the sentences and how severe these are the key stakeholders are the NGO’s.
When we receive the offender we also do a family checkup and can use this information in any
invention.
Facilitator: How will the Department of Education provide services in this scenario? Further, the
mother has become concerned as the youngest boy who did well at school is now not doing well
and is becoming increasingly withdrawn. What will you do and who will you work with?
Department of Education response:





Ideally, in the education sector, if a learner is out of school for more than three consecutive days
the school must take this further to ensure that the learner returns, or to establish what has caused
his/her absence.
Education is compulsory from the age of 7 years to 15 years of age. There are support
mechanisms in place and no school can refuse a child if the mother was forced to move. The
mother can gain access to any school that is near to her. If she still prefers the school that her child
went to and if feeder transport is available this can be done.
Sometimes when parents fight, the children are the bone of contention and children are
sometimes abducted at school. Therefore when people visit the school they must complete the
school register.
In terms of the problems that the child is going through, we have a white paper on inclusive
education which focuses on barriers to education and requires that the child receives support at
the school. If this child has scholastic problems as well as emotional problems, the child must be
supported in the school by an educator. In addition there should be sharing of information by the
parents and the educators alike. Regarding the scholastic problem there would have to be a
determination of the areas in which a learner is struggling as there could be a number of things that
could serve as a barrier.
Furthermore, when parents physically fight, the children can be harmed. If a child is harmed we
need to refer the child to the Department of Health. In more serious cases we need to approach
Lifeline or other NGO’s for assistance.
Facilitator: Thank you very much to the panel for their participation. This exercise highlights the fact
that none of the Departments could do the work alone and therefore crucially they need to
collaborate and to coordinate to achieve the service levels their roles and responsibilities call for.
10.3.
Panel: Round Table Discussion
10.3.1
Points and clarity and observations:

I was disappointed and concerned by the fact that the challenges that are ordinarily faced were
not addressed. What we heard from the panel were actions under optimal circumstances.

The first reference to criminal charges came from the NPA, neither SAPS nor did the Department
of Justice raise this issue.
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







Counselling and social services and therapeutic services were not presented as integral to state
services provided.
This case study has managed to show us where we are in terms of service delivery, yet the
question is: whether the people on the panel are at management level or at the operational level? If
the panel members are at the management level we still have a long way to go.
I also feel that the maintenance aspect of the children is not properly addressed because if the
holistic approach is followed then such support would be forthcoming.
I want to take this opportunity to thank the panel for its contribution. But I want to add that the
Justice family should ensure that the husband of M will be prosecuted and in addition that they will
apply for a protection order.
Regarding the issue of financial assistance, the Act is very innovative as one can apply for
interim monetary relief and this appears not to be used properly in practice. In short, one is able to
go to court to apply for such interim monetary relief.
Health care workers often encounter obstacles in their work as important paper work has not
been done by a referring department; this is to the detriment of the victim. The DSD knows its role
but they become involved too late, the same applies to the NPA and to the Department of Justice
as well.
If everyone was ‘hands on’ regarding victim empowerment we would not have a situation of
problems with victims, we would have a problem with survivors. If everyone could do as the panel
says we would not have a problem. Looking at the Victims Charter, the victim has the right to give
and receive information. This is not always done and we as NGO’s often have the problem of the
case number not being provided to the victim and thus the NGO’s cannot follow the case.
There is no standard form and one should be developed.
10.3.2






Response by the panel:
The panel is composed of middle management officials and we can influence the process but
cannot demand. There are a number of challenges that we face, ranging from the lack of transport,
the lack of therapy, and the apathy by some role players and stakeholders, as well as court delays.
It is important for participants in victim empowerment forums to get to know the other stakeholders
to improve collaboration and coordination.
Regarding the question concerning not being able to provide services for every victim; yes this is
the case because is difficult to treat the diverse victims of crime. Further, we need a strategy to
promote the involvement of victims in mediation and involvement in parole boards.
The case number is a key aspect as the doctor cannot see the victim without such a case
number. There are processes that are involved when a victim comes to the CSC: the statement is
taken, a docket is opened, and the case is allocated to an investigating officer.
Regarding the termination of pregnancy, the client is given information regarding pregnancy
termination and she has a choice regarding this. Note that in the case study she is 8 months
pregnant and therefore does not have such a choice for termination.
Legislation has been passed and the Department of Health is in the process of implementing an
upgraded system. We are now in the process of identifying the facilities that will provide these
services. In addition, this is beginning to be done in all the provinces, the rendering of the services
we are talking currently speaking of. Further, training is taking place throughout the country so that
personnel will be able to staff such facilities.
Regarding what we are doing about the challenge in the victim empowerment sector; the
Department of Social Development has identified the challenges and thus we had a consultative
Summit in June 2008 where we focused on challenges in the sector and where we realized that we
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
cannot work in silos anymore. We need to address challenges together and amicably and do not
need to wait for such functions such as conferences to address these issues.
My response deals with the statement that there is no effective and speedy assistance to victims.
With the launch of the Victims Charter in 2004 the Department of Justice became the lead
department. We have recently implemented provincial plans together with relevant booklets. Such
plans were customized for each province. The plans call for an integrated approach and the front
line staff has been informed of what is expected of them. These are minimum standards which are
in line with the Victims Charter and these have been included in the performance agreements of
the staff. We also collaborate with our sister departments and we educate our members and the
general public as to what is expected and what people’s rights are.
Further points of clarity and observations:





Against the background of the VEP 10th anniversary I would like to thank Nomfundo for doing the
case study because it demonstrates the gaps in the system. What we need to see is: work and
more work. We are presented with the victims who need these services to be rendered and the
stakeholders of the sector should be able to provide these.
A list of shelters and safe houses should be in the possession of all stakeholders as well as a list
of those who provide counselling in one’s vicinity.
Regarding the forums at the national level; it is important that these also be created at the district
level.
The Domestic Violence Act needs to be reviewed as this has not happened over many years.
With regard to the case study; we need to be reminded how things can go very wrong for women
that arrive at SAPS offices after being beaten up. In fact how things can go very wrong at any
office where a breach of policy occurs. We need to speak of state accountability, rights and
recourse and of state accountability. How do we hold the state accountable to policies that are in
place? Furthermore, how are all stakeholders held accountable? What role does the VEP structure
play, and what are the processes of accountability?
Facilitator: Thank to all who participated and for your comments and suggestions. In looking at
tomorrow’s commissions, please keep in mind this case study as you discuss and analyse the
position of the client (the victim).
The policies and frameworks are in place but we need to think of the gaps in implementation and
where things are not working, and we need to be honest about these issues. A comment around
the issue of managerial and operational approaches; the challenge is to translate the knowledge
from the national level to the local level. Also, the people at the local level need to know how their
work integrates with policy.
Of further importance is the whole issue of funding. The partnership has shifted and government
has taken leadership. Yet civil society organisations are struggling to re–establish their positions
and relationships with government. Relevant here is; how does government show that it values the
work done by civil society organisations and how do we strengthen the partnership?
A last comment is that one of the key challenges is to develop a better team. The various actors
and stakeholders have good policies. However it is about transforming the VEP at the provincial
and local levels where you have local clinics and local police stations that need to collaborate
better, while policy sometimes needs to be made more practical.
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DAY TWO – COMMISSION WORK AND FEEDBACK TO PLENARY
11.
Summary of the Commissions held in the Fifth Session
11.1
The Summary of the Day 1: Ms Sharon Kouta, DSD Western Cape
The Programme Director, Ms Vuyela Nhlapo, the Deputy Director-General welcomed everyone
present at this auspices 10th Anniversary of the Victim Empowerment Programme. A special word
of welcome was extended to Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs, Deputy Minister of Social Development
and the other distinguished guests.
The Executive Mayor of the Ethekwini Metro, Mr Obed Mlaba welcomed delegates to the city of
Durban where the sun never sets and referred to the objectives of the conference being the review
of victim empowerment initiatives as set out ten years ago. He asked the following questions:





What are the causes of crime in our country?
What could we have done better so as not to repeat the same mistakes of other new
democracies?
What can we do to have a fully integrated society where all live in harmony and victims become
something of the past?
Did we use the TRC to its full potential?
He highlighted the role of the family and home – and the need to restore moral values.
He suggested that the conference should examine aspects that are related to these questions as
some lie at the foundation of some of the problems that beset South Africa.
The second presentation was by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Mike Masutha
who spoke about the role of parliament with respect to legislation and oversight. The role of
Parliament is to hold departments accountable and focus on government holistically. This also
allows departments to communicate the work that they are doing. Mr Masutha also noted that the
conference needs to address the underlying causes of crime in its deliberations and in addition to
violence against women and children should look at programmes with regard to youth
development.
Dr Jonathan Lucas, Regional Representative, UN Office on Drugs and Crime, Regional Office for
Southern Africa, in his message of support applauded the Government of South Africa and other
stakeholders for the adoption of the Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa and the
Minimum Standards on Services for Victims of Crime, and the efforts for their implementation.
He mentioned that he is confident that with the commitment and dedication of all role players in the
criminal justice process, the Victims Charter will assist in the implementation of the applicable laws
in such a way that it serves its purpose – “making justice a reality for all”.
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The partnership between the national, provincial and local government departments and civil
society organisations, including volunteers, business sector, religious leaders, and institutions of
higher learning and research institutions must all be strengthened.
Dr Lucas highlighted some of the key programmes that the UNODC have embarked on in
partnership with the South African Government and some of the Departments. He also referred to
the Victim Empowerment Programme that was launched during March 2008 to strengthen Victim
Empowerment. It is a programme funded by the EU and is a Partnership Agreement between the
Department Social Development and the UNODC.
He paid tribute to the efforts of Government and Civil Society in the Victim Empowerment
Programme over the last 10 years. He also referred to a very successful Summit held in June
2008 where CSOs and Government had the opportunity to have very fruitful deliberations.
Dr Mqadi the Acting Head of Department presented the welcome address on behalf of the MEC for
Social Development, Mr B M Radebe. He stressed integration, prevention, and early intervention
and challenged the conference as to how many people really have access to services and received
adequate intervention.
In the keynote address by the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Swanson-Jacobs
referred to the significance of having the 10th Anniversary of the VEP during Women’s Month. The
10th Anniversary of the VEP is characterized by an evaluation of successes and challenges, while
the focus should be on a victim-centered approach to crime prevention.
Some of the challenges we are faced with are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Poverty.
Substance abuse.
Drug trafficking.
HIV/AIDS.
Inadequate provision of shelters.
Sustainability and capacity building and the mentoring of community based organisations.
Under-funding of victim empowerment services.
The need to strengthen programmes with respect to prevention.
Focus on programmes for Men and Boys.
She also encouraged VEP Managers to focus on practical implementation strategies.
In the vote of thanks, Dr Mabetoa noted the following:




Need to look at the causes of crime.
Need to focus on the role of the family.
Ensure that budgets and policies are integrated.
We need to re-affirm our commitment in various ways. We can do it in terms of capacity building,
awareness campaigns, and the strengthening of community based organizations.
The expectations, objectives and processes were addressed by Dr Juan Nel.
Dr Nel took the delegates through the different themes for the Conference which are:


Policy / Legislation
Management and partnerships
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Service Delivery and Programmes
Training and Capacity Building
Research, Monitoring and Evaluation
He reminded all delegates that we have a responsibility as sponsored delegates to fully participate
in all deliberations.
Advocate Simon Jiyane, Chairperson of the Integrated Justice System Development Committee
provided an overview of the Criminal Justice System Plan of Action. He acknowledged the
shortcomings in the way the system operates in that victims are not always central. However there
are plans to improve the situation and structures have been established in all provinces.
Recommendations:





We need to examine the VEP projects in all clusters.
Enhance the VEP projects with a human rights lens or framework.
An audit and analyses of programmes is needed.
Need to develop a benchmark of success indicators.
Review of the Criminal Justice System.
The overview of the Victim Empowerment Programme was given by Ms Conny Nxumalo Chief
Director, Families and Social Crime Prevention DSD. She provided an overview of the VEP since
it’s inception and on the progress made with implementation as well as the challenges facing the
VEP. She renewed the emphasis on integration.
Some of the challenges highlighted:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Inadequate funding of CSOs.
Delays in the finalization of the VEP policy.
Re-deployment and transfer of staff/skills in provinces.
Lack of VEP at the local level and functioning of Provincial Forums.
Lack of marketing and communication strategies for the programme.
Impact of 16 Day’s of Activism.
She also provided us with a number of achievements, one of them being the increase in the
number of Shelters.
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11.2
Commission 1: Theme 2: Management and Partnership
11.2.1 Presentation 1: Ikaya Lethemba One-Stop Centre (OSC), Ms Allison Wainwright
The nature and value of One Stop Services (OSC) in victim empowerment from a stakeholder’s
point of view is determined by a number of factors. The provision of inter-disciplinary and intersectoral services to the victim in “one basket” improves access and information for victims,
especially in cases of follow up or referrals. This reduces the chances of victims “falling through the
cracks”. OSC therefore offers the advantage of:






Seamless victim services.
Integrated case management.
Higher client satisfaction.
Cost saving on a larger level
Better value for money – as the client is ultimately better assisted and repeat requests for
services are reduced.
Better criminal justice outcomes are more attainable.
The location of the OSC
The better location of the OSC is primarily at the points of entry for the victim into the victim care
system. These entry points include:




Health care sites (including clinics and hospitals)
Police stations.
Social work services offices.
Criminal justice structures, such as courts.
However in reality, one stop services are located in two primary sites:


Health services which are the most accessed and are often close to the “grassroots”
Police services where victims report crime. However these are primarily concerned with
perpetrator management and therefore not user-friendly/conducive for victims. There is a need for
special victim reception.
OSC Residential category
The offerings:




Residential and practical care with (in most cases) non professional support and counselling.
Professional counselling and integrated case management, together with group work of victims
and professionals.
Linkage to outside service providers.
Extended Tertiary services / skills development / Criminal Justice System support / ECD.
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The Range of Clients/Services
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



Persons with mental and physical disability (physical care, physical accessibility, mental and
intellectual capacity, strain on human resources)
Undocumented persons (heightened vulnerability, legality, impact on funding, no services from
other partners)
Teenage mothers (place of safety versus shelter, education versus child care, children’s services
versus adult services)
Substance abusers (danger to self and others, difficulties in referring to outside agencies, lack of
in house treatment centres.)
Male victims (victim versus gender bias of perpetrator, lack of space in shelters)
Psychiatrically ill (danger to self and others, management of medication, lack of placement for
psychiatrically ill)
OSC Challenges
The challenges are divided into three main areas:
Strategic challenges:


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
Therapeutic models (professional vs. non professional, compulsory vs. voluntary, length of
therapy, aftercare).
Management skills
Multi-disciplinary, multi professional, multi agency integration (SLA’s, integrated management
system
Strategic planning is the golden thread across most providers
Development of common vision and priorities
Lack of leadership
Operational challenges relate to the perennial issues; costs, coordination, integration of different
services to offer a basket of services, and the user friendly referral network and information
sharing.
Managerial challenges






Occupational health and safety
Corporate governance (NPO / Section 21 / Board make up )
Policies in house (intake, admission criteria, human resources, financial policies, OHS,
therapeutic policies)
Asset management
Funding strategy or financial sustainability plan
Impact assessment (effectiveness and efficiency)
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11.2.2
Presentation 2: The Serobe Trauma Centre, Ms Stephanie Pretorius, Director
The historical background to the centre is that it originated from the vision of the Faith Based
Organisation (St John’s Presbyterian Church, Bloemfontein under the auspices of Eleos Mercy
Ministries Trust). The church worked in partnership with major stakeholders in the field of domestic
violence and victim empowerment and subsequently obtained suitable and appropriate
accommodation acquired at Setshabelo Centre, Bloemfontein (it was formerly a prison). This was
renovated and refurbished with financial support from the public sector, and from the corporate /
business sector.
Key services provided include:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provision of safe emergency, overnight and residential accommodation and services.
Practice sound administration and management.
Continuous staff development.
Raising community awareness and education.
Participation in restorative justice exercises.
Provide professional services (social work, psychology, medical, dental, nursing and legal).
Provision of therapeutic counselling and emotional support.
Follow-up and support services.
Life and social skills training.
Educational and recreational facilities and opportunities for care-dependant children.
Economic empowerment and capacity building.
HIV/AIDS Programme.
The center has a programme of monitoring and evaluation which encompasses:
•
•
•



Qualitative assessment in respect of all measurable outcomes, viz. individual, group and project
objectives / outcomes,
Case, organisational and financial audits,
Regular meetings / panel discussions with:
appropriate government departments,
significant stakeholders and / or
sub-committees,
Final analysis of the quality of service delivery is assessed in terms of the successful placement of
women and their children and level of client satisfaction.
11.2.3 Presentation 3: Intermediary Services for Child Witnesses Testifying in Criminal
Court Proceedings, Mr Gert Jonker, The Bethany House Trust
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The reasons for intermediary services are:


To protect the child witness from “undue mental stress”
However, according to Section 170A of Act 51 of 1977 as revised (Criminal Procedure Act)
intermediary services are not an automatic procedure. Only on application by the prosecution:


Intermediary services may be made available to children under the age of 18.
Intermediary services such as a pre-trial assessment to determine whether testimony
in open court will expose the child to undue mental stress will be undertaken. However, the court
may appoint a competent person as an intermediary.
An intermediary services pilot project commenced in April 2003 at the Bethany House, together
with DSD and the Department of Justice; this is a unique Public-Private partnership. The primary
goal is to ensure sustained, professional intermediary services for child witnesses. In addition to
intermediary services, a unique case management database application was developed for the
scheduling and tracking of cases. Such data derived can be utilised in welfare, policing, judicial
planning and budgeting.
A summary of the availability of intermediary services involvement to date includes:

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



6 Magisterial Areas
9 Police Areas
1 496 Criminal Cases
1 491Criminal Charges
1 993 Child Witnesses
1 675 Perpetrators
The challenges however number among the following:







The use of the services is at the discretion of Judges or Magistrates as established in the
decisions of the Pretoria High Court ruling 2008 or the Constitutional Court.
The language used in court.
Low level of usage of intermediaries by prosecution.
Multiple postponements are a formidable obstacle to clients.
Pre-trial interventions that include medico-legal processes, anti-retroviral protocols and lengthy
court preparations.
Post-trial interventions which include therapy and safety issues.
Cases withdrawn because of poor investigation or evidence lost or the intimidation of witnesses.
The way forward is:








Renewed partnership with DSD and the NPA.
Additional criteria for analysis of effectiveness, e.g. measure the time from incident to
appearance in court, and if the accused is represented in court, among others.
Apply findings related to:
Welfare Planning – programmes and expenditure
Policing – prevention and investigation
Judicial – trial and sentencing
Roll out services at a national level and in the provinces and include a research component.
The services are now ready for roll out into both national and provincial intermediary services
with research components which may be national or provincial or both.
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11.3
Commission 2: Theme 2: Management, Partnerships and Research
11.3.1
Alfred
Presentation 1: Reaching and Assisting Victims of Human Trafficking, MS Julayga
The objective of defining trafficking in human beings is to guide us in terms of what is trafficking as
a process and some of the means that are used to traffick people into South Africa. It speaks to
expectations and what forms of trafficking exist, and it speaks to the issue of consent. Consent is
nullified if deception or fraud has taken place. However when it comes to children there can be no
consent: this speaks to the exploitation of children.
The Palermo Protocol’s definition cogently sets out how the various components of human
trafficking fit together.
We use this international protocol and instrument as a guide. However we need to close the gaps
when we write our own South African domestic legislation. Another important definition that I use is
the one that is used in Afghanistan to define human trafficking.
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“The recruitment, transportation, transfer, harbouring or receipt of persons, by means of threat or
use of force or other forms of coercion, of abduction, of fraud, of deception, of the abuse of power
or of a position of vulnerability or the giving or receiving of payment or benefits to achieve the
consent of a person having control over another person, for the purpose of exploitation.
Exploitation includes, at a minimum, the exploitation and the prostitution of others or other forms of
sexual exploitation, forced labour or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or
the removal of organs. The consent of a victim of trafficking in persons to the intended
exploitation….shall be irrelevant where any of the …. [afore- mentioned] means….. have been
used.
The recruitment, transfer, harbouring, or receipt of a child for the purposes of exploitation shall be
considered ‘trafficking in persons’, even if it does not involve…. [any of the above listed means].”
Thus it is clear that the sole purpose of human trafficking is exploitation.
Regarding trafficking in Africa, there are global patterns as shown in the report of 2006 by the
UNODC. Another important report is the report released in 2005 by the IOM. Africa has been
identified as an ‘origin region’; this means that the recruitment takes place there. Transit countries
means the movement of people through countries, while inter– regional trafficking is the movement
of people from one country to another. In southern Africa, ultimately the destination is South Africa.
Note also that victims are trafficked out and into South Africa – often from Thailand, China, Hong
Hong and the Eastern bloc countries.
Note also that a great deal of research focuses on cross border trafficking but very little research
examines intra-country trafficking. The report makes very clear mention that they look at cross
border trafficking and not at intra-country trafficking. The reason for this was that when the protocol
was done, cross-border trafficking was pushed by the west and there was no attention to intracountry trafficking.
There a number of international instruments that exists. We first had the convention for the
suppression of the white slave trade in 1904. Then there was the Convention for the Suppression
of the Trafficking in Persons and of the Exploitation of the Prostitution of Others in 1949. Also, the
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). And also
the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, especially Women and
Children; supplementing the United Nations Convention against Organised Crime (2000). This
protocol is also referred to as the ‘Palermo or Trafficking protocol’ (Unicef, 2005). Clearly the move
was to create an international instrument to combat human trafficking. But the problem with all
these pieces of legislation is that they failed to provide a working definition and the focus was to
punish. There was very little opportunity for victims’ restoration. Part of the problem was that the
issue of human trafficking was only seen as being synonymous with sexual exploitation.
Further, as background to the protocols and instruments, the agenda was then driven by feminists
and for this reason we find that it is their ideology and political agenda that is contained therein.
Having said all of this how does this influence South Africa? We have a national strategy and
because we are in the process of formulating legislation it is very important for us to be aware of
the agendas in the arena. In South Africa we have already focused on cross-border trafficking.
Now that there is a lot of attention on the issue of labour there should be a focus on in-country
trafficking and on victim assistance.
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Also we need to focus on the broad range of people that are trafficked; ultimately all victims should
be treated the same. Sexual exploitation and other forms of trafficking occur when children are
trafficked from South African rural areas to the urban areas. Further there is a total lack of
understanding from service providers as to what these trafficked persons have suffered.
Hence, regarding how we assist victims, we have to know what our perceptions are as it affects
our actions and the manner in which we distribute funding.
In conclusion, a quotation: “Trafficking in persons, which is also referred to as modern day slavery
(King, 2004) is by no means a new phenomenon. The age old trade in human beings has its origin
in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, which was abolished on the 25th March 1807. “The fact that
slavery in the form of human trafficking still exists in the 21st century shames us all.” Antonio Maria
Costa, Executive Director, UNODC
11.3.2 Presentation 2: Programme of Assistance to the South African Government to prevent and
react to human trafficking: Ms Malebo Kotu-Rammopo, NPA
South Africa signed the Palermo Protocol on 25 December 2003 and undertook certain obligations
as a country. Naturally this will impact on our activities in terms of the VEP.
The Palermo Protocol places the following obligations on ratifying States:



Criminalize trafficking (South Africa has not completed this process and has only completed the
aspect related to the sexual exploitation. This reinforces the comment made be Ms Julayga Alfred
concerning the focus on sexual exploitation)
Investigate, prosecute and convict traffickers and undertake border control measures. Further,
the protocol calls for action in accordance with the means a country to do more and this will also
impact on South Africa. The first is to take measures to protect and assist victims, this must be
taken further.
Train law enforcement and border officials and to inform and educate victims, potential victims
and the general public. Countries are called upon to cooperate with each other and with civil
society.
Interim legislation is related to the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act 32 of 2007.
Part 6, sections 70 to 71 include transitional provisions relating to trafficking in persons (adults and
children) for sexual purposes only and also includes pornography under the section ‘purposes’.
One of the positive aspects is that victims will not be prosecuted for any direct related offence, e.g.
contravention of immigration laws or prostitution.
The ball is now in our court and the question is whether government and departments will pursue
the western agenda or will we push for our legislators to ensure that we have comprehensive
legislation and in so doing will we position ourselves as forerunners.
The South Africa Law Reform Commission will convene a media conference end August or in
September to make an announcement as to how the processes will unfold. The process has so far
encompassed:
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


An Issue Paper
A Discussion Paper on Combating Trafficking in Persons, Bill 2006
A consultative process in mid-2007
Written submissions from interested parties
The Revision of the Draft Bill
Commencement of Parliamentary legislation review process
At present there is existing legislation that deals with, or can be used to deal with human
trafficking:








Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Amendment Act 32 of 2007
Prevention of Organised Crime Act, 121 of 1998
Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 75 of 1997
Immigration Act 13 of 2002
Films and Publications Act 65 of 1996
Corruption Act 94 of 1992
Extradition Act 67 of 1962
International Cooperation in Criminal Matters Act 75 of 1996
We have a programme that commenced in 2007 and runs until 2010 based on a South Africa –
European Commission Agreement: the “Programme of Assistance to the South Africa Government
to Prevent, React to Human Trafficking and provide support to victims of crime.” This programme
entails a total programme commitment is of EUR 6.3 million and is co-funded by the South Africa
Government.
The pillars of the strategy are:
o
o
o
o
o
o
Information (research and public education)
Capacity building and development
Victim support and integration
Legislation and policy development
Monitoring and evaluation
Liaison and consultation
Some of the specific outcomes include research that has looked at areas that have not been
covered in the past. In this way knowledge and understanding of trafficking has deepened. In
Output 1, it encompasses a multi-disciplinary research study on the current streams of trafficking
in, to, and from South Africa, and includes the victim profiles, traffickers’ profiles, routes, and
vulnerable groups, etc. From this information estimates were made as to the size and the trends of
each stream. Importantly this will also include in-country trafficking and not just focus on cross
border trafficking.
Output 2 was the dissemination of the research report and findings as well as the holding of
workshops and stakeholder meetings. We also intend as part of the programme to have a
trafficking system developed and designed. An inter-sectoral database and terms of reference for
Trafficking Information Management System (TIMS) is planned at the conclusion of the research
study.
An enhanced coordinated cross–sector response is the ultimate objective. In terms of partnership,
what we need is better coordination and improved responsiveness. In terms of this programme we
are providing task teams to provinces.
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We are also looking at the establishment of a Programme Coordinating Unit (PCU) which includes
a task team and the development of National Action Plan. The priority provinces identified for the
roll-out of provincial task teams are KZN, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. We hope
that each province will ultimately have such task teams and their own action plan.
An important output is the development of Expert Response Teams which will be multi-sectoral
teams on call for effective victim and case management. This speaks to the case study that was
done yesterday where we do not have adequate protocols of referral among departments and that
describe what their responsibilities are. We are looking to use the TCC model to develop the
handling of victims of human trafficking which will include the following:




Skills transfer to provincial teams
Manual of operating procedures / protocols to be developed
Referral mechanisms to be designed
Monitoring for effectiveness by PCU
The Victim Assistance Programme will include:


NGO Empowerment and support mechanisms, i.e. a Victim Assistance Fund and a victim
empowerment model are being done by DSD and by ourselves. A victim empowerment framework
will emerge from this and we are working with the Department of Justice in this regard.
Upgrading of facilities (dedicated courts and Thuthuzela Care Centres) and a design of prototype
standards for facilities.
We will be working with SAPS in the development and upgrading of prototypes as to the various
facilities that are required to deal with victims of trafficking. In addition work is being done with DSD
regarding the ideal type of shelters to deal with victims of trafficking.
Another important output is regional cooperation and coordination:



Regional cooperation mechanisms and structures (with the assistance from the Department of
Foreign Affairs)
Targeted regional interventions
Information and best practice knowledge sharing
We are in the process of rolling out 60 country wide workshops to develop capacity building which
will include a SAQA accredited curriculum for “Train-the-Trainer” workshops. This programme
should train about 900 people. Aspects hereof include:





Basics of human trafficking (Core)
Psychosocial and health aspects of trafficking (for DSD and DOH)
Investigation (for SAPS)
Legislation (for DOJCD incl. NPA and LCMC)
Irregular migration and migration management aspects of human trafficking (for DHA)
Interim Training Workshops in 2008 targeted at 5 institutional clients:



Department of Home Affairs
Department of Social Development
Department of Health
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

Department of Justice and Constitutional Development (NPA & LCMC)
SAPS
Also planned are workshops for social service providers and border officials at ports of entry as
well as law enforcement workshops (investigators, prosecutors and border officials).
Support and monitoring will be done by means of follow-up visits to government instructors trained
by IOM in the second half of 2009. In addition, training, support, and monitoring and evaluation of
the newly-trained instructors and support to the curriculum integration process in existing training
programmes will be provided.
An important issue is the public awareness programme that needs to be developed for a better
understanding of human trafficking and the impact thereof. This will entail:








A prevention strategy
The development of messaging by a task team
Designed targeted prevention programme for vulnerable groups
Implementation of an interim awareness programme
A designed low cost high impact awareness strategy
Implement a full scale awareness programme
Launch a National Action Plan (NAP)
Develop ‘low cost-high impact’ regional prevention and awareness strategies
 We will look to include Southern Africa in some of these initiatives.
In terms of evaluation and auditing the follow are instrumental and applicable:




The EC Delegation
Annual financial and compliance audits
Mid-term operational reviews
The final review
The Governance programme includes a programme steering committee and a task team.
At the strategic level, governance includes the Inter-Departmental Management Team (IDMT)
consisting of the SOCA Unit-NPA, DOJCD, Ministry of Safety and Security Secretariat, Department
of Education, Department of Health, Department of Social Development, Department of
Correctional Services, National Treasury and the Department of Home Affairs and the Department
of Labour.
The task team, at the operational level and with the technical support to the PCU includes: SOCANPA, Legislation-Department of Justice and Constitutional Development Immigration-DHA,
Organised Crime Unit-SAPS, Ports of Entry- Police, SAPS, Department of Labour, Department of
Social Development, International Organisation of Migration (IOM) Southern Africa, UNODC
Southern Africa and Molo Songololo.
The ideal Partnership should be characterised by:


Good principles of partnership
Inclusiveness
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


Inter-sectoral coordination and cooperation
Responsiveness
Efficiency and effectiveness
The important roles of stakeholders remain:






Policy development
Strategic coordination
Alignment of programmes
Service provision
Project implementation
Coordination and cooperation
The role of the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development includes:

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




Custodian Victims Charter and minimum standards
Court Services (dedicated special courts, translation services, safety/security)
NPA
SOCA: TCC/s
Witness protection
Asset forfeiture unit
National prosecution services
Department of Social Development
Custodian of Victim Empowerment Programme
Funding and accreditation of shelters
Norms and standards for care of victims
International social services
Department of Home Affairs - immigration; legal; services
SAPS ; Ports of Entry Policing; Organised Crime
Department of Health: clinical; forensics and psycho-social services
Department of Labour: Inspectorate
SARS: Border Control Operations; Coordinating Committee
Civil Society / Social investment sector
Shelter provision, integration programmes, Legal support, psychosocial services;
Important role players are civil society organisations; faith-based organisations; organised labour;
organised business; and international organisations e.g. UNODC and the IOM.
11.3.3 Presentation 3: Department of Social Development Specific Anti-Rape Strategy, Ms Virginia
Francis, DSD
Rape is a priority for the South African Government and rape remains a priority for the country. We
do not know the long term effects of rape on children as no study exists, and with 50 000 rapes
happening per year we have an insight into the scale of the problem.
The fact that we are here demonstrates that rape is seen as a priority for DSD. The DSD has a
critical role to play in preventing rape while responding and providing appropriate support for rape
survivors and their families. In this process the DSD needs to also give more thought to where it
fits into the prevention aspect.
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Rape has crippled the safety, security and well-being of the country’s vulnerable groups: children,
women, disabled, and the elderly.
The background to the anti-rape strategy process started when Cabinet in March 2000. The
process included:




It identified the alarming rate and nature of rape in South Africa
Tasked the Ministers of Safety and Security and Health to lead the process
In 2002, the Cabinet re-directed the initiative to be led by Department of Justice and
Constitutional Development (specifically SOCA (NPA)
An inter-departmental management team (IDMT), formed in 2002, consists of the NPA, DOJCD,
Department of Correctional Services (DCS), Department of Social Development, Department of
Education (DOE), Department of Health, and National Treasury.
The initial work of the IDMT started with the criminal justice system as they had the data for an
action orientated approach. IDMT engaged the Monitor Group, a leading global strategy to do the
initial work pro-bono. This entailed the involvement by line function departments at provincial and
local levels. After a few years the aspect of the ‘causality of rape’ was also included. The research
and strategic programme framework was thus data driven, action orientated and it consulted widely
with all relevant departments.
The results of the process came as a shock: 59 975 rapes with the conviction rate 7.7 % (4060).
The country was at that stage a new democracy and we were trying set up a new system.
Rape is complex and it has an impact on society:






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










The family
The workplace / school
Psychologically
Society
In the four above areas it impacts on people as follows:
Strained relations with significant others
Alienation of loved ones
Neglect of children / spouse
Diminishing productivity
Job loss
Insecurity
Post traumatic stress disorder
Sleeping problems
Feelings of detachment
Outbursts of anger
Risk of pregnancy; HIV infection
Vigilantism
Paranoia of others as potential aggressors
No safe havens
Protection of aggressor/compensation
Doubt that the perpetrator will be brought to justice
Doubt that a guilty verdict will be reached
Lack of, or insufficient support
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Prevention has largely been sporadic with the involvement of all departments being required. This
is where management and leadership should be involved to respond appropriately and to act on
prevention. The DSD is involved in all three aspects: prevention, reaction and support. It should be
noted that a focus on only one of the aspects may lead to sub-optimal results.
We did realize that a one-size-fits-all strategy was not going to work well because:



Not all rapes are the same
Not all offenders are the same
Not all victims are the same
The IDMT came up with a matrix and it looks at what was good, what was not working well, and
what was missing in the system. The matrix is as follows:
Not working well: Lack of safe places (situational and environmental), high backlog in cases, and
limited roll out of services to rural areas.
Good encompassed education campaigns, integrated response centers, and victim empowerment
initiatives, these include best practice.
Missing aspects: A profile of offenders and victims, a blueprint to fix CJS for effectiveness in
dealing with rape case, and relevant and systematic support. Good research is also needed.



Hence a balance must be found across the actions and key choices need to be made in terms of
how to prioritize which programmes to implement. South Africa has very few resources including
financial resources; these are the challenges that every sector speaks of.
The role and responsibility of DSD is within all three pillars of the anti-rape framework:
Prevention
Response
Support
Research indicates the direct links between vulnerability and poverty:




The interface between gender violence and poverty
The interface between gender violence and HIV/AIDS (women who have experienced violence
are 3 times more likely to acquire HIV/AIDS)
The interface between gender violence and substance abuse (which can be associated with
poverty)
Children, mainly as a result of orphanhood or poverty are most vulnerable to sexual violence
(60% of all reported cases in South Africa are of children aged 0-18 years)
Given the above research, DSD has a pivotal role to play given its concentration on the following
groups: society’s poorest, and the most vulnerable and marginalized. It is important to note that
DSD spans services to all vulnerable age categories within society: children, youth, women,
families and the elderly.
The roles of DSD are:
A.


National Role
Formulation of policies, review of policies when appropriate
To provide financial resources for identified programmes
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



Ongoing M&E of programmes (especially those that are prevention-focused).
Development of training programmes on policies and specialized training
Guidelines for development of Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
Coordinate and fund research that is designed to provide a synopsis of available social
services across the country (audit of existing services) and gaps within current service delivery.
B.






Provincial Role
To allocate financial resources for identified programmes
Formulation of SLAs that are designed to ensure:
a) improved coordination, referrals and collaboration within DSD (intradepartment)
b) enhanced external stakeholder involvement
c) integration of partners and other departments to reduce duplication
Development of proper protocols for service delivery
A review process that ensures ongoing M&E of programmes
An institutional framework that supports:
a) good governance
b) effective structures (a rich combination of networks, committees, forums)
c) inter-governmental partnership
Coordinated impact assessments (research-based)
The DSD activities are aligned to the three pillars of the anti-rape strategy. DSD needs to be
collaborative and this also needs political commitment:
1.
Prevention

Political commitment and resource mobilization from the President and Ministers

Harnessing the power of the media

Awareness-raising and public education.



Empower people to take back their power and responsibility:
increase Victims Charter training
rights and resources for survivors

Address structural issues e.g. deconstruct myths on rape, patriarchal attitudes, cultural attitudes,
rape and sex, service provider (stakeholder) attitudes, etc.

Community mobilization and ownership (best practice protection mechanisms by means of
imbizos, meetings, networks of critical stakeholders such as traditional leaders, shebeen owners,
police, schools, faith based organisations, local government, community based organisations,
NGO’s and youth organizations).

Skills development: 1) Availability of teaching on parenting skills, and interpersonal skills.
2) Identify and implement life skills programmes for at-risk children and young adults.

Integration and mobilization of stakeholders toward common goals: partnerships must be
strengthened at operational level to improve the sharing of resources, communication, and skills.
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
Poverty alleviation is an important area as it has linkages across many elements such a rape and
HIV/AIDS a.o. Such instruments are child grants, old-age grants, and disability grants which
promote economic upliftment and empowerment and ensure poor people have the means to
access safe options.

Targeted youth programmes that include pre- and after-school programmes providing children
with safe, protected spaces. Also substance abuse (drug and alcohol) projects aligned to the
department’s Drug Master Plan.

The DSD continues to work very well here but does need a system to:
Ensure the management and provision of appropriate service delivery: counselling, support, and
referral services at Thuthuzela Care Centres and other registered one-stop initiatives.

Enhance service delivery at such facilities through the provision of relevant intra-departmental
services (trauma and long-term counselling, family therapy, substance abuse rehabilitation, grant
referrals).

Design a system for regular home visits – especially for those victims that travel long distances to
access services or are physically unable to get to services (eg HIV-positive clients or survivors on
ARVs).

Ensure victim support kits/comfort packs are in stock and readily available.

Establish social services were they are lacking or non-existent.
Support:

Establishment of shelters, safe houses and places of safety for survivors, who cannot
immediately return home. There are still too few of these shelters.

Provision of information about available resources (leaflets, cards, pamphlets, posters) in
appropriate languages.

Provision of adequate, sensitive, well informed, trained personnel to deal with rape survivors at
all entry points (including setting up help desks).

Establishment of support groups for victims and families.

Establish where necessary, or support existing forums of role-players who assist victims.

More services should be rolled out across the country.
Conclusion:

External stakeholder management needs to be better aligned with more effective communication
and collaboration between IDMT partners so as to develop a MOU / SLA between IDMT
departments

IDMT departments need to work smarter and they need to pool financial and human resources
e.g. NPA is conducting an audit of sexual violence services as a basis to determine where to set
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up new TCCs. This should be a collaborative effort. Certainly one area in which to pool the
resources of departments is in the area of training.

Social services need to be integrated, widely accessible, and more specialized and be aimed at
deterring rape, while protecting potential victims.

IDMT must be replicated in the provinces, and drive provincial programmes. It does not need to
be in all nine provinces.

Intra-departmental collaboration must be promoted within DSD, for greater effectiveness at the
ground level e.g. social grants / disability grants sections to have stronger relationship with
counselling services and HIV management services.

IDMT needs to draw on DSD’s ability to harness the strength of the NGO’s. The IDMT does have
some relationship with NGO’s but DSD’s relationship with NGO’s is must stronger.

DSD is losing experienced staff and it needs to look at how to be innovative and to provide
incentives to retain experienced personnel.

