CMY3705
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 24 August 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimological concern when customs that are
defended as tradition cause physical injury, emotional suffering, sexual exploitation
or serious violations of children’s fundamental rights. Children face greater
vulnerability because their young age, dependence on adults and limited social
power may prevent them from resisting harmful decisions made on their behalf.
Victimology therefore focuses on the actual harm experienced by children rather
than condemning culture as a whole, because many cultural practices contribute
positively to identity and belonging. Protection becomes necessary when dignity,
bodily integrity, safety and genuine consent are violated through practices such as
ukuthwala, female genital mutilation and unsafe circumcision (CMY3705 Study
guide, 2019). Such victimisation requires responses that respect survivors, prevent
secondary victimisation and strengthen access to meaningful support services
, 1. INTRODUCTION
Harmful cultural practices become a victimological concern when customs that are
defended as tradition cause physical injury, emotional suffering, sexual exploitation
or serious violations of children’s fundamental rights. Children face greater
vulnerability because their young age, dependence on adults and limited social
power may prevent them from resisting harmful decisions made on their behalf.
Victimology therefore focuses on the actual harm experienced by children rather
than condemning culture as a whole, because many cultural practices contribute
positively to identity and belonging. Protection becomes necessary when dignity,
bodily integrity, safety and genuine consent are violated through practices such as
ukuthwala, female genital mutilation and unsafe circumcision (CMY3705 Study
guide, 2019). Such victimisation requires responses that respect survivors, prevent
secondary victimisation and strengthen access to meaningful support services
(Karmen, 2020).
2. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1 Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are traditional, social or customary practices that cause
physical, sexual or psychological harm and violate a person’s dignity, safety,
wellbeing, bodily integrity or fundamental rights (CMY3705 Study guide, 2019).
2.2 Victimisation
Victimisation refers to the experience of physical injury, emotional suffering,
economic loss or serious impairment of fundamental rights resulting from harmful
acts, omissions, abuse, violence or unequal exercises of power (Karmen, 2020).
2.3 Vulnerable child victim
A vulnerable child victim is a person below adulthood whose age, dependence,
limited power and developmental stage increase exposure to harm while reducing
the ability to resist, escape, report or seek protection (Finkelhor et al., 2007).
3. CHILDREN AS VULNERABLE VICTIMS
Assignment 1 Semester 2 2026
Unique number:
Due date: 24 August 2026
1. Introduction
Harmful cultural practices become a victimological concern when customs that are
defended as tradition cause physical injury, emotional suffering, sexual exploitation
or serious violations of children’s fundamental rights. Children face greater
vulnerability because their young age, dependence on adults and limited social
power may prevent them from resisting harmful decisions made on their behalf.
Victimology therefore focuses on the actual harm experienced by children rather
than condemning culture as a whole, because many cultural practices contribute
positively to identity and belonging. Protection becomes necessary when dignity,
bodily integrity, safety and genuine consent are violated through practices such as
ukuthwala, female genital mutilation and unsafe circumcision (CMY3705 Study
guide, 2019). Such victimisation requires responses that respect survivors, prevent
secondary victimisation and strengthen access to meaningful support services
, 1. INTRODUCTION
Harmful cultural practices become a victimological concern when customs that are
defended as tradition cause physical injury, emotional suffering, sexual exploitation
or serious violations of children’s fundamental rights. Children face greater
vulnerability because their young age, dependence on adults and limited social
power may prevent them from resisting harmful decisions made on their behalf.
Victimology therefore focuses on the actual harm experienced by children rather
than condemning culture as a whole, because many cultural practices contribute
positively to identity and belonging. Protection becomes necessary when dignity,
bodily integrity, safety and genuine consent are violated through practices such as
ukuthwala, female genital mutilation and unsafe circumcision (CMY3705 Study
guide, 2019). Such victimisation requires responses that respect survivors, prevent
secondary victimisation and strengthen access to meaningful support services
(Karmen, 2020).
2. DEFINITION OF KEY CONCEPTS
2.1 Harmful cultural practices
Harmful cultural practices are traditional, social or customary practices that cause
physical, sexual or psychological harm and violate a person’s dignity, safety,
wellbeing, bodily integrity or fundamental rights (CMY3705 Study guide, 2019).
2.2 Victimisation
Victimisation refers to the experience of physical injury, emotional suffering,
economic loss or serious impairment of fundamental rights resulting from harmful
acts, omissions, abuse, violence or unequal exercises of power (Karmen, 2020).
2.3 Vulnerable child victim
A vulnerable child victim is a person below adulthood whose age, dependence,
limited power and developmental stage increase exposure to harm while reducing
the ability to resist, escape, report or seek protection (Finkelhor et al., 2007).
3. CHILDREN AS VULNERABLE VICTIMS
