CMY3705
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Due date: 24 August 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice defended as tradition
causes injury, fear, loss of dignity, or denial of children’s rights. Culture is not automatically harmful,
because many traditions give children identity, belonging and social support, but harm arises when
adults use power, secrecy, family pressure or community approval to silence children. In South
Africa, cultural rights must be read with children’s rights to safety, dignity, bodily integrity and
protection from maltreatment. Victimology therefore focuses on the child’s experience of harm, the
difficulty of reporting, and the need for support that respects culture without excusing abuse
(University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
, 1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice defended
as tradition causes injury, fear, loss of dignity, or denial of children’s rights. Culture is
not automatically harmful, because many traditions give children identity, belonging
and social support, but harm arises when adults use power, secrecy, family pressure
or community approval to silence children. In South Africa, cultural rights must be
read with children’s rights to safety, dignity, bodily integrity and protection from
maltreatment. Victimology therefore focuses on the child’s experience of harm, the
difficulty of reporting, and the need for support that respects culture without excusing
abuse (University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
2. Definition of three key concepts
A victim is a person who suffers physical, emotional, economic or rights based harm
through unlawful conduct, abuse of power or harmful omissions (University of South
Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
A harmful cultural practice is a social, cultural or religious practice that becomes
abusive when it damages health, dignity, safety, consent or development (University
of South Africa, 2019; Bennett, 2004).
Victim empowerment means practical, emotional, legal and social support that
helps harmed persons regain safety, confidence, dignity and access to justice
(University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
3. Children as vulnerable victims
Children are vulnerable victims because they depend on adults for care, protection,
food, education and decision making, which means that they often cannot freely
resist harmful practices. Victimology views harm broadly, because victimisation
includes physical injuries, emotional suffering, economic loss and serious
interference with fundamental rights (University of South Africa, 2019). In harmful
cultural practices, the child may be harmed by trusted people such as parents,
relatives, elders, traditional leaders or community members, making resistance more
difficult. A child may also fear rejection, punishment or shame if he or she questions
a practice accepted by the family or community (Karmen, 2016).
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Due date: 24 August 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice defended as tradition
causes injury, fear, loss of dignity, or denial of children’s rights. Culture is not automatically harmful,
because many traditions give children identity, belonging and social support, but harm arises when
adults use power, secrecy, family pressure or community approval to silence children. In South
Africa, cultural rights must be read with children’s rights to safety, dignity, bodily integrity and
protection from maltreatment. Victimology therefore focuses on the child’s experience of harm, the
difficulty of reporting, and the need for support that respects culture without excusing abuse
(University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
, 1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimology concern when a practice defended
as tradition causes injury, fear, loss of dignity, or denial of children’s rights. Culture is
not automatically harmful, because many traditions give children identity, belonging
and social support, but harm arises when adults use power, secrecy, family pressure
or community approval to silence children. In South Africa, cultural rights must be
read with children’s rights to safety, dignity, bodily integrity and protection from
maltreatment. Victimology therefore focuses on the child’s experience of harm, the
difficulty of reporting, and the need for support that respects culture without excusing
abuse (University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
2. Definition of three key concepts
A victim is a person who suffers physical, emotional, economic or rights based harm
through unlawful conduct, abuse of power or harmful omissions (University of South
Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
A harmful cultural practice is a social, cultural or religious practice that becomes
abusive when it damages health, dignity, safety, consent or development (University
of South Africa, 2019; Bennett, 2004).
Victim empowerment means practical, emotional, legal and social support that
helps harmed persons regain safety, confidence, dignity and access to justice
(University of South Africa, 2019; Karmen, 2016).
3. Children as vulnerable victims
Children are vulnerable victims because they depend on adults for care, protection,
food, education and decision making, which means that they often cannot freely
resist harmful practices. Victimology views harm broadly, because victimisation
includes physical injuries, emotional suffering, economic loss and serious
interference with fundamental rights (University of South Africa, 2019). In harmful
cultural practices, the child may be harmed by trusted people such as parents,
relatives, elders, traditional leaders or community members, making resistance more
difficult. A child may also fear rejection, punishment or shame if he or she questions
a practice accepted by the family or community (Karmen, 2016).