IDMT to have a joint M&E system, that enhances their ability to make relevant national decisions

IDMT to develop joint oversight mechanisms e.g. regular provincial visits
11.3.4 Presentation 4: The VEP Evaluation Study, An Appreciative Enquiry Approach, Ms
Thandeka Tshabalala, Unisa
Since 1998 the Unisa Centre for Applied Psychology (UCAP) has been part of the VEP
management team. The research from the UCAP is part of the contribution to the 10th anniversary
of the VEP and this study of the VEP was funded by the UCAP. It was a not an in-depth, all
inclusive evaluation study but a developmental evaluation conducted in the appreciative inquiry
framework.
The current study is a “work in progress” as we are still doing interviews and evaluation and there
are possibilities of a more inclusive follow-up study from the current research.
The main research aim is to enhance and to contribute to the VEP. Individual interviews are used
as “process of inquiry” and allows for exploration and discovery. We are using the Appreciative
Inquiry framework (Colleridge, 2005) to foster the appreciation and recognition of successes
through the sharing of hopes/wishes and specifically through the sharing of personal
narratives/stories. We are not going the traditional route of distributing questionnaires, but we are
rather interviewing the VEP members directly to obtain information for research purposes
The research process is not where we had wanted it to be. This is due to time being a scarce
resource for VEP members and the researchers not always being able to interview such members.
The research will be concluded when all participants have been interviewed and their consent has
been given to the interpretations in the report. It is a collaborative representation between
researcher and the participants and because of the personal nature of the interviews. Hence, often
the views of the VEP are very personal and thus our methodology requires much consultation and
collaboration.
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UNISA has done previous research on the VEP. In 1998 the UNISA Centre for Applied Psychology
conducted research on local VEP initiatives. The title was: “From Policy to Practice: Victim
Empowerment in South Africa” J Nel and J Kruger (Pretoria, CSIR and Unisa). The research was
more extensive - with a larger sample and with questionnaires distributed. Those who are
interested in the research document can contact me for copies of the report. A follow-up study was
conducted in 2003 and the results were presented at the World Society for Victimology in
Stellenbosch.
In these two research efforts (1998 and 2003) similar findings were obtained. Key success factors
were:


Good relationships with the communities characterised by consultation, feedback and trust.
Appropriate resource allocation that includes prioritizing the disadvantaged, seeing to basic victim
needs, human and material resources, infrastructure, volunteer re-imbursement and insurance,
client satisfaction and prevention research.

Good management that comprised accountability, protocols and procedures (inter- and intrasectoral) for coordinated and integrated service delivery, prioritization, project management and
preventing burn-out as well as training, among others.

Information and dissemination, encompassing communications, resource directories, the NCPS,
guidelines for implementation, and the “big picture” of victim empowerment, among others.
Successes and challenges
However despite significant progress having been made, for example, the victims charter, the
integrated VE policy and the minimum standards for shelters, the previous findings still remain
relevant.
For us the challenge is how can research enhance and strengthen service delivery? How can the
research already completed be acted upon and implemented? What and where are levers for
improvement? That is when we decided to use the appreciative methodology instead of the
traditional method.
In using the appreciative methodology we did interviews with 25 out of approximately 40 VEP
management team members (National). Data collection is by means of face-to-face interviews or, if
not possible, telephonic interviews.
Appreciative Inquiry (AI) perspective has basic assumptions:



Measuring a problem does not change it
Problem-based thinking is a trap (one needs to step outside the box to find the solutions)
Start with positive stories/narratives, personal hopes and wishes – this allows one to move away
from the problem

It is important to appreciate and recognize the successes

Deep listening by the interviewer to explore hopes and frustrations
An important methodology is to ask members to provide information using metaphors or images to
explore themselves within the VEP and within the VEP Management Team.
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Contrasting the present situation in the VEP and what is desired is also important and gives one a
positive outlook.
The impact of the above interviews; some anecdotal evidence obtained:


It made a difference as to how the members see themselves in the VEP
There was time to be quiet and reflect on themselves and the VEP and their position in the
programme
 There was someone who listened and helped them explore issues and the process was
supportive.
We asked the VEP management team to identify members who they regarded as champions in the
VEP team; those who had achieved a great deal. They were asked to identify the characteristics
that these people portrayed. These characteristics were:

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Passionate
Well - informed
Involved
Contributes and participates during meetings
Makes sure that the group focuses on the programme mandate
Guides the group
Visionary
Contributes great ideas
Hard working
Good service providers
Commitment
Tenacity
From the above characteristics provided by the VEP management team members it appears that
champions have an outlook and a way of working and relating, as well as certain internal
characteristics which make them champions or good role models within the VEP.
There were additional characteristics of VEP Champions:



The management team is central to the VEP
The team pushes the programme and devises strategies for the programme
The team is the informer of the programme
 If every VEP management team member becomes a champion, if every representative portrays
characteristics similar to those of the current VEP champions it would be a major step in
strengthening and ensuring the sustainability of the programme.
The questions to be posed to the VEP members and broadly to those working in the field of the
VEP programme: how can each and every member of the VEP programme cultivate these qualities
of a champion? How can all the VEP management team members become real champions of the
programme? Is it possible for all the VEP members to avoid being trapped by the environment and
to not overly focus on what are lacking, what is not available and who is not doing what is required.
Conclusion:
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“The world does not change one person at a time. It changes as networks of relationships form
among people who share a common cause and vision of what is possible...
… But networks need to evolve into intentional working relationships where new knowledge,
practices, courage and commitment can develop. From this … emergence (the process of coming
into
being)
becomes
possible.”
Margaret (Meg) Wheatley
11.4
Commission 3: Theme: Service Delivery
11.4.1 Presentation 1: Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa, Ms Naomi
Webster, Service Charter, DOJCD
I quote from the book, Tale of Two Cities, a quote used in a speech of the State President Thabo
Mbeki. “Now is the winter of our discontent made glorious summer by this sun of York.” You would
ask yourself what is the relevance of the quotation on the second day of our celebration of a
decade of the victim empowerment programme?
The Tale of Two Cities is the analogy to the government and civil society telling the story of victims
in South Africa. ‘The winter of our discontent’ is replaced by ‘the sun of York’ which in the South
African context is the Victims Charter.
The aim of the presentation is:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
To look at how the Victims Charter can be used to bring about improvements for our victims?
To understand what is the Victims Charter?
How can we implement the Victims Charter?
What is our vision over the next 10 years (2018)
To advocate for the Victims Charter and to also understand it in the context of government’s
programme against crime. We need to claim it and not to look at it as a construct of the
government.
6. To look at how we can make use of the Victims Charter in the current legislation. We need to own
the Victims Charter just as we similarly own the constitution.
The Victims Charter is about everyone; reason being that everyone can be a victim of crime and if
we are victims of crime we need to know what our rights are and what the Charter mean for us.
It was approved on the 1 December 2004 and it is in line with the United Nations Declaration of
Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Powers, 1985. It Contains 7 rights:
dignity and privacy, information (receive and provide), protection, assistance, compensation and
restitution.
Definition of victim and of crime

-
Who is the Victim
- It is set out in the minimum standards
It includes both direct and indirect victims
Explore importance of responding to a diversity of responses, needs and types of victims.
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
-
Definition of crime (forms of crime)
Uses of the existing definition of crime in current legislation, incorporates new forms of
crime and other forms not in legislation e.g. hate crimes
Based on understanding the South Africa context (crime victim survey, government
statistics, gaps in CSO statistics.)
Rights Based Approach (RBA)
The Victims Charter is about the consolidation of rights that already exist in various legislation,
policy documents and in the constitution. The challenge that we have is how we can make the
rights based approach real to people; we can achieve that by making sure that every intervention
and programme should link with people’s rights.
The Rights Based Approach’s building blocks:Constitution 1996: S 234 Parliament to enact charters.
Legislation and policy.
International obligations: UN Declaration (convention), African Human and People’s
Charter.
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Interventions such as programmes: direct and indirect.
The rights based approach was defined as rights which determine a relationship between
individuals and groups with a valid claim (rights-holder) and the State with corrective obligations
(duty bearer). The rights based approach requires the involvement of all stakeholders.
Implementation of the Victims Charter
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
Translate rights into tangible outcomes for the victims
Implementation agents: JCPS departments in 2007 produced a National Implementation Plan
(three year and five year plans)
In 2008 the certain provincial departments introduced a Provincial Implementation Plan: North
West, Eastern Cape, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape Province.
Implementation Plans are operational in line with the METF.
Examples of activities: training of government staff, provision of victim support services, a
National Toll Free Line, and monitoring and evaluating research.
Victim support includes:- Hospitals-rape kits, cameras and coloposcopes
Police Stations with separate waiting rooms and interview rooms
Courts that have one way mirrors, separate waiting rooms, information desks, electronic
equipment and CCTV
Specialized Courts for sexual and domestic violence
Transport for victims
Department of Social Development is setting up shelters
However plans are not integrated across JCPS departments.
Challenges and the Way Forward
Challenges were highlighted with the purpose of using them to chart the way forward to 2018:
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
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Coordination: The VEP Management Team and the Victims Charter committee should work
together towards a common goal.
Resources: Use parliament to get departments to deliver and implement the VEP.
Integration: Victims’ rights week in September 2008.
Multi-sectoral collaboration.
Excellence: Acknowledge and reward best practice models.
Monitoring: Monitoring the implementation of legislation and interventions.
Questions and answers:



Link the Victims Charter with the existing instruments such as the constitution.
Shorten the period between referral from one stakeholder to the another.
Involve municipalities in the integration of the victim empowerment in the IDP.
11.4.2 Presentation 2: The Integrated Service Delivery Model and VEP, Ms Charmaigne
March, Unisa
There is a need for us to keep track on service delivery and also to ask ourselves if we are really
providing better services because as I look around there is a need for skills development in order
to assist in service delivery. If we take a look at pre-1994; the service delivery models used were
inappropriate for the vast majority of the poor and the vulnerable. Further the models were not
developmental; they were actually handouts and they created dependency. It was top down and
individualistic, and groups and communities were seen as passive recipients of services.
After 1994 there was the initiation and adoption of the developmental paradigm because it enabled
people to have greater choices; people felt empowered. People also had access to services and
they were able to influence policies that affected them. But that still did not fully address poorly
developed protection measures, prevention and early intervention. There was still limited support
to the non-governmental sector which renders social services jointly with government.
The Integrated Service Delivery Model: - 2006
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It has a rights based approach to service delivery:
Protection of the rights of the population at risk to oppression and marginalization.
Promotion of rights through education of rights and duties.
Facilitating access to rights.
Challenging policies and social systems that compromise rights.
Advocacy for needs and for rights.
Integrated families and community based services:
Balanced service provision that is psychosocial, protective, preventative
developmental.
The family is understood in the broadest sense.
Understanding of the community and collaboration to achieve common goals.
Generic approach to service delivery:
Multiple levels of intervention.
Work with a diversity of client population.
Empowerment of client systems.
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
Encourage participation in service delivery.
Work with clients on a one-on-one basis.
Community Development and developmental welfare services.
All this requires a variety of skills and different professional roles. Now we need to look at how to
develop those skills that are needed. We can develop them through knowledge bases that are
related to: individual psychodynamic theory, systems theory, human needs theory, participatory
theory, empowerment theory, environmental focus theory and restorative justice.
We also need micro developmental skills that include, relationship building, effective
communication, interviewing and counselling.
Mezzo development entails working with groups and organizations to improve aspects such as e.g.
team building, managing budgets, mobilizing skills etc. While macro development encompasses
social policy planning, situation analysis, objective analysis, evaluation and monitoring.
The role of training of healthcare professionals, social workers and community development
workers within the South African context is critical if a social programme such as the VEP is to be
established and sustained.
Traditional training is not adequate to deal with the social problems of the South African context
and the community development workers need to be trained in Victim Empowerment. There is also
a need to change the training for health care professionals. Academics, researchers and service
providers need to work together; the tertiary institutions also need to make their curriculum more
flexible so that it is more applicable to the challenges faced in South Africa.
11.4.3 Presentation 3: Language Differences and Translation in Counselling Services, Ms
Megan Banjes, CSVR
Language is connected to culture, race and class and that is why there is a need when providing
services to people that they have access to the language that is meaningful to them because of the
importance of counselling. The tool allied to the work is the language itself and South Africa is an
example of a rainbow nation with different languages.
In a case where language and communication are primary tools of the service, communicating in
the second or third language can affect the quality and accessibility of counselling and as a result
patients may be reluctant to seek help from providers who cannot communicate with them. Thus
they may only seek help when their condition becomes acute or more costly.
Challenges of language barriers
The range of vocabulary available to draw on is restricted which means that the counselling is
restricted to a more intense concrete level. The expression of emotions and experiences by the
client is limited.
The role of translators
Mechanistic: The person just translates and assumes to have no influence on the counselling
process.
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Interpretive: The translator in an active participant in the counselling, including working as a
cultural consultant and client advocate.
Working with translators is common place in the mental health services in South Africa but there is
little published regarding the topic of translation in mental health. There is a need for a theoretical
basis for practice.
The translator’s skills
The translator needs specialized skills not only the language knowledge; she must have
counselling skills, ethics and cultural knowledge.
Sometimes translators are exposed to trauma as they translate traumatic stories and emotional
experiences to counsellors. However, they often do not have the same training, supervision and
debriefing that the counsellors have in order to cope with such secondary trauma.
Differences within the triad
Language match does not always mean an effective match as there is a dimension of diversity that
needs to be taken into consideration as well as taking into account the ethnicity, the political
affiliation, gender, the country of origin and race. Let us take for example the war between the
Congolese and Rwandese; the Congolese client may feel offended by a Rwandese interpreter.
Recommendations
Need to discuss the translator’s role.
Translation should be interpretive and not mechanistic.
Need a good relationship between the counsellor and the client.
Translators should be incorporated in organizational processes e.g. job description training,
performance, appraisal, etc.

Uphold victim’s rights to language facilitates so as to have access to services.


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
Conclusion
It is important to make use of the Victims Charter as a tool so that we as victims are aware of our
rights and the services that are available to us in time of need. The skills development of the
people that offer the services needs to be developed so that they have a better effect on the
victims and their communities. The implementation of the Victims Charter is of great importance.
It is of vital importance to be sensitive to the different languages, gender, and culture when dealing
with victims because sometimes languages sound the same but have different meanings. The
different programmes that have been implemented by the government are of assistance to the
community and the services provided bring relief to communities.
11.5
Commission 4: Theme 3: Service Delivery
11.5.1 Presentation 1: Exploring Hate Crime – Issues and responses. A LGBT Perspective,
Dr Juan Nel, Unisa and Ms Melanie Judge, OUT LGBT Well-being
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Understanding Hate Crimes
Hate crime is that act which constitutes a criminal offence and is wholly or partially motivated by
prejudice or hate. Such acts are normally committed against people, property, organisations or
society because of the group to which the targets of the hatred belong or identify with. The
perpetrators seek to demean and dehumanise victims who are considered different based on
actual or perceived race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, health status,
nationality, social origin, religious convictions, culture, language and/or other characteristics. The
perpetrator’s prejudice differentiates a hate crime from other forms of crime.
Other forms of crime which are similar to hate crimes are:
1.
Identity crimes which are directed at the identity of the victim and motivated by hatred not of the
individual alone, but of the group to which they belong.
2. Message crimes are conveyed by perpetrators and impacts beyond the direct victim(s) to others
in the targeted group.
Invisibility and under-reporting
There is a belief that only extreme and violent cases qualify as hate crimes. This is not true. Daily,
there are ongoing hate incidents or acts of taunting [hate speech], bullying or conflicts between
people known to each other. The media prioritisation of the sensational, dramatic, and exceptional
contributes to the tendency to not notice, and/or not report ordinary and everyday experiences of
hate victimisation. Further, under-reporting is a distinguishing and disturbing feature of this type of
crime.
Hate crimes directed specifically at LGBT people take the form of extreme expression of homoprejudice through criminal acts such as rape, assault, or damage to property. These crimes are
committed against people, their property, or organisations because of their actual or perceived
sexual orientation and or gender identity. It is not out of the question that LGBT people may
experience intersection forms of discrimination from race, gender and class as well.
Despite jurisprudential and legislative support for the equality for LGBT people, the society remains
at risk of hate crimes and other forms of discrimination.
The Context for hate crimes
It is necessary to recall the history of institutionalised discrimination in the form of apartheid and
colonialism. Most specifically, we have to think of the violence inherent to these systems and make
a differential analysis as to the effect thereof on the current situation. Under those systems identity
markers such as nationality, race, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation were anchor points for
social power and perpetuation of difference.
Even under a policy of democracy with legislative guarantees for fundamental human rights,
reports of prejudice-motivated hate speech and discrimination are endemic to South Africa. It begs
the question: Why? Indeed, the prior criminalisation of homosexuality, the deep seated
homophobia linked to cultural and religious representations are precipital in the current situation.
Further, in a highly patriarchal society, gender-based violence and/or discrimination against LGBTs
assert and maintain hetero-normative forms of ‘masculinity’ and sexuality.
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A desire to quantify the extent to which LGBT people are victims of targeted crime led to a joint
study between OUT and UCAP in Gauteng during 2003. This was the first representative,
community-based study of its kind in South Africa. The objective was to widen the focus beyond
just hate crimes. It consisted of a fourteen (14) page self-administered questionnaire. The data
was stratified into quotas by race, sex, age and socio-economic status. All the results are based on
self-reported data only.
An analysis of the samples made up of 487 self-identified gay men, lesbian women and bisexuals
was made. The gender breakdown of the participants was 44% female and 56% male. The age
distribution was 41% 16 to 24 years, 51% 25 to 40 years. The racial split was 52% Black and 41%
White. Missing data frequencies were excluded from graph.
The results showed that 37.3% of respondents across the board had a fear of sexual abuse. On
average, almost 37% had experienced verbal abuse, 15.3% had been manhandled, and 7.4% had
been targets of sexual assaults. The occurrence of theses offences did vary slightly between race
and gender.
Further, the results showed that:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.
Intersection with other identities [race and gender] is critical to understand homophobic
discrimination. (perceived motives for victimisation - 83% homophobia, 41% sexism and 34%
racism)
Higher levels of ‘outness’ and disruption of patriarchal gender roles lead to increased rates of
some forms of homophobic crime.
Victimisation is mostly on main roads and in shops and malls, followed by homes, pubs / clubs /
taverns.
41% experienced hate speech at school.
12, 8% reported victimisation to police.
76% believe CJS does not uphold LGBT rights.
61% believe their constitutional rights are not met.
44% experienced heterosexism in accessing healthcare.
The following are a few real life examples:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Zoliswa Nkonyana murdered by mob in Khayelitsha (2006).
Vernon Gibbs and Tony Halls (first same-sex couple to be married under Civil Union Act)
victims of property attacks.
July 2007, Sizakele and Salome brutally raped and murdered in Soweto.
April 2008, Eudy Simelane raped and murdered in Kwa Thema
June 2008, a drag queen shot and killed in Yeoville
777 campaign launched in response to homophobic attacks.

Sadly, none of the perpetrators have been brought to book
Impact: Individual and Societal
The severity of the emotional and psychological impact extends beyond the individual to the group
and to the broader community/society. Like other forms of hate victimisation, the psychological
impact of homophobic discrimination includes a range of symptoms of distress [depression, anger,
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sleep disturbances, nightmares, diarrhoea, headaches, relationship problems, increased
substance abuse, and decreased levels of trust as well as feelings of being unsafe].
Secondary victimisation occurs when service providers de-prioritise, neglect or discriminate against
survivors of hate crimes. Whereas access to appropriate and early support services strengthens
effectiveness of interventions. Communities are seen as endorsing hate crimes when they remain
silent, fail to act, or do not render support.
Multi-level responses
Cross referencing the world over brings to attention desirable legislation in certain parts of the
world. For instance, “The Hate Crimes Act of New York State which states that:
‘Hate crimes do more than threaten the safety and welfare of all citizens. They inflict on victims
incalculable physical and emotional damage and tear at the very fabric of free society. Crimes
motivated by invidious hatred toward particular groups not only harm individual victims but send a
powerful message of intolerance and discrimination to all members of the group to which the victim
belongs. Hate crimes can and do intimidate and disrupt entire communities and vitiate the civility
that is essential to healthy democratic processes.’ ”
Since hate crimes are linked to social identities, to social power and to social attitudes; a response
will therefore require targeted interventions and leadership at multiple levels.
Legislative and Policy gaps
On examining our legal framework, the following were observed:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Neither common nor statutory law defines what constitutes a hate crime, nor do they create the
offence of a hate crime.
The Constitution and Equality Act obligates the State to promote the achievement of equality
through legislative and other measures to protect/advance persons, or categories of persons,
disadvantaged by unfair discrimination.
The legal framework does send a clear message to society that acts, which are motivated by
prejudice, will not be tolerated and will face the full might of the law.
Law alone, however, will not eliminate stereotyping and prejudice but “serves as a great teacher”
in establishing public norms that may become assimilated. Transformative programs have the
potential to do more than just law.
Responding to hate crimes
The following interventions are proposed as being highly desirable:
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
A comprehensive policing policy to guide the prevention, reporting, recording and
investigation of hate crimes.
Special attention should be given to the manner in which social, economic and individual
factors may coalesce to produce particular forms of risk.
Comprehensive prosecuting policy that directs the manner in which hate crimes should be
prosecuted.
Policy and legislation would set the standard for effective responses by SAPS and other
service providers and would increase public awareness and social messaging.
Criminal justice officials and other agents require targeted training.
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f.
Government departments responsible for the implementation of the Victims Charter ought to
demonstrate zero-tolerance to all forms of prejudice-motivated crimes.
Minimum standards for service delivery needs to be enforced (quality of service and minimise
secondary victimisation).
Expansion and promotion of victim empowerment services to the ‘at risk communities’
(foreign nationals, HIV positive, LGBT people).
Law and policy is not enough.
Indifference and tolerance towards prejudice creates the breeding ground for hate-motivated
acts.
Mobilise and organise (our own communities and sectors) to respond to prejudice-motivated
acts at the social level
Civil society needs to ensure State accountability for appropriate service delivery, access to
justice and non-discriminatory practises.
Visible and vocal leadership: speaking out against all forms of hate, at all levels. That means
you too!
g.
h.
i.
j.
k.
l.
m.
Final word
Whatever responses we craft these should be informed by:
-
The unique social and historical context that shapes and forms hate-based discrimination
Constitutional provisions (principles of equality, dignity and human freedom)
Public engagement and participation to deepen respect for difference, human rights and social
justice.
Explanation of terms:
“LGBT” – Abbreviation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
For primarily methodological reasons transgender persons were excluded from the study. The
study was designed to focus more on sexual orientation than gender presentation and was based
on the assumption that the issues warrant more specific enquiry.
3.
JWG - the Joint Working Group (JWG) which is a national network of organisations of and for
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in South Africa.
1.
2.
11.5.2 Presentation 2: Intersections across VEP Key Departments, Liesl Bjorn Theron,
Gender Dynamix
The presentation will start with the definitions of the main terms used.
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Transgender: The sense of self is in conflict with the gender assigned to you at birth and its
corresponding stereotypical roles.
Transsexual: Transsexual people may seek medical treatment to bring their body and gender
identity into alignment. However, not all transsexual people undergo reassignment surgery for
various reasons. These may include high medical costs, unemployment, access to information and
limited medical care.
Gender and Non-conformant
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Is a matter of gender prescriptions, dictated by rigid views of gender binary.
Is prescribed by a patriarchal society.
Sexual Orientation
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Gender Identity: - The way I view myself.
Sexual orientation: - To whom I am attracted.
Intersex
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Physical sexual differentiation at birth is not typical.
May involve atypical chromosomal patterns.
May involve ambiguous genitalia.
Genital surgery is often imposed on intersex infants.
May develop gender identity issues later on in life.
Medical Challenges
a.
b.
c.
High medical costs.
Low income / access to medical services.
Statistics are hard to obtain statistics.
The Impact on transgender people
Trans people struggle to access government services, starting with the acquiring of an identity
Book. That has a ripple effect since they cannot then prove their citizenship.
Safety and Security
While trans people become secondary victims of prejudice, injustice and discrimination they should
have the same opportunity to a fair trail and equal justice.
Senseless violence
Trans people are more likely to be targets of wanton violence than other people in society. State
departments can do a lot to alleviate the plight of trans people.
●
The Department of Health: the starting point is in the training curricula of medical and public
health students. Doctors have to be sensitized early in their training about the unique
circumstances of trans people. Further, appropriate procedures when admitting transgender
patients are necessary including signage at health facilities. Beyond that, transgender related
medical care still leaves a lot to be desired.
●
The Department of Education: Many transgender learners do not perform to their fullest ability.
This is because they face many hurdles in their daily schooling and hence safer schools and antibullying programs are necessary.
11.6
Commission 5: Theme: Training, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation and
Research
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11.6.1 Presentation 1: Enhancing Service Delivery through Capacity Building, Ms Annalize
Roos, NICDAM
The National Institute for Community Development and Management’s focus is on Victim
Empowerment capacity building and is thus very much on the NGO sector and more specifically
the emerging NGO’s. As the Victim Empowerment Provincial coordinator for North West I’ve
realized the need for the establishment of NGO’s that can support the sector. Therefore we’ve
designed training programmes and presented capacity building programmes specifically aimed at
emerging NGO’s and volunteers working in the field.
Most government departments do not have capacity building and training programmes in place to
enable their personnel to act as frontline workers.
There was research done on the capacity of the NGO’s sector as a whole (not just the Victim
Empowerment sector) that was commissioned by the National Department of Social Development.
So I saw fit to provide some of these findings on the status of NGO’s; it was found that there are
three categories of NGO’s which are:
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Emerging NGO’s who only meet the basic requirements for fundability and would change their
focus easily, meaning that they will open their doors as a Victim Empowerment NGO and provide
services to the Victim Empowerment sector. If funding in another field becomes available they will
easily change their focus. Obviously there would be negativity around such a change.
Then there are well established NGO’s who have evolved systems and worked in a sustainable
way.
Then there are matured NGO’s who have been well sustained over a period of time.
So these three categories of NGO’s are also relevant to the VEP sector but I am of the opinion that
mostly we are dealing with emerging NGO’s who are really struggling to meet the basic
requirements to become eligible for funding.
It was found that most emerging NGO’s focus on HIV and AIDS, so we have only a small number
of NGO’s who still focus on Victim Empowerment. The challenges that NGO’s raised were that
they do not have management information and financial systems in place. They have flat
organizational structures with little differentiated of roles. In other words, the financial manager will
also have to do field work, the manager also has to look after finances and this places a huge
burden on the management system. Then there is also the lack of strategic management and
project management skills which is an aspect that we’ve focused very much on in our capacity
building for NGO’s. There is also the issue of sustainability that is threatened by the lack of
fundraising skills and a non diversified resource base. In other words, still the old problem of
waiting for funding from government and not having the ability to look wider and look at other
possible sources of funding.
The sustainability is also threatened by the working conditions which are difficult and taxing. We
still have the situation of people who have been exposed to limited training having to work in the
field, walking from house to house or from the clinic to perhaps a small office. Furthermore, they
provide a service that is very demanding and they are not even sure whether the stipend will to be
sustained by DSD and naturally if the stipend will be paid at the end of the month. Yet we still find
that although these difficult working conditions exist there is still a lot of loyalty and enthusiasm
among the people that provide these services, specifically in the field of HIV and AIDS. Looking
after patients and clients who are ill and who are suffering is very relevant to them and is important
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for them to be able to assist such patients. I believe that in the Victim Empowerment field such
loyalty is less apparent because the victims are more silent and obscure. Therefore the enthusiasm
and motivation to work as a Victim Empowerment volunteer and perhaps not receiving payment is
not as high as in the HIV field.
There is little formal research on community needs. One of the unit standards in our community
health work qualification is the ability to do simplistic research to find out what the community
needs are. So we find that most NGO’s are led by where the funding is and not by the needs in the
community. There is also the complex relationship with government departments at local level.
This complex situation does is not necessarily negative or positive; what it means is that it is very
hard to make sure that the government departments are really well informed about the situation
that the NGO’s are faced with.
This research report made certain recommendations:
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a capacity building model that targets NGO’s in all development stages, in other words even
mature NGO’s should be exposed to capacity building that will enable them to contribute more to
the sector. Capacity building should be customized with different learning experiences forming part
of such training. The stronger NGO’s should also avail their knowledge and experiences to
emerging NGO’s on a voluntary basis but also as part of the capacity building model. It was also
mentioned at the summit that this would be a criteria for funding for NGO’s and for support from
government departments. In other words, when a training provider or project provider enters a
community to provide capacity building; as many government departments as possible should be
informed and should support the capacity building project.
Training interventions should be SAQA accredited.
District officials should be incorporated in capacity building programmes. We find that we do have
support as a training provider but they do not have time to sit in a training session and are thus
unable to support the volunteers to implement in the field after the training providers leave.
The support to NGO’s should be a key performance area for government officials and not just a
vague idea or thought.
The sometimes rapid increase in the number of NGO’s, which cannot be sustained by
government, and cannot properly contribute to the sector.
The mandates of the DOH and DSD in victim empowerment should be understood by both
departments.
The government departments especially DSD to support NGO’s with registration.
The policy on the role and rights of volunteers is a very urgent matter. I think that is still not
addressed comprehensively. The norms and standards should be disseminated to grassroots
level. NICDAM as a training provider, provides capacity building for groups of volunteers at the
grassroots level and we make it a point to present them with strategic planning documents and
policy documents that have been issued by national and provincial departments. Although it is not
always easy for learners to understand the requirements of policy, for us as trainers it is very
important that they should have such insight as they are the people that have to ensure that these
policy goals are reached.
Regarding the resource environment; there should be a standardized reporting format. In other
words there should be the goal that all funders should have the same reporting requirements as
government. This will reduce the confusion among some of the NGO’s.
Funding is still to a very large extent incomprehensible and due to this many NGO’s lose funding
opportunities. All inclusive funding and the pooling of donor funding has been on the table for many
years. I would like an elaboration on the all inclusive funding as it is still found that such funding
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only provides for operational costs and not for management and not for sustaining of the
organization as a whole.
The elements of our specific capacity building project for Victim Empowerment start with the pretraining needs assessment, where we look at the individual participants that will be participating
and then we have to set the criteria. Then we look at the provision of theoretical training over a
period of time; this process includes interviews that normally extend over four to six months. We
present capacity building in very rural places, where it’s not really accessible. I heard somebody
say yesterday “oh so you will only go where you can fly?” No, we will go even where we can only
walk.”
There is differentiation in skills as we try to ensure that groups leave with different skills. In this
way, at some point we might split up a group and take them through specific specialized channels
of training so that we can send that group back to the community and to the NGO with a variety of
skills. Our training is unit standard based and we include the mentoring programme. The purpose
of the mentoring programme is to accelerate and standardize implementation.
I would just like to highlight one aspect before I close. This is the opportunity for the recognition of
prior learning for counselling which is now available as announced by the relevant SAQA. In other
words, organizations that have been working in the counselling field for many years without having
received SAQA qualification recognition can now apply for such recognition. The implication is that
such organisations do not have to go through training as their experience and prior training is
acknowledged.
11.6.2 Presentation 2: The impact of vicarious trauma on mental health care workers in a hospital
and community health care setting, Ms Tumi Kekana, Trauma Clinic
The Mayor of Ethekwini in his opening address referred to the use of violence in the apartheid era
to enforce apartheid laws. We find that violence is still used today to express forms of unfulfilled
needs or to settle disputes between individuals or groups. This ongoing violence has undoubtedly
impacted negatively on individuals, on families and on society as a whole. People are generally
living in fear and their belief in the world as a safe place has been shattered. Their experiences of
violence leaves them traumatized and in desperate need of psychological or emotional support.
Thus this violence leads to the trauma that we find in our societies. Often traumatized victims seek
help from friends, family, from traditional healers and from pastors or they may go to hospitals,
crisis centers, shelters or social service institutions.
As mental health workers we are called upon to provide crisis intervention advocacy and individual
or group therapy. With professional intervention victims of violence can recover, but how do service
providers manage the emotional consequences of their work? The point is made that many of
those in the helping professions are secondary witnesses to trauma almost every day.
As we listen to our clients tell their stories, we bear witness to their victimization and we support
and validate their feelings and experiences. We offer them the opportunity to let go of some of their
burdens. As witnesses and healers we can’t help but take in some of the emotional pain they have.
This secondary victimization is called vicarious trauma. McCann and Pearlman described it as a
pervasive change that occurs within mental care practitioners over time as a result of working with
clients who have had experience of trauma. Related concepts include compassion fatigue,
secondary traumatic stress, counter transference and burn out. But what we find is that vicarious
trauma occurs only amongst those who work specifically with trauma survivors. Some of the
symptoms that are highlighted to indicate vicarious trauma are:
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
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Inability to sleep
Emotional fatigue
Somatic complaints
Feeling overwhelmed
Feeling demoralized
Shattered assumptions
Intrusive memories
Irritability
Substance abuse
Recently there has been an acknowledgement that vicarious trauma professionals require help.
Thus the advent of EAP services, training and capacity building initiatives in some places. In
relation to this we sometimes have to look at some self care strategies. What is it that people can
do if they are traumatized? Land, Stevenson and Wheeler propose the following self care
principles for people working with traumatized victims: maintain a balanced life style, relaxation and
recreation which means one is able to make a distinction between work and social life. Maintaining
a connection with others is important. One of the things that we have found with trauma is that
people don’t have what we call protective factors so connection with others can be one of the
protective factors.
Often when we do training amongst one thing, the first thing that we start with, we do what we call
self awareness exercise: we check where people are in relation to their own trauma. In order for
you to be able to help people who have gone through trauma it is very important also to look
inward and begin to look at your own trauma that you have been experienced in the past.
So I think in conclusion I would like to say that we as people we must find a healthy balance to
cope with the effects of vicarious trauma on our personal and professional lives. We need to
develop mechanisms and strategies to use so that we can to be able to continue to provide the
good services that we provide to our communities and to our clients.
11.6.3 Presentation 3: Sector specific Guidelines and a Monitoring and Evaluation tool for the
implementation of the Draft Integrated Victim Empowerment Policy in line with the Service
Charter for Victims of Crime, Ms Elaine Harrison, Chiastolite Professional Services
My aim with the presentation is really to share with you an overview of the process and
experiences of developing a sector specific monitoring and evaluation framework for the
implementation of the Victim Empowerment Policy that we did in consultation with the Department
of Social Development. My focus however will not be so much on the content.
I would like to talk about the process and especially the implementation of the M / E framework.
Against the background of steps that are needed to be taken to implement this framework is a fact
that we should have had the M / E plan ten years ago, when we started planning the VEP and the
programmes. But only we started looking last year at the monitoring and evaluation plan.
From an NGO’s point of view I’ve just done a project where we did a survey on child headed
households and it was appalling to see the state of both government and NGO databases because
they do not have the systems in place to capture data and to monitor data.
However we now have an M / E framework that we can start implementing. Note thought the
challenge is really for all planners of policies and programmes to make monitoring and evaluation a
core component of the planning process.
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The guidelines focus on the international responses to victim empowerment, national responses,
the DSD responses and the people who work under the M / E conceptual framework. The
monitoring and evaluation conceptual framework we used was based on this definition:
`
Monitoring and evaluation is a systematic planned and replicable process of collecting critical data
that generates management information about progress towards achieving defined programme
outcomes in order to guide decision making.
You can see my focus is on guiding decision making because often we use monitoring and
evaluation data to control and to account for actions; especially in terms of donor funding. But very
often if you ask what happened to the proposals that came out of monitoring and evaluation data
you see it’s nowhere reflected to continuous decision making and that it is not used to adjust
programmes.
Why we need M / E? What is the purpose of it? Accountability to stakeholders is an important part
of the M / E process, as is sharing information with partners. Advocacy is another important
element for having monitoring and evaluation data. Many of us will agree, especially after the case
study and panel discussion of yesterday, that stakeholders coordination and an overall
improvement is really the purpose for the need to monitor and evaluate. We often reflect on a list of
achievements. If we have opened ten shelters in the past year, is this good or is it bad. Some will
say it’s excellent, it’s ten more that we had. If we wanted ten, then it is a 100% improvement. In
fact we actually need hundreds if not thousands. That is why it’s critical that we use monitoring and
evaluation to really tell us how we perform in terms of our pre-set goals.
Another reason for monitoring and evaluation is obviously to detect problems timeously.
If we look at the M / E model that we’ve used and in the ultimate indicator matrix, we’ve used this
model where we work on input processes, outcomes and impacts and the related indicators. It was
very interesting that with the victim empowerment policy and programme, the focus was very
strong on process indicators and all the discussions yesterday confirmed that for monitoring and
evaluation - that we are concerned with the approach to victims. How do we service clients? Are
our processes really supporting the victims or are they becoming traumatized through our
processes or through our services. So in the monitoring and evaluation indicators matrix that we
drafted the table cross references to key programme areas which are the five components of the
model. We then subsequently developed indicator definitions for each of those indicators that were
developed.
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A few important aspects related to the implementation of M / E plans:
It is a long and difficult process to implement a M / E system
It is a very costly process.
Five important steps related to the implementation of M / E plans:
The M / E plan is a living document and has to be reviewed vigorously and timeously.
Secure M / E human resources. Most of the people in the sections who work with this are mostly
people in civil society organizations who are in other posts and they have to do the M / E over and
above their usual work.
The technical aspect is to develop the indicator in the protocol sheets that really provide a
standard for monitoring and evaluation. It should be a collaborative approach and it should not be
merely one person in an office developing the tool so as to ensure that everybody who’s involved
in the data collection understands why the data is critical. Further that the emphasis on the data is
critical for decision making and for programming improvement purposes and that it is not just a lot
of data that we have to submit to national office every month and one does not the end result.
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Partner with people who have knowledge and experience in the field of data collection.
Capacitate staff for data collection. Part of the process is capacity building as it is important that
before a process is commenced that there is a common understanding of the model that will be
used and that everybody knows how their input contributes to the ultimate outcome.
In conclusion, the sustaining of the M / E system is done by means of five main factors:
First of all you need to have a champion. You need to have somebody in your organization who’s
passionate and who can really inspire other people about the use and need of monitoring and
evaluation.
Secondly you need to ensure that there is a downward flow of M / E information. I believe the
complaint in the social services sector for many years has been that, ‘we give data but we don’t get
anything back.’
The third one is to ensure that M / E information is used to make decisions.
The fourth factor is to require explicit feedback on how programme decisions have been influenced
by M / E information and that this needs to be made visible to all staff members.
Finally to monitor your own M / E system especially in terms of data quality.
12.
Summary of the Commissions held in the Fifth Session
12.1
Commission 1: Theme 5: Research
12.1.1 Presentation 1: Research. An innovative methodology to assist victims of crime at trial
phase, Ms Karen Tewson, NPA
The definition of court preparation is the process of familiarising a witness with the court
environment, legal processes and legal terms at the appropriate level, so as to address their fears
and concerns about having to testify and without going into the merits of the matter.
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Ke Bona Lesedi: NPA Court Training Preparation Programme is conducted over a period of five
days and is divided into four sections.
Section one: deals with theory relevant to court preparation and important related issues.
Section two: covers the implementation of age appropriate court preparation programmes.
Section three: addresses assessment criteria and the compilation of a portfolio of evidence.
Section four: Has a facilitator’s manual.
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PEACE Model is an acronym for:
Plan and prepare:
Receive booking sheet
Arrange attendance
Determine age and relevant programme
Prepare relevant equipment / files
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Engage and Explain:
Rapport building
Inform prosecutor
Conduct orientation
Take witnesses to office
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Discuss aim and content
Identify and address fears and concerns
Ice breakers
Discuss role players and processes
Helpful hints
Competency test (as applied to court prep)
Role play (if time allows)
Explain the next phase
Provide refreshments
Provide a transitional object
Protection skills
Take witness to prosecutor
Account
Introduce witness to prosecutor
Give account to prosecutor re the court preparation session
Prosecutor consults with witness
Take witness to court
Inform witness of possible delays if necessary
Ensure transitional object is taken into court
Witness testifies (supported by court preparation if necessary)
Closure
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Receive witness back from court
Provide containment
Provide information (re next trial date, reasons for postponement, witness fees)
Refer to appropriate organisation (if needed / available)
Obtain consent for referral
Make appointment
Accompany to obtain witness fees
Arrange for transport if needed
Evaluate
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Conduct self-evaluation – take corrective measures
Complete daily / monthly statistics
Quarterly assessments in line with performance contracts
EWP (debriefing) – where applicable
Complete administrative duties
Obtain booking sheet for next working day
An evaluation by a team of experts of the PEACE model includes the impact of the programme on
the witnesses as well as the standard of the training and the model has been in operation in the
following processes: 145 court preparation officials (CPO), 4 Managers, 65 courts, 3695 witnesses
per month, and over 88 thousand witnesses to date.
The challenges are:
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●Need to standardise court preparation nationally
●Minimum Standards pending
o Do not go into merits of the case
o Do not offer trauma counselling
Need to ensure a coordinated approach between court preparation officers and prosecutors /
SAPS / NGO / others.
12.1.2 Presentation 2: Sexual Assault - Economic Loss Survey: Methodology, Objectives and
Observations, Mr Bryant Greenbaum, Barrister and Solicitor
The current situation is that the court may, but does not necessarily always, consider losses
incurred by women as victims of crime. When these are considered they are almost always limited
to questions of pain and suffering. How can one quantify pain and suffering? Regrettably, research
focused on economic losses.
Pecuniary losses are quantifiable and include (but not limited to) medical expenses, transport
expenses (to and from hearings, including people accompanying victims), loss of earnings (when
attending hearings or medical / psychological appointments), relocation, and other similar
expenses. Note that a compensation order incorporating (in addition to considerations of pain and
suffering) the economic losses may be transformed into a compensation order attached to the
sentence.
There are three options for economic compensation for victims of crime:
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Social distress relief grants for victims:
Should be widely advertised to ensure access by victims
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The offender compensates the victim from assets owned by offender:
Not all victims have sufficient assets to cover expenses incurred
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Victim Compensation Fund – to be set up by the government
A similar fund set up by the Indian government may be used as a model
Apparent reluctance by the South Africa government to set up such a fund; various attempts
have been made over the years but have not come to fruition.
It is very important that the victim VEP must be seen to be neutral and it might mean that the VEP
should operate outside Criminal Justice System. It is also very important that VEP should
incorporate traditional systems and co-operate with traditional institutions.
12.1.3 Presentation 3: Governing effect to the Rights of Child Victims in the Criminal Justice
System, Ms Samantha Waterhouse, RAPCAN
The CJS must address three layers to meet the needs of children:
• Needs of victims of trauma
o feelings of helplessness, anger and loss.
o restoring control, ensuring safety, building safe emotional environment.
• Needs of sexual offences victims
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o feelings of humiliation; shame and victim-blaming
o Through specialised knowledge, sensitivity and skill.
• Needs of child victims
o Their different cognitive capacity, dependence on adults and extreme social inequality; extreme
fear and anxiety.
This' is done through knowledge of child development; child appropriate facilities and procedures;
and in addressing the needs of care-givers.
Between 2004 and 2007, 82 000 sexual offences against children were reported to the SAPS. This
represents just under half of all sexual offences reported in that period. These figures must be
understood within the context of under-reporting. MRC and CJCP data indicate that about 10% of
cases are reported to the police. The rate of reporting’s by children is likely to be lower than that of
adults and thus the extreme vulnerability of this group is clear.
Our rights framework for children provides for:
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Dignity
Non Discrimination
Freedom from Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment
Best Interests of the Child
Child Participation
The State is obliged to uphold these rights and any limitations must be carefully considered.
Children’s rights in practice
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Children’s dignity rarely is a consideration in the system as children are routinely humiliated
through the investigation processes and the court processes.
Children participation in the decisions affecting them is non-existent or tokenist at best.
The “best interest of the child” principle is poorly understood and the interests of the criminal justice
system are routinely prioritised.
The rights of accused are promoted without being balanced by / weighed against the rights of the
child/victim.
Key developments in the Criminal Justice System through legislation, policy and good practice:
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Reporting requirements
Many developments in addressing the rights and needs of children in policy documents.
But there is a historical failure to ensure enforceability (e.g. Victims Charter, NPA directives).
Enforceable policy directives have not been properly implemented and divergence is common
(e.g. SAPS National Instruction).
Sexual offences legislation provides an important opportunity for monitoring and accountability.
Due to layers of vulnerability and specific needs, specialisation of services is essential to protect
children’s rights.
Specialisation of services
SAPS, NPA and Health have developed specialisation models.
Some of these models have been shown to decrease victimization and improve investigation
outcomes.
Regrettably these specialization models are not universally available.
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There is no dedicated strategy for the necessary scaling up, with the result that this is gradual or
non-existent.
It is generally dependent on donor funding.
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Medico-Legal services
Medico-legal services are generally unspecialised, the examinations and treatments are
undertaken by general medical personnel.
Efforts within DOH to specialise are weak.
Research into Thuthuzela (one stop) centres shows dramatic improvement of early care and
treatment of victims.
Courts prosecuting Thuthuzela cases have low rate of prosecution (12%) but higher prosecution
to conviction rates (83%). Other SOC’s 65%.
The NPA, Unicef and Danish Government are planning to extend the number of TCCs from ten
(March 2007) to twenty two by the end of 2009.
Policing the structure of CPUs and FCSUs incorporate many elements of specialisation.
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Police investigation
SAPS restructuring has undermined many of these elements:
Specialised knowledge of management
Victim and child friendly facilities
Training systems for members
Some personnel are required to operate as general detectives
Resources reallocated away from these “priority crimes”
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SAPS restructuring has strengthened:
Access to services
Potential for up-scaling
Dedicated courts and court process
Research shows that ‘blueprint compliant’ Sexual Offences Courts substantially improve access
to justice.
Sexual Offences Courts have a higher prosecution to conviction rate than ordinary courts (65%
vs 50%).
Management of specialisation within the NPA is strong but undermined by Department of
Justice’s management of these courts.
Quality of services in terms of protection of children from victimization varies considerably.
Potential for protection is strong but not guaranteed.
The rights of children have not yet been entrenched in the ethos of these services.
President Mbeki committed to the continued development of the process, but Minister Mabandla
has put this on hold.
Court Preparation Services are
Historically, court preparation services are provided in a small proportion of courts by CSOs,
while NPA undertook to provide these services.
Elements of specialisation in terms of local management and resources are concerning.
The priority of these programmes (government or CSOs) must be the promoting of positive social
and emotional outcomes for the victim first and the system second.
CJS historically do not prioritise the needs of victims. There is an imperative to ensure that these
services continue to promote/advocate for the rights of children/victims.
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Court procedure and evidence
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In spite of the positive developments by SAPS and the NPA, discrimination against children in
court is entrenched and children’s rights are peripheral.
Mechanisms for protection exist but are underutilized.
Victimization that is entirely preventable is allowed in the name of the needs of the court and the
rights of the accused through the non application of protective measures.
New Sexual Offences Legislation has failed to address this and this has now been referred to the
constitutional court.
The National Policy Framework in SO legislation provides an opportunity to improve procedures
from reporting through to the trial.
The critical importance of emotional support through counselling and therapeutic services to
children and their care-givers is unaddressed.
Psycho-social support.
Duty’ of State to provide this is not acknowledged.
Quality counselling services to children are insufficient and provided only by CSOs.
Current victim support services at the front end do not address the specific needs of children and
are not sufficient.
Poor management of these services results in further victimization.
Recommendations:
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Promote and integrate a practical understanding of children’s rights for all service providers.
A comprehensive government plan to ensure resources for the development of appropriate
specialised services for all child victims must be developed.
A comprehensive plan is needed to strengthen and scale-up Thuthuzela Centres, FCS services,
SOCs and Court Preparation Services across the country. Specialised services to child victims
must be prioritised in National and Provincial budgets.
Capacitating for quality management of all services must be prioritized
Necessary counselling must be made available for children and primary care-givers. (Delivered
by CSOs with government funding).
A mechanism for NPA/Justice to fund support services by CSOs is necessary.
Adverse performance targets must be addressed – Crime prevention must not be measured by
reporting rates.
Systems for accountability and monitoring of services must be strengthened
Discrimination against children in court must be addressed through legal challenge and
legislation.
Sexual Offences legislation National Policy Framework must incorporate victims rights/needs.
12.2
Commission 2: Theme 5: Research
12.2.1 Presentation 1: Victim Policy and Crime Prevention
An assessment of progress, Cheryl Frank, RAPCAN
As a starting point, the ideas of today’s presentation are published in a booklet that some
delegates have. It is entitled “Quality Service Guaranteed? “A review of the victim policy in South
Africa.” This document focuses on the VEP, the Victims’ Carter and the NPA Units’ protocol, and
on victim management.
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This presentation generally takes that debate further and speaks to crime prevention more
specifically.
RAPCAN’s focus areas include: the promotion of preventive and responsive services to child
victimization and offences against children. Its activities encompass direct services to children and
families, training, development of resource materials and advocacy.
It delivers court preparation services to over 4000 people annually in Sexual Offences Courts and
trains over 3000 people a year; these include professionals and non-professionals. Also provided
are advocacy and research relating to: the Children’s Act, the Sexual Offences Act, and the Child
Justice Bill. The organisation develops resource materials such as the Healer’s Package and the
Child Witness Toolkit to improve the quality of services delivered by other organisations.
The high level of crime victimization in South Africa, especially in relation to violent and sexual
offences requires of us to have a strategic response to crime prevention. The role of social policy in
relation to crime victims is an important avenue for the promotion of crime prevention.
This paper will also provide a critical assessment of crime victim policy in South Africa from a crime
prevention perspective.
Focus areas of the presentation
In the presentation I will look at the victim policy and how it does or does not address crime
prevention. There are those who say that we need to forget about policy and move to
implementation – however I believe that we need to have a critical review of what our policy gives
us and whether that is enough to provide to for crime prevention.
I want to speak to what I mean by victim policy; it is the body of formalised policy and legislation
that is implemented in response to crime and victimization. However it covers a broad range of
aspects and we need to analyse this body of information and ask whether it serves the needs of
victims and if it serves the crime prevention agenda.
I use the UN definition of crime and crime prevention: “Crime prevention comprises strategies and
measures that seek to reduce the risk of crimes occurring, and their potential harmful effects on
individuals and society, including fear of crime, by intervening to influence their multiple causes.”
Source: United Nations Guidelines for the Prevention of Crime.
The National Crime Prevention Strategy, 1996 had the following to say about the links between
victim policy and crime prevention: “Victimization itself lies at the heart of much retributive crime
and the absence of the means of victim aid and empowerment play an important role in the cyclical
nature of violence and crime in South Africa. Whilst victim aid is often regarded as a remedial
rather than preventive measure in dealing with crime, this view is dangerously misleading. Victims
of past or current criminal activity, if untreated, frequently become perpetrators of either retributive
violence or of violence displaced within the social or domestic arena.” Source: National Crime
Prevention Strategy, 1996.
I believe the above approach still holds. In terms of the purpose of victim policy, internationally it is
accepted that there are three central functions of victim policy:
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To give effect to the rights of victims.
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To respond to the needs to victims.
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To promote crime prevention.
My central proposal is that if we achieve the first two, then we will succeed with the third.
Accordingly, in the rest of the presentation I will give attention to the rights and needs of victims.
The Needs of Crime Victims
This refers to those considerations for crime victims which are guaranteed by the state. I would like
to quote from a book by Howard Zehr: “Why is crime so devastating, so hard to recover from? The
reason is that crime is in essence a violation: a violation of the self, a desecration of who we are, of
what we believe in, of our private space. Crime is devastating because it upsets two fundamental
assumptions on which we base our lives; our belief that the world is an orderly, meaningful place,
and our belief in personal autonomy. Both assumptions are essential for wholeness.”
The research concerning victims tells us that their needs encompass the following:
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The need for access to justice and fair treatment.
The need for contact with the criminal justice system.
The need for safety.
The need for information.
The need for assistance and services.
The need for continuity.
The need to have a voice.
The need for validation and acknowledgement.
The need for restitution, redress and apology.
In terms of yesterday’s case study and panel discussion, people want to be able to tell their story
and they need people to accept their story. Thus the victim should not have to tell her / his story to
numerous persons / officials as they move from government department and one service provider’s
office to the next. They also need validation and acknowledgment, and of their feelings.
The Needs of Crime Victims: South African Policy Framework
The needs of crime victims are not at the centre of our legislation and policy as there are often
competing interests i.e. the needs of victims and the needs of the criminal justice system in having
the offender prosecuted. A further example of this is that the Sexual Offences Act makes no
provision at all for access to counselling and therapy. It takes a ‘one-size-fits-all-approach’ and
negates the individual experience of victimization and the different needs of different victims e.g.
children, and the elderly.
The Rights of Victims
This refers to considerations to victims of crime that are guaranteed by the state.
The constitution is silent on the specific issue of victims of crime. It does, however, provide for the
‘right to bodily and psychological integrity’, and ‘the right to freedom and security of the person’,
which includes the right ‘to be free from all forms of violence from either public or private sources’
and ‘not to be treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading way.’
The legislation such as the Domestic Violence Act, the Sexual Offences Act and the Children’s Act
form part of the policy framework relating to victims of crime. But, they respond to the imperatives
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in the constitution in varying ways (e.g. The Sexual Offences Act provides no guarantees for
counselling or therapeutic services for victims; no provisions for prevention, while the Children’s
Act is specific about prevention and early intervention).
Generally, there is a great dissonance in the legislative framework in terms of whether it is set up
to meet the needs of victims. I have concerns about the VEP as it is a very broad programme. I
also have concerns about the VEP and the Victims Charter as they are weak instruments for
delivery on rights; they provide no guarantees and are very susceptible to change. Yet the Charter
has greater status in the eyes of the government presently.
The status of key victim policy documents is problematic. The rights claim of the Victims Charter is
questionable in that it makes the claim for a victim’s rights to be ‘available’ in existing services. Yet
it does not put an obligation on government to provide the services. Policy may not be enforced,
but the law needs to be enforced. Therefore legislation is needed in such instances. Further, policy
can change as administrations and Ministers change.
The relationship of these policy documents to each other has not been articulated (the VEP is
much broader and more comprehensive than the Victims Charter).
The policy documents provide competing sets of service standards: The NPA Uniform Standards,
the Victims Charter and the VEP are not integrated and none provide measurable minimum
standards. None of the policy documents create systems to ensure the accountability of service
providers such as complaints mechanisms etc.
Important issues that relate to implementation:
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Access to services
Quality of services
} These are two central themes
}
Some further issues:
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Insufficient funds and capacity to deliver on policy and legislation
The unequal ‘partnership’ between government and civil society
The reliance on voluntarism
The absence of systems of accountability
The myth of inter-sectoral cooperation
The tools for managing victim policy are absent
These are the recommendations that I would like to purpose:
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Create legislative guarantees for access to services for victims.
Rationalise victim policies and clearly articulate its purpose and the minimum standards.
Orientate services towards the needs of victims (no ambivalence should exist in this regard).
Improve government and civil society relations and government funding to civil society.
Create frameworks to address and enable voluntarism (stipends, training, accreditation).
Create systems to ensure the quality of services (minimum standards, indicators, monitoring and
evaluation systems; client satisfaction surveys).
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Establish the tools and systems for managing victim policy (accountability systems; standards;
research victimization trends, etc.).
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The policy is not enough – there should be guarantees.
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The focus on the inter-sectoral issues should not be at the expense of quality and depth within
individual government departments.
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The focus going forward should be on the role of civil society to include that of being overseers of
the needs of victims and to also include the role of advocating for those victims that are received.
12.2.2 Presentation 2: DSD Strategy on the engagement of Men and Boys in the prevention of
Gender Based Violence, Mr Fikile Faltein, DSD
The Resolution of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) is the
document that forced the DSD to look at the issue of engaging men and boys in the issue of
equality, with a focus on gender violence.
In 2004, UNCSW held their 48th Session on the status of women and identified two thematic
areas, namely, 1) “Involvement of Men and Boys in Gender Equality”, and 2 “ Women’s equal
participation in conflict prevention, management, and conflict resolution and in post conflict peace
building”. DSD was mandated to provide a position paper and to lead the theme on the
involvement of men and boys in gender equality. At that time we did not have information on this
issue and we obtained information from provincial departments and from NGO’s. This enabled the
DSD to take the process further and to be better prepared. The DSD also ensured that a number of
future delegations included representatives from the provinces and from the NGO’s to ensure that
they could assist in taking the process forward.
The resolutions of the UNCSW were:



