KRM 220 SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY UNIT 5
KRM 220
SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY
UNIT 5
VICTIM EMPOWERMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
After this unit you should be able to reach the following outcomes:
- Explain the rationale for victim empowerment by highlighting the reasons why victims need
attention
- Outline the objectives of victim empowerment
- Distinguish between victim support and victim empowerment
- Discuss Van Dijk’s crime prevention model
- Provide an exposition of the Thuthuzela rape care centres’ approach towards victim
empowerment
WHY DO VICTIMS NEED ATTENTION
- When taking SA’s high crime rate into consideration it is clear that victim support and
empowerment is essential, especially when taking into consideration that victimisation has a
negative impact on a physical, financial, societal and emotional level
- Victimisation can affect the victim’s relationships, employment, society, health, productivity,
sleep, feelings of detachment, anger, fear, paranoia
- The different needs of victims include:
Emotional needs (defusing, debriefing, trauma therapy)
Acknowledgement needs (of their loss, anger & trauma and that their response is a
‘normal’ one to an ‘abnormal’ situation) – if these feelings persist for more than 6
months, the victim will be referred to a professional for possible PTSD diagnosis
Practical needs (locks to be repaired or transport to local clinic or police station)
Information needs (about criminal justice system, trial and resources in the
community to assist them in their period of crisis)
Need for understanding (not be blamed for or questioned on their involvement in
the crime)
Need for contact with judicial process (to provide a statement for investigative
purposes)
- Crime victimisation also brings about hopelessness and exposure to the unpredictability of
the criminal justice system
- This contributes further to feelings of vulnerability and lack of safety of survivors
- Information about what to expect, how the justice process works and where to obtain
assistance may help survivors regain some of the control taken away by the victimisation
- However, many victims do not report their victimisation to the police for the following
reasons:
a. Fear of further victimisation
b. Lack of trust in the police / CJS
1
, KRM 220 SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY UNIT 5
- REASEARCH conducted by Rudolph Zin:
- 17% of armed robbery cases are convicted
OBJECTIVES OF VICTIM EMPOWERMENT
- Term ‘victim empowerment and support’ coined in 1996 at first national workshop in SA
addressing crime victim-related issues arranged by the SAPS and ISS
- Victim empowerment suggests an approach that facilitates access and delivers a range of
services to those who individually or collectively have suffered harm, trauma and/or
material deprivation through violence, crime, natural disasters, human accidents and/or
socioeconomic conditions, towards building a healthy, peaceful society
- Victim empowerment is a philosophy, method or technique of handling victims that accepts
assists individuals to help themselves or to cope better with an incident of victimisation
- The objectives of victim empowerment and support are to:
1. Reduce psychological shock & trauma victims may suffer by providing emotional
support and practical assistance immediately or shortly after incident
2. Identify symptoms of post-traumatic stress, refer victims to trauma counselling and
other professional services where necessary
3. Prevent or reduce secondary victimisation by the CJS by providing information on
matters such as status of the investigation, functioning of the court system and
rights of victims
4. Prevent repeat victimisation by advising & guiding individual towards a preventative
lifestyle, and by creating awareness among the public of the risks of crime
VICTIM SUPPORT V EMPOWERMENT
- Difference between victim support (care for the immediate needs of the victim) and
empowerment (care, giving victim an active role in the CJS and preventing repeat
victimisation)
- Victim support focuses on helping the victim whereas victim empowerment aims to
encourage the victim to help themselves
BENEFITS OF VICTIM EMPOWERMENT
- Reduction of short or long term distressing after effects
- Reduction of persona, marital and relationship problems
- Reduction of the following in the workplace:
Incidence of sickness and absenteeism
Poor concentration
Careless mistakes
Hypervigilance
Conflict with colleagues and managers
2
KRM 220
SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY
UNIT 5
VICTIM EMPOWERMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA
After this unit you should be able to reach the following outcomes:
- Explain the rationale for victim empowerment by highlighting the reasons why victims need
attention
- Outline the objectives of victim empowerment
- Distinguish between victim support and victim empowerment
- Discuss Van Dijk’s crime prevention model
- Provide an exposition of the Thuthuzela rape care centres’ approach towards victim
empowerment
WHY DO VICTIMS NEED ATTENTION
- When taking SA’s high crime rate into consideration it is clear that victim support and
empowerment is essential, especially when taking into consideration that victimisation has a
negative impact on a physical, financial, societal and emotional level
- Victimisation can affect the victim’s relationships, employment, society, health, productivity,
sleep, feelings of detachment, anger, fear, paranoia
- The different needs of victims include:
Emotional needs (defusing, debriefing, trauma therapy)
Acknowledgement needs (of their loss, anger & trauma and that their response is a
‘normal’ one to an ‘abnormal’ situation) – if these feelings persist for more than 6
months, the victim will be referred to a professional for possible PTSD diagnosis
Practical needs (locks to be repaired or transport to local clinic or police station)
Information needs (about criminal justice system, trial and resources in the
community to assist them in their period of crisis)
Need for understanding (not be blamed for or questioned on their involvement in
the crime)
Need for contact with judicial process (to provide a statement for investigative
purposes)
- Crime victimisation also brings about hopelessness and exposure to the unpredictability of
the criminal justice system
- This contributes further to feelings of vulnerability and lack of safety of survivors
- Information about what to expect, how the justice process works and where to obtain
assistance may help survivors regain some of the control taken away by the victimisation
- However, many victims do not report their victimisation to the police for the following
reasons:
a. Fear of further victimisation
b. Lack of trust in the police / CJS
1
, KRM 220 SECTION A - VICTIMOLOGY UNIT 5
- REASEARCH conducted by Rudolph Zin:
- 17% of armed robbery cases are convicted
OBJECTIVES OF VICTIM EMPOWERMENT
- Term ‘victim empowerment and support’ coined in 1996 at first national workshop in SA
addressing crime victim-related issues arranged by the SAPS and ISS
- Victim empowerment suggests an approach that facilitates access and delivers a range of
services to those who individually or collectively have suffered harm, trauma and/or
material deprivation through violence, crime, natural disasters, human accidents and/or
socioeconomic conditions, towards building a healthy, peaceful society
- Victim empowerment is a philosophy, method or technique of handling victims that accepts
assists individuals to help themselves or to cope better with an incident of victimisation
- The objectives of victim empowerment and support are to:
1. Reduce psychological shock & trauma victims may suffer by providing emotional
support and practical assistance immediately or shortly after incident
2. Identify symptoms of post-traumatic stress, refer victims to trauma counselling and
other professional services where necessary
3. Prevent or reduce secondary victimisation by the CJS by providing information on
matters such as status of the investigation, functioning of the court system and
rights of victims
4. Prevent repeat victimisation by advising & guiding individual towards a preventative
lifestyle, and by creating awareness among the public of the risks of crime
VICTIM SUPPORT V EMPOWERMENT
- Difference between victim support (care for the immediate needs of the victim) and
empowerment (care, giving victim an active role in the CJS and preventing repeat
victimisation)
- Victim support focuses on helping the victim whereas victim empowerment aims to
encourage the victim to help themselves
BENEFITS OF VICTIM EMPOWERMENT
- Reduction of short or long term distressing after effects
- Reduction of persona, marital and relationship problems
- Reduction of the following in the workplace:
Incidence of sickness and absenteeism
Poor concentration
Careless mistakes
Hypervigilance
Conflict with colleagues and managers
2
