cmy3705
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Due Date: 24 aUGUST 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice that is defended as
culture causes injury, fear, sexual exploitation, loss of dignity or long term emotional pain to a
child. Victimology studies the relationship between the injured person, the person or group
causing harm, and the suffering that follows, including physical, emotional and social harm
(University of South Africa, 2019). In South Africa, culture is respected, but children cannot be
left unprotected when cultural authority is used to silence them, force consent, or expose them
to unsafe practices (Mwambene & Sloth-Nielsen, 2011).
2. Definition of key concepts
Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are practices linked to tradition, religion or community identity that
become harmful when they damage health, dignity, bodily safety, consent or equal protection
(Reisel & Creighton, 2015).
, 1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice that is
defended as culture causes injury, fear, sexual exploitation, loss of dignity or long
term emotional pain to a child. Victimology studies the relationship between the
injured person, the person or group causing harm, and the suffering that follows,
including physical, emotional and social harm (University of South Africa, 2019). In
South Africa, culture is respected, but children cannot be left unprotected when
cultural authority is used to silence them, force consent, or expose them to unsafe
practices (Mwambene & Sloth-Nielsen, 2011).
2. Definition of key concepts
Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are practices linked to tradition, religion or community
identity that become harmful when they damage health, dignity, bodily safety,
consent or equal protection (Reisel & Creighton, 2015).
Victimisation
Victimisation means suffering physical, emotional, sexual, economic or rights based
harm because of another person’s conduct, including harm that is later worsened by
poor reporting systems (University of South Africa, 2019).
Victim empowerment
Victim empowerment means helping harmed people regain safety, confidence and
access to support, while also improving justice services so victims are not blamed or
ignored (Davis & Snyman, 2005).
3. Children as vulnerable victims
Children are vulnerable victims because they often depend on adults for food,
shelter, culture, school decisions and protection, which makes it difficult for them to
resist harmful decisions made by families or community leaders. A child may not
understand the full meaning of marriage, cutting, initiation or sexual pressure, which
means consent becomes weak where adults hold power over the child (Walklate,
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Due Date: 24 aUGUST 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice that is defended as
culture causes injury, fear, sexual exploitation, loss of dignity or long term emotional pain to a
child. Victimology studies the relationship between the injured person, the person or group
causing harm, and the suffering that follows, including physical, emotional and social harm
(University of South Africa, 2019). In South Africa, culture is respected, but children cannot be
left unprotected when cultural authority is used to silence them, force consent, or expose them
to unsafe practices (Mwambene & Sloth-Nielsen, 2011).
2. Definition of key concepts
Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are practices linked to tradition, religion or community identity that
become harmful when they damage health, dignity, bodily safety, consent or equal protection
(Reisel & Creighton, 2015).
, 1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice that is
defended as culture causes injury, fear, sexual exploitation, loss of dignity or long
term emotional pain to a child. Victimology studies the relationship between the
injured person, the person or group causing harm, and the suffering that follows,
including physical, emotional and social harm (University of South Africa, 2019). In
South Africa, culture is respected, but children cannot be left unprotected when
cultural authority is used to silence them, force consent, or expose them to unsafe
practices (Mwambene & Sloth-Nielsen, 2011).
2. Definition of key concepts
Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are practices linked to tradition, religion or community
identity that become harmful when they damage health, dignity, bodily safety,
consent or equal protection (Reisel & Creighton, 2015).
Victimisation
Victimisation means suffering physical, emotional, sexual, economic or rights based
harm because of another person’s conduct, including harm that is later worsened by
poor reporting systems (University of South Africa, 2019).
Victim empowerment
Victim empowerment means helping harmed people regain safety, confidence and
access to support, while also improving justice services so victims are not blamed or
ignored (Davis & Snyman, 2005).
3. Children as vulnerable victims
Children are vulnerable victims because they often depend on adults for food,
shelter, culture, school decisions and protection, which makes it difficult for them to
resist harmful decisions made by families or community leaders. A child may not
understand the full meaning of marriage, cutting, initiation or sexual pressure, which
means consent becomes weak where adults hold power over the child (Walklate,