Encourage and support the capacity of men and boys in fostering gender equality.
Encourage and support men and boys to take an active part in the prevention and elimination of
all forms of violence, especially gender-based violence (including in context of HIV/AIDS)
Increase the awareness of the responsibilities men and boys in ending the cycle of violence,
through the promotion of attitudinal and behavioural change and to recognize that men and boys
also experience violence.
The above were the resolutions of 2004, but in 2005 the DSD undertook the ‘National Men in
Action’ campaigns that went country-wide to all provinces. This was also to get a sense of the
problems in the programmes run by government departments and by NGO’s. From this exercise
DSD learned a great deal about the implementation of gender related policies, among others.
This campaign was also used as a build up to the National Summit on the Engagement of Men and
Boys in the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence. This Summit subsequently formulated the
framework for the strategy to be developed in 2006. The organisation, Gender Links was
commissioned to assist with the finalisation of the strategy.
Having developed a final draft it was decided to familiarize the stakeholders and the National
Workshop was held in February 2008. A number of additional areas were identified and included.
Thereafter DSD developed the final draft of the strategy in April 2008.
The document provides for a strategic framework that encompasses:
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
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The strategic process as well as a situational analysis which includes data and conditions on the
ground as well as a situational SWOT analyses in the VEP and regarding the issues of men and
boys.
The policy context to ensure that there are no contradictions.
The vision on which this strategy is based is that of a society in which women and men are able
to realize their full potential and to participate as equal partners in creating a just and prosperous
society which is free from gender-based violence. This vision is based on the vision of gender
equality and that of facilitating human development and improving the quality of life for all South
Africans.
The mission is to develop an effective framework to guide the development and implement the
programmes that aim at encouraging the active participation of men and boys in the prevention of
gender-based violence within the social development sector.
There are goals and programmes to facilitate and consolidate the partnership between the
Department of Social Development and Civil Society Organisations that render services to men
and boys in relation to gender equality and the prevention of gender-based violence. DSD will also
look at the development and implementation of programmes and services for the engagement of
men and boys in prevention of gender-based violence.
The Way Forward
•
•
The strategy will be piloted for six months during the course of 2008 and the process will assist in
developing better programs and policies.
It is expected of provinces to come up with their own implementation plans based on the pilot
strategy as they look at the challenges within their provinces. This is because provinces do not all
have the same challenges.
12.2.3 Presentation 3: Empowering Victims (Former Combatants) through the National Peace
Accord Trust’s Ecotherapy, Dr Matshike, NPAT Ecotherapy Programme
The programme was established in 1993 with the on former combatants against apartheid and
former self protection units and self defence units. These former combatants come from a context
of violence in which they were both perpetrators and victims. We tend to forget some of the
traumas of the former combatants and how they cope or in fact do not cope with such trauma.
Some were traumatized by their own violence together with the violence that they experienced
from the security forces and their own communities. As a consequence many of them have been
left traumatized and alienated from their communities.
The presentation will focus on these areas:
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What was the situation before the programme?
The process and content of the programme.
The reason why for participation in the programme.
The results of the programme.
The psychological Profile
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They feel that they have made a contribution to the freedom in South Africa. They also feel that in
order to do this they made sacrifices such as leaving school and post- school training. They did
however expect some reward for their efforts but there were no rewards.
They feel as if they have been forgotten after their role in liberating the country and the anger they
feel translates into feelings of powerlessness. To such an extent that even when there are
programmes such as learnerships they feel that these are too difficult to access and should be
brought to them. At this stage we try to tell them that the more they blame the politicians the more
powerless they become.
Such an approach generally results in alcoholism and crime and an attitude of: “If they won’t give
me rewards, I’ll take them.” This attitude is sometimes adopted by people who are ‘hungry to the
bone.’ A further disturbing attitude is that if the government does nothing about it, “We will dig up
our weapons and make the country ungovernable.” They feel that only one man can save them,
viz. Jacob Zuma.
What the national peace accord does is to take former combatants to Matlapeng in the
Magaliesburg. The approach is that we are all part of nature and it provides space to be with of
nature and to be with oneself. This experience often provides healing at many levels.
It is a four day programme that encompasses a number of processes from the preparation prior to
starting the programme itself and includes discussions and discussion groups, a 24 hour period of
being alone (‘solo fast’) in the bush where one has time for reflection. Also, thereafter there is
opportunity to talk about what the 4 days have accomplished and in this way the former
combatants begin to heal their violence-induced trauma and also they acquire some anger
management skills. In addition, they learn how to deal with certain anti-social behaviour which
sometimes includes criminality.
Results were that most said they:
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Learned to forgive their enemies.
Acquired anger management skills.
Gained confidence to become responsible for their destiny.
Changed their attitudes to crime.
They also feel that they had better luck; this can be linked to having more confidence.
Conclusion
The programme gives more power back to the victims and this is important in their lives. Further,
not only is it important in their lives it is important in society as a whole that the former combatants
receive such assistance.
12.2.4 Presentation 4: Trafficking of Children in the SADC Region, Ms Joan van Niekerk, Childline
Childline is very concern regarding the issue of trafficking, as are our SADC partners, who have
reported that they are already experiencing an increase in such trafficking. Regarding trafficking in
children and people, the research in South Africa has been very piecemeal which entail small
isolated studies which really do not provide any insight into the extent and nature of the problem.
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Therefore we cannot say where there has been an increase or a decrease in trafficking. However,
broad generalisations have been obtained from these studies to develop policy and mechanisms to
deal with trafficking.
The various studies have no uniform definition of trafficking. This means that it is difficult to
compare study within countries and also across countries.
From a Childline Crisis Counselling perspective it is difficult for us to determine how many children
have been trafficked from the number of children who call our line and use our other services.
Children (and most adult callers to the line) do not understand the concept of trafficking and hence
it is a term they do not use. Rather they report exploitation through sexual abuse, domestic labour,
and so forth. It is only after we have had some contact with them that we realize that this is a
situation of trafficking.
Hence sometimes we do not have the information and thus it is only after the child has been
referred and is has been assisted by other role players, who have the responsibility for deeper
investigation, that we discover that the child has indeed been trafficked.
We have experienced both cross-border and intra-border trafficking but not in large numbers.
However we do experience more in-country movement of children than across country. We have
experienced a huge gap in international services in cross-border trafficking. Thus if a child has
been trafficked to Mozambique and the child contacts Lifeline, we experience great difficulty with
international social organisations in obtaining the return of the child. Furthermore, we have also
encountered trafficked children who resist official intervention as they do not want to go home as
they feel that they have more opportunities in South Africa.
Child Helplines in the SADC region:
We are part of net work of organisations in countries in the SADC region. We met in December
2007 to look at trafficking and decided to plan for 2010 (World Cup) and beyond because of the
frequently expressed concern that the trafficking of children may increase over this period.
Decisions made:

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
To do a rapid assessment of the legal position in relation to trafficking and children.
To do a rapid assessment of services for trafficked children in the SADC region.
To develop a plan of action for 2010 and beyond that would include both prevention and
management strategies and extend across borders.
The rapid assessment allowed us to identify the roles of Child Helplines in the SADC region:


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To listen to children who have been trafficked and to take their experiences seriously.
Offer counselling to children who have been trafficked.
Link trafficked children to child protection services including social services such as educational
institutions, safe homes, rehabilitation centres, medical care, or any other basic need facility, as
well as police and prosecution services. Regarding these latter organisations and trafficking; our
experiences have not been great because of the slowness of the criminal justice system. Their
needs to be addressed and this conference should also address the issue.

Use information collected from trafficked children to inform other child protection organizations.
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
We believe that we have a responsibility to design and implement projects that prevent child
trafficking by means of school and community outreach programmes. Our partners include
organisations such as RAPCAN.

Reunite trafficked children with their families when appropriate (in partnership with other child
focused organizations).
This rapid assessment process identified the following problematic issues (many of which are
really obvious!):

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SADC networks dealing with trafficking are not strong and sometimes do not include national
role-players. This contributes to a lack of national coordination within and across countries.
A common definition of trafficking is not used in either research or practice; this makes reliable
knowledge of the extent of the problem and service delivery issues difficult to quantify and assess.
Media attention to specific cases of trafficking is intense and this may skew perceptions of the
extent of the problem. For instance, the media focuses on one case but in so doing diverts
attention away from other aspects of the problem.
High levels of poverty in the region contribute to the problem.
High levels of unemployment also contribute to the problem.
Inadequate or, as in some countries in the region, a complete lack of social services for children
and families.
Most countries reported an inadequate or a total lack of legislation clearly criminalizing and
dealing with trafficking in persons.
Also inadequate law enforcement capacity. Clearly implementation remains a problem for all of
us as we have seen at this conference.
The uncertain political situation in Zimbabwe and the accompanying violence, food scarcity and
poverty is a contributing factor.
The following recommendations emerged:
A “library of research” on child trafficking across the Southern Africa region should be established
and an analysis of available information should be done in order to identify gaps in information and
direct further research.

A catalogue/directory of resources should be developed to facilitate networking and once again
avoid duplication and gaps in services to children who are victims of trafficking.

A monitoring and evaluation processes should be developed to identify good practices in the
region, inclusive of research and prevention and management practice.

A referral system should be established between Child Help-lines and other organizations in the
region.

Further recommendations:
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Enhance the mobilization of people to protect children when “traditional” child protection officers
are involved in other duties; this may happen in 2010 with SAPs being deployed to other
perceived, more important areas. Already we have lost our SAPS ‘Child Protection Units’.
Need to educate and target the media to report responsibly on child trafficking.
Need to promote specialized child protection units.
Strengthen international social services.
Developing some multi-lateral and bilateral agreements with regard to service delivery.
Lobbying the IOM for their greater interest in and commitment to children’s issues, as most of
their actions seem to be focus on adult issues.
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Recommendations specific to the 2010 world cup:

Ensure that appropriate legislation is in place before the event. Our trafficking legislation was
commenced almost a decade ago and is still not finalized.

Train volunteers to keep an “eye on the child” and relieve the burden on security and police
forces which are likely to be diverted into player and team security.

Create child friendly viewing areas or lobby for children to remain at school and have viewing
areas at school. The Department of Education is considering that schools be closed during the
2010 World Cup; schools holidays are a time when we experience a dramatic increase in calls
from children.
The increased burden on public transport in 2010 might also leave children more vulnerable to all
forms of exploitation.
This remains a work in process:

The Child help lines involved in the rapid assessment are committed to establishing a regional
networking, referral and service delivery process and directory.

We want to establish a protocol for interaction between the various Childlines that conforms with
the ethics of child protection.

The focus of prevention and management must extend beyond 2010.
 We would like to have some feedback from delegates.
Trafficking in Body Parts:
We are presently involved in a study in the cross-border trafficking of children for the use of
children’s body parts; Childline South Africa and the Human Rights Foundation in Mozambique are
busy with such research. This research is at a midway stage and the focus has been on Limpopo,
Mpumalanga and the Free State due to the availability of researchers in the provinces. The
research has uncovered that there is much more abuse of children than what had been previously
believed. The report should be ready and available by the end of 2008.
12.3
Commission 3: Theme 5: Research
12.3.1 Presentation 1: What working with violent men has revealed about intimate partner violence
in South Africa, Ms Venessa Padayachee, NICRO
The presentation commences with an historical background into NICRO’s work with intimate
partner violence and it is hoped that through this presentation it will deepen your knowledge and
address some of the gaps that we still need to get to terms with to understand this complex
phenomenon. In this regard we have been working in the field for over two decades. I will also look
at what we have to know in working with intimate partner violence in general and in working with
intimate partner violent men.
I need to reiterate that at the outset that we know that as both can be victims, similarly women and
men can also be perpetrators of domestic violence. This particular presentation will look at the
methodology of working with intimate partner men specifically. Due to time constraints there are
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aspects that will not be overly dwelt upon, including the theoretical framework. The paper is
available for those who are interested in more detail.
The presentation looks at the work done with intimate the partner violent man as a specialised area
of work, as well as briefly looking at some links between domestic violence and substance abuse,
the links between domestic violence and rape and sexual coercion. In addition, the key elements of
a programme with intimate partner violent men is examined together with a brief outline on what
the NICRO framework looks like so that you can get some idea of NICRO’s approach and its
intervening for behavioural change.
History of NICRO
Going back to the late 1980s NICRO, was one of those organisations that pioneered the battered
woman’s movement; this was initiated in Cape Town. There was a lot of advocacy and lobbying
around domestic violence and domestic violence legislation. All of which resulted in the new
Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998. We also had a NICRO woman’s support centre that was
actually quite a resource for organisations working with domestic violence. It offered a lot of
training and education concerning domestic violence and the new Act 116.
In 1998 NICRO decided to expand its focus and to broadly look at victims of crime. Thus we
started establishing victim support centres at police stations, hospitals, clinics and community
venues. We then set up a witness support project at courts, still offering counselling and even
worked in schools around school violence. So we broadened our work, but I must say our case
statistics reflected that we were still receiving 70% domestic violence cases, particularly intimate
partner violence. Earlier in the session there was a presentation that dealt with monitoring and
evaluation and obviously one builds this into one’s programmes. In this way we were able to review
our work and were able to ask ourselves whether working with victims of domestic violence was
the only way to deal with intimate partner violence. It was then that we started to look at working
with perpetrators. It’s a relatively new area of work and the only other organisation that was also so
involved was FAMSA in the Western Cape. We cautiously embarked on this project and started
pilots in the Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Kwazulu- Natal, North West and Gauteng. In 2003 –
2004 we had a formative evaluation by examining how these programmes were being
implemented.
In 2005 we developed NICRO minimal standards for work with perpetrators of intimate partner
violence and we are trying to engage with the sector about having these standards accepted. In
2007 we were again doing a review process and it is about this that I will be talking about. It’s
based on internal reviews, internal evaluations, extensive literature, surveys, looking at minimum
standards and 60 other standards throughout the world. We also looked at a global review that was
done recently by Boonzaier in collaboration with the World Population Foundation. This exercise
prompts the question: “If we look at South Africa currently and we look at intimate partner violence,
what further strategies and interventions are needed and are currently missing to solve the
problem of intimate partner violence in South Africa?” “And what do we need to know in terms of
working with it?” These are critical questions. Do we know enough about the nature of intimate
partner violence, do we know enough about the extent of the problem, and do we understand why
men are violent in intimate partner violent relationships? And do we understand why woman are
violent in intimate partner violent relationships? That is a very under-researched area currently.
During this conference we have spoken at length about the causes of crime. What is the root
causes of intimate partner violence? Can we change the behaviour of perpetrator? What should
those interventions focus on and what steps are needed to ensure the safety of women and
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children while these perpetrators are involved in programmes that are out of prison? Issues of risk
assessment, dangerousness, how do we assess these aspects? What services and interventions
need to be in place for women and children? Are children affected by intimate partner violence and
if they are affected, and yes they are affected, are they adequately assessed and treated? Are
victims and perpetrators adequately assessed and treated. What happens to the family in an
intimate partner violent situation? Is there an opportunity at some stage to rebuild families? We’ve
talked a lot during this conference about the family. Is there a place for a restorative justice
initiative in intimate partner violence. But literature has shown there’s a lot of caution around using
victim offender mediation as a primary intervention and using it early in intimate partner violence
intervention. How do you work with communities concerning intimate partner violence, dating and
violence. What are the prevention strategies and how do we create new notions of masculinity and
femininity in South Africa, and is there an integrated domestic violence strategy in South Africa? I
hope this presentation will address some of them but there are still going to be unanswered
questions.
The theoretical framework
We still work with victims of domestic violence but what working with violent men has done is
deepened our knowledge and understanding of the complexity of intimate partner violence. There
are characteristics of perpetrators and there are determinates as to why men are violent and this
has deepened our understanding. We have to understand that domestic violence is complex. If you
look at how the Domestic Violence Act defines it, there is physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional,
verbal, psychological, isolation, and more. These are patterns of behaviour in most intimate partner
violence situations and one is likely to observe a combination of the tactics instead of just one. If
you look at intimate partner violence, what is intimate partner violence specifically? It is used to
gain or maintain power or control over another. It is defined as being a pattern of assault and
coercive behaviours including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks as well as econom
coercion that adults or adolescents use against their intimate partners. Battering as it is referred to
in North America involves a systematic pattern of violence, the threat of violence and other
coercion behaviour tactics to exert power to induce fear and to control another person. The nature
and extent of this problem we know is most pervasive and frequently lethal. We know it’s an issue
of social and human rights. There has been an increasing number of women murdered by their
intimate partners in South Africa. GAP says one woman every four days dies by the hand of her
partner (2003). Studies in the US, Canada, Israel, Australia and South Africa, 40% to 70% of
female murder victims where killed by their husbands or boyfriends.
As I said it is important to note that it’s not only male on female violence but that males are also
victims and they are presenting at our offices and organisations. As the Constitutional Court
rightfully described it, all crimes have harsh effects on society but what distinguishes domestic
violence, is its hidden repetitive character and its immediate ripple effects on society and
particularly on family life. It cuts across class, race, culture and geography, and is more pernicious
because it is often so hidden and so frequently goes unpunished.
What’s important to point out is that the victim is trying to survive and the offender needs to change
a complex long term pattern of abusive tactics and that is what is critical. Initial endeavours the
world over have focused on women and services to women and given marginal attention to men
who perpetrate the violence. So we can see that these programmes exist all over the world. I think
this is important, what are the causes of this violence and why are men violent? Now the empirical
field of the abuse of woman is theoretically diverse. It can be understood in terms of individual
psychological factors, psychopathology or personality characteristics, a social learning approach
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where violence is a learnt behaviour it can also be explored from the perceptive of gender power
dynamics which is one of the popular ones as well as broader contextual and ideological factors.
There are issues of alcohol and drug abuse, where alcohol and drug abuse are not causal factors
but there is a relationship and is used often as an excuse for violence. It is commonly found that
there is association between violence and heavy alcohol consumption and alcohol leads to
cognitive distortion. Witnessing or experiencing violence in the family has an important impact.
Bandura argues that behaviour both positive and negative is learned through modeling the
behaviour of significant others in our environment. Now, that means that a child exposed to these
kinds of behaviours in a family of origin can learn how to act violently. They also say that children
often identify with the same sex, so young boys who watch their fathers are likely to emulate that
behaviour. Relationship factors are also significant as there is a victim offender relationship, there
is distressed relationship, and there is relationship power. There are societal and socio-cultural
level factors where issues of age, socio-economic status, education, race, ethnicity, culture and
patriarchy are actual risk factors for intimate partner violence.
But to give the complexity of what we are dealing with and what kind of behaviour we are trying to
change can only be done by means of assessment. There is no ‘one-size-fits-all’; every perpetrator
and victim that comes through the door is unique and different. You have to be able to employ an
eclectic approach when assessing and rendering and designing services and interventions. But
there are common characteristics that have allowed us to design programmes where people can
enter with a range of complexities. They say that intimate partner violent men have low self
esteem, they are in denial about abusive behaviour, they externalize blame, there is dependency
fear, they are unable to express themselves and express anger. There is poor impulse control,
there is an internalization of the traditional role of the man who exerts excessive or rigid control and
often plans abusive behaviour. He has feelings of isolation and he is pre-disposed to violence.
I will go through domestic violence in the lives of children as it is important to mention that many
assume that a violent man’s behaviour towards his adult victims does not present a risk to children.
It does. All children in a domestic violent home are affected and they should be considered children
in need of care. These are some of the effects:
• Emotional effects
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Guilt
Shame
Fear
Confusion
Depression
• Behavioural effects
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Acting out or withdrawn
Over achievers
Under achievers
• Physical effects
• Social effects
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It is a range of effects and we have not begun to explore and accept how this impacts on children
and what kind of interventions we need to be able to work with children. NICRO’s programme
importantly tries to assess the victim or the perpetrator including the whole family. NICRO’s
practical framework approach is that there is no one-size-fits-all.
The key elements are:

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

Assessment is critical: the perpetrator / victim / family must be assessed properly and this
includes clinical assessment, risk assessment, and assessing the dangerousness of the offender.
Victim safety: are safety plans in place for victims and children while the perpetrator is in the
programme?
Victim contact: one cannot just work with an offender. One has to be able to collaborate evidence
with the victim and get the whole picture from both sides, the family, the significant others and the
investigating officers. This information is critical to assess the perpetrator and his dangerousness.
Changing the violent behaviour: by means of a specialised programme. After they’ve been
through the programme which is a nine month programme and consists of over 32 modules, thus it
is very intensive work. We use a cognitive behavioural approach, looking at criminal thinking areas,
at how we can change cognitive distortion; if we can change the thinking we can change the
behaviour.
While the perpetrator is in the programme, the victim is in a specialised victim support group. The
children are assessed and they receive interventions. We have a basket of programmes and as
you can see it’s not just about the specialised areas, it is also about that which comes after. Should
they wish to stay together and even if they don’t, there are children that they have to raise together
which requires looking at the relationship. Parenting skills require examination and they need to
look at what their role is in terms of being parents. We focus on family rebuilding and ultimately
evaluation and the impact of that programme. These are the essential elements and are the key
components of the programme. Assessment risk, the specialised programmes, the parenting
programmes, the family, the work with children programmes, the preventive programme, the safety
ambassador programme in schools that looks at the gender violence and a whole range of our
youth empowerment programmes that children can excess. It is a combination and thorough
assessment with which we develop a plan for each client that comes through the door.
Not all services are rendered by NICRO, some of them are outsourced.
Thus the content of the specialised programme are the areas that one needs to look at: the
problem, socialisation, substance abuse, attitude values, and beliefs, understanding anger,
understanding their own cycle of violence, look at their own defence mechanism, exploring their
most violent incidents and going back to track why did it happen, what are the triggers, what are
clues for violence, why are you being violent, psychological abuse, looking at the whole range of
different types of abuses, understanding that violence is a tactic of control, practicing non-violent
behaviour and victim empathy, feelings and emotions and the use a lot of cognitive behavioural
techniques. There are the life skills which forms the last part: building healthy relationships and
even spirituality. It is very intensive and this is what we have developed for the programme thus
far.
12.3.2 Presentation 3: A critique of the VEP, focusing on its key achievements and related
challenges, Ms Joy Watson, Parliament
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I work as a researcher at the South African parliament and I head up a team of researchers. We
are divided into different teams and my team looks at analysing legislation and public policy as well
as the budget from the perspective of women, children and persons with disabilities. In so doing we
provide members of parliament with a critical analysis of the issues of women, children and
persons with disabilities. We try to be critical, not just for the sake of being critical but in the
interests of enhancing government service delivery.
I will look at the past 10 years or so in terms of the submissions that have been made specifically
to the joint monitoring committee for improving the quality and status of life of women. I will also
look at what women across the country have been saying in terms of the support provided to
victims of gender based violence. I will research the Victim Empowerment Programme specifically
in relation to the support provided to women who have mainly been victims of gender based
violence. It is a shortcoming that the paper excludes the focus on children, but the submissions
that we work with focus on women so unfortunately that is the data that I have to work with. The
data is rich in a sense that it covers a relatively long period of time. We did not, however, conduct
hearings during the period 2007 and 2008 - hence we have continuous data from 1999 to 2006.
The value of this is that it comes from women across the country. The reports that I have drawn on
come from about ten different public hearings or initiatives and this looks at a broad spectrum of
women. It includes women in poor communities, women in rural communities, women’s
organisations, and so there is value in terms of the voices that some of this data encapsulates.
I’m not going to go into the theoretical contextualization of why gender-base violence is important
because I want to get to the issues around the criticism raised around the Victim Empowerment
Programme. However there are one or two things that should be said. These include the fact the
unacceptably high levels of violence in South Africa. If we look at our gendered social order in a
context where we have Jacob Zuma being tried for rape and we have incidents outside the court
where systems, women and men are burning the picture of the alleged victim,that is problematic. It
says something about the type of society that we live in today. If we have incidents as recently did
occur at the taxi rank where a young woman wearing a mini skirt had her clothes torn off by taxi
drivers it speaks to a very specific type of gendered social order. This occurs despite the
progressive legislation in place and the South African, Constitution. We are experiencing some
serious problems in terms of the relationships between men and women in our society. We know
that Interpol and the United Nations have reported that in countries that have high records of
incidents or rape, South Africa was the highest in the world and that it is exceptionally serious. So
we need to locate violence against women in South Africa in a broader social cultural and political
context and it must be looked at in terms of the social impact of the effects of colonialisation and
apartheid where men resort to violence as a legitimate conflict resolution strategy. A study was
done by the medical research council in 2004 where they looked at rates of intimate partner
murders of where women are killed by intimate partners; we have one of the highest rates of
vermicides in the world. This is because our men think that it is legitimate, to resort to violent
behaviour and that it is a legitimate way of resolving conflict in the home.
The guiding argument of my paper is essentially, ‘yes, there have been a number of achievements
that can be attributed to the Victim Empowerment Programme.’ However notwithstanding this we
see from the submissions women have given to the joint monitoring committee that essentially the
state has failed women in terms of providing adequate support to victims of gender-based violence.
The fact that we are all here today presents a strategic opportunity to engage creatively around
how we address some of the problems that we are currently experiencing.
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Recent studies have found that gender-base violence is so pervasive that it in fact constitutes a
global epidemic. It cuts across geographic race, class and cultural boundaries and is a leading
cause of injury amongst women and girl children worldwide. We have found with certain studies is
that it has become so entrenched in societies across the globe that it has been used by the military
to fuel the aggression of soldiers that need to go into combat. The masculine ethos of military
institutions is often deliberately created through the provision of prostitution and pornography,
which enables men to “other” women and to construct themselves as being masculine. So it was
found that the use of prostitution in many forms is used to comfort and entertain soldiers and to
work them up to maintain military aggression, similarly bringing sex workers in so that soldiers can
engage in sex and often violent sex get them fuelled up before they have to go into combat. We
saw this in Bangladesh in 1997 where it was reported that pornographic movies where shown to
soldiers in some of the camps as a part of an attempt to work them up. Within this context,
hundreds of thousands of Bangladeshi women where reported to have been raped by the soldiers.
Similarly in the United States, a study looking of the US invasion of Afghanistan a society called
the Miles Foundation found very similar trends. It found US soldiers where exposed to pornography
and sex workers and this was used to fuel levels of aggression. And the reason I’m pointing this
out is that we need to see these things in a context of a gendered social order where such
behaviour is normalised and becomes part of what happens in many countries across the globe.
Now whilst the Victim Empowerment Programme has reported a number of significant
achievements, I will skim through these because I rather want to focus on some of the critics. It is
necessary to celebrate the gains made in terms of providing support to victims. Essentially the
most important achievement to date is the acknowledgement that we need, at the very centre of
our initiatives, a victim centred approach. This did not just fall from the sky and therefore requires
accolades for the work of the social movements and the victims’ rights organisations that work very
hard and campaign to get important components included in our policy. The State is being
receptive to incorporate such issues.
We have so far:






A draft-integrated victim empowerment policy.
The creation of a National Directory on services for victims of violence and crime which is
updated annually.
The minimum standards for service delivery for victims of crime and violence which sets out
quality assurance instruments for practitioners and reinforces the values of proficiency,
professionalism and respect for victims.
The DSD has also developed a women’s strategy which is a guide for gender sensitive service
delivery to women.
The strategy for engagement of men and boys in the prevention of gender based violence.
We have in terms of the Cara funds, the criminal assets recovery account. The VEP has received
in the last financial year R3, 3 million for victim support services.
In terms of the proposals as to how to use the Cara Funding it’s intended that two new shelters will
be built in KZN and Mpumalanga at a cost of R 500,000 each. Also, R 500,000 will be allocated to
working with boys and men in terms of gender based violence and R 150,000 will be given to
existing shelters across the nine provinces. This is fine but in the context of things like billions that
we spent on arms deal the amounts allocated are not that great. Accordingly we need to see these
amounts and these efforts in perspective.
Challenges raised by women in relation to Victim Empowerment Programme.
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Some of the general problems that women have been saying over and over again are that there is
a lack of citizen awareness and education. On the whole, women do not know their rights in terms
of the access to services that victims of gender-based violence are entitled to. As a result they
have to contend with a myriad of problems related to bad service such as the lack of sensitivity of
government officials. And to a large extent, the existing public awareness campaigns are mainly
driven by NGO’s and CBOs. So we have a Victims Charter that sets out the rights of women.
It is problematic when women are not aware of the rights contained in that Charter. Secondly, there
are serious resource constraints, and we saw this yesterday in the case study. The legislative and
policy frameworks for providing support to victims are meaningless without adequate resources
appropriation to give effect to them. So the police and courts are impacted upon by this lack of
adequate resources provision. This has been found in a number of studies and again it is NGO’s
and CBOs who, to a large extent, end up using resources to provide things like shelters and other
services.
An important aspect is the increased vulnerability of poor women, particularly those located in rural
areas. Most of the submissions note that the poverty and spatial location, women living in township
areas and rural areas, exacerbate women’s experiences of vulnerability and trauma in the context
of violence. In one submission, it was claimed that rural women experience and witness injuries
ranging from burns from boiling water to severe head injuries, resulting in loss of hearing and sight.
Steel pipes, sticks, knives, furniture, boiling water, fists, pieces of timber and kitchen utensils where
all used on women in rural areas. Certain women in rural areas described men as being
“professionals” in domestic violence as they would hit women on their bodies and not on the face
so that the injuries are not visible or easily discernible. It was also claimed that where women are
accused of infidelity, they sustain head and face injuries to render them “ugly” to other men. The
most critical challenge facing rural women is their proximity in terms of access to services.
There is also the lack of support to women who are victims of economic violence. The Domestic
Violence Act is progressive as it acknowledges economic violence as a form of violence. Many
submissions highlighted the fact that this manifests itself in many different ways in intimate
relationships. This includes the withholding of money, the appropriation of money earned by
women and throwing or threatening to throw them out of the home. Support provided to victims in
terms of the VEP does not take cognizance of the importance of this kind of support and it tends to
perpetuate the circle of abuse because you cannot easily leave your home if you don’t have
access to resources that enable you to find accommodation, a meal etc.
There are a number of court related problems that also emerged from the submissions. One is the
low conviction rate. Women reported a negative experience of the court process in general and the
low conviction rate of only 7 percent. It is unacceptably low and it serves as a deterrent for women
to take cases to court.
Then generally the negative experiences at court. We find that victims often back out of
prosecution due to a lack of appropriate support. There are reports of women who wait for their
court appearance in the same hallway as their assailant, which serves to exacerbate the
experience and the trauma. The postponement of cases also adds to the trauma experienced and
serves as a serious impediment to protecting women who are victims of gender-based crime.
A recurring issue that kept emerging as a serious obstacle are the clogged up court rolls and the
delays in forensic investigations. The Pretoria and Cape Town forensic offices are the ones used
for forensic analysis and this can take an inordinate amount of time resulting in delays in hearing
cases.
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There is a lack of adequate resources together with a need for more specialised courts that deal
with domestic violence. The lack of prosecutors and magistrates that deal directly with domestic
violence was consistently noted. There is a need for more support for clerks of the court as they
are the first point of contact for many complainants. There is a need for training of court officials,
magistrates and prosecutors. The current training programmes appear to be sporadic and not
effective in some instances. And what we hear many women say is that prosecutors are
inexperienced and unprofessional, and that they are ill-prepared. These aspects emerged as
major impediments to the criminal justice. Thus they require urgent training in the presentation of
evidence particularly in presenting scientific evidence in sexual offence cases.
Concerning bail; there is a need to limit bail to persons accused of having committed specified
serious offences, including rape. And there is the issue of sentencing. There is a need to provide
maximum sentences for murder and rape with aggravating circumstances. In many instances, we
still note that inappropriate statements are made by High Court judges and what appear to be
inappropriately light sentences handed down in cases of rape and other forms of violence against
women.
An example of the above is the incident where two women under the age of sixteen where raped
on separate occasions by a twenty three year old man. The second rape was committed after the
accused had been arrested for the first incident and released into the care of his guardian. The
judge listed a number of mitigating factors in the case, which included the fact that the
complainants didn’t lose their virginity as a result of the incident because they were already
sexually active.
There are also one or two police related problems. There have been reports that the police are not
maintaining the domestic violence register which they are suppose to do. It is very problematic in
terms of collecting statistics around domestic violence because it is not regarded as a crime in its
own right. Incidents of domestic violence are included among figures relating to assault, rape, and
attempted murder. When police stations are delinquent in maintaining the register it makes it
virtually impossible to collect statistics. There is also a lack of an integrated database in terms of
setting systems in place to cross-check complaints such as the status of a protection order and to
facilitate the tracking of multiple offenders. A database like this is necessary for the easy retrieval
of information on offenders. Then there is the expediting of forensic testing, the police need training
on how to properly collect DNA evidence and methods of preserving the evidence to facilitate
forensic testing. There is a need to sensitise SAPS, notwithstanding some of the initiatives in
place. Many women report dealing with very insensitive police officials and a number of
submissions describe the police as being accusatory as they would ask questions like, “Why did
you go with him”. “You should not walk in that area alone”. “You know what happens at shebeens,
you should not have been there”. Why did you wash yourself” etc.
When I sat and listened to the plenary presentations, I did not feel that strongly enough that we
were extracting the criticisms and the problems in the VEP. If we are serious about giving effects to
the rights of victims in a meaningful way, then we do need to engage more intellectually at
extracting these criticisms and coming up with creative interventions to address them. I’m really
hoping that in the course of the time that we have left at the conference that we can work towards
doing that in the interest of improving what remains an essential and a very good initiative and a
very progressive policy document. The policy is not worth much unless you can put it into effect.
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12.3.1 Presentation 3: Community Volunteer based services and Victim Support in the Western
Cape, Ms Kathleen Dey, The Rape Crisis Cape Town
We choose a case study for the presentation because case studies present ideas for action. We
felt that this was a fantastic opportunity to share with people in different parts of the country - what
was working, what was not working, what communities have learnt and how it made a difference
for them, how that inspired us and also to get your advice on the future sustainability of our project.
This focus group consists of largely volunteers who support victims at police stations. Prior to the
year 2000, NGO’s really became frustrated with the system of victim support volunteers and we
were requested to do training. We found a high turnover of volunteers doing victim support and we
found that we constantly needed to redo our training.
The focus group was started together with the Department of Health which was pivotal in the
process. More recently the Rape Crisis Centre, the Trauma Centre and NICRO approached the
network on violence against women in the Western Cape in Cape Town to host and to provide an
event for these NGO’s to come together and to start sharing information and to start talking about
the problems that we had previously encountered. We felt that what was really important was that
the focus group should be volunteer based. Our whole approach was victim centred and we felt
that the volunteers where the people who where in direct contact with victims. And by volunteers
we also mean volunteer coordinators so that volunteers have a role to provide some organisational
management to volunteers at the police stations and also to SAPS officials who have a hands-on
role in dealing with victims and with volunteers. I am going to include the business against crime
initiative as they provided the strategic focus and also promoted corporate interests in the focus
group. NICRO was also involved and as we know was pivotal in establishing victim support in this
country. Then there is the Rape Crisis Centre that focused on coordination.
We felt very strongly that the lack of coordination among government departments, and between
NGO’s and government and even between NGO’s themselves was a critical issue. It must be said
that the government departments where fantastic and are still involved in this project. The
Department of Health provided the funds for the first year of this project’s life. The Department of
Social Development played a role in policy development and the Department of Community Safety
and SAPS provided physical and organisational space for volunteers in which they do their work.
We have not worked that closely with the Department of Justice, Education and Correctional
Services.
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When we started out in 2001 we had 30 members we now sometimes have between 130 and 150
members at a rough estimate. The enthusiasm and the participation is high. An important
achievement was a model that contains the four stages to develop a victim support group:
●
Physical and organisational space. The physical and organisational space must be well
prepared.
●
Standardised training. This must be the same quality and uniformity of training for all volunteers.
●
Adequate supervision. There must be adequate supervision for those volunteers who receive
training.
●
Awareness and fundraising for the project is important so that the public know what the issues
are and know what services are available to them.
We also looked at defining who is the volunteers and what are their roles. Just to briefly recap their
roles are to minimize secondary trauma within the criminal justice system, particularly at the
reporting stage and the Department of Social Development was critical in helping us to develop a
policy.
Business against crime organised a think tank for heads of departments from the relevant
departments which resulted in an integrated business plan. The inputs and recommendations from
station commissioners were also obtained. What we are looking at now is to work towards
standardised training for volunteers in the province using a professional resource developer and
including existing training manuals that NGO’s have developed. We also aim to develop a training
tool kit and aim to become a well grounded training service provider.
Our ongoing activities include our quarterly meetings. We have regular workshops on topics that
come up from volunteers. We have 2 ‘caring for care givers’ workshops a year where people are
taught techniques for managing stress. We have a task team that steers the recommendations that
come out of the meetings and we have an annual evaluation and planning circle.
The NGO’s play an important role in analysing the problem statements that emanate from our
meetings. They analyse solutions and look at the possibilities and regularly bringing the
stakeholders together.
Going forward, our future sustainability comes from the recommendations from the volunteers and
the coordinators, VEP officials, station commissioners and indeed the working group itself.
Regarding funding, the pooling of budgets needs to be made possible but it is very difficult for
departments to do this. A standardised volunteer policy is needs to be implemented and out of that
should come a procedural hand book or manual that is accessible to volunteers and of course
standardised training as well. In addition, client’s needs must be regularly surveyed and volunteers
need regular supervision and support.
12.3.4 Presentation 4: Transgenerational impact of trauma, Ms Miriam Fredericks, Trauma Centre
The papers that serve as background to the presentation will be on the website and therefore
available to you. The Trauma Centre was established in 1993 to render mental health services to
ex-political prisoners, returned exiles and former combatants. Thirteen, fourteen or fifteen years
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down the line after democracy was established a lot of people are saying how relevant our work is.
In actual fact it is still very relevant because of the effects of torture. It is very exciting for us that
the Department of Social Development is assisting us in this work.
It has also been found that torture still exists in 102 countries of the world. Then we must also look
at the fact that our new democracy must be safeguarded. Anyone of us can be arrested and
possibly be subjected to torture.
The groups that we are working with are groups of former liberation combatants and people in the
SAPS. Unfortunately many of them do not access services. Many of these combatants have tried
to normalise their lives and have tried to form personal relationships but sometimes their own intrapsychic conflict from the past undermines the family environment. In South Africa there hasn’t been
much research done but we do base our work on a lot of other research done in other parts of the
world. So terms such as vicarious trauma and secondary traumatisation have been used to
describe trans-generational trauma transmission. Much has been written about holocaust survivors
and their children and that many of these children have taken on some of the psychological
aspects of their parents. Apartheid was a crime against humanity and was maintained through the
violence of the state. Thirteen years post-apartheid the youth in South Africa feels misunderstood
by their parents. The same claim is held by parents of those children. Trans-generational
transmission of apartheid trauma from parents to children needs attention in order to understand
the dynamics of these two generations separated by apartheid experiences. Some of the
symptoms that can be identified in the children, in some cases partners and children identified the
PTSD symptoms of the veterans. They themselves then suffer hostility, social and emotional
withdrawal, fearfulness, lack of concentration and stress related symptoms such as headaches,
sleep disturbance, and sexual dysfunction. And I think what’s really important in the field that we
work in is that often people have never looked at those aspects.
Often the above aspects manifest in the children’s behaviour: they have low self esteem, are
aggressive, have impaired social relationships, develop difficulties at school, having ambivalent
feelings towards their parents. Further, elevated anxiety levels and their symptoms can include
over-identification and intense involvement in the emotional life of the trauma survivor. There are
four major theoretical approaches to understanding trauma transmission. They are:
•
•
•
•
Psychodynamic
Socio-cultural
Family system
Biological
In the psychodynamic model of transmission, the child unconsciously absorbs the depressed
experiences of parents. In the socio-cultural model of transmission children adopt their world view
of the parents.
What I would like to share with you now is what we call a journey through generations. The political
violence programme which is what I coordinated at the trauma centre, conducted two therapeutic
camps with participants between the ages of thirteen and eighteen and they where the off-springs
of torture survivors. We actually first worked with the torture survivors themselves. We did a two
week workshop with the parents, we did intensive work with them, they also went on a wilderness
camp and then we identified the children that were at risk. I just want to share with you that the
children themselves went through intensive screening. We connect with the child and the parent
and we had a medical examination so that we knew if there were any problems that we needed to
be aware of. The goals of the camp were to begin to break down barriers, the stigma and the
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resistance to a therapeutic intervention and to encourage an insightful process within participants
in creating a better understanding amongst the second generation. Also an understanding of their
parent’s struggle and scarring and hence the impact of that scarring and then facilitate the
development of a sense of self identity.
Regarding the camp activities; we began with the games to establish trust and build group
cohesion. We did solo time and journal writing which was very important because we facilitated the
child so that they could connect with the earth and with their Africanism. For instance, certain
symbolic issues in their lives and their identity. We also did some storytelling to deepen the
understanding of their parent’s experiences. When we start the camp we take the children to sites
in the Cape Town area where their parents and other adults had participated in the struggle. A lot
of these children have not been exposed to this before and in that way one is able to break secrets
in the family. In addition one is able to deal with the fantasies of the child, as these tend to be much
stronger fantasies or violent fantasies than the reality.
We did relaxation exercises for them to reduce anxiety and manage anger and during these things
we could also observe what could be dealt with on individual basis. We did art work for non-verbal
expression and the creation of family trees. The latter was quite difficult for them as there were
often issues that they did not want to address in the group. We had inspirational movies; there was
a movie for instance called the “Whale rider” which was based in New Zealand but connected the
children to colonialism and the problems that New Zealand experienced. This was to show them
that we were not alone in South Africa and that other places in the world experienced the same
invasions or colonialism.
At the end of the programme we have a celebration before the return home and before the child
returns home we give the parents some beads and they each create a necklace of beads and they
place it on the child’s neck when the child returns home.
12.4
Commission 4: Theme 5: Research
12.4.1 Presentation 1: The Khulumani Support Group, Dr Marjorie Jobson, CSIR
The People’s Agenda work together with the Khulumani Support Group in a partnership for
implementing a Sustainable Community Investment Programme (SCIP). The role of Khulumani is
to support victims of crime and to empower them so that they find meaning to life.
The founding statement is: All economic development takes place at the local level and local
government must influence the shape and direction of local economies if the national economy is
to attain the goals set for it and if it is to grow and create a better life for all its residents.
It is very important to recognize that people are the single greatest resource and by including all
citizens in development and by increasing their skills it leads to increased opportunities for
stimulating local economies. The local initiatives, the energy, the creativity assertiveness, the
leadership and the skills will ultimately unlock the latent potential in local economies and will shape
the local spaces.
The starting point is the required revolution in thinking which is fundamental to the way of thinking
about certain issues. An evolutionary approach will be a process of gradual and relatively peaceful
social, political and economic change and advance.
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There is a need to start processes to assist local people and to place decision making in their
hands by using public dialogue and community organization. It is also important to invert traditional
development models by seeing people as owners and not as participants in achieving their
economic, social and political aspirations and facilitating an environment in which people define
and organize around their problems and aspirations.
The objective of this research is to support local knowledge, values, voices and leadership and
also to provide tools, resources and assistance to local communities to fulfil their own vision of
social and economic well-being and to transform the quality of living among poor and marginalized
populations
The two major policy thrusts of the National Framework are:

Public Sector Leadership and Governance.

Sustainable Community Investment Programmes.
There are four key strategies:
●
●
●
●
Improve good governance, service delivery, and public and market confidence in municipalities.
Spatial development planning that exploits the comparative advantage and competitiveness of
the Districts and Metros.
Enterprise support and business infrastructure development.
Introduce sustainable community investment programmes focused on organizing communities
for development and maximizing the circulation of the public spend in local economies.
I want to believe that the citizen based LED can restore the financial and economic competence of
South Africans. This will enable them to look after themselves and their families by restoring their
basic rights provided for in the constitution and will restore local community relationships with their
land and will also create a learning society where mistakes are understood as opportunities to
learn.
Looking at the SCIP methodology it calls for community economic rights to be funded through
investment in local community trusts, which decide democratically on how to spend the received
government funds to achieve agreed community goals and to earn profits for their members. This
promotes the economy and raises the local multiplier. This also helps to release local people from
their economic prisons and cash deserts.
The Child Rights Programme requires all communities to register their children who are under the
age of 18 years in order for them to receive their monthly budget of R300 that assist them in their
children’s education and health.
I believe that all the programmes that have been established and implemented do re-empower and
heal the communities and the participation in the process of reclaiming the capacity to look after
one’s family and oneself. It also enables the restoration of self–esteem, confidence and
empowerment.
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12.4.2 Presentation 2: South African women report some of the highest rates of gender-based
violence in the world, Ms Lisa Vetten, Tshwarangang Legal Advocacy Center to End
Violence Against Women
The research is about exploring and trying to find the baseline information of the extent of domestic
violence in each area and about the services that are available for women to use in time of need. It
is also to find out how domestic violence is addressed in certain areas.
While we were conducting this research we went to various hospitals and police stations and we
obtained three sources of data covering the period, 1 January 2006 - 31 July 2007:



All female admissions to OPD (204 cases)
SAPS OB register, DV register and dockets (469 cases)
Application for protection orders at the three courts serving the area (519 cases)
What I have noticed is that women are predominantly the victims of the reported incidents of
domestic violence. Looking at the records at the police stations the ratio of female victims is 88.7%,
to males 11.3 %. In terms of court applications at the courts: females constitute 82.5% and males
only 17.5%.
The concern that I have is that women report incidences to the police but they fail to follow up the
procedures and as a result all the effort is wasted when the case fails. The women that go to police
and hospitals are younger than those who apply for POs. I have also discovered that couples that
are not married are not taken seriously when they report to the police. There is also a tendency for
the same people that report the same incidences. The question we should ask ourselves is
whether the mechanisms that are in place are sufficient and how can we further educate our
community about the services that are available to them.
Woman who applies for protection orders tend to be women who are employed.
The Hospital report results show the following percentages and profiles of people that present
themselves:



66.7% are unemployed
6.9% are students/scholars
1.5% are employed
 It is apparent that woman report violence incidents more often.
Other insightful statistics are from the courts:




Weapons are used to threaten in 63.4% instances
Weapons are used to hurt in 50.2% instances
Injuries are reported by 14.1% of applicants
27.4 reported seeking medical treatment
Hospital records show that injuries are noted in 94.6% of cases and that the J88 form is completed
in 13.7 of cases.
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According to my observation I can say that there is little evidence of integrated service provision
and there is little referral by health in addressing domestic violence. There is a certain amount of
case dumping and filtering by the SAPS referral to TLAC or the courts for the protection orders.
The SAPS commitment to reducing crime may conflict with the provision of services to victims of
domestic violence. Further the recording keeping at the SAPS offices is poor; the dockets are lost,
missing or incomplete.
12.4.3 Presentation 3: An introduction to ‘Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy’, Ms Dorothy
Robertson and Ms Sharon Boyce
We are introducing you to a new concept, Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy, which is as powerful
experiential learning model which has been used to assist victims of violence and abuse
internationally, with particular reference to the youth who are at risk. This is an intervention that has
been implemented successfully and brings hope to the victims of crime.
The DVD entitled ‘Horses’ was shown as part of the research and it explains the model. The
Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy is a non-traditional form of approach and it is firmly entrenched in
the human rights principles that are mentioned in the Victims Charter.
The incidence of ‘victims of violence’ is on the increase among the youth and can be seen
internationally and here in South Africa. This is often accompanied by the increase in substance
abuse. Socially what I have seen is that violence is a perfect solution to solve problems and this
contributes to the growth of the group referred to as the ‘Youth at Risk.’
The youth at risk cannot be supported by adult family members. The lack of parent support is a
great concern and that is where the implementation of the Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy takes
place. There are many traditional therapeutic models that are used and the most successful are
those that adopt an integrated approach. The old family approach of punishing and beating a child
does not work.
The effective therapy approach includes a structure of social learning, a cognitive behavioral
approach and a family based approach. The Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy incorporates these
three approaches and therefore provides an effective approach. This therapy relates to the
individuals getting feedback from the horses which facilitate the opportunity to look at alternative
behaviours and to experience the effect thereof.
The Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy deals with animal assisted therapy; it is a non–traditional
approach. When it comes to mental healthcare it goes beyond the clinical treatment disorders and
harnesses the strength of the individual to facilitate the prevention and the resolution of emotional
and behavioural difficulties. This approach teaches them how to resolve problems and conflict and
to also improve communication and confidence and social skills. They become aware of their
surroundings, of their actions and thoughts; and it helps the individual to know that in order for the
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horse to change its behaviour they also need to change. They also learn verbal and non-verbal
communication. Further, the victims gain power over their lives in these exercises.
12.5 Commission 5: Theme 5: Research
12.5.1 Presentation 1: Sexual abuse Victim Empowerment for complainants with intellectual
disabilities, by Ms Carol Bosch, Cape Mental Health Society
The programme offers complainants with intellectual disability, in cases of sexual abuse, the same
access to justice as the general population. These people are more vulnerable to sexual abuse,
mainly due to the following factors:
•
• A high level of dependence tends to impart a tendency to comply.
The more physical care common in caring for them makes them less aware or alert to danger
signs.
• A high level of need for approval.
• May easily believe threats or accept blame.
• A lack of sexual knowledge in general, and
• Shame and guilt about disability.
Brown, Stein and Tusk (1995) cite statistics which bears this out where it is alleged that: “Incidence
of abuse among people with disabilities is four times higher than among non-disabled people.”
Perpetrators, on the other hand, perceive people with intellectual disability as “safe” or easy targets
that can easily be intimidated and who are unlikely to communicate convincingly. The stereotyping
could well be occasioned by the fact that these people are unlikely to communicate convincingly.
That is, in a situation where the testimonies of two protagonists differ; the victim’s testimony is
more likely to come off second best.
The SAVE programme assists a complainant with intellectual disability in one or more of the
following three interventions:
i) Social workers
• Support complainants and their families.
• Provide court preparation if necessary.
ii)
The Psychologist’s report providing an evaluation of:
• The complainant’s level of intellectual functioning.
• Competence as a witness.
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•
iii)
Assessment of the level of intellectual functioning of the complainant:
• History (family, developmental, scholastic, occupational).
Adaptive functioning – Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (communication, daily living skills,
socialisation).
• IQ test ISGSA.
The process of determining a complainant’s Competence as a Witness entails evaluating their
“swearability” in court, their ability to tell what happened, and general credibility.
The next step is the assessment of ability to consent to sexual intercourse. This process involves
the following aspects:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Legal definition
Area of debate
Functional assessment
Sexual vocabulary
Conception
Contraception
Sexual transmitted diseases
Sexual education
In terms of testifying as an “expert” witness the SAVE professional plays a crucial role in the court
proceedings, in preparing the court for the complainant, in assisting with knowledge about the
relevance of current issues, and ensuring the accuracy of the story and the use of clarifying
questions.
A number of trends have been identified; the following statistics paint the picture of abuse against
people with intellectual challenges:
•
• More females than males.
• Often a family member or a family friend is involved.
• More than one case with the same offender.
• Increase in referrals from rural areas.
Conviction rates of 28% (Dickman and Roux, 2005 - the number of convictions as a percentage of
the reported cases).
Our situational Analysis:
The office handles a huge volume that comprises, on average, assessing about 100 complainants
annually and issuing approximately 30 subpoenas to give expert testimony. Further the programme
runs enhanced awareness campaigns continuously. Unfortunately, there are still long waiting lists
due to lack of funding. Nevertheless, the programme has received international and national
endorsement.
A closing quote
“To deny any person their human rights is to challenge their humanity. What challenges us is to
ensure that none should enjoy lesser rights: and none are tormented because they are born
different…….” Nelson Mandela
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12.5.2 Presentation 2: Best Practice Models: RAPCAN’s approach in dealing with Children who
have been affected by Sexual Abuse, Ms Tania Moodley and Ms Edith Kriel, RAPCAN
The Situation in South Africa
Between 2004 and 2007 over 82 000 sexual offences against children were reported to the police.
The reported figures only paint part of the picture. Research suggests that by far the majority of
sexual offences are not reported to the police.
Statistics on conviction rates, expressed as a percentage of the number of cases reported, indicate
a decrease of 24% in conviction rates for 2003 as compared to convictions for the previous year.
RAPCAN’s Response: The Healer’s Package
The Healer’s Package is aimed primarily at lay counsellors and seeks to provide a set of activities
and instruments through which the therapeutic process may be facilitated. The development of
Healer’s Package resulted from a partnership with key role-players. The Current Task Team
members are Childline National, Teddy Bear Clinic, Kinder Trauma Kliniek, and Childline Kwazulu
Natal.
The Task team, in conjunction with RAPCAN, developed this resource in response to the fact that
very few child victims of sexual abuse ever receive appropriate treatment. This is because of the
shortage of professionals, as well as the limitations in relation to therapeutic skills.
It is also difficult to access these services because of financial reasons and/or physical access.
Parents are most often ignorant of the healing process, a view noticeable among some service
providers.
Objectives of the Healer’s Package
The objectives of the Healer’s Package are to:
•
•
•
•
Provide access to materials which facilitate the healing process after abuse.
Empower children and care-givers to be active participants in the healing process.
Provide access to community volunteers, social workers, clinic staff, educators and others, in
both rural and urban communities, to practical material.
Prevent the further victimisation of children.
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Contents of the Healer’s Package
The package contains the items listed below:
•
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•
A series of 5 workbooks which breakdown as follows:
A therapeutic activity book for ages 4-7
A therapeutic activity book for ages 7-12
A therapeutic activity book for adolescents
A therapeutic activity book for parents/ care givers
A workbook for healers to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills to facilitate the healing
process with the child
A travel suitcase that has the necessary toys and materials needed to facilitate the therapeutic
activities
The Pilot Project
Ten organizations were contracted to participate in the pilot project for the duration of a year. Three
objectives were identified for this pilot study. Theses were:

The relevance and appropriateness of the activities

The effectiveness of the materials in healing the child

The impact of the process on the Healers themselves with a specific emphasis on building
capacity through the training and the materials.
The Children Selection Process





The criteria for selecting children for participation were:
Aged between 4-18 years
Sexual abuse disclosed
Relevant child protection systems are involved and the child is safe
Understanding of English language
Able to attend 12 sessions.
The Number of Participants in Pilot Study
•
•
•
•
The Healers were drawn from ten (10) national organisations for a total of 39 children as follows:
4-7 years;
10
8-12 years:
17
13-18 years:
12
Caregivers:
31
Professionals came from five organisations for a sample of 29 additional children and ten
caregivers.
The results:
Objective one: The relevance and appropriateness of the materials and activities.
a)
b)
c)
d)
The Feedback is tabulated as being from:
Children
Caregivers
Healers
Supervisors
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e) Professionals
f) Task team
Feedback from the children
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Typical comments from participating children are captured as follows:
You keep up the good work!
The book helped me to heal. I enjoyed most of the activities.
For me the activity book was fine and I enjoyed using it.
I love the book very, very much.
Your process and this book is very interesting.
I enjoyed most of the activities and I think I can give other children good advice.
Feedback from the Professionals

The book is structured which is helpful for the child (to feel in control), and for the therapist (for
planning purposes and to ensure that all processes have been included)

The activities are fun for the child and help to keep them motivated.

The stories are very meaningful for the children.

The children found it helpful to have something on which the process was focused on.
Objective Two: The effectiveness of the materials in healing the child
The following is a list of poignant comments from individual children (in their words):

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I love you (mom) Eunice (healer) and Edith Kriel you did make me happy and I thank you.
You should carry on with this programme. If it worked for me, IMAGINE how it could work for
other kids!
As children we need to hold hands together and have hope.
I love my book, I love you all.
….this book helps me to change my life.
Thank you for giving me my healer.
I thank you for helping me to know myself better and be strong.
I just want to tell you how much your programme has helped me….thank you for giving me the
most caring, loving, understanding Healer.
Objective 3: Impact of process on the Healers - emphasis on building capacity
What the Healers said:
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
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
RAPCAN made an impact and a big contribution in my skill of counselling a child. When I started
to work with children I doubted myself, but now I have gained much confidence.
Through this process I have grown strong emotionally, cognitively and behaviourally. People are
telling me confidential information about themselves. People have confirmed for me that I am
caring and sincere.
I have gained more confidence in myself.
To be relied upon and trusted by people is not a simple thing, but knowing that these people
believe in me gives me the power and strength to carry on.
It made me realise that I am in the right place making a difference.
I learnt to work with difficult clients and how to help my clients relax at sessions.
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
On a personal note, my child used to live with my sister. Through this process I have taken more
responsibility and fetched my child. He lives with me now.
What the supervisors said:

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


Very structured which is helpful for the lay counsellor.
Provides a complete programme of healing, and every step of the process is clearly discussed.
Healers were aware of their limits and would ask supervisors when they felt unsure about anything.
Some of the healers are possibly more skilled than professionals.
The social workers have very high case loads and thus if the healers are not able to do this work
with the children, they will not have any access to healing resources.
 Healers are community members who have a good understanding of the dynamics and struggles
of the community from which the child comes.
What have we learnt?
1.
Support networks and healing relationships are extremely valuable, helpful and necessary to
children and families with a history if sexual abuse
2.
Caregivers need more intervention and support.
3.
Careful selection of all role-players is necessary.
Some critical questions with respect to all three objectives and attendant questions that need
further addressing are:
1.
Can therapy be put into a book?
Can this process bring about healing in the child? Can this process bring about healing in the
caregivers?
3.
Can this process be implemented by trained and supervised lay community members?
4.
Is the package user friendly?
5. Is there any contact with the courts?
6.
What about children with multiple challenges? It was advised that differential testing is necessary
since, at times, one might think a child is deaf when it could well be that the child’s level of
functionality is just low. This testing would also elucidate other short comings like intellectual
challenge, if it is there.
7.
The logistics of a roll-out of the program?
2.
12.5.3 Presentation 3: Mosaic Training, Service and Healing Centre for Women: Best Practice
Model.
Mosaic’s vision is a society free of abuse and domestic violence, while its mission
is to be a non-profit organization that enables abused youth and adults to heal and empower
themselves in dealing with abuse and domestic violence. We work in partnership with government
and other service providers in the Western Cape,
delivering a range of prevention and support services.
Situational Analysis
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Of the 625 772 cases reported during the 2004/2005 period, women and children accounted for
59% of these. In 2001, rape overtook tuberculosis (TB) as the single greatest threat to women’s
health in the Western Cape. Over 40% of men have beaten their domestic partners at least once;
Forty percent of girls’ first sexual experiences are non-consensual. Mosaic has for the past few
years consistently assisted approximately 25 000 people per year applying for protection orders;
80% are women. Another complicating factor was the influx into the area where incoming migration
numbered 297 399 in 2001 as well as 41 855 non-South Africans living in the Western Cape.
These is a high teenage pregnancy rate and dropping contraceptive prevalence as against the
lowest HIV prevalence rate (12,4%) among women attending antenatal clinics in the public sector
in South Africa.
Current Policy Frameworks and Legislation
South Africa is a signatory to International Protocols against domestic violence.
In the country we have the following legal framework enabling the fight against the scourge:
International documents and protocols that South Africa has signed, the Domestic Violence Act
(1998), The Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act (1996), the Sexual Offences Act (2007), the
National Action Plan on Violence Against Women (Kopanong Declaration 2007), the National
Strategic Plan for HIV and AIDS and STIs (2007-2011), the Anti-Rape Strategy, SAPS Western
Cape Partnership Policing Plan of Action to prevent and combat crimes against women and
children. The latter focuses on incidents of domestic violence and sexual offences, and policy
frameworks of relevant government departments.
The domestic violence (DV) victim has to be given immediate assistance in terms of protection,
empowerment, and access to justice. The long term intervention has to assist the victims
emotionally, legally, economically and in re-gaining good health.
Mosaic’s Integrated Service Delivery Model.
This model has four arms, namely, the Social Services Program, The SRH, The Court Support,
and the Skills Training.
1. The Social Services Program
This program is divided into the following sub-programs, Public Awareness, Database, and Gender
Sensitive Counselling. Working with men is an example of resources found under this sub-program
where it is in a partnership with the HWW/MAP project. It holds workshops with men and women
and develops counselling tools for men. A conference was held March 2008 to give male voices a
platform.
Court Support Groups
This program has five arms, which include awareness and court assistance, the access to justice
and DOJCD and ICD, 16 DV courts aware of these services. More than 20 000 applicants have
been assisted.
Services in court include the following: crisis counselling in the home language, explaining court
procedures, assisting with application and affidavits, preparing for hearings, referral to other
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Mosaic support (counselling, support groups; skills training; clinic, legal help), referral to other
service providers, as well as lobbying and advocacy.
The Database
The identification of patterns, the identification of hotspots, of perpetrators, and the types of abuse
as well as developing indicators and other statistics are kept. Research was also carried out in
terms of the DV, Act 1116 of 1996, regarding the effectiveness of interim protection orders, and the
attrition of domestic violence cases.
Training Program
This training programme has sub-programs for clients and service providers. Training in
communities includes training in the area of life skills and assertiveness. In prisons there are
training programs as chef assistants and pharmaceutical skills.
The following specific interventions are provided: Domestic Violence Act for court clerks;
prosecutors, magistrates, integrated management of Domestic Violence, implementation of a
Court Support Project, and SRH.
Sexual and Reproductive Health Programmes
Based on evidence gained from workshop discussions, counselling sessions and support groups
the following have been established:
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
Starting very young and 1st time often coerced. ♀ Within marriage also.
Sexual violence (rape, beatings, psychological) rife from the start.
Pregnant schoolgirls common and accepted.
If you are a virgin you are a target for rape /Gang rape.
Boys don’t understand difference between love and sex and are manipulative.
Sexually assertive girls viewed as sluts.
No discussions about sexual matters.
Boys unwilling to treat STI’s
Youth (girls and boys) ab(used) by older people for sex
Incest common
Single mothers and lack of father figure
Widespread pornography and forced watching
Youth clinic services very unsatisfactory.
Mosaic’s Services
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Contraception and family planning
HIV/AIDS testing and counselling and STIs
Cervical screening and breast examination
Pregnancy testing
Rape medical help, forensic evidence, lobbying and advocacy
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Research
Access Database
Free counselling
Follow-up Referral
The Patient rights charter states that every patient or client has the right to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
A healthy and safe environment
Access to health care
Confidentiality and privacy
Informed consent
To be referred for a second opinion
Exercise choice in health care
Complain
Participate in decision–making that affects his/her health
Be treated by a named health care provider
Refuse treatment
Knowledge of their health insurance/medical aid scheme policies.
Identified Priorities
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
♀
Focus on needs analyses at local level
Finalise a counselling tool for male abusers
Workshops for boys, men and perpetrators with MAP
Develop materials for youth groups out of school
Parenting workshop materials (involve fathers)
Setting up a 2nd clinic
Pilot medical abortion and emergency contraceptive campaign
Roll-out of Court Support Program
13.
FACILITATORS’ REPORT BACK TO PLENARY:
SESSION 1: COMMISSIONS 1- 5
13.1
Commission 1: Theme 2: Management and Partnership
Facilitator: Ms Prudence Ramolehe
Presentation 1: Ikhaya Lethembe One stop Centre
Intermediary Services for Child witnesses testifying in Criminal Courts
Presentation 3: Shelters - are we making a difference?
The one-stop centre approach was discussed against the background of all the stakeholders being
under one roof and thus working in the best interests of the victims. The shelter presentation
provided the commission with the method and interventions and the services that they use.
Against the background of the theme of the commission we defined ‘partnership’ as a process or a
relationship between or among entities that have a common vision or goal. A partnership is made
up of stakeholders: civil society and government departments. ‘Management’ is where we
implement the services and help the client through the various stages and processes. The process
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needs to be managed so that the person does not fall between the cracks in the system. Against
such a definition the one stop centre felt that they can:
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


Operate very well.
They can be accountable and they know where the process is.
They can give feedback and make follow ups.
They can provide support throughout the system.
Cients can be referred.
In general, the commission looked at 2nd level management and discussed the issue of corporate
governance, i.e. the board and the managers and the skills required such as financial, marketing
and leadership skills which are important in the sector. In addition, the need for capacity building to
ensure VEP services was look at. An issue raised was the lack of personnel that impacts on
management as good service cannot be provided. Further it was agreed that good coordination
and management would provide good services.
The presentation on intermediary services for child witnesses testifying in criminal courts dealt with
issues such as the support for child witnesses. We shared a lot of statistics as to how the court is
handling such cases and there was some concern around this issue. Another aspect of concern
was that it was not automatic that intermediary services would be provided in the case of a child
under the age of 18 and that this would depend on the decision of the presiding officer. Another
issue that was raised is that victim empowerment services, the VEP and restorative services must
be linked, due to the fact that we cannot separate HIV/AIDS from domestic violence and restorative
justice.
Regarding shelters, an issue that we discussed at length was housing for women from shelters as
women that ultimately leave shelters do not have anywhere to go and hence the Department of
Housing should be involved in providing such housing. The Northern Cape Province has already
provided some housing for such persons and they are busy compiling a policy regarding this issue.
Another area of concern was that overall the government tends to be reactive.
There was another concern; that we do not sufficiently focus on therapeutic intervention, and
among others, that we do not build the person’s life skills and their personal development. With the
result that after 6 months the person may come back as these aspects were not properly
addressed.
Volunteer training was also examined. We do have volunteers that need training and we need
volunteers that are counsellors. Part of the recommendation is that there should be a standard
volunteer training body for volunteer training.
The recommendations were:




Effective communications among the stakeholders.
The establishment of service level agreements for accountability purposes was identified as
the most important thing that we can do.
Joint planning and joint training, which among other things would ensure a common vision and
common goals.
Effective monitoring and evaluation. We need documentation regarding best practice.
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13.2
Commission 2: Theme 2: Management, Partnerships and Research
Facilitator: Mr Joel Mokonoto
Presentation 1: Reaching and assisting victims of trafficking
Programme of Assistance to the Government to prevent human trafficking
Presentation 3: DSD Specific Anti-Rate Strategy
Presentation 4: VEP – An evaluation study
tation 2:
Taking the human trafficking presentations together there were a number of resolutions made.

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Too little research is done regarding in-country human trafficking.
What is the impact of human trafficking on our departments and facilities, logistics and human
resources as we do not record such instances. In short – we do not have the system in place.
IDMT to include Departments such as Home Affairs and Education and such inclusion to be
cascaded to the provinces and local government. The Department of Home Affairs particularly
needs to be included in human trafficking, while the Department of Education is needed to teach
people about human trafficking.
Strengthened partnerships and management models related to human trafficking and all
departments need to be involved.
What is the cost and impact of human trafficking on society?
Educating communities to accept back into their communities those women who were previously
trafficked.
Language barriers prevent communications between service providers and victims. Most
information is in English. There is a need to communicate at the level of the communities so that
they are able to understand.
The referral systems in the sector dealing with human trafficking are not in place. The conference
case study of the day before is such an example.
There are only minimum standards at facilities that deal with human trafficking.
The criminal aspects related to human rights needs more attention, currently we do not have
legislation on human trafficking.
Close the gaps in our current legislation.
Regarding the presentations on the anti-rape strategy the following important points were made:

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Presently the anti-rape strategy only addresses issues after the rape has occurred, whereas it
should focus on the preventative aspects as well.
Appropriate responses are required from all stakeholders to victims of rape. Again the conference
case study of yesterday serves as an example of how stakeholders do not use the referral system
correctly.
Services in rural areas need to be strengthened and further, we do not have statistics to
determine the extent of the problem and therefore to correctly address the issue.
Political commitments and mobilization needs to be in place and needs to be strengthened.
The relationship between the media and government and other sector players needs to be
strengthened and success stories need to be communicated countrywide.
Support of victims on ARV treatment to be strengthened as many cases are lost in the system
because they cannot be traced after their first treatment.
DCS needs to teach and counsel people before they are released so that they do not see women
as targets for rape.
The presentation on the VEP evaluation study illuminated the following:
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Research collaboration and collaboration between researchers and management is required for
good programme governance, while research findings need to be applied to policy and practice.
Often research that is provided is filed and not implemented.
Face to face interviews give better results, such results are better than questionnaires being sent
to people.
The management team must provide solutions to challenges as the research does not or cannot
always provide such solutions.
If every VEP team member became a champion in the sector it would be a major step to
strengthen the programmes.
13.3
Commission 3: Theme 4: Service Delivery
Facilitator: Ms Gladys Mangwani
Presentation 1: A Service Charter for Victims of Crime in South Africa
Presentation 2: The VEP with the New Integrated Service Delivery Model
Presentation 3: Language Difference and Translation in Counselling
The suggestions of the 1st presentation were:

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

To advocate that the Victim Charter be linked to the existing instruments such as the
Constitution.
How does one shorten the referral period between one institution and the next?
Involve the municipalities in victim empowerment programmes.
The inclusion of the victim empowerment in the IDP.
One needs to obtain CSOs statistics on crime.
Have a VEP awards event in the conference’s gala dinner in the future.
The victim empowerment sector including communities and CBOs need to be involved in
developing policy at local level.
hTe victim empowerment team should involve SALGA so that the latter can give a directive/s to
municipalities to integrate victim empowerment in their work.
The proposals of the 2nd presentation were:

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


Advocate for better skills to ensure better service delivery in the victim empowerment
programmes.
Highlight service delivery models that have been used in the field.
Outline the areas that the training programmes should cover.
Determine how to develop needed skills; the knowledge base, the micro development skills, and
the macro development skills.
The traditional training is not adequate to deal with the South African context, and community
development workers need to be trained in victim empowerment. In addition, current training for
health care professionals should be changed.
Academics, other researchers and service providers need to work together, to make their
curricula more relevant.
Presentation 3 covered the following:


Advocate for the use of an interpretive model when translating in a counselling context.
The skills of the translators are different.
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
13.4
There are various types of diverse trauma found in the sector.
 Recommendations:
Clarify the role of the translator.
Establish good relations between the counsellor and the client.
Translations should be interpretive and not mechanistic.
Jobs descriptions must be clear as well as the performance appraisal process.
Commission 4: Theme 5: Service Delivery
Facilitator: Prof Tandeka Mkiwane / Report back by UNODC Consultant
Presentation 1: Exploring Hate Crime – Issues and responses: A LGBT perspective
Presentation 2: Intersections across VEP key departments
The presentations at the commission dealt with exploring hate crime and also lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) perspectives. The other presentation on intersections across the
VEP also focused on LGBT issues. Policy frameworks and strategies on the prevention and
management of child abuse, neglect and exploitation were also included.
There was a focus on service delivery by government and NGO’s and their responses to LGBT
issues and to children at risk. The panel noted the progress made with the new Children’s Act yet
also observed that in the broad policy framework there was a legal blank specifically with regard to
hate crime. Given South Africa’s history it is surprising that hate crimes are not targeted by
legislation and thus attention should be paid to this.
It was recognized that the gap between legislation and practice needs to be narrowed and that
South Africa has made significant progress in terms of the ratification of global instruments that
protect vulnerable groups. The challenge remains to translate this into practical responses. Such
practical applications require proper definitions; such as ‘what is a child?’, ‘what constitutes a
family?’, and ‘what constitutes a vulnerable group?’
The need for an inter-sectoral and inter-disciplinary group was identified as a gap. The gap was the
need to monitor and enforce standards. The state must take primary responsibility for the provision
of services to it citizens, and this cannot and should not be delegated to the NGO sector. We felt
that the NGO’s should be supplementary to that which is required of government. Adequate
resources must be given to the VEP sector to enable government and non-governmental players to
respond.
Government departments must be informed of policies and procedures and in this respect the nongovernment sector can play a crucial part. This can also prevent the secondary abuse of victims as
they go through the system.
VEP was also described as a very reactive sector and one that focused on the management of
crises as opposed to prevention; this was an issue that we highlighted.
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13.4
Commission 5: Theme 5: Training, Capacity Building, Monitoring and Evaluation
Facilitator: Ms Myrtle Morris
Presentation 1: Enhancing service delivery through capacity building
Presentation 2: The impact of vicarious trauma on mental care workers
Presentation 3: The Draft Integrated Victim Empowerment Policy and the Service Charter for
Victims of Crime
The first presentation concerned research done about service delivery enhancement though
capacity building. The recommendations made distinguished between NGO’s and government:

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
NGO’s:
A capacity building model should be targeted at all NGO’s which provides customized content
and delivery.
Skills transferral should take place.
There should be twinning and mentoring of NGO’s. However a concern is the funding linked to
such twinning.
Support from government departments is important for NGO’s to be developed.
Training intervention should be SAQA accredited. Further, the challenge and difficulties of getting
SAQA accreditation should be a conference resolution.
Government:




Government officials should be involved in capacity building programmes.
There should be formal Key Performance Areas (KPA) required of officials to improve support to
NGO’s. This is an important aspect because it can be linked to EU and UNODC funding.
The establishment of new NGO’s only if they can be supported.
The mandate of the Departments of Health and DSD should be understood.
The 2nd presentation on the vicarious trauma on mental health care workers identified:
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The challenges that health care workers face in the mental health care of victims of trauma.
The effect of the trauma of victims on the health care service providers.
The challenges to self care.
The lack of time and resources as well as work overload.
Poor inter-personal relationships between management and staff.
The lack of continuous professional development and the implementation of recommendations
made as to improving these issues.
Presentation 3 provided a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) model that provides the matrix of the
input and outputs for each of the intervention strategies or programme components. The paper
also focused on a recommended implementation plan for M&E by the Department of Social
Development.
In the ensuing discussions the commission said that M&E must be developmental and be less of
an ‘inspection’ process. The evaluation should be internal and external which should start when the
business plan is submitted.
From the discussions the following emerged:
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It was recommended that the NPO Act be reviewed.
The NPO Directorate should improve their accountability and responsibility.
Duplication of services needs to be addressed.
NGO’s that ceased to function had to be deregistered.
Gaps in service delivery must be addressed.
NGO’s and Government to be transparent for the developmental process to be successful.
The lack of protocols for the VEP, as suggested by the previous speakers, needed to be
addressed.
The need for information to be dissemination at grassroots level was emphasized.
M&E is an integral part of the business plan and should not be look at separately.
M&E to track progressive development.
The importance of oversight by VEP coordinators was raised, with some delegates noting that
there was no oversight.
The coordination and location of the VEP should be reviewed. A suggestion was that it should be
coordinated from the President’s Office.
Strengthening of forums is crucial in the VEP process.
The design of a uniform template to be used for reporting by all stakeholders.
We all need to share best practice models to increase the support system.
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14.
FACILITATORS’ REPORT BACK TO PLENARY:
SESSION 2: COMMISSIONS 1- 5
14.1
Commission 1: Theme 5: Research
Facilitator: Ms Thembi Madidimba
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
Presentation 3:
Presentation 4:
An innovative methodology to assist victims of crime at the trial phase
Put perpetrators behind bars
Sexual Assault - Economic Loss: Survey
Giving effect to the Rights of Child Victims in the Criminal Justice System
Presentation 1 provided an overview of an innovative methodology to assist victims of crime at the
trial phase and it spoke to court preparation and the empowering of victims to testify in court. The
‘peace’ model is used; prepare the victim, engage and explain all the processes that will occur, the
victim must know that he/she is accountable for actions in the trial phase, after testifying, the
closure of the chapter of testifying and the identification and evaluation of what was done well, and
where there is room for improvement.
Presentation 2 dealt with sexual assault and the economic loss incurred. Mostly we tend to look at
victims and the pain and suffering that they endure during their victimization. However we tend not
to look at their costs; such as medical costs and transport costs to doctors and courts etc.
The recommendations were:

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Education of communities regarding the social relief of distress.
If possible, link communities to SASSA so that they can apply for such relief.
Social workers should write reports for victims so that they can access such grants.
There should be offender compensation – although not all offenders can afford to compensate
the victim.
The victim compensation fund is a model found in India (In South Africa there was a similar
proposal but it has been put on hold).
Presentation 3 dealt with the rights of child victims in the criminal justice system. It emphasized the
rights based approach which revolved around the best interests of the child. The child must be
given a voice to raise opinions and concerns. There are more initiatives to improve investigation
outcomes than to improve the needs of the victims.
A suggestion was made that South Africa should use advocacy centres as the USA presently uses.
One observation was that some of South Africa’s one-stop centres serve the same purpose.
Further observations were:
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Child protection services should be informed of services rendered to victims.
The local VEP forums (being inter-sectoral) should address these matters.
Social workers are responsible for victim impact assessments.
14.2
Commission 2: Theme 5: Research
Facilitator: Ms Zoleka Mteto
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
based violence
Presentation 3:
Presentation 4:
Crime Prevention through Victim Policy: An assessment
DSD Strategy for the engagement of Men and Boys in the prevention of gender
Empowering victims (former combatants) through ecotherapy
Trafficking children in the SADC Region
Presentation 1 dealt with the roles of victim policies and crime prevention, including a focus on the
Victims Charter and also on minimum standards. The presentation looked at the objectives of the
VEP and the related policies that give effect to rights and needs of victims as well as crime
prevention. The research spoke to specific services oriented to specific kinds of victims and not to
the general approach to service delivery, i.e. a one-size-fits-all approach. The research also
suggested that policies should create guarantees for services for victims and that there was a need
for the rationalization of VEP policies. Lastly, it also spoke of the importance of the integration of
the VEP policy and the integration of systems.
In presentation 2 the rationale was to reflect on the Department of Social Development strategy
The Engagement of Men and Boys in the Prevention of Gender-based Violence. A draft strategy
which includes the inputs from all the provinces has been finalized and will be piloted over a period
of 6 months. The aim is to encourage men and boys to eliminate all types of violence.
Presentation 3 focused on ecotherapy as an intervention to heal violence induced trauma and to
reduce fear and anger. It highlighted the fact that ex-combatants were both perpetrators and
victims. Ex-combatants had experienced trauma and felt anger at the lack of reward and at their
sense of powerlessness. The aim was that they should learn to forgive their enemies and acquire
anger management skills.
Presentation 4 looked at the strategies to prevent child trafficking in SADC and also looked ahead
to the 2010 World Cup, and beyond. It highlighted the results of the assessment conducted, the
lack of legislation in criminalizing trafficking, and the high levels of poverty that contribute to the
high levels of trafficking.
The study identified a strong need for integration, networking and strengthening international social
services. There were gaps created by the lack of networking and the children sometimes literally
‘disappeared’ in these gaps.

The general comments of the commission included:
Acknowledgement of the government’s initiative regarding engaging men and boys both as
victims and as perpetrators.
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A suggestion of adopting ecotherapy as a means to deal with gender-based violence.
The question around the capacity of the child protection units was raised.
14.3
Commission 3: Theme 5: Research
Facilitator: Ms Sharon Kouta
Presentation 1:
Presentation 2:
Presentation 3:
Presentation 4:
A review of violent men and intimate partner violence in South Africa
Critique of the VEP: achievements and challenges
Community Volunteer Based Services and Victim Support in the Western Cape
The transgenerational impact of trauma
Intimate partner violence in South Africa is still a huge problem characterised by very little attention
being paid to the perpetrators. Also covered was the effect of domestic violence on children. The
complexity of intimate partner violence needs to be understood, while integrated and proactive
strategies are needed to deal with the issues. Nicro has published a ‘toolkit’ and this information is
also available on the website. Noteworthy is that 40 - 70 percent of women killed are killed by their
partners.
The VEP was dealt with in presentation 2 which looked at the VEP in terms of its impact and
support to victims of gender-based violence. As South Africa has one of the highest rape and
femicide statistics in the world the VEP should provide appropriate support to these women. The
presentation looked at ten submissions that were made to parliament as well as the submissions
from women’s organisations and women in poor rural communities. These submissions raised a
number of problems related to support to victims of gender-based violence which included generic
problems, court related problems and problems pertaining to areas of service delivery.
Presentation 3 concerned the case study on the multi forum communities in the Western Cape
which included volunteers, official personnel, government departments and local NGO’s. From this
process volunteers working with victims identified problems and provided their own solutions.
NGO’s analysed these suggestions and convened a task team that regularly brought all
stakeholders together to examine the implementation requirements. State organisations provided
the physical support and the project funding. The model so developed emphasized the importance
of policy and training for the maximization of volunteer impact and the minimizing of secondary
victimization.
The final presentation spoke of former victims of combat as survivors of torture and that many had
tried to form meaningful interpersonal relationships but that sometimes their own internal conflict
played out in the family environment. The trauma centre developed a model to address this
transference to children.
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14.4
Commission 4: Theme : Research
Facilitator: Ms Innocentia Mosemeng
Presentation 1: The Khulumani Support Group. The DPLG Socio Economic Development Unit
Presentation 2: South Africa has some of the highest gender-based violence in the world
Presentation 3: Enquire Assisted Psychotherapy, a powerful Experiential Learning Model to assist
victims of violence and abuse
From the three presentations the commission attempted to address a number of issues:

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Does the VEP sector effectively address domestic violence?
We agreed that the sector is not effective and needs more monitoring and evaluation and
accountability.

What is the role of government and the civil society sector in addressing domestic violence?

There are a lot of gaps and there is confusion about roles.
 A protocol document needs to be developed to address issues of domestic violence and should
include aspects related to reaching the people that need such services.
 The protocol document should also make provision for an integrated referral system.
 The provincial Victim Empowerment Forums should also be strengthened to provide for domestic
violence issues.

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Is MRM really on board?
Religious and traditional healers should be involved in the VEP programmes.

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Is restorative justice an effective approach to violent crimes?
Training in restorative justice is recommended.
There is a need for the mapping of services including community based services.
14.5
Commission 5: Theme 5: Research
Facilitator: Mr Radesh Byroo
Presentation 1: RAPCAN’S approach in dealing with children who have been affected by sexual
abuse.
Presentation 2: Sexual Abuse Victim Empowerment (SAVE) for complainants with intellectual
disabilities.
Presentation 3: A best practice model for domestic violence.
RAPCAN’S presentation of their approach in dealing with children who have been affected by
sexual abuse included the display of a healer’s package in a travel suitcase. The presentation
covered the following:
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In South Africa between 2004 and 2007 over 82 000 sexual offences against children were
reported to the police. Statistics on conviction rates vis-a-vis the number of cases reported indicate
a decrease of 24% in conviction rates for 2003 as compared to convictions for the previous year.
RAPCAN’s response to the situation of rape in South Africa includes ‘The Healer’s Package’
which is aimed primarily at lay counsellors and seeks to provide a set of activities and instruments
through which the therapeutic process may be facilitated. A task team in conjunction with RAPCAN
developed this resource in response to the fact that very few child victims of sexual abuse ever
receive appropriate treatment, due to the shortage of professionals, as well as the limitations in
relation to therapeutic skills.
Some of the objectives of the healer’s package include:
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To provide access to materials which facilitate the healing process after abuse.
To empower children and care-givers to be active participants in the healing process.
To provide access to community volunteers, social workers, clinic staff, educators and
others, in both rural and urban communities, to practical material.
To prevent the further victimisation of children
The contents of the package include:
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A series of 5 workbooks:
A therapeutic activity book for ages 4-7
A therapeutic activity book for ages 7-12
A therapeutic activity book for adolescents
A therapeutic activity book for parents / care givers
A workbook for healers to acquire the relevant knowledge and skills to facilitate the
healing process with the child

A travel suitcase that has the necessary toys and materials needed to facilitate the therapeutic
activities.
A pilot project was launched in which ten organizations participated. Some of the results achieved
thus far have covered a variety of positive responses from the children, parents and healers. The
package appears to be a tested kit and has proved to be a useful tool in dealing with children.
In the presentation on sexual abuse and victim empowerment for complainants with intellectual
disabilities the presentation demonstrates how the SAVE programme offers complainants with
intellectual disability the same access to justice as the general population in cases of sexual
abuse.
In such cases perpetrators perceive people with intellectual disability as “safe” or easy targets. The
victim can easily be intimidated and is often unlikely to communicate convincingly. Of concern to
be noted , is the fact that the incidence of abuse among persons with disabilities is four times
higher than among non-disabled people.
In assisting the abused, social workers support complainants and their families and provide court
preparation if necessary. In addition, the psychologist assesses the complainant’s level of
intellectual functioning, competence as a witness, capacity to consent to intercourse and the
emotional effect of the alleged rape.
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The trends in such sexual abuse are:
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•
•
•
•
More females than males are abused.
The perpetrator is often a family member or a family friend.
There is usually more than one such case involving the same complainant.
There is an Increase in referrals from rural areas.
The conviction rate is only 28%.
MOSIAC’s best practice model for domestic violence (DV) entails the organisation enabling abused
youths and adults to heal and empower themselves after experiencing abuse and domestic
violence. MOSIAC works in partnership with government and other service providers in the
Western Cape and delivers a range of prevention and support services.
MOSIAC’s integrated service delivery model includes social services, court support and skills
training on gender based violence. The social services programme includes awareness,
counselling, networking, support groups and a database. They also work with men and are
currently developing a counselling tool for men. They also have a rehabilitation project for court
mandated offenders. The court support programme includes awareness, research and training.
The training programmes include life skills, assertiveness, chef assistant training, permoculture
skills as well as training for service providers. Their sexual and reproductive health programme
includes awareness, clinical services and research.
15.
Panel Discussion: Points of clarity and questions
15.1
Aspects raised by the delegates
Oversight and monitoring

Regarding oversight, monitoring and evaluation regarding victim empowerment; if services are
not being delivered at the grassroots level according to the manner required, who can one report to
for action to be taken. The problem is that one cannot go to local forums as they are run by the
same stakeholders and thus nothing will happen.

The structure that was previously explained i.e. that the district forum reports to the regional
forum which must report to the provincial forum which must in turn report to the IDMT is not
workable, especially for day-to-day problems. Thus if a police officer refuses to investigate a case
of alleged child abuse one cannot wait for six months while this goes through the system.

Does the monitoring and evaluation process take into account aspects of empowerment, its
content, its outcomes and its impact?
Structure of the VEP

Regarding structural issues of the VEP and the line function of the VEP, I understand the role of
the national management team. However, for coordination one needs to have a certain structure
that will coordinate and evaluate the implementation of the VEP. I would like to be given the
structure and the line function starting from the local structure up to the national structure.
Housing for victims of crime' and abuse
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Examples were earlier provided of what was being done in the Northern Cape regarding the
provision of housing to victims of domestic violence. We therefore recommend that the National
Department of Local Government and Housing also come up with a special housing programme for
victims of domestic violence.

The houses in the Northern Cape were built mostly by women. They were given to abused
women, disabled women, elderly women and those with HIV/AIDS, a.o. The Northern Cape is also
busy building houses with Statistics South Africa and later we will be joined by the municipalities.
Integrated referral system

Commission Five dealt with research. One study provided indications that referrals were not
integrated and hence we as a group proposed that there is a need for the Department of Social
Development to develop procedural guidelines for such an integrated referral system.
Twinning between bigger and smaller NGO’s

Regarding the issue of smaller NGO’s being mentored by bigger NGO’s – how will this be done?

Regarding the bigger NGO’s that would mentor the smaller NGO’s; is there any mechanism that
will be used to monitor the bigger NGO’s? There have been instances of the smaller NGO’s being
exploited by the bigger NGO’s.

Regarding twinning of smaller NGO’s; not all the provinces appear to be the same. In Limpopo
certain basic things are not in place, for example, not all NGO’s have bank statements and
therefore cannot get funding. Rather than twinning, such smaller NGO’s should be capacitated.
Thus even when there is no funding they will be able to run their NGO’s.

Our experience of twinning is that the main problem is the lack of capacity among the emerging
CBO’s. By way of example, when NGO’s are twinned, the stronger agency is held accountable for
the money that it receives and provides to the smaller agency. Our experience is that when we
have tried to offer capacity building the smaller NGO’s often decline saying that they do not need it.
The smaller NGO’s also do not understand the basics of budgetary lines i.e. if an item or
something is budgeted for, that earmarked money cannot be used for something else that has a
different budget line or has not been budgeted for.
The elderly in the VEP
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I would like to hear that older women and men also be part of the victim empowerment
programme. There has been very little said about the elderly.
Volunteer training

Volunteer training is important and we need to know what training there is. Further, short course
training such as 2 – 3 days is not enough. And in addition, we should rather look at the long term to
sustain volunteers and to create career paths for them. Volunteer training should be specific.
Perpetrators and victims
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Regarding ex-combatants; who runs the programmes? Also as far as perpetrators are concerned
as well as victims; are the perpetrators only men or are women also perpetrators? Also, can men
be victims as well?

There are women, children, elderly and other ‘focus’ persons in the department and we need to
be told about issues so that we know what can be done.
Research presented to the conference

A great deal of research has been done and has been presented to the conference. What are the
strategies or mechanisms to ensure that the research findings do not remain on the shelf and that
they will be applied?
15.2
Responses by the Panel of Facilitators
Oversight and monitoring
If the sector is not performing well then one should follow the steps through the local, provincial
and national levels. Taking the example of the policeman who will not investigate alleged child
abuse one needs to go to the area station commander. If it is social workers that are not
performing then there are district managers that one can take this up with.
The VEP does not operate in isolation as it falls within the criminal justice system and hence there
are structures in place. By way of example, at the national level there is the Justice Development
Committee that is chaired by Advocate Simon Jiyane. Further, as the DSD is the lead department
in terms of coordination, every month the department is expected to present a report that is
integrated in the programme itself. If there is a department that is not meeting its responsibilities
this is reported to the Justice Development Committee which in turn reports to the DGs cluster.
Even at provincial level we have development committees and we do also have the IJS Forums.
These are the forums that must take action against any non-delivery of service and they in turn
also must report to the national JCPS cluster.
We look at empowerment at the same time when we look where the gaps in the system are and
where the challenges are. Thereafter we develop a plan that must be inclusive and empowering.
Regarding the issue of the structures; we have a national task team that consists of departments
and NGO’s. We also have provincial VEP forums where we have departments and NGO’s in one
forum. In most of the provinces they are not running very well due to partnership and relationships
that need to be worked on. Regarding district forums; the same processes are supposed to take
place.
Twinning between bigger and smaller NGO’s
Regarding the twinning of NGO’s - in Gauteng it is already being done. Such twinning also
depends on the way the business plan is written for smaller and bigger NGO’s. When funding is
provided, the NGO’s have to submit 6 monthly reports via the local office. In this way, if the
objectives are not being met, that office will follow up with the organisation/s and address the
issue. If the smaller NGO feels that it is not getting the level of service that it should, according to
the service level agreement and the business plan, they have the right ask their programme
manager to have it followed up.
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Regarding the mentoring role of the bigger NGO’s, a specific service level agreement is signed
with specific outputs calling for quarterly reports by the smaller and bigger NGO’s.
Integrated referral system
In our feedback session it was indicated that the commission emphasized the need to integrate the
referral system not only to cover human trafficking but to have one referral system to cater for all
the victims.
Perpetrators and victims
Regarding the services for the combatants; no department leads this process at the moment. It is
said that the DSD should take over the process and lead the programme. As to the study that was
done, it was completed by the National Peace Accord Trust.
Victims are considered to be men, women and children.
Volunteer training
Regarding training of volunteers; some are very experienced and very skilled but do not have the
certificates. However there are volunteers that have different skill levels within the different parts of
the sector and therefore we need a SGV to determine the level of skills and to address areas of
need. Importantly, the auditing of services can identify the skills that volunteers need.
Research presented to the conference
Regarding research being utilised and not shelved; the conference is the platform where this is
shared and the DSD is doing as much as it can to ensure that the research is shared.
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DAY 3 – PROVINCIAL FORUMS AND CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
16.
Summary of the previous day
Ms Melanie Goble, Executive Director, Leving Waters, East London.
Yesterday plenary in session 1 broke into five different commissions and after a short break
continued, in session 2, with another five commissions. All ten commissions were addressed by a
number of speakers but unfortunately there were too many speakers and there was too little time
for quality interaction with participants, which placed pressure on both groups.
Hereafter the facilitators from all ten commissions provided feedback to all the delegates in
plenary. The feedback generated discussions and many spoke to the challenges faced by
government and civil society. We know what we should be doing but we need to get together to
form a more cohesive and integrated service. As this does not come naturally we will have to work
at it to make it happen.
Some of the issues raised were:
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
Multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral services working hand-in-hand.
Funding, administration and management were also identified as playing a vital role in providing
quality services to clients.

More interaction needs to take place between all stakeholders in the VEP sector.

Civil society plays a critical role and is an essential partner to government.

The mentorship role that civil society needs to play vis-a-vis smaller and emerging players is
significant to help their development in the sector.
The day was highlighted by a gala dinner to celebrate the 10th year of the existence of the VEP.
Mrs Vuyelwa Nhlapo directed proceedings very well and the Durban Divas provided the music. The
highlight of the evening and one that will remain for a long time in our memories was the short but
powerful address by Dr Mogadi. He taught us the difference between knowledge and wisdom in a
way I believe we will never forget: knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not
putting a tomato in a fruit salad. We were also reminded of the (fictitious) conference where the
ostriches were taught how to fly, but when the conference ended and all left - the ostriches all
walked out the building. So dear colleagues the gauntlet is there, as we all leave this conference
today – let us fly.
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17.
A SWOT ANAYSIS BY NATIONAL AND PROVINCIAL FORUMS OF THE VEP
17.1 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Free State Province
Aim of the session
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Discuss how best we can improve and strengthen the provincial VEP Forums
District Forums as well as local ones to be attended to as well
What are the functions of the National VEP Forum as well as the Provincial VEP Forums
Functions of the VEP Forums (National and Provincial)
-
The terms of reference has been read and will be provided to the Free State delegates.
The team needs to know what is Restorative Justice so as to know how it links to the Victim
Empowerment Programmes.
Facilitate, evaluate and monitor the VEP Programmes.
Interdepartmental and inter-sectoral forums.
Developing effective governing structures such as the forums need to be established. DSD is the
lead department.
Capacity building.
Strengthening of resources.
Stimulate volunteer involvement.
Reduce secondary victimisation.
Encourage cooperation with the criminal justice system.
Reinforce socially desired behaviour: discussions to be held with the victim as well as the
perpetrator.
Prevent victimisation.
Ensure collaboration and involvement of critical stakeholders. Victim Empowerment is to ensure
that there is a golden thread in service delivery.
Governing structures for VEP
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Social Development is the lead department (has to chair and provide secretariat services).
Reporting to the Criminal Justice Sector Cluster.
Collaboration and integration of services amongst all the stakeholders.
Representation in the Forum as outlined in the Terms of reference.
Each department must establish an inter-departmental Victim Empowerment Forum.
Non-governmental organisations to be involved.
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Resource directory to be developed for the Free State Province.
Swot Analysis

Strengths:
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Passion is there.
Services are available.
Stakeholders in the province are identified.
Structures are in place.
Political commitment exists.
Guidelines are available.

Weaknesses:

-

-
There is little or no coordination.
No framework at the local level.
Inadequate communication amongst the stakeholders e.g. invitation to meetings and other
activities especially from provincial and district levels.
Vague job descriptions, and because it is not made part of the key results areas, it may mean
that it will be rendered on an ad hoc basis.
No accountability and responsibility within DSD with regard to VEP Programmes. It is not
prioritised.
Limited resources available to ensure the implementation of Victim Empowerment Programmes.
No acknowledgment of VEP in the Provincial Treasury hence no adequate funds are made
available.
Marketing of the VEP is not adequate.
Training is not integrated.
Opportunities:
Roles and responsibilities of districts to be clarified and strengthened.
Increased commitment by the various departments.
These stakeholders will have the opportunity to go back to their various departments and
organisations and market the VEP and to motivate involvement and VEP’s prioritization. This
especially at the District and Local levels.
Conference provides the opportunity to enhance VEP.
Threats:
Confusion in terms of the inclusion of VEP in the job descriptions of personnel in Social
Development.
VEP is rendered on an ad hoc basis.
Representatives serving in the forums may not have decision making powers and thus it may
happen that activities to be undertaken are delayed.
Sustainability and no security for organisations, especially when funding is not available.
Dynamics in the district and local municipalities are not the same.
Misuse of the same person who is always nominated to serve in forums, especially at district and
local level. The person may not be able to cope with the responsibilities and it may happen that
inadequate attention is given to the VEP activities.
\
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17.2
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Gauteng Province
Swot Analysis
Strengths:










Functional provincial forum.
11 functional regional forums.
Partnerships with local government, DCS and DSD exist.
There are also other structures such as health forums and para-legal forums.
Shelter networks.
Community safety sector summit structures.
Variety of other structures in the province.
Skilled people and structures.
Committed and loyal members.
Good interpersonal relations with most service providers and stakeholders.
Weaknesses:





Multiple forums and committees.
No standardized structures and policies within local government.
Local government now setting up crime prevention, victim empowerment, and gender and men’s
forums.
Lack of synergy among existing structures.
No coordinated NGO structures.
Opportunities:





Development and signing of SLA’s and MOU’s.
Database of all organisations that will cluster organisations according to service levels.
Database of all forums, which allow organisations to slot them into the correct forum.
Involvement of Men and Boys and perpetrator programmes.
HOD’s and Directors of NGO’s to nominate representatives with a formal mandate to represent
agencies, departments and organisations at the provincial forum.
Threats:


Diversity of organisations.
Poor understanding of people’s roles and responsibilities.
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



Lack of knowledge on structures.
Multiple understanding of VEP and its focus.
Lack of dedicated people to attend forums.
attendees change.
Lack of MOU’s and SLA’s.
NGO’s are more consistent, but Government
Additional Notes:








17.3
The roles and responsibilities of the different levels of the forums were unpacked (Anna).
How do we bring all the issues of vulnerable groups of victims onto the agenda: LGBT, the
elderly, disabled, refugees etc.
We also need to ensure that male victims of crime are included and not only focus on women
and girls, and on domestic and sexual violence.
Local and regional structures are in place to ensure that service protocols exist and that they
are implemented. They monitor agreements that are set up to ensure that local services are
offered.
Provincial structures exist to ensure that the environment required for the local structures to
function is created. It also addresses geographically cross-cutting issues, such as resource
allocation and policy development.
Departmental representatives should be put forward by the relevant HOD’s and should have
the capacity to make decisions.
There was some discussion around the division of issues at the local level. Some
participants felt that there should be multiple focus groups at the local level to look at specific
groups, while others felt that there should be one large forum, in which victim specific issues can
be addressed.
Forum members need to be skilled and capacitated in order for the forum to function
correctly. New recruits need to be inducted into the culture and mandate of the forum.
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Eastern Cape Province
Swot Analysis
Strengths:













We have people dedicated to the program.
The availability of funding from the Department for the implementation of the program.
A fair representation of all stake-holders.
The funding of the establishment of integrated safe-homes, where people can access to services.
Two victim support centres that are in Eastern Cape.
We have policies and guidelines already in place.
We have gathered at the conference as network partners.
We have a referral system and role clarification.
We have commitment to continuous training and development of service providers.
We have passion for people.
We have an awareness campaign and integrated programs at the local level.
The exposure we get from the DOSD.
VEP is a provincial priority.
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



We are getting donor funding for the Eastern Cape from the UNODC.
We have an integrated program for Family Resources and the VEP.
Conducting research into identifying the needs of the people for optimal utilisation.
There are CARA funds available.
Weaknesses:












Inconsistencies of the retention of staff.
Lack of commitment to attend forum meetings.
Lack of integration in awareness campaigns.
Working in silence in certain sectors.
Timeous communication.
Monitoring and evaluation.
Collection of data and sharing the important information.
Lack of capacity in certain NGO’s to ensure minimum service delivery.
Few organisations that deal with VEP issues at a local level.
Lack of institutionalised training.
Involvement by the Premier’s Office.
Private sector is not always used for funding.
Opportunities:







Funding, as government has made funds available for these programs.
Universities in the provinces that can assist the VEP.
Political support.
Faith based organisations to be involved.
Training for more effectiveness.
Strengthen partnerships with the private sector.
Well established organisations to assist each other.
Threats:













High level of human resource turnover.
VEP is a provincial priority, but other departments, though they have the mandate, do not prioritise
VEP.
We do not have an integrated year plan.
We are reactive as a forum; we only act when something happens.
Issues of corruption.
Xenophobic attacks.
The instability of the SADC region.
Make sure that we are visible as a program.
The moral degeneration of society.
We don’t propose solutions and positive alternatives with our preventative programs.
We need to produce more therapeutic programs within our province.
The scarcity of social workers within our sector.
Escalating alcohol, substance abuse, drugs and satanism.
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
Changing factors affecting the family and the lack of a support system for vulnerable child-headed
households.
Institutional mechanisms were also discussed:

The VEP forums: There are some districts that have existing forums, but in others there are no
district forums that are active. There are also local joint structures that exist and are active. The
DSD is supposed to be the lead department for the VEP forums. We also need to strengthen the
NGO-VEP forums.

Recommended Structures:
We need to strengthen the district and local forums, without any duplication.

A suggestion was made to approach the Independent Complaints Directorate to join our VEP
forum.



Dates of meetings:
Provincial Forum should be held bi-monthly.
District Forums will inform the provincial office when they are going to meet. They are also
to submit minutes of the meetings to the provincial office by the 30th of each month. These
meetings should also be held bi-monthly.
Area Forums/Local Forums to meet monthly and monthly reports to be submitted to the
provincial office. The reports to be submitted by areas and districts should be on the 25 th every
month.
On the 2nd September, the Provincial Forum will come up with a list of the dates for the rest
of the year.


17.4
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Kwa-Zulu Natal Province
Aim of the Session


Discuss how best we can improve and strengthen the provincial VEP Forums. District Forums as
well as local ones to be attended to as well.
Determine the functions of the National VEP Forum as well as the Provincial VEP Forums.
Swot Analysis of the VEP Forums
Strengths:







The Provincial Victim Empowerment Forum.
NGO’s as a sector.
Good legislation.
A dedicated budget that is part of the DSD.
A restorative justice programme.
Department of Justice.
The Constitution demands that we provide equal services.
Opportunities:

Regional and local forums.
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





SAPS started a monitoring system which includes 122 police stations.
Counselling and court preparation of victims.
The point of entry should be there for, with the regional forums reporting to the province forum.
Use in the VEP of some database.
Larger NGO’s to mentor emerging NGO’s.
The CSIR has a child network database that is online.
Weaknesses:














Regional integration is pivotal and is not yet attained.
Provincial victim empowerment forum meetings; only one meeting thus far this year.
The structure of the forum to be adapted to meet the needs of all stakeholders.
Need to enact the VEP draft policy.
Need for benchmarking.
Sometimes the programme exists but is neither fully active nor decentralized.
Inadequate services for the elderly and disabled.
SAPS personnel get training but specialization is needed and staffing is required.
More mentoring to take place.
Staff are challenged throughout the sector.
Need a database of NGO’s in KZN to know what services are available.(1)
New service providers need to be compliant to registration requirements.
DSD is the lead department but cannot do everything.
A national drive to skill the youth.
Threats:

Training and capacity is need in police stations in Zululand and other areas, as they do not know
how to deal with victims and thus secondary victimization takes place.

Some rural areas have no victim empowerment and no NGO support groups whatsoever.
The recommendations were identified a follows:


A Doctorate has recently been completed and this research should be obtained. (1)
The databases / lists of KZN actors’ needs to be circulated among all stakeholders and to then
reside with the Provincial Forum.

A study to be done to determine the minimum standards for the VEP.
Swot Analysis of the current Victim Empowerment Forum: KZN
Strengths:


Monthly protocol players have meetings: Justice, NICRO, Legal; Aid Board among others.
To obtain information the Province Coordinator can be contacted.
Weaknesses:



Social workers see shelters as places of safety.
While certain actions work at particular levels they do not work at all levels.
Need to look at the Terms of reference of forums regarding what they address and who the role
players should be.
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







The victim empowerment forum is not able to implement decisions as they do not have the
mandate. (1)
Representation at the forum is not fixed. (2)
Regular attendance does not occur.
There must be standards of reporting and the resolutions of the forum must be implemented. (2)
Need to improve the structures: district, regional and local. (2)
Municipal boundaries also present complications to the structures. (2)
Need to have four regional managers to manage the regional structures.
The various departments must nominate people to attend meetings.
Opportunities:




Province to have an integrated Justice Forum.
UNODC will fund provincial coordination for the province.
A person will be appointed to coordinate the Provincial Forum.
Determine the size of the clusters? Should all eight departments be involved as well as the eight
from each district municipality? Who will represent the NGO’s and how will this be determined?
What is the feedback mechanism to other NGO’s regarding what decisions are made at these
clusters? (3)

Learn from other provinces.

Departments should align their staff according to how the regions are defined.
Threats:

Overlapping meetings due to different regional demarcations result in people not attending the
meetings after a while.

There needs to be a commitment to the regional meetings and to the VEP.
Specific Recommendations










The victim empowerment forum should be driven from a higher level and DSD should ensure that
all forums operate properly. (1)
A responsibility manager is needed to resolve such issues. This needs to be discussed with
relevant counterparts. (2)
One of the prerequisites for this is a database of stakeholders. This needs to be deliberated at
the provincial level by the right people. (3)
A provincial coordinator could provide the necessary coordination. (3)
The terms of reference must also be dealt with at a provincial level. (3)
The persons that need to attend structures need to receive a letter mandating them to attend and
thus their responsibility is clear. (3)
Bi-monthly meetings should be held in Pietermaritzburg with NGO’s that operate at the provincial
level to also attend.
Terms of reference to be circulated.
Finalization of the terms of reference must be an initiative at the national level.
Regions need to be clarified as the Department of Justice, Department of Health and other
departments have their own regions that differ from those of DSD and others. This impacts on the
clusters as well.
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17.5
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Mpumalanga Province
SWOT ANALYSIS
Strengths:









The expertise of people involved in the VEP.
Local forum meets quarterly.
There is political will and support.
The province has the organisations in place for the VEP.
Service delivery is provided despite a number of capacity challenges: human, capital and other
resources.
Capacity building is provided to a wide range of people and organisations e.g employees and
CBOs.
There are dedicated staff and stakeholders.
Thuthuzela task teams have been established and are supported.
Awareness campaigns are conducted on all VEP conventions.
Weaknesses:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Lack of an integrated approach.
Senior management does not give support and guidance. They don’t know the VEP, themselves.
Inadequate and inaccessible shelters.
The shelters are poorly staffed.
There is insufficient reporting of information obtained from workshops.
NPA is not sufficiently active in the province.
Lack of consistency of performance on VEP programmes by capacitated people in the province.
Generic approaches versus specialized approaches puts pressure on staff.
There is poor budgeting across departments.
The IDP does not prioritize VEP, especially housing for victims.
Forensic medical nurses that are employed for the investigation of rape cases are not
recognized as specialists.
Poor working relationships with municipalities.
Municipalities are often characterised by inconsistency in addressing the needs of victims.
Capacity of medical and health professionals is poorly addressed, together with the lack of a
retention strategy.
Opportunities:





Identified stakeholders to hold regular meetings.
Use legislation at our disposal.
Appointed coordinator to oversee and manage coordination.
Use the budget wisely to achieve maximum results.
There are opportunities that can be maximized regarding the World Cup in 2010, for e.g. setting
up measures to mitigate the issue concerning human trafficking because there are no formal laws
to regulate this crime.
Threats:
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


Mistrust: The NGO’s regard Government as not willing to give resources.
NGO’s are not accountable for funds allocated to them.
Lack of staff: No VEP designated staff in other NCPS Departments. VEP posts are not budgeted
for and not filled.

Paradigm shifts: Officials are not willing to change and internalize the VEP objectives and
address it as a Programme in its own rights and to implement it accordingly.

Working in silos: NCPS departmental services are not integrated.

Competition amongst the various departments is unhealthy.
Institutional Mechanisms







Commitment.
Integrate services in line with NCPS.
Performance of employees (PMDS) to be inclusive and to clearly include VEP and also to be
measured. This will reflect commitment.
All departments to have designated posts for VEP.
Need for DSD to have a MOU with all the stakeholders in VEP.
Departments to align their operational plans / strategic plans with the NCPS. These combined
strategic plans can form a VEP Action Plan for the province.
The challenge is that there are many structures in place that cause duplication which results in
poor attendance (1).
Structures


17.6
There should be consolidation of structures in DSD. In addition there should be statutory
obligations. (1) These issues to be finalized in the coalition meeting scheduled for September
2008. All dates to be sent out after consultation.
All meetings to be held quarterly in line with operational plans / budgets.
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forum in the
North West Province
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:








Local and provincial structures exist.
Draft integrated victim empowerment policy exists which includes other stakeholders.
Existing draft secretariat improvement plan.
Active participation of forum members.
Resource directory is available.
Coordinated activities.
Funding is available.
An integrated VEP plan in place.
Weaknesses:

District forums have not been established.
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







Local structures are not capacitated.
Lack of involvement of other stakeholders.
Lack of human resources capacity.
Lack of representivity.
No consolidation among forums.
Inadequacies in civil society.
Principle of coterminous (common boundaries / demarcation) not observed by all stakeholders.
An ineffective referral system.
Opportunities:



Stakeholder mobilization.
Adhere to coterminous boundaries /demarcations.
Platform of coordinated approach for NGO’s through the VEP.
Threats:
●
●
●
Different area demarcations by departments that prohibits proper coordination.
Not all departments are involved.
There is no collaborative data base for the victims.
Recommendations:
●
Guidelines for representation at provincial and local forums.
Institutional mechanisms:


Establishment of ward forum/s, local forum/s, district structures and provincial forum/s.
Develop guidelines for the setting up of the forums. Local forum/s should ensure the inclusion of
information at ward level.
Recommend Structure:
A Provincial Forum

A Provincial Forum which should be composed of two representatives from District forum/s,
Provincial departments and NGO’s. The Director for the VEP programme to be an ex-officio
member.
Local Forum

Local forum/s should consist of ward committee members, departments, NGO’s and a service
point manager as an ex-officio member.
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District Forum

This forum should consist of three people from the local forums and district NGO’s, CBOs and
FBOs. The District manager to be an ex-officio manager.
Meetings


Quarterly meetings are held by the Provincial forum.
Local forums hold their meetings monthly.
Recommendations


To establish district forums.
To distribute the secretariat improvement plan to stakeholders and districts for their inputs.
17.7 The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Western Cape Province
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:





The province has 26 well established structures which, to a variable extent, deal with VEP related
aspects and represent all categories of victims. (However, the provincial VEP office has been
operating for some time as an on-and-off structure. Largely, in its absence the departments have
been guided by the NCPS in making plans and assigning a budget to implement those plans)
Minimum standards for shelters are in place.
There is a focused victim centred campaign.
Victim services are more visible.
Victims are now involved in parole board hearings.
Weaknesses:








It has been noted that some people sit in many forums and debate similar issues over and over
again.
The Provincial VEP Forum is supposed to coordinate the 26 structures that were formed
independently of the VEP process. (the latter was in response to variable challenges in society. As
a consequence there is both duplication and fragmentation of vision and purpose)
The victim empowerment policy is still in draft form.
There is no fulltime dedicated DSD coordinator.
The program is under-resourced mainly because victim empowerment is seen as peripheral.
There are no sufficient local /rural forums. Where there are, they are not adequately supported.
Very little awareness and prevention work is done.
There are very few therapeutic services to victims.
Opportunities:

The appointment of Ms Sharon Kouta as the Western Cape VEP Coordinator (UNODC) is a huge
plus for the province.
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






Even though she has no counterpart at the provincial government level, her influence can be
counted on.
The broad spectrum of representation in the various structures has potential for a powerful forum
once it is formed.
Community Reparation Funding will be available in the short term which will open further
avenues for intervention.
Communities are beginning to assert themselves in terms of developing local forums.
The European Union has pledged 20 million Euros nationally which, together with the funds from
the Assert Forfeiture Unit and elsewhere, will boost the resources for the VEP.
The guidelines and instruments and protocols are in place.
The local authorities remain to be tapped.
Threats:










There is no mechanism for accountability.
There is insufficient monitoring and evaluation of what all provincial structures are doing even
with bi-lateral agreements in place in most cases.
There are no mechanisms for enforcing existing policies such as the Victims Charter, minimum
standards, and so forth.
There is no Western Cape Coordinator from September 2008 onwards.
Changes in the political climate in the country and regionally cast a cloud of uncertainty.
Deteriorating economic climate places a strain on the meagre resources of most structures.
Inconsistent attendance of meetings by key stakeholders robs the VEP of building momentum
since delegates miss meetings and have to be updated. Alternatively, different people represent
certain structures and attend without being previously briefed. It is normal for such people to be
‘lost’ and to profess that they have no mandate from their departments to vote on issues.
There is a trend of drawing CSOs in as service providers. The negative effect of this is that CSOs
find little time to concentrate on their advocacy work and have to nurse the egos of their
‘employers.’
Unregistered shelters operate in shocking conditions and thereby harm the reputation of the
sector.
The SACCP has a negative view of counsellors and volunteers.
Recommendations:
Urgent attention must be paid to the appointment of a dedicated VEP Provincial Coordinator for
DSD and for all other departments in the province. VEP is a programme that cuts across all other
programmes, sectors and provinces; and as such needs a dedicated driver.
Some of the current Structures
Structure
1. Gender Justice Forum
2. Prov. Victim Support Task Team
3. The Network on Violence Against
Women
Parent
Organization(s)
Dept of Justice
Correctional
Services,
SAPS,
BAC, Network
NGO’s
Frequency
of Meetings
Monthly
Monthly
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4. Prov. Child Protection Committee
5. Housing Forum
6. Western Cape Forum for
Intellectual Disability
7. Western Cape Forum for Mental
Disability
8. Shelter Focus Group
9. Trafficking Task Team
10. 777 Alliance
11. Prov. Child Justice Forum
12. Prov. Gender Machinery
13. Network for Refugees (Tutumiki)
14. South African Women in
Dialogue
15. Children’s Rights Advisory
Council
16. Social Transformation
17. Human Rights Network
18. Rape Survivors Reference
Group
19. Safety & Security Forum
20. Early Childhood Development
21. Western Cape Older Persons
Forum
22. Volunteer Policy Working Group
23. Substance Abuse Forum
24. NECOSA (Western Cape)
25. Anti- Gang Forum
17.8
Social Development
NGO’s
NGO’s
NGO’s
Justice
monthly
Monthly
Premiers Office
Ad hoc
Premiers Office
Premiers Office
(being phased out)
Ad hoc
Ad hoc
Prov.
Safety
Security
&
DSD
Monthly
Monthly
Districts
–
monthly;
Provincially –
bi-monthly
State & Civil Society
DSD
NPA
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Cape Province
Aim of the session:



Discuss how best we can improve and strengthen the provincial VEP Forums.
District Forums as well as local ones to be attended to as well.
Determine the functions of the National VEP Forum as well as the Provincial VEP.
SWOT Analysis (National and Provincial)
Strengths:




We do have a common understanding.
Major stakeholders are involved.
Commitment from stakeholders.
Meetings take place regularly.
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Roles of the stakeholders are clear.
Provincial VEP Forums.
District Forums.
SAPS, WAC, CPF, victim friendly facilities, FCPU.
Correctional – Complainant Involvement Programme.
Training by NICDAM.
Accentuated and integrated public awareness.
Weaknesses:
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No local VEP Forums.
No organized supportive NGO sector.
Lack of vibrant NGO’s.
Lack of marketing and communication strategy for VEP.
Lack of integration in the VEP.
Opportunities:
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Involvement of young constables in VEP.
Standardized marketing strategies.
Re-orientate CDW’s in stretching the VEP services.
An improved plan of action.
Standardized reporting format.
Conscious custodian of VEP in the Province.
Creation of gender focal services.
Develop a special recruitment strategy for scarce skills.
Threats:
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Absence of OSW in the VEP.
Limited budget allocation for the VEP.
Lack of dedicated VEP staff.
Vastness of the province.
Lack of infrastructure and poverty.
Cultural diversity.
Sustainability of volunteers in terms of stipends.
Substance abuse in the province.
Lack of vibrancy of MRM.
Absence of social workers and the lack of a retention strategy.
There is a lack of political buy-in.
Institutional arrangements

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Development of a recruitment and retention strategy for social services.
Designated official to run VEP forums.
Rotation of chairman to involve all role players and Social Services and the Department
of Justice to remain the custodian.

DSD to be the permanent secretariat.

Representation at VEP must be mandatory and obligatory.
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A proper schedule for VEP meetings to be diarised and the VEP forum should meet bimonthly.

JPC to present the 10th anniversary VEP conference report plan by the end of
September 2008.

Strengthening the VEP forum by end of October 2008 by including the following:

Provincial OSW
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MRM
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SALGA
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SASI
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Kgalagadi district

Traditional leaders

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All districts VEP Forums need to be re-organized by the end of November 2008.
Local forums must be established by end March 2009.
Pursuable resolutions:
Integration of services
Come up with a strategy of dealing with local government and to come up with a strategy in
allocation of housing for victims.
17.9
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: Victim Empowerment Forums in
the Limpopo Province
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
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VEP structures are in place especially in various government departments and communities.
The Provincial and district coordinators are elected and active at all levels.
The volunteers are recruited and trained.
The involvement of most of the relevant departments and stakeholders.
Long and short term shelters are in place.
Commitment and goodwill of VEP management.
Calendar of activities is observed e.g. 16 Days of Activism.
Provincial summits are held to strengthen the partnership between government departments, civil
society and the business sector.
Annual General Meetings are held as a revival of the programme in the province.
Weaknesses:
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Lack of cohesion and solidarity within civil society.
Lack of implementation of resolutions taken in meetings.
Slow response by the private sector to assist structures.
Insufficient and inconsistent funding.
Not all officials in the Community Service Centre are trained concerning the VEP.
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Other departments do not have help desks/coordinators on VEP.
Opportunities:
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Training of volunteers concerning different legislation.
Volunteers to be sent for auxiliary social work training.
Introduction of the Thuthuzela Care Centre in the two districts i.e. Vhembe and Capricorn.
Workshops to be conducted for volunteers on issues such as human trafficking and moral
regeneration.
Strengthening of partnerships through provincial summits.
Awareness campaigns need to be conducted.
Relations between SANGOCO and VEP.
VEP is linked to EPWP.
Management support from different departments.
Political support to VEP programmes.
Threats:
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Lack of standalone capacity of civil society
Civil society does not speak with one voice.
Insufficient capacity among certain volunteers.
Brain drain of NGO’s to government.
Participation of NGO’s in marketing of VEP services.
Language diversity.
Insufficient funding.
Lack of support from the business sector.
Funding from DSD not inclusive e.g. human resources.
VEP centres at district level are still depending on SAPS and DSD for transport to render
awareness campaigns.
Institutional Mechanisms:
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

Chairing of the VEP structure is different from one district to another.
Provincial structure, district structure, and local structure.
Represented by DSD as lead department with other departments.
Only four districts have VEP committees (except Waterberg).
Recommended Structures in the VEP:
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Department of Health and Department of Social Development.
Department of Education.
NPA-SOCA unit.
Departments of Justice and Constitutional Development.
Department of Correctional Services.
SAPS and CPF.
House of Traditional Leaders.
SACC and FBOs.
Department of Home Affairs.
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Department of Provincial and Local Government in the Province with SANCO.
All Civil Society Organizations in the VEP sector.
Institutions of higher learning.
Youth structures at all levels.
Business structures.
Traditional healers association.
Moral regeneration movement.
Department of Security and Safety.
Labour Unions.
Terms of Reference for Provincial and District Forums:
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Promote coordination and implementation of victim friendly policies and services within the
provinces and within government departments.
Standardized mechanism for referral systems (protocol).
Development of resources directory for the province in terms of service providers and available
services.
Effective evaluation and monitoring mechanism.
Develop a schedule for conferences, seminars and workshops in the VEP and trauma support.
To handle communication and coordination of problems such as to identify crucial areas of public
information which are lacking in government and the NGO’s.
Develop a communication strategy for the VEP management team.
Promote the participation of NGO’s in issues of VEP.
Develop a programme for the extension of victim offender mediation.
Proposed Dates for Provincial Meetings:
18th September 2008
20th November 2008
22nd January 2009
19th March
2009
17.10
The Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats: National Stakeholders
SWOT Analysis
Strengths:
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VEP moved from a development approach to being action oriented.
Movement towards pro-active approaches.
Buy-in from leadership and from political leadership for the national strategy.
Legislation and policy frameworks are in place.
The lead department has been strategic.
Commitment from civil society.
Have learned lessons from past experience.
Crime and violence issues have been mainstreamed.
Existence of victim empowerment programmes.
Team work.
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Intra-departmental DSD meetings can serve as an example for other stakeholders.
International support.
VEP management structure intact and operational.
Terms of reference for management team exist.
Threats:
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Sustainability of the sector includes management issues.
Erosion and degeneration of a human rights culture – e.g. xenophobia.
High crime rate (especially among the youth and in schools).
Internationalization of democracy and human rights culture is lacking.
Changing role/s of people in management structure/s.
Lack of funding for civil society.
Lack of self-reflection in the sector (government and civil society).
Lack of understanding of sector specific integration of structures.
Victim empowerment: victim and UNODC linkages have not been done.
Insufficient platform for self reflection.
Possible increase in the exploitation of women and children in 2010.
Lack of adequate planning for 2010.
Changing political landscape and uncertainty.
The level of victim empowerment representation.
Victim empowerment 100 is broad and diluted.
Non-delivery after the Summit and after the Conference.
Opportunities:
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Different funding models.
Learnerships.
Presenting the victim empowerment budget to Treasury.
Resources are available (resource allocation).
Re-structuring of the criminal justice system.
Many stakeholders and possible resources.
Available best practice.
Resolution could be disseminated to different stakeholders.
The 10th anniversary has created new energy.
Change in political leadership.
Funding by UNODC can open other funding opportunities.
The media.
Role of civil society in advocacy and lobbying.
Emphasis on safety at the 2010 World Cup.
SAQA qualifications.
Video opportunity for marketing.
NGO victim empowerment Summit.
Using the voice of victims for marketing.
Use international platform and obligations.
Use restorative justice.
Research: evidence based.
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Packaging and strategizing of the conference resolutions.
Communication and information strategy.
Weaknesses:
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All departments do not support the NGO’s.
All cross-cutting issues are not represented.
Local government is not sufficiently involved in VE issues.
Registration of NGO’s and the necessary legislation in this regard.
Lack of a volunteer management system and policy.
Lack of a standardized funding model.
Lack of inter-departmental meetings and coordination.
General lack of community mobilization.
Costing for budget and victim empowerment is ineffective.
Separate victim and victim empowerment meetings.
Information and knowledge management and communication is lacking.
Department of Communications as a key partner is not involved.
Accountability, oversight and monitoring are lacking.
Victim empowerment is not integrated in strategy plans of department.
Mechanisms for monitoring of service delivery.
Fragmented and non-collaborative partnerships
Clarity of goals in partnership with civil society is lacking.
Unrepresented and non-mandated civil society involved.
Lack of local government representation and other departments.
The management forum is not a strategic structure.
Lack of inter-departmental collaboration.
Insufficient transparency regarding the victim empowerment budget.
Lack of political buy-in on victim empowerment.
Strategy objectives are not well unpacked and thus are difficult to operationalize.
Recommended structures
Institutional Mechanism
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Provincial counterparts are not communicating with National counterparts.
Ensure that VEP appears in each department’s strategy plan and that monthly sector reports are
provided.
Have a targeted strategy and budget for the victim empowerment sector.
Have an illustrated version of mechanisms and structures for the victim empowerment sector.
Have a two-day strategy plan for the team that will also include an expanded national
representation and also taking into account the victim empowerment links with structures.
Next year have a cluster budget that is inter-departmental.
Need to have civil society representatives to endorse the strategic plan/s.
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A revision of the victim empowerment strategy.
Need to develop an action plan from the conference resolutions and the Summit discussions.
Have nodal (and not just a contact) person for the department.
Need to look at links between victims, victim empowerment and the UNODC.
18. Message from the Civil Society Summit - June 2008, Ms Venessa Padayachee,
NICRO (Summary)
I will not provide too much detail of the Summit as there is a full report thereof. I will however make
the link between the Summit and this conference as the Summit indeed led up to this conference
and in both cases had the partnership of the EU, the UNODC and DSD.
The Summit theme was: ‘Strengthening Partnerships in Delivering Integrated and Coordinated
Services for Victims of Crime and Violence.” Thus the Summit was looking at the importance of
partnerships and coordination.
The mandate of the VEP programme calls for partnerships between national, provincial and local
government departments and civil society organizations, volunteers, the business sector, and the
academic and research institutions. The purpose of the VEP is to facilitate the establishment and
integration of inter-departmental/inter-sectoral programmes and policies. Again, note the emphasis
on partnerships.
To achieve the vision of the VEP and to improve and expand the structures and services
require the strengthening of partnerships with civil society and other stakeholders and the creation
of a supportive environment for sustainable partnership formation.
We have spoken about the importance of partnerships for the last ten years and we are at the
stage where we require practical solutions. How do we strengthen these partnerships and are we
clear as to our roles and responsibilities? Partnerships require such clarity if they are to be
effective and strengthened. Further, partnerships require clarity regarding principles and values.
These are aspects, among others, that the Summit dealt with.
The delegates at the Summit were drawn from CSOs, NPO’s (incl. CBO’s, NGO’s), academic and
research institutions, the business sector, students, government officials and the UNODC.
I feel that at the conference and similarly at the Summit, there is real commitment from government
and from civil society to improve their working relations and to work more effectively together.



The issues that came up at the Summit and that have come up again at this conference are:
Establish a strong representation/presence of civil society at both national and provincial level to
improve service delivery.
Explore strategies to address issues of capacity building and sustainability for civil society.
Building government, business and civil society partnerships.
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Promote dialogue, collaboration and coordination.
The duality of the role of civil society which includes advocacy.
Identify challenges and create solutions to strengthen the VEP sector.
A summary of key outcomes from the Summit:
Partnerships




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


Strengthened and sustainable partnerships.
Funded partnerships with all relevant government departments.
Civil society, business and government partnership, including relevant funding models.
Creative and collaborative funding models that can include funding from a cluster of government
departments. Thus other government departments, other than the DSD, should embark on
establishing funding models for the VEP sector. The Summit commissions also looked at these
issues.
Involvement of provincial and local government.
Respect and acknowledgement of civil society’s dual role in advocacy (shaping policy) and being
a service delivery partner (supplement government services).
Civil society needs to organise itself to be a watchdog in the country.
Clarity of roles and responsibilities.
 These various funding models that were discussed at the Summit will be taken up in the
operationalized action plan presently being formulated.
Coordination and Integration

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
How does civil society organise itself; and the possibility of a civil society network was raised. At
the National Management Team level we have realized that civil society organisations that are
represented on the team do not have a mandate from civil society to represent their interests and
certain issues. Therefore we need to look critically at how civil society will achieve adequate
representation at every level. I would like to ask civil society organisations to remain behind after
the plenary so that we can look at a way forward regarding this proposal.
Facilitate more structured coordination, synergies, and partnerships among CSOs.
The shelter movement was launched at the time of the Summit and the progress made regarding
shelters is promising.
Government: intra-departmental and inter-departmental coordinating issues and partnerships
were raised.
At the end of the Summit there was a very real sense that the objectives and the theme had been
accomplished. The issue of civil society came out quite strongly at the Summit; their roles and how
to strengthen the partnerships and the need to understand the historical role of civil society
organisations in South Africa. This important historical role was acknowledged by government to
civil society at Summit.
Key issues and critical themes emerging from of two day deliberations


Although there are interventions across the country many are not equally distributed, coordinated
and some are not sustainable.
Key issues of sustainability were raised so as to engender strong partnerships. Sustainability and
funding, including long term funding, are important for service delivery. These issues are contained
in the Summit report and will be contained in the operationalized action plan.
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Lack of adequate collaboration with the civil society sector. The history of the civil society
movement and the current funding models has created a situation where civil society organisations
do not work together. The competition for limited funds has caused this lack of cooperation in the
civil society sector.
There is complexity in the civil society relationship with the state caused by the dual roles of
being a service delivery partner and of being a ‘social watch dog’. Added complexity is also due to
the power dynamics.
The Summit programme included five commissions that looked at the following:


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

Coordination of services in the VEP sector.
Sustainability of CSOs on Community Based Services (Best practice models).
Effective services rendered to victims of crime and violence in shelter and the role of
government and civil society in prevention programmes.
The vision of the NPO on the Financial Award system.
Role of Business Sector in Victim Empowerment.
The services in the VEP sector require:



Coordination.
Mobilization of civil society organisations.
Strengthening of forums.
The above emphasizes the value of the victim empowerment forums; the mechanism and the
structure actually facilitates participation, especially by civil society organisations. Unfortunately
many of these structures have not worked optimally with some no longer working, especially at the
local level. Often the test of overall coordination is the collaboration and coordination at the local
level.
There is not enough time to go through all five commissions but the overall message was that
there cannot be proper service delivery if there is insufficient coordination and partnership.
If one looks at the issues of sustainability of societies it is clear that a definition and clear
understanding of the ‘what and how’ of the sustainability of the sector and the role of stakeholders
is needed. It requires benchmarking locally and abroad and also the building of capacity as a
priority so as to share expertise, resources, and power. This includes building synergies and
partnerships among civil society organisations at the local level. Further, civil society has to build
sustainable strategies that also go beyond funding and it also needs to treat business as a partner.
Business should not be seen merely in terms of funding, but should be viewed in terms of capacity
building, and a resource base of skills and knowledge.
The issue of volunteers came up at the Summit as well as stipends for volunteers. There is a need
for a national volunteer policy. Regarding stipends; there is no standardization of amounts, with
different amounts paid by different departments and different organisations.
The Summit dealt with the questions of clarity and the observations of the delegates. These were
as follows:
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Civil society relies on government financial assistance to provide services and this is the obstacle
to civil society fully taking up its dual role.
Due to the important role played in extending government’s service delivery, civil society asks for
greater respect from government in recognizing its dual responsibility.
Civil society needs to unite on the issues at hand and on their rights.
CSOs need to get their house in order and look to the example of the unions that had no teeth
until they united.
There is a need for critical and strategy thinking
Insufficient space for consultation and for dialogue and hence such space should be created.
More prevention strategies.
Collaboration and partnership can only take place if persons involved are ready for such
relationships.
Clarity of government and civil society roles and responsibility. This relates to the ‘power
dynamics’ of the government and civil society partnership.
More involvement of CSOs.
Lack of transparency government spending.
In closing, the common vision is to strengthen partnerships and to improve services for victims of
crime and violence. Although it has been raised time and time again – we are hoping that through
the Summit and this conference that this does not become a talk shop. There are however proper
operationalised action plans. There is a proper communications strategy and there should be a
follow-up as to how the plans have progressed.
This is also a bottom-up and not only a top-down approach. This process can improve with the
strengthening of the VEP structures at a local levels; this is a key priority of the VEP at present.
19. Endorsement of the Conference Resolutions: Advocate Brandon Lawrence, VEP
Management Team Member, NPA
We have asked a lot of questions and most importantly we have asked questions of a programme
that is only ten years old. Why are we so negative, we need to ask ourselves? We also need to ask
ourselves: “Have people actually listened?” We are all here to achieve the same objective. We
should also ask ourselves if we have listened, and if we have been asking the right questions?
Based on the above I have gone back to the presentation and the resolutions that were made as a
team.
Firstly, we have to acknowledge that we have made significance strides. Also we have to
acknowledge that the concerns are real and that they have a direct impact on seamless service
delivery. We are here to reflect about what has been good and bad over the past ten years.
The case study on the first day, as to how a victim is assisted by the various government
department stakeholders was instructive of the need for coordination. We need to see how
successful the case study was in the areas of dis-coordination and the non-alignment, and in
sector specific priorities as opposed to victim centred policies. We need these aspects to come
through in the resolutions. But before I go further, the VEP Management Team deserves a round of
applause as they are ‘walking the walk.’ However, the road ahead requires the embodiment of the
spirit of partnership and Ubuntu and it is this that needs to be implemented.
In terms of the search for partnership the quote from Cheryl in one of her commissions is useful:
“We search for this partnership which seems to be more elusive than the Holy Grail.” Nobody has
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found the Holy Grail and therefore this should be a reality check. But we have good services in
South Africa as several presentations showed and it is this we need to embody.
Some of the key issues that the resolution would seek to address are; integration, mobilization of
communities in crime prevention, sustainability of services , partnerships between government and
civil society and the acknowledgement of civil society and the acknowledgement of the need for
legislation. We ask ourselves when we look at these resolutions – how far have we come in ten
years? Did we examine the VEP challenges and do we have an operational rights framework?
Have we benchmarked indicators for success? Are policies aligned and is the implementation
thereof effective? In light hereof we commit to the following conference resolutions:
We acknowledge and recognize the role of government, the role of civil society, the role of men
and boys and ex-combatants (both as victims and as partners), and the role of volunteers.
What we commit to is an independent legislatively established authorized governing body for victim
empowerment. This will be aligned to the victim empowerment integrated policy and will also take
the responsibility for the accreditation, de-accreditation, certification, de-certification of services
and services providers. It will assist with the monitoring and implementation of the Victims Charter
and the minimum standards.
At this point I should add that I went through the previous conferences’ resolutions: among others,
we said that we needed to make sure that the Sexual Offences Act is passed. Also listed was that
we need to make sure that the Children’s Act is passed, and thirdly we said that we needed to start
addressing coordination through the establishment of structures. We have these and we need to
give ourselves a round of applause.
But at the same time there were certain resolutions that still remain; I will get to those a little later.
We need to assist in the monitoring of the Victims Charter. Previously that resolution read that we
need to assist in the development of the Victims Charter. It has been achieved.
We commit to assist in the monitoring of the integration of the Victim Empowerment Policy.
We further commit to operationalise the provincial implementation plans for the victim
empowerment policy and ensure that the development of good practice models are informed by
the victim empowerment policy framework and that they are rolled out in a coordinated manner and
ensure the sharing of these practices.
We further pledge to duplicate, support, coordinate and integrate structures within all government
departments.
We commit to share ideas and information, methods, resources and promising practices with the
departments and organisations in the spirit of working together towards a common objective of
improved seamless service delivery to all victims of crime.
We commit to undertake joint actions to improve services and support for service providers, in
particular to formalize and implement the care for the care giver programmes.
We commit to develop a comprehensive legislative and policy framework for hate crimes including
xenophobia and in particular, LGBT people.
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We further commit to renew and improve the integrated domestic violence strategy and ensure that
it cascades into comprehensive provincial plans that formalize a holistic response to domestic
violence prevention.
We commit to develop, promote, strengthen and implement good practice programmes for
perpetrators within a standards framework to eradicate crime and violence.
We commit to enhance greater links to families and to family preservation programmes that are
integrated in the victim empowerment programme in a manner that calls on communities to
participate in socialisation programmes and crime prevention strategies.
Further we commit to enter into formalized partnerships. We are now calling for these partnerships
to be formalised between government and civil society to focus on capacity building and resource
allocation, together with standardized funding criteria with clearly identified performance indicators
to inculcate a culture of collaboration, good governance and accountability.
We commit to collaborate with civil society and the private sector to develop and implement
performance indicators for effective monitoring and evaluation of programme services and impact
assessments.
We also commit to finalise and implement the anti-rape strategy whilst recognizing the role of
support, with particular attention being paid to prevention. This will ensure a safer more
empowered and engendered and tolerant South Africa society.
We commit to advocate for the prompt enactment of comprehensive legislation that will combat
human trafficking and support its victims as well as ensuring their integration into society.
We also commit to all other programmes being implemented as well as to public awareness
education and campaigns.
We support the analysis of critical challenges identified and strategies to develop constructive,
effective and practical solutions that guarantee the implementation of the VEP and that will ensure
seamless service delivery.
We further commit to develop a volunteer policy that encompasses effective management
guidelines, career pathing, training and capacity building, and investing in human capital building
so as to ensure service quality.
Civil society specifically is asked to mobilize all civil society organisations in the VEP sector and to
establish a coordinating structure that will ensure that civil society organisations’ voices are heard
as a united voice as opposed to a fragmented one, and would so transform the sector collectively.
Lastly, we commit to convene the VEP conference every two years as a mechanism to monitor
programmes for progress, for challenges and successes and to engage with the role players in the
spirit of collaboration that encourages partnerships.
I would like to add this; as a result of making these commitments we need to call on various
sectors: thus we call on the South African government and civil society organisations, the VEP
Management Team and particularly we call on local government as well as on the national and
provincial houses of traditional leaders. We urge the VEP Management Team to act on these
resolutions as a concrete measurable in the revision of their strategy. In this way it has to ensure
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that these resolutions do not get lost. Further to this end, the victim empowerment management
team is to ensure that the resolutions are acted on by developing measurable activity plans.
So in conclusion ladies and gentlemen we have come a long way in ten years, we have a
programme and we should be proud of that and I think most importantly as we take this journey
forward we should be jubilant in recognizing the fact that one day very soon we will find the depth
of our journey.
20.
Vote of thanks: Dr Maria Mabetoa, Deputy Director-General, DSD
We have come to the end of a highly successful and very inspiring dialogue on the crucial topic of
providing support to the victims of violence and crime in our country. It remains for me on behalf of
the government of South Africa and more specifically on behalf of the Department of Social
Development to thank the organizers, the host province and most importantly the distinguished
participants at this conference for the informative and constructive discussions. I would like to
thank the European Commission and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) for
their support which made this conference possible both financially and technically. It would be
remiss of me if I did not thank our host city and our provincial counterparts in the Department of
Social Development under the leadership of Dr Mqadi and especially for the warm hospitality for
which they are so well known. Dr Mqadi has invited us back to Durban for the conference on victim
empowerment.
Over the last three days we have been fortunate to have been involved in a series of illuminating
presentations, speeches, group discussions, and deliberations. It was clear that many people were
hungry for information and discussion and I am pleased that the conference resolutions call for the
next conference to be held within the next two years.
We are very honoured to have had at the conference the Acting Director General from the
National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Mr Mokotedi Mpshe, the South African Ambassador to
Austria and the United Nations Missions in Vienna, Mr Leslie Gumbi, the Executive Mayor of
Ethekwini Mr Obed Mlaba and the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Social Development,
Mr Mike Masutha and not forgetting our Deputy Minister Dr Jean Swanson–Jacobs. The presence
of these dignitaries is an indication that government takes the matters of victim empowerment
seriously.
On looking back at these last three days characterised by thorough discussion and careful listening
the obvious question is ‘what have we achieved? Can we leave here confident that we will be
doing something different or better to improve the lives of victims of crime and of abuse? Are we
flying as we leave here ladies and gentlemen, or are we walking?
The issue of funding and finances dominated the discussions of the conference. I sincerely hope
that this critical issue has been expanded upon following the engagements by civil society and
government at the Summit held at the Birchwood Hotel in June.
In the keynote address to the conference the Deputy Minister acknowledged a number of
shortcomings in the programme, and similarly the Deputy Minister listed a number of concrete
actions aimed at addressing these challenges. Key among these is the partnership with the
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European Commission and the UNODC over the next three years to strengthen and scale up the
programme of service delivery.
Ladies and gentlemen, as government we are the first to acknowledge to you the identified
challenges and gaps. An important feature of the conference is the fact that it was based on finding
workable solutions to service delivery challenges. In our endeavor to improve service delivery let
me assure you that we will share the outcomes and recommendations of this conference with you
and our colleagues in our relevant departments. The Department of Social Development will
ensure that the resolutions that have come out of this conference will be implemented.
Undeniably this conference confirmed the need for closer constructive collaboration between
government, civil society, the business sector and all other sectors of South African society. Part of
the broader strategy to ensure the implementation of the VEP is to ensure the effective
management of the VEP forums at the provincial level.
The coming ten years pose some significance challenges and prospects for VEP. If the provisions
of the Victims Charter supported by the Constitution and various pieces of legislation are to be
realized most notably for the victims of crime and violence there must be a gear change and an
acceleration in the implementation of the VEP and the resolution of this conference . My hope is
that the honest discussions at this conference have offered us both a practical preparation and
inspiration for further dialogue and joint work towards our common goal of improvement of service
delivery to victims of crime and violence in South Africa.
I would like to thank the chairpersons of the plenarys and the breakaways sessions, the speakers
and the researchers who presented very informative and well prepared papers; the papers at the
conference were very professional. The Task Team, under the leadership of Ms Conny Nxumalo
as well as the Chief Director for Social Crime Prevention and for Families. I also want to thank Dr
Tshotsho, the VEP Manager in the Department of Social Development. Dr Tshotsho is one of the
pioneers of victim empowerment; she has been the victim empowerment manager since 2001. Dr
Tshotsho together with the victim empowerment management team has kept victim empowerment
alive and we are here because of them.
We also want to thank the ICC for their good service, for the food and the entertainment, especially
the Durban Divas who entertained us so well. I would also like to thank the media and our
communications Chief Directorate for the good coverage of the conference.
And to all who participated in the conference – thank you very much.
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21.
21.1
Annexure
Annexure A: Speeches by Dr Jean Swanson – Jacobs, Deputy Minister of Social
Development; Dr Jonathan Lucas, UNODC, Mr Mike Masutha, Portfolio Committee,
Advocate Simon Jiyane, DOJCD
Keynote Address: Deputy Minister of Social Development, Dr Jean Swanson - Jacobs
Programme Director,
Representatives of the United Nations
Dignitaries of the diplomatic corps
MEC for Social Development, Dr Meshack Radebe
Mayor of the Ethekwini Metro, Mr Obed Mlaba
Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Mr Mike Masutha
Representative of the UNODC, Dr Jonathan Lucas
Director-General, Mr. Vusi Madonsela
Esteemed guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
Introduction
It is fitting that we meet here today, at the venue named after one of the greatest warriors of the
struggle for freedom to emerge from this region. I am referring here to Inkosi Albert John Mvumbi
Luthuli, who in 1952 was one of the leading lights behind the Defiance Campaign - a non-violent
protest against the pass laws. This campaign culminated in the Women’s March to the hallowed
grounds of the Union Buildings to protest against the extension of the pass laws to women.
During August, we celebrate Women’s Month and I want to insist that for the rest of the year, we
celebrate 365 days of Activism against the Abuse of Women and Children. Women’s month is a
celebration of successes in empowerment of women in the backdrop of struggles against gender
discrimination in our society, most often related to high incidents of rape, matricide, HIV/AIDS and
domestic violence. While establishing VEP and shelters for abused women does make a significant
impact on the lives of these women, we continue to be faced with many challenges, which this
conference aims to address, with the required vigor and engagement.
How refreshing it is that today, as I cast my eyes around this conference hall, I note with great
pride the number of women involved in community development and nation building initiatives. We
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have come this far because we stand on the shoulders of great women pioneers who paved the
way for all of us. I speak here of indomitable women such as Ruth First, Ellen Khuzwayo, Amina
Pahad, Bertha Mkhize and Elizabeth Mafikeng, to mention just a few. I also want to pay tribute to
those women’s organizations that ensured gender rights in our constitution and legislation and
continue to ensure implementation of these rights.
We are honoured to have with us the Executive Director of the UNODC, Mr Antonio Maria Costa
and the UNODC Country Representative, Dr Jonathan Lucas. We are happy to have you join us at
this significant meeting. A special welcome to the Head of the EU to South Africa, Ambassador
Lodewijk Briët. On behalf of the government of South Africa and more specifically the Department
of Social Development, I would like to express our gratitude to the European Commission and the
UNODC for the unwavering support throughout the years.
We are gathered here today, as representatives of our respective sectors, to affirm our
commitment to the protection and promotion of the rights of victims of crime and violence, in
particular, vulnerable women and children. This requires the involvement of government and other
sectors, such as faith-based organisations, community based organisations, business sector,
labour, donor and development agencies.
We have therefore felt it prudent to convene this dialogue so that we can share not only the
successes of our programme, but the challenges as well, so that we can gain from the wisdom of
those involved in dealing with these challenges.
This conference comes at the same month as we mark the 52nd anniversary of that historic march
in 1956, when women marched against pass laws. It also coincides with the 10th Anniversary of the
Victim Empowerment Programme. Launched in August 1998 under the pillar of the National Crime
Prevention Strategy, the aim of the programme is to promote a victim-centred approach to crime
prevention. It is therefore appropriate that at the same time as we reflect on the progress we have
made in addressing the issues of women, that we also take stock of our progress in this area.
There can be no emancipation for women for as long as they continue to be victims of domestic
violence and crime.
Critical challenges still facing women is poverty, representation of women in decision making
positions, substance abuse, unemployment and HIV and AIDS. In as much as there cannot be
true free if women are still disempowered, there can never e true wealth if women remain trapped
in the chains of poverty. Women represent the majority in the population and if economically
empowered, more than half the problem of poverty is solved.
We need to guard the gains we have achieved since 1956. Even as we have impressive
representations of women in decision making positions, more can be done to empower them to
occupy those influential positions.
Women has moved up the ranks and are employed in high position both publicly and in the private
sector, however another form of unemployment is emerging where women and girls have to care
for families particularly infected and affected by HIV and AIDS without any financial recognition and
acknowledgement of this role. Unpaid care work is a new challenge that needs to be addressed.
This work needs to be quantified, qualified and remunerated. Remunerating this kind of work
though should not mean it still remains an area for women and girls only to participate in, men and
boys should be involved too.
Further challenges include trafficking in women and children. Dare I say both girls and boys are
trafficked here and their specific situations need to be looked into. South Africa has been identified
as a country of destination where trafficking is concerned but there is a need to question and
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address issues of trafficking where countries of origin are concerned. Linked to this is the
challenge of drug trafficking and drug abuse. A problem that is ravaging our communities and
needs intensified efforts to fight it.
Ladies and gentlemen, in preparation for the conference, the planning team resolved to bring to the
fore the voices of the stakeholders in the VEP field. This commitment was based on the reality that
civil society organisations are in the forefront of providing services to victims of crime and abuse. It
is with this in mind and in order to ensure that our strategic direction is informed by your
experience on the ground that we organized a two-day Stakeholder Summit attended by 200
delegates from all over the country from 19-20 June in Ekurhuleni. This is also in recognition of the
fact that we cannot achieve the objectives of the programme through government actions alone.
The summit was characterized by vigorous exchange of ideas and open discussions. A number of
key issues emerged from the summit and deserve a mention:
Partnerships
The summit raised concerns regarding the business sector’s support for initiatives related to VEP.
Of most importance, and rightfully so, the delegates bemoaned the absence of the Department of
Provincial and Local Government in the summit deliberations. This time I hope the conference
organizers have made certain that they are present here today.
Services in shelters
The shortage of personnel which results in the lack of professional services in many of the shelters
was identified as a major challenge. We need to pay particular attention to this aspect so we can
obviate secondary victimization. To make provision for victims with special needs such as children
and people with disabilities, we have commenced with the process to review the shelter strategy in
line with the Victims Charter.
Financing
Generally speaking, VEP services are under-funded. Civil society organisations voiced their
concern about the unpredictability of government funding and called for a more innovative resource
mobilization strategy. As I mentioned earlier, the nature and level of violence in our society can
never be the responsibility of government alone. In this regard Your Excellencies, I reiterate our
appreciation to the European Union and UNODC for their support. I further appeal to the private
sector to make victim support part of their social investment programmes. In this regard allow me
to make mention of the shelters which Telkom generously sponsored in the past.
Sustainability
Without necessary resources, most organisations struggle to provide much needed services to
victims of violence and abuse. I therefore agree with the deliberations of the summit that
sustainability is not just about funding, but entails other critical issues such as capacity building as
well. Accordingly, one pillar in our partnership with the EU and UNODC is capacity building and
mentoring of emerging community-based organisations.
Ladies and gentlemen, you will agree with me that all these issues are prerequisite to ensure the
provision of adequate and responsive services to victims of crime and violence. To deal
comprehensively with the endemic violence and crime in our society, we must strengthen
prevention programmes and build effective partnerships with communities. Deeper involvement of
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boys and men is critical as we can never win this struggle without them, the very people we live
with on a daily basis. Initiative around Men as Partners need to be supported and reinforced with a
clear understanding what is expected on men in these programmes and what men see as their
contribution.
Our collective challenge, as parents and leaders is to install attitudes that are respectful of women
and girls as equals, especially in boys from the earliest possible age. We need to emulate the
actions of organisations such as the South African Men’s Forum, who declared that they cannot
accept to be bystanders as long as women and children of this country continue to suffer.
The women of 1956 marched against apartheid oppression. Today, we are witnessing the
emergence of another type of oppression that is equally repressive - the use of violence against
women and children. Let me assure you that government is committed to ensuring a better life for
all- free from any form of violence. To this effect, government has prioritised combating crimes
against women, such as domestic violence, rape, assault, and child abuse by introducing
programmes through the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster Departments.
The prevention of violence against vulnerable groups such as women, children, people with
disabilities and older persons, is one of our priorities. As the lead department for government’s
Victim Empowerment Programme, the Department is working together with other departments
notably, the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, the National Prosecuting
Authority, Department of Correctional Services, Department of Health and South African Police
Services. I hope the conference will spend a considerable amount of time on practical strategies to
implement the Policy Framework, Strategy for Shelters as well as the Minimum Standards for
Service Delivery in Victim Programme. The mention of these three is an indication that we do not
need to reinvent the wheel by developing new policies and legislation, but actions to implement
them.
Currently, a study is underway to determine the extent of domestic violence in the country. The
information will enable us to specifically target areas identified as hotspots and to refine our
strategic interventions in relation to specific problems in those areas. We will also finalise the
strategy on the engagement of men and boys in gender-based violence programmes in the current
financial year. Central to our intervention programmes are the need to equip the shelters for
victims of violence and crime with resources and increase their coverage, especially in rural areas.
It is my firm belief that we need to entrench the campaign on “No Violence Against Women and
Children” in all our programmes and not in isolation. We cannot continue talking of violence against
women and children and ignore its associations with HIV and AIDS as well as substance abuse.
HIV and AIDS bear the face of a woman, hence the feminisation of HIV and AIDS. I therefore urge
provinces to ensure that VEP Management Forums function and liaise with other structures to
ensure effective coordination.
The celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Victim Empowerment Programme in the same month
we remember the heroines of our struggle is a poignant reminder that much more still needs to be
done to realize the emancipation of women. I thank all of you for attendance, and wish you fruitful
deliberations that will contribute to improving the lives of individual and families affected by
violence and crime.
Thank you
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Statement and Message of Support: Dr Jonathan Lucas, Regional Representative, United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
We are gathered here today to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Victims’ Empowerment
Programme in South Africa, a cornerstone of the National Crime Prevention Strategy of the
Government of South Africa.

On behalf of the Executive Director of UNODC, Mr. Antonio Maria Costa, we applaud the
Government of South Africa and other stakeholders for the adoption of the Service Charter for
Victims of Crime in South Africa (“Victims Charter”) and the Minimum Standards on Services
for Victims of Crime, and efforts for their implementation.

The Bill of Rights, as reflected in Chapter 2 of the Constitution, 1996 (Act No. 108 of 1996)
entrenches the right of every person to equality, freedom and security
As the Minister for Justice and Constitutional Development, Mrs. Mabandla, noted in the foreword
to the “Victims Charter”:

“The Victims Charter is an important instrument for promoting justice for all. The Victims Charter
is compliant with the spirit of the South African Constitution, 1996, and the United Nations
Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, 1985.

Since 1994, and in keeping with the cultivation of a human rights culture, the focus has gradually
shifted from an adversarial and retributive criminal justice system to that of Restorative Justice.
Central to the concept of Restorative Justice is the recognition of crime as more than an offence
against the state, but also an injury or wrong done to another person. This is in line with the
National Crime Prevention Strategy’s victim-centred vision for the criminal justice system. The
ultimate goal is victim empowerment through meeting victims’ needs, be they material or
emotional.

I am confident that with the commitment and dedication of all role players in the criminal justice
process, this Victims Charter will assist in the implementation of the applicable laws in such a way
that it serves its purpose – “making justice a reality for all.”

The partnership between the national, provincial and local government departments and civil
society organisations, including volunteers, business sector, religious leaders, institutions of higher
learning and research institutions – must be strengthened- in order for further tangible successes
to be achieved. The capacity of the various role players need to be strengthened – allowing them
to play their role in the empowerment of victims of crime, particularly the most vulnerable in
society.
B. What will the joint programme achieve?
Promoting the implementation of the Victims Charter and the Minimum Standards on Services for
Victims of Crime, is a key objective of the Victims Empowerment (VEP) project launched in March
this year by the Government of South Africa in partnership with the European Union and the UN
Office on Drugs and Crime.
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This is a very unique project and the UNODC is privileged to be working in partnership with the
Government and all of you in its implementation.
More specifically the joint initiative aims:

“To improve the implementation of Victim Empowerment Policies in South Africa by building
capacity, improving coordination and strengthening relations between the government and civil
society organisations and thereby improving the delivery of services to victims, especially women
and vulnerable children.”
How shall we do this? The joint programme aims to 
Build the capacity of the Department of Social Development, and other relevant Government
departments involved in implementing victim empowerment policies at the national and provincial
levels.

Address the fragmentation of services to victims of crime through improved coordination and
cooperation between government departments, and with civil society organisations working at
community level.

Increase awareness of South Africa’s Victim Empowerment policies, particularly through largescale information campaigns at national and provincial levels.

Build the capacity of civil society organisations and community based organisations to deliver
services to victims of crime at the community level.

Provide services and support for victims of crime, particularly women, orphans and other
vulnerable children.
Partnership with civil society-Birchwood
A key element of the programme is to build an effective strategic partnership between national,
provincial and local government departments with civil society organisations, and community
based organisations.
This is in recognition of the critical role played by NGO’s and community-based organisations
working with victims of crime, trauma and violence, in delivering services to victims. At the end of
the programme we expect NGO’s and civil society organisations to be better able to manage
funds, projects, and offer quality services to victims of crime, with a particular emphasis on women
and children.

In the South African context a major challenge for the criminal justice system is dealing with
children as victims of crime, and children in conflict with the law. Children orphaned by AIDS as
well as women and adolescent girls are the most vulnerable groups not only to struggle to survive,
but to do so within the context of secondary victimisation when sexually abused.
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
The Stakeholders Summit held in Birchwood was a landmark event – It was a reflection of the
vibrant civil society in South Africa eager to play its role as a partner of Government in Victim
Empowerment. Strengthening civil society organisations, particularly those working at the
community level, must always remain one of our strategic objectives – as they are the ones who
deliver services to the most vulnerable in society.
C. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon Lunches Campaign to End Violence Against Women

Gender based violence, particularly directed at women and children remains a serious concern in
South Africa. In his State of the Nation address in 2007, President Thabo Mbeki highlighted the
abuse of women and children as having escalated to an unacceptable level.

We salute the pioneering work undertaken by the SOCA Unit of the National Prosecuting
Authority under the leadership of the Special Director of Public Prosecution, Advocate Thoko
Majokweni, in providing leadership in the prosecution of sexual offences as well as combating
human trafficking.
However, this is not only a challenge in South Africa – it is a global scourge.

On 25 February this year the Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon launched a
global campaign calling Member States, the United Nations family, civil society and individuals to
“focus on the concrete actions that all of us can and must take to eliminate the scourge of violence
against women and girls.”

The Secretary-General stated that according to statistics “At least one out of every three women
is likely to be beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused in her lifetime. Trafficking of women
and girls, sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, dowry murder, honour killings are some of
the widespread aspects of the problem.”
Running from 2008-2015, to coincide with the target date of the Millennium Development Goals,
the campaign will focus on three key areas: global advocacy, United Nations leadership by
examples, and special efforts and partnerships at the national, regional and international levels.
The VEP project will contribute to achieving these objectives by creating a supportive environment
for the victims of sexual abuse and/or domestic violence including rape.
Women and vulnerable children will be the main beneficiaries of the project. They will benefit from
improved service delivery, particularly at provincial and community levels, as a result of increased
capacity and the revamped collaboration of the relevant government institutions and civil society
organisations.
Eliminating Violence against women: A priority for UNODC

Eliminating violence against women and children is one of the priorities of UNODC crime
prevention and criminal justice strategy. Violence against women is a crime; a violation of
fundamental human rights. This year, in collaboration with international experts – including experts
from the National Prosecuting Authority, UNODC published the first International Handbook for
Effective Police Responses to Violence against Women. The aims are to support the law
enforcement officials with information that will enable them to recognise and identify key elements
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in defining violence against women, essential both in prevention of violence and in their role in
cases of violence reported by women.

We will soon start implementing a regional project in partnership with SADC and SARPCCO on
effective law enforcement response to violence against women in Southern Africa, to cover
Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

The UNODC Regional Office in Southern Africa has developed a strong partnership with the
Victim Empowerment Programme of the Department of Social Development. We have developed
an approach, which consists in bringing together all government services working in this sector,
under one single roof – a one-stop centre for victims of gender-based violence. The objective is to
provide sustainable services for victims of gender-based violence and ensure that victims receive
the support they need.

We have been building on the expertise and
our partners, through projects implemented
(Queenstown), and Northern Cape (Upington).
Plain, Western Cape, and will soon start new
Province (Vryburg).

The VEP project will further support the Department in the design and establishment of four more
centres as we proceed to fine-tune the best practices in dealing with violence against women
which we can later share with the rest of the world.
developing best practices as we move along with
in Mpumalanga (Kwa-Mhlanga), Eastern Cape
In February we launched a new project in Mitchels
projects in Gauteng (Sunnyside) and North West
Conclusion
I would like to commend the Government of South Africa and civil society organisations for the
policies they have adopted and for the action already taken to support victims of crime, particularly
women suffering from gender-based violence and vulnerable children.
The joint programme we have started implementing is a further step in providing support to victims
and to move from policy to action. The challenge we face is implementation and delivery. UNODC
is privileged to be associated with this enterprise which will serve as a model for the Southern
African region and the rest of the world and contribute in meeting the objectives of the campaign
launched by the Secretary-General of the UN to eliminate violence against women and create a
caring society for victims of crime.
The European Union, by funding the VEP project, has shown its commitment as a partner of the
Government in addressing the empowerment of victims of crime and its recognition of the critical
role played by CSO’s. UNODC is grateful for the partnership of the EU in the project.
Thank you
In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deep appreciation to the
Department of Social Development, Victim Empowerment Programme, under the leadership of Ms.
Connie Nxumalo and Dr Tshotsho, for their strong leadership, exemplary commitment, reflected in
the substantive organisation of the Stakeholders Summit held at Birchwood in May and today’s
tenth year celebration. This was excellent teamwork.
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I wish to extend our appreciation to Dr Langalibalele Mqadi, the Head of Department of Social
Department KZN, after a meeting in Kimberley in April, for taking on the challenge of hosting the
conference in this historical province and for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to us all
by the City of Durban.
Thank you.
Legislation and oversight: Mr Mike Masutha, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee,
Parliament
I would like to express from the outset my appreciation to Mayor Mlaba for the welcome to Durban
which has become such an important tourism mecca. Also to the Deputy Minister for the invitation
to represent the Portfolio Committee and parliament as an institution.
I have been asked to address the conference regarding the role of parliament and law making. I
have had the privilege of working in civil society, and in 1991 I worked for a firm of attorneys
involved in human rights. I have also worked in government as well as in the legal section of the
DSD before becoming a politician. Thus I have a good overall background and I have the privilege
of having a bird’s eye view.
In the field of social development most of the services that are rendered are not possible without
the collaboration between civil society and the three spheres government. In parliament when we
process legislation, especially in the service sector, we need to strengthen the collaboration
between the 3 spheres of government. The role of local government and the provision of social
services has not been institutionalized and formalized over the years in the manner that it should
have been; with certain areas of legislation having not been properly assigned. I hope that this is
one of the areas that will get attention in the conference.
Collaboration also extends to the different line functions in government. Most of the laws that are
the focus of this conference, e.g. the Child Justice Bill, the Children’s Act, the Sexual Act and the
Domestic Violence Act and the Criminal Justice Act are examples of the clear need for the justice
communities to collaborate in every aspect. This principle applies to social development.
Recently the Portfolio Committee approved a bill against substance abuse. The committee felt that
despite an existing good structure, it was not satisfied that the departments themselves have fully
internalized the aspect of collaboration. Therefore the committee requested individual departments
to provide information regarding their plans and how they proposed to implement them. We found
that departments tend to focus, or to confine themselves to their domain. In fact most of the areas
of work need some kind of collaboration at the budgetary level, policy development and law
making. In this way a system can be developed and then implemented in an integrated way. I must
say that this seems to consistently characterize the work of the Victim Empowerment Programme
(VEP). We look at the reports of different departments and it seems that each of the partners
speak the same language and look to victim empowerment and the related actions amongst them.
Of course the other function of parliament is to hold government accountable and to exercise its
oversight right over government. On a routine basis we invite the President and Ministers to brief
the Committee on certain issues. We strive to probe and determine as to where services are being
extended to people, especially the poor. As public representatives we are there to promote the
best interests of the people; that is our point of departure. When we evaluate the effectiveness of
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policies the prime focus is: if these are being received by the people. When we campaign, we have
to show the people that we have delivered the services that government undertook to provide.
I must continue to place the emphasis on the partnerships that need to be strengthened between
civil society and government, without this we will not go far as a country. Last week I was at a
conference regarding the retirement and pension system, where an issue identified was that South
Africa was becoming a younger and younger nation compared to the more developed countries.
Therefore we need to invest more and more in our youth. If we look at the future of a country in
which the people are becoming younger, then we have to start to become more youth oriented.
Substance abuse is becoming a problem and we have to look at how to address youth
empowerment. We have to address the underlying causes that create problems and what are the
needs of the youth.
There are various types of vulnerabilities that women face; and these need to be addressed. Other
vulnerable groups are the disabled, the elderly, children; some of whom have been abandoned.
We need to look at the needs of all the vulnerable people in our programmes and activities and we
need to demonstrate that we are a caring society.
Overview of the Criminal Justice System: Advocate Simon Jiyane, Deputy Director–General,
Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
This is an important event and I want to start by acknowledging the shortcomings of the criminal
justice system as often victims are secondary. I will also try to provide an insight into how the
justice crime prevention security (JCPS) cluster works and how we attempt to improve this
situation. We have plans afoot across all the provinces to try to address these concerns, which
include the fact that the cluster is more visible nationally but less so at the grassroots level. We
also now have development committees that seek to improve the delivery of the components of the
criminal justice system in the provinces. However we have not finalized the integration of local
government with the cluster as a whole.
We need to link up to the victim empowerment process; this is integral to our programme of action.
I want to acknowledge that in our criminal justice system victims are marginalized to some degree.
Although our jurisprudence addresses this, it is not often applied and there is not always a uniform
application.
There is an important inter-sectoral committee chaired by the Department of Justice that is linked
to the development committee and which tries to integrate both the social cluster and the criminal
justice system to be more preventative than reactive. The purpose of the inter-sectoral committee
is to integrate all structures at provincial level and that all actors, especially non-state actors should
take note of this structure. This committee is key to our programme and will be key to ensuring that
some of the resolutions that will be taken at this conference can be implemented.
In 2004 government adopted the Victims Charter, which is a charter to ensure that the cluster
deals with victims in terms of certain standards. This is part of the process that will link the victim
services charter to the VEP.
There are a few issues that are part of this cluster that we need to take forward. In addition, we
need to link the VEP into our structures. The finalization of the Child Justice Act is now with the
NCOP; this legislation seeks to mainstream the functioning of all sectors that are involved and
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includes all the state and non-state actors in the administration of children’s issues. Pilot projects
are already in place where other departments and NGO partners play a crucial role in the
assessment and the possible diversion of all arrested and charged children.
This legislation tries to underpin all structures and government departments and to create a
common platform regarding issues relating to children and to provide an integrated management
system that will include a system to track changes and performance.
In some of the provinces we are running diversion programmes and together with prosecution
services, victims’ interests are being taken into account when it comes to aspects such as bail,
among others. The Institute of Security Studies (ISS) has completed a study that indicates how
victims and witnesses are being managed on the ground and how their interests are being taken
into account. We are also running diversion programmes where we try to promote restorative
justice programmes that will form part of the plan of action of the cluster. We are thus in this sense
proactive and have a final draft that will be rolled out in all the provinces.
However it needs to be said that there are a number of challenges from our perspective:





The VEP programmes need to be part of an integrated process and needs to link with the
criminal justice system.
We recommend that the VEP be linked to all vulnerable groups.
There should also be more alignment.
The VEP is not ‘rights based’ and at the operational level it needs to look at such issues.
It needs to be ensured that when important benchmarks are set that we speak the same
language.
We have four recommendations:




The need to examine the VEP project and to align it with the clusters.
The VEP project must be enhanced with an operational rights framework by linking the Charter to
international Human Rights instruments.
Complete an audit and determine alignment/s with policies and programmes.
Develop benchmarks and indicators of success.
It is our objective to strengthen the criminal justice system; we can only do so if everybody is part
of the process. In 2009 we plan to interact with civil society to improve the criminal justice system
as we need such a partnership.
21.2
Annexure B: Conference Resolutions, Conference Programme
21.2.1
Conference Resolutions
The conference acknowledges that significant strides have been made. Success in terms of
previous conferences’ resolutions includes the passing of the Sexual Offences Act, the Children’s
Act is almost passed, and coordination through the establishment of structures is being
implemented.
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The conference also acknowledges that there are some real concerns that can have a direct
impact on seamless service delivery.
The conference notes that the road ahead requires the embodiment of the spirit of partnership and
of ubuntu.
The conference further accepts that the key issues that the resolutions should seek to address are;
integration, mobilization of communities in crime prevention, sustainability of services ,
partnerships between government and civil society and the acknowledgement of civil society and
the acknowledgement of the need for legislation.
The following are pertinent to the conference resolution: what progress has been made in ten
years? Did we sufficiently examine the VEP challenges? Do we have an framework of operational
rights? Have we benchmarked indicators for success? Are policies aligned and is the
implementation thereof effective? In light of these aspects we commit to the following conference
resolutions:
1.
We acknowledge and recognize the role of government, the role of civil society, the role of men
and boys and ex-combatants (both as victims and as partners), and the role of volunteers.
2.
We commit to an independent legislatively established authorized governing body for victim
empowerment. This will be aligned to the victim empowerment integrated policy and will also take
the responsibility for the accreditation, de-accreditation, certification, de-certification of services
and service providers. It will also assist with the monitoring and implementation of the Victims
Charter and the minimum standards.
3.
We commit to assist in the monitoring of the Victims Charter. (Previously that resolution read that
we need to assist in the development of the Victims Charter. It has been achieved)
4.
We commit to assist in the monitoring of the integration of the Victim Empowerment Policy.
5.
We further commit to operationalise the provincial implementation plans for the victim
empowerment policy and to ensure that the development of good practice models are informed by
the victim empowerment policy framework and that they are rolled out in a coordinated manner and
ensure the sharing of these practices.
6.
We further pledge to duplicate, support, coordinate and integrate structures within all government
departments.
7.
We commit to share ideas and information, methods, resources and promising practices with the
departments and organisations in the spirit of working together towards a common objective of
improved seamless service delivery to all victims of crime.
8.
We commit to undertake joint actions to improve services and support for service providers, in
particular to formalize and implement the care for the care giver programmes.
9.
We commit to develop a comprehensive legislative and policy framework for hate crimes
including xenophobia and in particular for LGBT people.
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10.
We further commit to renew and improve the integrated domestic violence strategy and ensure
that it cascades into comprehensive provincial plans that formalize a holistic response to domestic
violence prevention.
11.
We commit to develop, promote, strengthen and implement good practice programmes for
perpetrators within a standards framework to eradicate crime and violence.
12.
We commit to enhance greater links to families and to family preservation programmes that are
integrated in the victim empowerment programme in a manner that calls on communities to
participate in socialisation programmes and crime prevention strategies.
13.
We commit to enter into formalized partnerships between government and civil society to focus
on capacity building and resource allocation together with standardized funding criteria that
includes clearly identified performance indicators to inculcate a culture of collaboration, good
governance and accountability.
14.
We commit to collaborate with civil society and the private sector to develop and implement
performance indicators for effective monitoring and evaluation of programme services and impact
assessments.
15.
We commit to finalise and implement the anti-rape strategy whilst recognizing support; and with
particular attention paid to prevention.
16.
We commit to advocate for the prompt enactment of comprehensive legislation that will combat
human trafficking and support its victims as well as ensuring their integration into society.
17.
We also commit to all other programmes being implemented as well as to public awareness
education and campaigns.
18.
We support the analysis of critical challenges identified and strategies to develop constructive,
effective and practical solutions that guarantee the implementation of the VEP and that will ensure
seamless service delivery.
19.
We further commit to develop a volunteer policy that encompasses effective management
guidelines, career pathing, training and capacity building, and investing in human capital building
so as to ensure service quality.
20.
Civil society specifically is asked to mobilize all civil society organisations in the VEP sector and
to establish a coordinating structure that will ensure that civil society organisations’ voices are
heard as a united voice as opposed to a fragmented one, and would so transform the sector
collectively.
21.
Lastly, we commit to convene the VEP conference every two years as a mechanism to monitor
programmes for progress, for challenges and successes and to engage with the role players in the
spirit of collaboration that encourages partnerships.
22.
As a result of making these commitments we call on various sectors for greater involvement: the
South African government, civil society organisations, the VEP Management Team and particularly
on local government as well as on the national and provincial houses of traditional leaders to be
part of the VEP.
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23.
We urge the VEP Management Team to act on these resolutions as a concrete measurable in
the revision of their strategy. Further to this end, the victim empowerment management team is to
ensure that the resolutions are acted on by developing measurable activity plans.
21.2.2
Conference Programme
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22. Delegates List and Contact Details
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Name
Surname
Organisation
Telephone
No.
E-mail
Busi
ABT
072 799 8647
abt1@webmail.co.za
Nontobeku
Pungula
Mbuetya
ba
ADAPT
011 885 3305
adapt@worldonline.co.za
Romeo
Qetsiman
Advisory Board
083 881 8468
chlab@telkomsa.net
Brenda
Simon
Age- in- Action
0414571466
brenda@age-in-action.co.za
Julayga
Alfred
Anexcdw
021 638 5521
julayga@anexcdw.org.za
Les
Sonders
Audio Visual Conferencing
012 332 3842
sondersles@lantic.net
Malaza
Phumzile
Badplaas Shelter
073 888 0049
Aaron
Motha
Banna Buang Organisation
016 422 7456
noj@telkomsa.net
H
Verwey
Befrienders SA
051 444 5691
befriend@iafrica.com
Gert
Jonker
Bethay House Trust
082 900 7832
Sboniso
Ntuhi
Bua News
083 526 7958
Thandiwe
Yeko
CALA - DVU
084 496 0292
Mahlomda
Eric
Camp
051 430 3769
Carol
Boec
Cape Mental Health
021 447 9040
carol@cmhs.co.za
Christine
Henda
021 762 9670
christinectrc@telkomsa.net
Elaine
084 504 2199
esharrison@absamail.co.za
Joan
Harrison
Van
Niekerk
Cape Town Refugee Centre
Chiastolite Professional
Services
Child Line
031 563 5718
childlinesa@iafrica.com
Patence
Thibeli
Child Welfare South Africa
057 212 6273
childwelfare@telkomsa.net
Karin
Vervaart
Children and Families
021 483 4489
Kvervaar@pgwc.gov.za
Marie
Louw
083 628 7117
mjlouw@pgwc.gov.za
D.V.
Pillay
Children and Families
Commission for Gender
Equality
053 832 0477
veronika@cge.org.za
Antnea
Michaels
021 483 2633
Mobone
Modise
Community and Safety
Concerned People Against
Abuse
Gustav
Wilson
Correctional Services
082 888 7119
gustav.wilson@dsd.gov.za
Steven
Tlala
Correctional Services
021 558 7351
steven.tlala@dcs.gov.za
Piet
De Bruin
Correctional Services
012 307 2664
piet.debruin@dcs.gov.za
Godo
Nombed
esin
Correctional Services
012 323 4818
nombedeslno.godo@dcs.gov.za
Tsepo
Kgafelo
Correctional Services
012 841 8610
renoldah.kgafelo@dcs.gov.za
M
Makoena
Correctional Services
082 338 9147
sara.makoena@dcs.go.za
M
Makoena
Correctional Services
012 305 2003
jeanette.kraai@dcs.gov.za
Sharon
Kunene
Correctional Services
082 777 4896
sharon.kunene@dca.go.za
Migal
Ledigwan
e
Correctional Services
012 307 2363
haleseng.ledigwane@dcs.gov.za
Megan
Bantjes
CSVR
011 403 5102
MBANTJES@CSVR.ORG.ZA
Guidance
Uwizeye
CSVR
011 403 5102
guwizeye@csvr.org.za
Boitumelo
Kekana
CSVR
011 403 7532
bkekana@csvr.org.za
Nomfundo
Mogapi
CSVR
011 403 7532
nmogapi@csvr.org.za
Marihet
Infontino
CWSA Provincial Office
011 492 2950
marihet.childnetfore@gmail.com
ntulis@aol.com
051 873 2194
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Arthu
Sanpath
Daily News
031 308 2121
arthi.sanpath@inl.co.za
Ramaneg
Hira
DCS
012 305 8332
ramanee.hira@dcs.gov.za
LT
Chetly
DCS Correctional Services
031 204 8800
lynehec@dcs.gov.za
Mabutho
A.D
DCS Correctional Services
043 706 7809
agnesm@dcs.gov.za
Sontshatsha
N.C
DCS Correctional Services
043 706 7818
nontshantsha.nosikhwebizo@dcs.gov.
za
Departmental Guest
074 509 1414
Department Community Safety
082 900 7752
allisonw@gpg.gov.za
Department of Communication
012 312 0607
robots@heath.gov.za
Mark
SGK
Wainwrig
ht
Rabothat
a
Jillian
Alexande
r
Department of Community and
Safety
021 483 4521
jalexander@pgwc.gov.za
Boitumelo
Gopane
Department of Correction
Services
018 381 1601
tumi.gopane@dcs.gov.za
Victor
Dlula
Department of Correction
Services
012 307 2029
dlula.sonwabo@dcs.gov.za
Cornelia
Verster
Department of Correction
Services
011 306 0365
corrie.verster@dcs.gov.za
Bukiwe
Department of Education
082 707 1502
Tebogo Rodney
Fanta
Bonokwa
ne
Department of Education
053 839 6620
B.M.
Motana
Department of Education
015 290 7759
motanabm@edu.lipopo.gov.za
M.A.
Mashian
e
Department of Education
015 290 7634
mashianem@edu.norprov.gov.za
Spino
Fante
Department of Education
012 312 5218
fante.s@doe.gov.za
D.R
Wilson
Department of Education
012 312 5218
wilson.c@doe.gov.za
Vuyisile
Gubuza
Department of Education Free state
051 404 8084
gubuzav@edu.fs.gov.za
Debores
Mibuli
011 355 0042
doloresm@gpg.gov.za
Khanyisile
Lioma
Department of Education Gauteng
Department of Education NATAL
P
Mohyobo
Department of Health
051 408 1774
M
Department of Health
040 609 3301
Agnes
Mfikile
Molihesa
ne
Department of Health
018 397 2333
Rodney
Loabile
Department of Health
018 384 8124
loabilem@nwpq.gov.za
M
Shoyeb
Department of Health
015 287 5275
mshoyeb@gmail.com
L
King
033 846 7529
laurel.king@kznhealth.gov.za
M.D.
Ledwaba
Department of Health - KZN
Department of Health Limpopo
Mabunda
Department of Health Masakhane Crisis Centre
011 923 2106
Olivier
Department of Health Northern Cape
053 832 6226
N
Corns
Department of Health Northern Cape
053 874 4832
Sinkhosane
Nomgqib
eto
Department of Health & Social
Services
013 773 0358
Alison
Annah
M.I.
031 447 8207
mpumelelo.mfikili@impilo.ecprov.co.z
a
015 293 6241
mabunda..a@hotmail.com
ncorns@ncpg.gov.za
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Dipho
Shilakiwe
Department of Health & Social
Services
017 883 0251
Ngele
Zanele
Nobuhle
Department of Health & Social
Services
017 773 0449
Nkosi
Sibongile
Department of Health & Social
Services
017 811 2108
Lindiwe
Mbazima
Ngomane
Department of Health & Social
Services
013 781 0537
Phumzile
Veronica
Mthwana
zi
Joyce Gasenna
Moscoi
Department of Health & Social
Services
Department of Housing and
Local Government - Northern
Cape
Naomi
Webster
Haasbroe
k
Zanelen@social.mpu.gov.za
017 632 1233
053 830 9400
tmosebi@ncpg.gov.za
Department of Justice
012315 1296
nwebster@justice.gov.za
Department of Justice
071 819 3462
chaasbroek@justice.gov.za
Department of Justice
073 138 7374
smakume@justice.gov.za
M
Makume
Kgosiema
ng
Department of Justice
079 457 7600
mkgosiemang@justice.gov.za
M.J.
Motekao
Department of Justice
015 287 2018
Simon
Jiyane
Department of Justice - CD
012 315 1016
sjiyane@justice.gov.za
Siphiwe
Ntombel
a
083 574 7317
sntombela@justice.gov.za
De-Alto
Plaatjies
Department of Justice - Central
District
Department of Justice Kimberley
082 515 3101
Dplaatjies@justice.gov.za
P
Moodley
Department of Justice - KZN
031 321 5303
pmoodley@justice.gov.za
Tladi
R
Department of Justice - North
West
018 348 2406
rtladi@justice.gov.za
Ntombizodwa
Koko
Chsloane
Department of Justice &
Constitutional Development
011 223 7681
ntchsloane@justice.gov.za
E
Brandtv
Department of Safety & Liaison
053 839 1700
bplaatjie@grand.ncape.gov.za
Thobi
Mhlogo
Isabel
Dladla
Department of Social
Development
Department of Social
Development - Midlands
Region
V
Syster
Theo
Williams
Corne
S.D.
Quiton
083 289 9401
036 634 6594
dladlaz@socwel.kzntl.gov.za
Department of Social Services N.C.
054 332 1857
VDSYSTER@UPOSB.N-CAPE.GOV.ZA
Department of Social
Development
044 203 5909
tswilliams@pgwc.gov.za
Department of Social
Development
083 626 0115
Andile
Xonti
Department of Social
Development
021 483 4481
axonti@pgwc.gov.za
Mzukisi
Gaba
Department of Social
Development
083 624 2061
mgaba@pgwc.gov.za
Richard
Mcdonal
d
Department of Social
Development
027 213 2096
rmacdonald@pgwc.gov.za
Nomonde
Mayeza
Department of Social
Development
082 441 9359
nomonde.mayeza@socdev.gov.za
Busisuwe =
Mini
Department of Social
Development
083 995 8940
Nqwaba
Department of Social
Development
082 444 4262
Grace
grace.nqwaba@socdev.ecprov.gov.za
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D
Maxegwa
na
Department of Social
Development
082 557 1631
L
Mpongos
he
Department of Social
Development
079 873 7184
Kula
Department of Social
Development
072 278 8909
Hlawgayana
Mavis
Department of Social
Development
040 609 5306
mavis.hlanganyana@socdev.ecprov.go
v.za
Nolitha
Mabangu
le
Department of Social
Development
046 636 1484
nolita.mabangula@socdev.egsrov.gov.
za
Rev. M.E.
Player
Department of Social
Development
082 962 5440
Thekiso
Patronela
Department of Social
Development
018 381 7111
Theresa
Malwane
Department of Social
Development
018 632 3022
Mamoroeg
Leku
Department of Social
Development
018 462 5111
Nthutang
Idah
Department of Social
Development
018 297 0132
Veronica
Montshi
wa
Department of Social
Development
053 433 0318
Bridgette
Sesei
Department of Social
Development
079 492 6145
Angelinah
Tshili
Department of Social
Development
082 522 2207
Maureen
Maseka
Department of Social
Development
018 388 1690
Letsie
Department of Social
Development
012 717 6296
Mtotywa
Department of Social
Development
014 543 4536
Pule
Department of Social
Development
014 555 6118
Malaka
Department of Social
Development
018 462 5637
Apathia
Department of Social
Development
18 330 00020
Dineo
Komane
Department of Social
Development
018 388 1678
dkomane@nwpg.gov.za
Thembi
Mdidimb
a
Department of Social
Development
018 388 1518
ttwala@nwpg.gov.za
Fiona
Molekan
e
Department of Social
Development
018 596 1153
Wilson
Mokgosi
Department of Social
Development
018 389 8000
Department of Social
Development
053 963 2195
Department of Social
Development
015 961 5590
Department of Social
Development
015 962 2850
Department of Social
Development
015 812 1368
P
Constance
Mmatshathana
Bellina
M
Kebone
Mmogwela
Mbau Matamila
Friddy
Mukewevhota
Modizibane
HT
bongiwe.mpomposhe@socdev.ecprov.
gov.za
tmalwane@nwpg.gov.za
mvmontsiwe@nwpg.gov.za
atshili@nwpg.gov.za
hmtotywa@nwpg.gov.za
pmokgosi@nwpg.gov.za
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Renuka
Singu
Department of Social
Development
Siphiwe
Sexhoto
Department of Social
Development
012 312 7023
siphiwes@socdev.co.za
Nkanyezi
Mwyand
y
Department of Social
Development
012 312 7023
nkanyezm@socdev.co.za
Molepe
Department of Social
Development
012 328 4026
boitemelo.molepe@gauteng.gov.za
Jacobs
Department of Social
Development - Athlete
021 696 8038
elajacobs@pgwc.gov.za
Ann
Wtebe
Department of Social
Development - Athlone
021 696 8063
antebe@pgw.gov.za
Remka
Singu
Department of Social
Development - Durban
031 360 5446
Patricia
Nzuza
Department of Social
Development - Durban
073 365 4551
Mahashna
Naidoo
Department of Social
Development - Durban
031 402 8000
Sonia
Solomon
Department of Social
Development - Durban
031 336 8787
SP
Ndlanga
milwoh
Department of Social
Development - Durban
034 413 1553
Erika
Eberson
Department of Social
Development - Free state
082 745 3982
MG
Liphadzi
Department of Social
Development - Free state
058 713 2945
DHS
Mphiethi
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 443 7779
Ntoula
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 302 5866
Kelopile
Department of Social
Development - Free state
079 313 7988
Mosetlhe
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 443 8207
Mosia
Department of Social
Development - Free state
084 690 5006
Dibe
Department of Social
Development - Free state
053 205 0229
dibek@socdev.fs.gov.za
Mathe
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 443 8970
mathem@socdev.fs.gov.za
Dimeo
Department of Social
Development - Free state
084 675 3924
Department of Social
Development - Free state
051 403 2206
stewardc@socdev.fs.gov.za
Boitumelo
Elarna
KHAUHELO
Legegeru
Ntsiki
Grace
Rhenololh
Mina
Damme
Carol Steward
chatswor@dwbpkzatl.gov.za
ebersone@socdev.fs.gov.za
ntsikim@socdev.fs.gov.za
Manchopi
Mopheth
e
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 302 6424
chops@socdev.fs.gov.za
Veronica
Morake
Department of Social
Development - Free state
051 531 0700
marakev@socdev.fs.gov.za
Margeret
Phanduw
e
Department of Social
Development - Free state
051 724 0013
margeretp@socdev.gov.fs.gov.za
Boikanyo
Gotyane
Department of Social
Development - Free state
076 777 1343
Prudence
Ramoleh
e
Department of Social
Development - Free state
083 443 7648
ramolehe@socdev.fs.gov.za
Held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, South Africa, 18 – 20 August 2008 Page 176 of 203
Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Mokoena
Department of Social
Development - Free state
057 916 8777
Vuzi
Nozenza
Department of Social
Development - Free state
072 969 0669
Mantwa
Mogasho
a
Department of Social
Development - Gauteng
084 723 8258
mantwam@gauteng.gov.za
Ntshinke
Department of Social
Development - Gauteng
079 989 1586
n.kelwe.ntshinke@gpg.gov.za
Morris
Department of Social
Development - Gauteng
011 355 7854
myrtle.morris@gauteng.gov.za
Sandra
Somnah
Department of Social
Development - Gauteng
011 355 7861
sandra.somnah@gauteng.gov.za
Annah
Sithole
Department of Social
Development - Gauteng
011 355 7718
anna.sithole@gauteng.gov.za
Veronica
Caiantan
a
Department of Social
Development - JHB
011 355 7995
veronica.ciantan@gauteng.dw.za
Lindiwe
Khoza
Department of Social
Development - JHB Metro
011 347 1716
lindiwe.khoza@gauteng.gov.za
Patricia
Randana
Department of Social
Development - Khayelitsha
021 360 2100
Nicolette
Hendrick
s
Department of Social
Development - Khayelitsha
021 364 1337
nichendr@pgwc.gov.za
Thabisile
Msane
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
034 907 5059
engotshe@uldr.kzntl.gov.za
Renitha
Veerasa
my
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 395 9745
veerasamy@pwke.kzatl.gov.za
Thami
Kubheka
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
035 874 3821
kubhekat@dwbp.kzntl.gov.za
Groba
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
031 915 0011
umbumbul@dwbp.kzntl.gov.za
Mphnthn
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
083 279 4317
mphnthnpl@dwbp.kzntl.gov.za
Zethu
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 493 0059
mdlasosebz@socwel.kzntl.gov.za
NM
Kubheka
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
036 634 6645
kubhekam@socwel.kzntl.gov.za
SM
Hlobhwa
yo
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
034 312 8290
mhlonyos@socwel.kzntl.gov.za
Modble
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
036 637 2214
modlalobn@socwel.kzltl.gov.za
Zikhal
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
032 533 5025
PK
Chetty
Department of Social
Development – Kwazulu Natal
082 898 1811
TE
Mlotshw
a
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
082 758 2363
GT
Ncobela
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
083 7450151
N
Thusi
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
083 995 7468
B
Sapeda
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 264 2082
TG
Ntombel
a
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
039 832 9265
Ntabiseng
Nikelwa
Myrtil
Lungie
Thabo
DN
Witness
nmakoena@socdev.fs.gov.za
chettypk@socwel.kzntl.gov.za
bukiwe.sapeda@kznsocdev.gov.za
Held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, South Africa, 18 – 20 August 2008 Page 177 of 203
Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Zimu
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 392 8600
Ncwane
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
082 804 0191
Mhlongo
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
035 814 6765
Lesuthu
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
031 716 2600
Phumula
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
031 510 221
Sihle
Gumede
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
082 892 0731
Sibongile
Manyathi
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
082 907 5184
manyatis@dewbg.kzntl.gov.za
W
Magwaza
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
031 336 8704
mahwazaw@uld.kzntl.gov.za
PB
Madide
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 341 7921
mthimewivb@uld.kzntl.gov.za
WD
Ngcobo
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 341 7604
ngcobowd@uld.kzntl.gov.za
NG
Mbavywa
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
082 905 6350
mbavywan@uld.kzntl.gov.za
ET
Mhlongo
Department of Social
Development - Kwazulu Natal
033 341 9812
mhlongoet@pwke.kzntl.gov.za
Thabathi
LJV
Department of Social
Development - Limpopo
015 293 6355
Dinah
Mashoes
hoe
Department of Social
Development - Limpopo
073 004 3424
Sophy
Mfati
Department of Social
Development - Limpopo
083 403 0653
mmasop@webmail.co.za
Masepa
Malebatj
a
Department of Social
Development - Limpopo
073 515 5091
malebatjaj@dhov.norprov.gov.za
Zodwa
Mawang
Department of Social
Development - Mpumalanga
082 486 3646
zodwamah@social.mpu.gov.za
HJ
Nomandl
a
Department of Social
Development - Mtubatuba
035 551 1850
Murav
Ngwbombene
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7609
musam@socdev.gov.za
Mide
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7173
mideS@socdev .gov.za
Khumalo
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7976
makuosazamqk@dsd.gov.za
Bok
Mapena
Department of Social
Development - National
012 318 7812
mapenab@socdev.gov.za
Mahlotse
Mogoam
e
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7610
mahlotse.mogoame@socdev.gov.za
Ditebogo
Manana
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7735
ditbogom@socdev.gov.za
Conny
Mxumalo
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7386
connym@socdev.gov.za
Dudu
Faladze
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7639
duduf@dsd.gov.za
Eddi
Khoza
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7639
eddik@dsd.gov.za
NA
P
Pretty
Shangele
Khawula
Sepeng
MP
390pmb@pwke.kzntl.gov.za
mhlongop@uldr.kzntl.gov.za
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Mabe
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7392
tebiggoma@ded.gov.za
Frances
Viviers
Department of Social
Development - National
012 323 7790
francesv@dsd.gov.za
Magdalena
Msonsam
y
Department of Social
Development - National
012 312 7357
magdalenam@socdev.gov.za
Joan
Groenew
ald
Department of Social
Development - National
082 467 3634
joan.groenewald@socdev.gov.za
Lerato
Khwinan
a
Department of Social
Development - North West
079 491 5559
dkwinana@nwpg.gov.za
Modimokwane
Legote
Department of Social
Development - North West
018 384 4837
mlegote@nwpg.gov.za
Mapule
Mboweni
Department of Social
Development - North West
018 388 1664
mmboweni@nwpg.gov.za
Innocentia
Moseme
ng
Department of Social
Development - Nothern Cape
053 874 9263
imosemeng@mim.ncape.gov.za
S
Moodley
Department of Social
Development - Phonix
031 509 8827
phonix@dwbp.kzntl.gov.za
Abram
Phaliamd
hlaka
Mmomsa
Mokhoth
u
Tebiggo
C.D.
Department of Social
Development - Pretoria
Department of Social
Development - Sedibeng
Region
Department of Social
Development - West Rand
012 312 7875
082 613 9659
mmamosa@gpg.gov.za
011 753 1304
charmaineseioma@gauteng.gov.za
083 456 1360
noralara@pgwc.gov.za
073 654 4283
pearlv@socdev.gov.za
Nomvume
Seioma
Emmaros
e
Ralarala
Pearl
Wezi
Department of Social
Development - Western Cape
Department of Social
Development - Youth
Directorate
Watson
Seatel
Department of Social Services
053 632 7600
Zodwa
Mosome
Department of Social Services National
012 312 7187
zodwa@dsd.gov.za
Steven
Maselesd
e
Department of Social Services National
012 312 7066
stevenm@socdev.gov.za
Mogomosi
Keaimedi
tse
Department of Social Services Nothern Cape
053 714 3400
Zodidi
Tshotsho
Department of Social
Development
012 312 7883
zodidit@socdev.gov.za
Z
Mteto
Department of Social
Development
082 551 4038
zoleka.mteto@socdev.ecprov.gov.za
Mthimunye
DHSS
013 710 0105
lungilepm@webmail.co.za
Charity
Lungile
Mxhabel
a
DHSS
013 767 1100
Mamarsiari
A.S.
DHSS
013 799 0572
Maduma
V.I.
DHSS
013 656 6225
Mahlangu
L.T.
DHSS
013 976 7479
Sihlangu
EP
DHSS
013 766 3251
Mabena
Sinduswa
DHSS - Delmas
013 665 4902
A.B.
Snija
DHSS - Nelspruit
013 766 3282
andrewrs@social.mpu.gov.za
Portia
Mtslal
DHSS Mpumalanga
082 797 1900
Portiamt@dhss.mpu.gov.za
Noxolo
Gubesa
DHSS Mpumalanga
076 693 1553
NoxoloN@dhss.mpu.gov.za
innocenm@socail.mpu.gov.za
pulanes@social.mpu.gov.za
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Maria
B
Nhlapo
Nonkony
ana
DOSD
0475312553
Sweetness
Nombexe
za
DOSD
0437433475
Sweetness.nombexeza@socdev.gov.za
Nomathamsanq
a
Daweni
DOSD
0823732007
nomatamsanqa.daweti@ecprov.gov.za
Veronica
Mpondw
ana
DOSD
0824115812
veronica.mpodwana@socdev.ecprov.g
ov.gov.za
Khanyisa
Monakazi
DOSD
07952774554
nombiningcikiza@soc.dev.ecprov.gov.z
a
Nosisi
Skosana
DOSD
0414065728
isabella.skosana@soc.dev.ecpro.gov.za
Lungile-Ndlovu
Zandile
DOSD
051 633 1600
Thenjiwe
Manonga
DOSD
051 611 0208
Monde
Denster
041 406 5736
monde.danster@socdev.ecprov.gov.za
Anthea
Mokwan
a
DOSD
Department of Social
Development - Provincial
Office
079 891 5752
anthea.mokwana@gauteng.gov.za
Nonhlanhla
Mkhize
Durban Lesbian Gay
Community and Health Centre
031 301 2145
admin@gaycentre.org.za
Delani
Gumede
Durban Youth Radio
073 788 0109
gudeded@ananzi.co.za
Delaney
Gomede
Durban Youth Radio
031 304 0410
guneded@ananzi.co.za
J
Mchunu
EKUZAMENI Crisis Centre
031 711 0582
Juliana
Engender Health
082 625 9874
juliana-davids@engenderhealth.org
Phindile
Davids
Gawabaz
a
Zanele
Mbhele
Enthembeni - Kwazulu Natal
C
Adriaans
e
Enthembeni Commission
Centre - De Aar
Enthembeni Community
Centre
073 888 878
ectce@telkomsa.net
053 631 4379
ecte@telkomsa.net
Luvuyo
Karen
Nxusani
Matema
n
Nokuphula
Dignity VEP
058 913 8560
Enthembeni - Kwazulu Natal
EPWF
011 945 6433
Zwane
Esther House
033 865 0434
noks@estherhouse.co.za
Abelgail
Sizakelhe
Ethembe
031 704 6860
abegail.siza@gmail.com
Leon
Oliphant
Ethembeni - Northern Cape
076 868 1862
eck@telkomsa.net
Wilma
Calvert
Family Life Centre
011 788 4784
Francina Hope
Masibi
FAMSA- Mafikeng
083 244 1166
Fancy
Far North Network on Family
Violence - Vhembe
082 647 6390
FNP
082 475 1090
Mosia
Malapela
Ramafike
ng
Masabat
a
FNP
058 813 9622
Bes
Steyn
Foreign Affairs
012 351 4800
steynb@foreign.gov.za
IH
Alli
Forensic Patho Services
039 684 0202
iekram.ali@kzn.health.gov.za
Raselebeli
Nkhutlelang
Angelinah
Khotseng
FSNVAW
078 692 6518
Mongale
Gamagang Crisis Centre
072 501 0392
Selina
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Mohau
Makhosa
ne
Gauteng Health
011 298 2498
mohau.makhosane@gauteng.gov.za
Mary
Motaung
Gauteng Health
011 298 2502
mary.motaung@gauteng.gov.za
Gabi
Khumalo
GCIS
072 623 0076
Liesl
Gender Dainamics
083 320 7691
liesl@genderdianamix.org.za
Rina
Theron
Van Der
Berg
Grace Help Centre
014 574 3476
gracecentre@telkomsa.net
Bambo
Jane
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
015 293 1181
Nemukongwe
Veronica
Kerileng
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
015 962 2918
Consfance
Makgadi
Machaba
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
015 290 9000
Hunadi
Moropen
e
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
015 293 6331
Ramohlola
Manisi
Mary
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
013 260 1645
Mothobela
Moichibidy
Shirley
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
015 651 0057
Senyatsi Kgabo
Isabel
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
083 715 0871
Machete
Ngwanalesele
Patricia
Health and Social Development
- Limpopo
013 264 9627
Health and Social Services
013 766 3098
doreenb@social.mpu.gov.za
Health and Social Services
013 766 3098
yvonnek@social.mpu.gov.za
Health and Social Services
012 721 3872
Doreen
Khulani
Banda
Hwabang
ane
Aurelia
hmoropona@dhw.norprov.gov.za
Adeline
Tladi
Health and Social Services
013 947 3241
Mmatladi
Molefe
Health and Social Services
013 243 4190
Lydia
Matsi
Health and Social Services
017 843 1142
Nkanyane Irene
Gcinekile
Health and Social Services
017 826 0545
gcinaN@social.mpu.gov.za
Boni
Biya
Health and Social Services Mpumalanga
017 883 0251
BoniB@social.mpu.gov.za
Lerato
Nkambul
e
Health and Social Services Mpumalanga
017 735 3898
LeratoN@social.mpu.gov.za
Nomusa
Motha
Health and Social Services Mpumalanga
017 331 3240
NomusaM@social.mpu.gov.za
N.M.
V]ilakazi
HIV & AIDS Prevention
082 406 0758
vilakazi.n@socdev.gov.za
Dikeledi
Mpete
Home Affairs
012 810 6316
dikeledi.mpete@dha.gov.za
Donald
Mzekand
aisn
Home Affairs
012 810 6316
donald.mzekandiasn@dha.gov.za
V
Le Roux
IJR
083 45 7463
wrleroux@yr.org.za
B
Nkentsha
Ikhwezi
0458432110
ikhwezi@lazeldom.co.za
J
Ngxheto
Ilitha CPS
0737854164
Vaughm
Stembeni
Inguavuma Woman's Centre
033 591 0135
Sthuli
Gumede
INK Youth Forum
031 503 3169
Nokuzola
Magida
Isinamva Community
Development Centre
039 255 0427
stembeniwv@xsinet.co.za
isinamva@telkom.net
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Justice and Constitutional
Development
Khanyisa Com Educ. Dev
Centre
Tshuba
Makua
N
Ndaki
Chantelle
Khulisa
034 326 3664
Sharlene
Rose
Rambulli
e
Khulisa
036 637 2616
Rebecca
Pursella
Khulisa
011 447 6464
rpursella@khulisa.com
Marjorie
Jobson
082 268 0223
marje@khulumani.net
Jabulile
Dube
Khulumani Support Group
Khushwayo Business
Enterprises
S
Arends
Kimberley Shelter
072 770 7713
tamarshelter@net.sa
A
Phillips
KNB Qutreach Centre
041 978 1494
adellette.phillips@socdev.ecprov.gov.z
a
Sthembuso
Mlungwa
na
KNU Radio
Phumlani
Mbatha
Kwamashu Community Policing
031 503 7353
mbathaphumlani@gmail.com
Bheki
Msani
Kwamashu Heritage Trust
031 503 3169
bhekimsani@polka.co.za
Sagie
Naidoo
KZNPA
031 337 9612
sadie.naidoo@kznhealth.gov.za
Mabena
Sibongile
Leseding DHSS
083 716 5349
Nage
051 407 1800
emakua@justice.gov.za
082 408 7793
kcedcndaki@lantic.net
031 504 1028
sthemtungwina@webmail.co.za
Lifeline
018 381 0376
11office@lantic.net
Colleen
Rogers
Lifeline Bellamoria
016 428 1741
iti07318@mweb.co.za
M.J.
Modisa
Limpopo Network
072 672 5971
Melonie
Gobel
Phumla
Magagul
a
Living Water
0437227096
Masisakumeni Woman's Crisis
Centre
013 780 3078
Patricia
melonie@livingwaters.org.za
B
Mokoena
Masonwabisane Women's
Support Centre
047 491 4496
masonwabisanewsc@mweb.co.za
Mandisa
Sinakho
me
Matjhabeng Rape Intervention
Case Centre
057 916 2281
somhlahlo@yahoo.com
H.P.
Mokotedi
MEC's
013 766 3093
helenm@social.mpu.gov.za
J.N.
Beharrie
013 766 3098
josephineb@social.mpu.gov.za
Voilet
Smith
MEC's
Meqheleng Victim
Empowerment
F.T.
Moeketsi
Mercel Regional Movement
076 209 4891
moeketsi@sanlamLG.co.za
Mary
Mercey House - Gauteng
011 329 6682
mail@merceyhouse.co.za
Kamini
Mmushi
Padoyach
ei
Mercury News
031 308 2122
kamini.padoyachei@inl.co.za
Johannes
Pitso
MIA
072 243 8489
Malatji
Mmakgomo
Solomon
Queen
Mmamethake DHSS
083 730 1802
Phosa
Mogwawi SAPS VEP
082 247 7862
M
Lekgalwa
Carphus
de Vos
Mosaic
021 761 7585
Motetema VEP
076 247 4848
Scotch
Moloto
Madhlop
he
Mpat
073 280 2703
Wassah
Khumalo
Mpat
073 149 5391
074 241 2716
mdevos@mosaic.org.za
ndwecs@webmail.co.za
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Andries
Tshehla
Mpumalanga Education
082 459 7819
Mudau
Mutale VEP
082 727 4271
P.M.
Norman
Tlhabany
ane
Naledi Lifeskill Training
018 381 6310
JR
Moranrto
National Department of Health
012312 0395
Tau
National DSO
084 206 4440
Mohlatlego
Ntsoane
Mosegm
o
National Peace According
011 606 2850
npglmem@mail.ngo.za
Thozama
Sabi
National Peace According
011 606 2850
npatts@mail.ngo.za
Hildegard
Monei
National Prosecuting Authority
084 821 1850
hlimson@npa.gov.za
Brandon
National Prosecuting Authority
082 427 4785
bglawrence@npa.gov.za
Malebo
Lawrence
Rammop
o
National Prosecuting Authority
ngkolo.rammopo@npa.gov.za
Pumza
Gonize
NDSD
012 845 6153
012 312
7111
Nonhlenhlg
Vilekezi
NDSD
012 312 7677
nonhlenhlev@socdev.gov.za
Miches
Sepeng
NDSD
012 312 7173
miches@socdev.gov.za
Makhosazana
Khumalt
NDSD
012 312 7976
makhosazanak@dsd.gov.za
Detebogo
Manane
NDSD
012 312 7552
detebogom@dsd.gov.za
053 872 2644
011 642
4049
newlifeforgirls@yahoo.com
Clement
Network and Violence Against
Women
h.tshehla@education.mpu.gov.za
ipmt@lantic.net
PHUMZAG@SOCDEV.GOV.ZA
Babalwa
Roberts
Makawul
a
Mary
Dobbie
Newcastle Crisis Centre
Samsun
Ntjebe
NGO
034 315 3389
073 041
5906
Zelda
NGO - Gauteng
011 892 5037
rose@execmail.com
Virginia
Nkabinda
Camealiv
Benjamin
NGO Government Local
083 605 9392
vcb@ec108.org.za
Annelize
Reese
Nicdam
082 467 1105
areese@nicdam.co.za
Vuyisile
Nika
Nicdam - Northern Cape
053 831 1671
ncape@polka.co.za
Eliza
NICRO
078 527 2461
eliza@nicro.co.za
Vanessa
Kenyon
Padayach
ee
Nicro
082 202 0202
vanessa@nicro.co.za
Hete
Kaplan
NICRO
011 242 3017
Juanne
NICRO - Western Cape
021 397 6060
Thoko
Waites
Majokwe
m
NPA
012 845 6136
Johan
Du Toit
NPA
082 557 6539
johan.dutoit@npa.gov.za
Nosisi
Nangu
NPA
043 761 2023
nnangu@npa.gov.za
Karen
Teweson
NPA - National Office
083 229 9440
ktewson@npa.gov.za
Phumeza
Mafani
NPASOCA
012 845 6131
pmafani@npa.gov.za
Lephophotho
Mashike
NPAT
011 717 4428
moxemogolo70@yahoo.com
Nobuhle
Butelezi
Ratshwa
ne
Ntandokazi Trading
076 621 5161
NUAOE
018 387 3404
Dike TV
Mansfiel
d
NVAW
053 872 2644
Opendoor Crisis Centre
084 409 2679
Pamela
Sally
Thora
New Life Centre
juanne@nicro.co.za
pratshwane@nwpg.gov.za
thora@opendoor.co.za
Held at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Durban, South Africa, 18 – 20 August 2008 Page 183 of 203
Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Joy
Watson
021 403 8242
Moloko
Parliament RSG
People Opposing Women
Abuse
Tiny
Mercia
Tafeni
Philani Victim Support Centre
051 713 9301
Provincial South African Police
Service - Free state
051 507 6578
Samantha
Nghondh
ureni
Waterho
use
RAPCAN
021 712 2330
sam@rapcan.org.za
Tania
Moodley
RAPCAN
021 712 2330
tania@rapcan.org.za
Cheryl
Frank
RAPCAN
021 712 2330
cheryl@rapcan.org.za
Cherlyn
Frank
RAPCAN
021 712 2330
cheryl@rapcan.org.za
Kathleen
Rape Crisis - Cape Town Trust
084 568 5356
cath@rapecrisis.org.za
Restorative Justice Centre
012 323 2926
thea@rjc.co.za
SABC
012 431 5472
ramagoshim@sabc.co.za
T
Dey
Goldenh
uys
Ramagos
hi
Subramo
ney
SABC
083 712 6023
subramoneyt@sabc.co.za
C
Roan
SABC
082 570 5369
readcs@sabc.co.za
G.M.
Mojani
Safety and Liaison
053 831 2781
Mark
SAPS
031 304 9434
GB
Kamaph
Manqwa
n
SAPS
082 516 4858
Sonja
Harri
SAPS
021 467 6322
wc.detect.monitor@saps.co.za
Tasswell
Pualse
SAPS
084 670 0800
weprojects@saps.org.za0
N
SAPS
040 608 7131
ecprovsocial@saps.org.za
SAPS
013 698 7132
vosman@saps.com
Wessie
Mani
Ntombifu
thi Nkosi
Autoinett
e
SAPS
013 759 1479
Sebenzile
Qunta
SAPS
083 839 2812
Nomahlubi
Sofika
SAPS
082 371 6478
Mbali
Mcadi
SAPS
012 421 8036
cpvoilence@saps.org.za
K.L.
Mapetla
SAPS
012 421 8234
vp.hqvep@saps.org.za
SAPS - Gauteng Provincial
Office
082 331 8930
gp.prov.crimeprevention@saps.org.za
SAPS - Limpopo
015 290 6210
lim@saps.nod.org.za
Zondi
Thea
Mmabatho
Nicolan
Joseph M
jwatson@parliament.gov.za
083 959 3762
Refilwe Salmin
Ratombo
Mlhame
w
Mjthobula
T
SAPS - Limpopo
015 200 0353
Lizzy
Mabunde
SAPS PHO - Mpumalanga
083 642 8150
Koamotso
Agnes
SAPS Provincial Office
013 299 7137
PJ
Nel
SAPS Social Crime Prevention
082 778 9662
nelp@mweb.co.za
Dumisile
Hadebe
Sara Dumisile Hadebe
Contractors
031 264 0395
hdumisile@yahoo.com
Synnov
Stefani
Pretorius
Skorge
Sarah Banham Centre
083 354 7353
synnov@womenscentre.co.za
Serobi Trauma Centre
051 436 6860
serobicentre@telkomsa.net
Linda
Fugard
Moethilal
h
Sisters Incorporated
021 797 4190
039 977
8220
sistersinc@telkomsa.net
Nirri
Snethemba Shelter
nirrim@lwe.co.za
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Shilali
Social Development Provincial
Office
011 355 7699
Social Services
058 481 3936
Ida
Phumeza
Thokoda
ne
R.A.
Bailey
Social Services - De Aar
053 632 7600
rbouley@pks.ncape.gov.za
C
Farmer
Social Services & Population
Development
027 712 2054
cfarmer@spincape.gov.za
Donald
Whitebo
on
Social Services & Population
Development
082 591 6965
dwhiteboom@ng.ncape.gov.za
Mervin E.A.
October
Social Services and Population
Development
054 337 9408
moctober@uposb.ncape.gov.za
Rakatane
Social Work Programmes
053 948 1135
Matlakala
RL
Tshetlaha
na
Social Work Programmes
053 948 1135
mdtshetlahana@nwpa.gov
Jabulile
Afica
South African Men's Action
Group - North West
018 381 3730
thegovernor@samoe.org.za
Mokhethi
Rahthako
South African Mens Action
Group - North West
011 892 0990
samag@mailbox.co.za
M
South African Police Service
012 334 3761
freemanm@saps.org.za
C
Freeman
van der
Klasthors
t
South African Police Service
012 393 2362
vanderklasthorstc@saps.org.za
NS
Mogale
South African Police Service
082 997 8816
sharon.mogale@gmail.com
SP
Erasmus
SVCA
084 257 0831
SPERASMUS@NPA.GOV.ZA
Goodness
The Haven
033 394 0228
V
Nxumelo
Musabyi
mane
The Potter's House
012 320 2123
vestine@pmc.org.za
Vimla
Pillay
The Trauma Centre
021 465 7373
vimla@trauma.org.za
Jeanette
Makae
Thusamang Advice Center
058 713 6074
tadvice@telkomsa.net
Thokozile
Eister
Tipfuxeni Communication
Counseling Centre
015 516 6874
eisgro@telkomsa.net
Vanessa
Ludwig
Triangle Project
021 448 3812
director@traingle.org.za
Miriam
Frederick
s
Trauma Centre for Survivors
and Violence and Torture
021 465 7373
miriam@trauma.org.za
Tshwaranang
011 403 4267
lisa@tlac.org.za
Fiona
Detter
Nicholso
n
TVEP
015 963 1222
tvep@lantic.net
Thobeka
Dlova
Ubuntu
039 258 0160
Monhlanhla
Dube
082 048 9541
Nokulunga
Maqeda
Ulindi Shelter
Umtata Women's Support
Centre
Chris
Opondu
UNDC
012 342 2424
Tumi
Moche
UNDC
012 342 2424
tumi.moche@unodc.org
Robert
UNESCO
073 6222 003
thamsamqarobertncube@yahoo.com
Thamdeka
Ncube
Tshabolal
e
UNISA
012 429 8294
tshabtl@unisa.ac.za
Juan
Nel
UNISA Centre for Applied
Psychology
Charmaine
March
UNISA Centre for Applied
Psychology
083 239 4309
charm1@telkomsa.net
Henna
Hargevan
University of Kwazulu Natal
083 590 2119
hargovanh@ukzn.ac.za
Lisa
0475315121
shilalip@gauteng.gov.za
uwsc@intekom.co.za
nelj@unisa.ac.co.za
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
J
Lucas
UNODC
082 414 7102
Thomas
Zeindl
UNODC
012 347 7474
Andries
Dichaba
VEP
072 386 3976
Tsietsi
Maphiso
VEP
R
Mboyena
Johannes
Moraba
Madimabe
Chuma
VEP
073 651 6387
015 812
2340
Ngwato
VEP
082 541 1290
VEP
076 650 3613
VEP
071 175 3692
A
Mowila
Magdelin
e
Machebe
le
VEP
076 614 2286
D.M.
Mophori
VEP
073 578 5410
Eliske
Phuthing
Thimothy
Maritz
Victim Support - Witbank
082 970 3293
Melomsa
Victim Support Centre
013 260 1007
Jeanette N
Mgedeza
N.C.
Morapa
Victim Support Centre Middelburg
Victim Support Centre Modimolle
Julianne
Rodgers
Jean
Marutha Sewela
bonganir@telkomsa.net
013 243 2732
vcscmiddelburg@yahoo.com
072 314 5834
nakedimoropa@yahoo.com
Volunteer Centre
021 674 5338
julie@voent.co.za
Vsindisa
011 334 1143
Johanna
Bradley
Dipolelo
Marascv
Vuweselo VEP
073 835 2096
Nqubeni
Nozizwe
WAWA
082 364 7527
Lungiswa
Memgla
WC Network on VAW
021 633 5287
lungiswe@womencentre.co.za
Mymona
WCED Gender Unit
021 467 2437
myjacobs@pgwc.gov.za
Bryne
Jacobs
Joynerwo
od
WECD Safe Schools
021 467 2316
bjoynerw@pgwc.gov.za
S.J
Monare
Western Cape DCS
021 550 6066
sello.monare@dcs.gov.za
K
Nkoko
Western Cape Health
021 483 2684
knkoko@pgwc.gov.za
Nontobeko
Fosilara
Women Against Women Abuse
041 466 9169
wawa195006@yahoo.com
tebogo
Moetywa
Young Christian Students
053 871 5779
tebogomoetywa@gmail.com
G
Zululand Mental Health
035 787 0146
zmh@neotek.co.za
Bernice
Pillay
JacobsMalgas
Melanie
Judge
083 271 2543
programmes@out.org.za
Sharon
Rufus
083 500 0672
Evelyn
082 778 2879
Dorethy
Mapetha
Robertso
n
Mokhethi
Ranthako
073 634 9616
Boy
Kaketshi
084 808 5630
CJ
Verster
083 411 1167
082 804 1979
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
23.
Evaluation of the Conference
23.1
Expectations covered during day 1
23.2
Relevancy of presentations during day 1
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
23.3
Expectations of video
Day 2
23.4
Average percentage of break-away commission’s – Expectations met
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
23.5
Relevancy of presentations to the work
23.6
How the facilitators managed the commissions?
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
Day 3
23.7
Duration of the program
Comment: A conference of this size should be a week
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Was the conference practical for your professional needs?
Clustering Comments
oppies:
ters:
Proceedings:
Time:
Need more time to discuss and debate issues.
Need hard copies of the presentations what should be handed out to delegates during the
conference
All presenters well prepared
Programme must be implemented by service providers to avoid delays in court proceedings
VEP Management Team should be strong to ensure sustainable funding
23.8
Was the conference practical for your professional needs?
Further needs to address on the next conference:

Environmental Issues also affect impact on voilence.
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





Restoring values systematically broken down.
Economic trends also impacting on voilence as poverty.
Not enough about marginalize groups such as LGBT, disabilities, and hate crimes should also be
integrated.
There was no discussion on the VEP graft policy.
The rights and challenges faced by victims.
Funding.
23.9
How did you found the overall standards of the presenters?
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
23.10
Has the conference met your expectations?
More commissions and role clarification
23.11
Did the presenters cover the topics adequately?
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
23.12
Did the presenters provide opportunities for delegates to participate?
24.
Further comments from delegates






24.1
Other needs are:
Training for volunteers.
Restorative Justice
Trauma related matters
Perpetrator propgrammes
Developmental trends and “discovering” practice-models is necessarily
Support, monitoring and evaluation of VE programme











24.2
Overall assessment of the programme and suggestions
Very good Conference
Good venue and food
Well presented papers
Team must be commended
Programme should be longer than 3 days
Travel arrangements should improved
Role of men and boys in VEP should be rolled out
Arrange mini conferences of this nature
Collaboration and partnerships to be strengthen
Enhance Human trafficking awareness
Court preparation for victims
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference



















Monitoring and evaluation
Ensure prevention strategies are in place
Management skills
Therapy programmes and addressing PTSD
Ensure Integrated Service Delivery
Ensure that we raise more awareness around victims of hate crimes and LGBT
What happened with allocated VEP Funds?
Victim Empowerment Programme – The Way Forward on management structures
Sustainable funding for CSO
Establishment of VEP shelters for all genders
Stipends for volunteers
Provincial VEP may meet our need better than this National Conference
Establish VEP Committees on local level
Streamline the conference in terms of: Practical applications, challenges, new developments,
policy development and Way Forward
Embrace on the issue of funding of VEPs by other Departments except DSD
VEP Mediation process
Substance abuse
Improve on proper coordination in terms of travelling for delegates
Some presenters presented poorly
25.
1.


2.
Evaluation of Presentations
Do you think that the presenters covered the topics adequately as set out in the programme?
No-due to time allocated with the result that information they had prepared for the Conference
could not be shared.
It would have been instructive to have presentations of each government department and their
challenges in victim empowerment and recommendations
Were you happy with the presenters papers presented to you?


Not really, because there was not enough some of us ended up not getting.
Presentations were good but it is bad that we need to access the info on the internet as not all
people have access to this. We are lost on the Internet
3.
Do you think there was enough opportunity or time given by the presenters for you to participate
in the discussions during presentations?

No – time was an issue
4.


Do you feel you learnt something new? If so from which topics?
Yes form the people who run one-stop centers.
Refugees
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









5.
Eco-therapy process was very interesting
Best practice model form RAPCAN
There are NGOs that are rendering wonderful programmes in remote parts of the country
Importance of partnership between government and CSO
Anti-Rape Strategy
LGBT
Colleting of Acts to VEP
Role play case study
More times for groups
Diversity of victims
What would you like changed in the programme next time?







Duration of time for speakers
To much information in one day
Inter and intra departmental collaboration
Resolutions: Set time aside to discuss it by delegates
Integrated VEP Policy a endorsed Policy and not a draft
Limit presentations
Circulate proposed conference resolutions at the beginning, gear ALL presentations toward issues
certainly to these resolutions and allow more time for debate
 Assign adequately skilled rapporteurs
 Ensure that Facilitators are competent to facilitate
 Cluster presentations according to other themes such as:
 Domestic Violence, shelters, children, refuges, trafficking etc.
6. Does your organization need more training? And if so in what areas?








How to run a shelter in a holistic approach.
Client management.
Invite SADC & International counterparts
Psychology services at local level is seriously lacking
The mental health of our communities is not addressed
Reports prepared for High Court-Child Witness-Formulation of Victim Impact Statements. Need a
copy of Care plan
We desperately need information to be share in order for our service delivery to keep on growing
Capacity training
Additional comments
-
Gala Event Rocked
Continuous training for social workers and other professions on VEP policy
Provisions to share best practice model
AU info presented could have been put into a user Friendly brochure and presented to each
participant rather than have a lot of repetitive presentations could have gone into discussions
groups and get the work done.
-
Directorate should liaise with disability Directorate.
-
No inspiration, motivation, enthusiasm experienced. Panel- this is not happening.
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-
The round table presentations were poor. Sector presenter did not have a clear understanding of
the available interventions within their sector.
-
When the speakers are presenting in slide how to be done. The speakers did not keep to their
stipulated times. The last session was pathetic as some of the panel was clueless.
-
Also sound system very poor, especially at the back.
-
Tell us how you are going to manage the gaps in coordination within department and NGO as
well CBO and the proper funding.
-
Some comments from the audience were interesting and valid. The panel reactions to the
problem were unrealistic and revealed gaps in delivery
-
The shelters are doing very well and hope that the donor could be of assistance financial in order
to make their work easy. Integration of service is also a serious gap
-
Less time could have been spent on children’s ACT, it was very exhaustive; more time should
been spent on DVA 116/98 because those in the round table discussion were clueless about
procedures into VEP. The police and health were very poor with their explanation of what needs to
happen! WOW!!
-
Speakers failed to present within time- Limit and in most instances were inaudible. Adv B
Lawrence was very knowledgeable about his subject matter and presented matter and presented it
well!!
-
Sound system not too good- difficult to hear hand held mike at the back. Print of some
presentations very small. People are holding conversation, answering cell phones, constantly
group in and out, this is very disturbing.
The video presentation only captured certain provinces, why other provinces are worked not
show cased!! What criterion was used to nominate the provinces to be show cased?
-
-
The speakers are not loud/audible enough I struggle to hear and I missed a lot of information.
-
Stipend for VEP.
-
I’m negative due to the extremely poor service that I received yesterday!! I have been trying the
whole morning to confirm my flight home, but your staffs have been most unhelpful!!!
-
Looking forward to commissions. Think more interaction with delegates would be more beneficial
if the presenters are long and not interactive the day becomes too long and boring. The venue is
great! Well organised. Thanks to all concerned. Food etc great quality. Water on the tables so
appreciated. Networking opportunity is vital. Thanks you for putting it all together DOSD.
-
The organization of this conference was extremely poor in respect of flight and transportation. No
apologies or mention thereof to the many delegates that were inconvenienced. Would appreciate
copies of presentations i.e. availability in soft copy as well as summaries from rapporteurs.
-
Sitting arrangements needs to be reconsidered to ensure that all people have closer contact with
the speakers. Break away will do.
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
-
Provide some entertainment to break the monotonous programme on the whole there is still room
for improvement.
-
Still waiting to receive implementation information and tools. The practical application and
monitoring of VEP needs to be put forward. Role clarification for the different department to be
explained.
-
I request questions ballot for people who can pose questions secretly as some of us, from civil
societies lack self confidence to stand in front of the whole participants. We go back home with
burning issues and our inputs can make a floor working with community especially when we are
with professional we are very scared.
-
Most service providers are also victims of unemployment. How can they counsel other victims
whereas they are starving some of us does not even get stipend of R500 but we are busy working.
We also become traumatized. No one listen to us.
-
Do not just say things that does not time framed. You make us loose trust or focus. Double check
that only or more services are given to offenders less to victims. Time frame is very much
essentials. We cannot just wait without being passive.
-
Crime Prevention Strategy is also need to be developed.
-
Presentation must be made before lunch for it is causing people to get drowsy when coming from
launch.
-
Why the government doesn’t own shelters and One Stop Centre because these places are
always in a shortfall and most of the time are almost being closed.
-
The case scenario was useful in demonstrating the strengths and challenges of an integrated
approval to translating policy and legislation into practice.
-
The panel discussions was removed from practical realities in the beginning it should have been
focus on the problem and dealing with it not removing the mother and children without consulting
with local support structures e.g. church etc. No intervention e.g. family or marriage counseling.
VEP should focus on the needs of those in rural areas and where the structure and resources are
lacking. At least the lack of coordination between government departments was again highlighted.
-
Create employment opportunity for volunteers not to be stipend. Encourage men and boys to
come forward and report abuses they encounter as well.
-
Too dark inside, boring presentation, presenters could have put more effort and ‘spark’ into their
presentations.
-
Clear communications about logistics needed e.g. buses timing etc.
It’s good those government departments acknowledges and recognize their shortfalls and work
on plans to deal with that.
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-
All the departments gets information from the grass roots, volunteers but they do not think of
compensation then the question is when volunteers will gets compensations, please give them
funds because they committed themselves within this programme.
-
A lot to be done on the operational phase need to implement than preparing impressing
presentation whereas we know that government is not doing much after 10 years. A lot need to be
done THANK YOU!
-
The case scenario indicated that general approach is maintained in addressing the client’s
problem since the panel did not individual but generalized the response to the case.
-
Programme like this must be held annually, whether it can be referred as dialogue or something
else because it shows us as to how far are we with the implementation on VEP.
-
Role play was an embarrassment.
-
Thank you all for arrangement and hard work. We appreciate it.
-
Looking forward to tomorrow. Sound not very good!
-
Most of the information could have been put on disk book form. Cutting Conference by 1 day and
cutting cost.
-
We need to hear commend from the survivors/victims regarding services they receive from
stakeholder in the past as a way of assessing ourselves.
-
The new Children Act. Urgent needed for department of Home Affairs to be informing a trained
Children Act. We are having cases of children from Lesotho where court opening were due but
cannot be finalize due to documentation. This is a problem for the Free State.
-
We could appreciate if the government could help the communities at the lowest level to build the
shelters for the victim because in most cases we end up accommodating the victims at our homes
which is not the appropriate place to start with a person who needs a safe place to start are being
followed by the same people who abused them at our homes because it is not a safe place and the
police are not doing much on those cases.
-
Victims Empowerment Programme still have a lot of challenges to look at.
-
More has to be done on role clarifications of all stakeholders on VEP. I would like to agree with
the Department Minister Legislations has been there and we should implement effectively as early
as they were approved and costed. NB: Only people with passions will make this program a
success, not only there for salary but for good course which is to put their people first and effective
service delivery.
-
Session about children act very boring no new information would like to have more about criminal
law (Sexual Offences) rather give case studies etc.
-
I think it is a good idea to have this stakeholder and hope if they create more campaign the victim
will be reduced, I wish all the centers have more shelters to accommodate those kids who has no
parent and for those who are orphans.
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
-
-
A very good and informed Conference.
Presentations should be in slides or be mad available on the packs not everybody has an access
to internet.
Children Act presentation could have been done better and sufficient.
-
Departments like SAPS, Justice need to pull their soaks. Their presentation on the case study
was not good at all.
-
The case scenario was very good. It raised awareness on all of us that at times the management
of Domestic Violence cases is not properly managed.
-
I add that debriefing mentioned above should always be mentioned in meetings and conference
of this nature.
-
Improve funding of NGO as projects to have quality services to the communities and also
ensuring sustainability and project members.
-
Please next time when you invite us as members of VEP to the meetings or conference please
make sure that you invite one of the captain or superintendent from each station to come because
you can see that the police don’t know about the work that VEP is doing at some station.
-
The round table discussion was good and it showed that there is a need to have referral systems
in place and that follow ups need to be done by relevant service providers to ensure that the client
has received quality services.
-
It is clear that we need to work as a team with other stakeholders in assisting and improving the
lives of victims.
-
Handouts concerning presentations should be available to civil society organizations only, not
government department as CSO’s have no money.
-
In future, handouts must be available as some local office faced challenges on website therefore
hindering practical implementation of programme.
-
-
-
Good well prepared speakers.
The presentations are important in making us to understand the importance of the rights of the
victim of violence and crime.
Good start to Conference. Good timing and presentations. Everything flowed together.
Some key questions not given answers by the speakers. Poor preparation of the handout on
biographical profile and abstract
Time management good
The presentation of the day was more nationally and providing structured not district office local
office. Hope for next one will cover.
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
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We are getting there.
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The presentations were relevant and interesting. The first day was well organized. Well done.
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A presentation on the substance abuse treatment and prevention bill should have been
considered as well. Substance abuse has a direct lunch direct line to domestic violence.
Panel members should better themselves with topics.
People who are working on the grass roots level needs to be invited in such Conference so that
they should had same idea with those who are on top and who expect report on grass roots level.
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Victim voice in terms of service they demand from stakeholder did not come out.
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Thank you for this great opportunity.
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Only if all head of department can be involved in the implementation of Victim Charter and VEP it
will be 100%
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The victims have to receive the status of their case. Social workers must be on standby even
during the weekend. The Department of Social Development need to budget money for overtime
duties for social workers.
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Social workers should specialize in Victims Empowerment; they should also be available during
weekends and after hours for counseling and victims support services.
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DSD should strengthen the partnership between it and NGO all over South Africa.
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The Victim Empowerment Programme needs to ensure that funding is made available to civil
service organization in order to be adequately resourced.
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Some of the presenters were very vague and spoke a lot without saying much. Only real positive
prevention had been the one by Ms Nxumalo and Advocate Lawrence was better than excellent
could have given him an hour to speak.
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To keep a large contingency interested, you need for be more power packed and dynamic. Use
technology- power point etc.
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This case study indicated that the different sectors do not market their services adequately. The
sectors should have rather focused on the gaps in service delivery for victims.
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The Conference was well organized. Provision of more tables for lunch is needed.
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The police (SAPS) needs to be more involved when it comes to VEP meetings and workshop like
awareness sessions re: VEP
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What is happening at local level when it comes to VEP at police stations- police do not always
treat victims with respect they more focus on crime. Way forward!!
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The problem is with all these efforts sexual offences are escalating.
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
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It is very hard to get funding from other Department refers us to Social Development for VEP.
I think handout of all the presentation and speeches are very important at any conference,
reasons are that other organizations have no access to internet.
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Well organized conference so far.
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Everything was well organized.
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The Conference is very informative on this day and one appreciates the variety of speakers
invited.
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It will be good training if it is addressed in partnership with the University and budgets given to
University and NGO allocated places at those short courses.
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Thanks for a great first day.
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Thanks for this opportunity! Enjoyed the practical component of the hypothetical case study!!
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The programme was to much to grasp a lot in the evening we no longer following.
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Brandon Lawrence presentation was out of this world. Well prepared and well spoken.
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The departments that are using this education can they think first for the NGO and volunteer.
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I would like to thank the sponsors. This Conference has empowered me; I will also empower
other community based organizations.
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Presentation on Children’s Act 38, 2005 as amended was highly informative, empowering to the
children and implementing stakeholder.
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The conference met my expectation the only challenge was the hand outs should have been
made available as the internal facilities are very difficult to access.
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Hoping for value added outcome at end of the conference, I mean something tangible.
The programme was very fruitful to me some of my questions are answered. Thanks to the last
facilitator she has done a very good work.
Conference was well organized and up to standards except for the transport arrangement.
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The session was well organized. The programme content was relevant to the issues of
discussions within VEP.
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Further discussions on issues rose like financial awards; follow up compelling regional
department to participate in the intersectional forums.
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DSD (Nation) to monitor the service on a regular period to ensure the national standards for VEP
are adhered to in provinces and civil society.
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Report on Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP) 10th Anniversary Conference
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Last session of the day needed more preparation felt that SAPS officials was put on the sot she
was not protected.
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Department of social development are doing great in leading and coordinating the VEP.
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So far so good.
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Please try to focus to VEP shelters that are not government initiatives because they are of good
help to our development.
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Capacity building of provincial forums under VEP in order to be replicated at district level to
improve the commitment of stakeholders. Guidelines on formation of forums to be available on
Departmental website.
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Thanks, want to talk about service delivery.
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All presentations be made available in the website since one could not capture everything.
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Make presentation accessible in the DSD website as soon as possible please. The information is
important.
The programme is very good; it must only be motivated at the broader community.
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