TABLE OF CONTENTS
Historical Approach
..................................................................................................................2
1.1. A Historical Analysis of the Criminal Law Response to Domestic Violence in South
Africa: Adequacy and Constitutional Implications ................................. 3
1.2. Evolution of Domestic Violence Legislation in South Africa
............................................................................................................... 6
1.3. Key Legislative Milestones and Their Impact
............................................................................................................... 4
Comparative Approach
............................................................................................................... 5
2.1. A Comparative Analysis of the Criminal Law Response to Domestic Violence in
South Africa and Zimbabwe: Addressing Constitutional Rights and Legislative
Frameworks ...........................................................................................6
2.2. Comparative Analysis of Domestic Violence Legislation in South Africa and
Zimbabwe ..............................................................................................7
2.3. Constitutional Rights and Protections in South Africa and Zimbabwe
.............................................................................................................. 8
2.4. Effectiveness and Challenges in the Implementation of Domestic Violence Laws
............................................................................................................... 8
,You must choose whether you are researching the topic using the historical approach
or the comparative approach (see explanation below)
A) Historical research approach.
This means looking at the historical development of the law on the issue from a specific
date in the past up to the present day. You will look at relevant case law and legislation that
might have contributed to the law as it stands today. You will also consider law reform
commission reports on the given topic. Writings by scholars can assist in interpreting
the law and evaluating its application and effectiveness. For purposes of the historical
approach, you focus on the historical developments in South Africa only.
OR
B) Comparative research approach:
This means looking at the current legal position in one jurisdiction and comparing it to the
current legal position in another jurisdiction. For purposes of this research proposal, you
must look at the laws of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Legislation, case law, law reform
commission reports and writings by scholars should be consulted. You will not go into detail
about the historical developments of the law on the issue in these two jurisdictions but
analyze and compare the current legal position.
, Introduction
Domestic violence remains a pervasive and deeply ingrained issue in South African
society, affecting individuals across diverse socioeconomic and cultural
backgrounds. The impact of domestic violence is profound, often causing significant
physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Despite its widespread occurrence,
South African criminal law does not explicitly classify domestic violence as a
separate criminal offense, in contrast to some jurisdictions where it is specifically
criminalized. This gap raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current legal
framework in addressing domestic violence, safeguarding victims, and holding
offenders accountable.
This research proposal aims to investigate the historical development of South
Africa's criminal law response to domestic violence, critically evaluating how the legal
framework has progressed to its current form. The study will assess whether the
existing laws adequately protect victims' constitutional rights, particularly regarding
dignity, equality, and freedom from violence. It will also examine the sufficiency of
criminal penalties imposed on offenders and explore whether legislative reforms or
alternative legal measures could improve the current response.
The research will utilize a historical approach, tracking the evolution of domestic
violence legislation in South Africa from its inception to the present. By reviewing
case law, legislation, law reform commission reports, and academic literature, this
study will assess the effectiveness of the criminal law in addressing domestic
violence and suggest potential improvements. The goal is to advance the discussion
on domestic violence law reform in South Africa, ensuring that the legal system
better meets the needs of victims and aligns with the country’s constitutional
obligations.
1 L. Artz & D. Smythe, "Should We Criminalise Domestic Violence? Recent Developments in South
African Criminal Law" (2005) 21 South African Journal on Human Rights 634.
2 South African Law Reform Commission, 'Project 107: Sexual Offences Report' (2015).
3 L. Artz & D. Smythe, "Should We Criminalise Domestic Violence? Recent Developments in South
African Criminal Law" (2005) 21 South African Journal on Human Rights
Historical Approach
..................................................................................................................2
1.1. A Historical Analysis of the Criminal Law Response to Domestic Violence in South
Africa: Adequacy and Constitutional Implications ................................. 3
1.2. Evolution of Domestic Violence Legislation in South Africa
............................................................................................................... 6
1.3. Key Legislative Milestones and Their Impact
............................................................................................................... 4
Comparative Approach
............................................................................................................... 5
2.1. A Comparative Analysis of the Criminal Law Response to Domestic Violence in
South Africa and Zimbabwe: Addressing Constitutional Rights and Legislative
Frameworks ...........................................................................................6
2.2. Comparative Analysis of Domestic Violence Legislation in South Africa and
Zimbabwe ..............................................................................................7
2.3. Constitutional Rights and Protections in South Africa and Zimbabwe
.............................................................................................................. 8
2.4. Effectiveness and Challenges in the Implementation of Domestic Violence Laws
............................................................................................................... 8
,You must choose whether you are researching the topic using the historical approach
or the comparative approach (see explanation below)
A) Historical research approach.
This means looking at the historical development of the law on the issue from a specific
date in the past up to the present day. You will look at relevant case law and legislation that
might have contributed to the law as it stands today. You will also consider law reform
commission reports on the given topic. Writings by scholars can assist in interpreting
the law and evaluating its application and effectiveness. For purposes of the historical
approach, you focus on the historical developments in South Africa only.
OR
B) Comparative research approach:
This means looking at the current legal position in one jurisdiction and comparing it to the
current legal position in another jurisdiction. For purposes of this research proposal, you
must look at the laws of South Africa and Zimbabwe. Legislation, case law, law reform
commission reports and writings by scholars should be consulted. You will not go into detail
about the historical developments of the law on the issue in these two jurisdictions but
analyze and compare the current legal position.
, Introduction
Domestic violence remains a pervasive and deeply ingrained issue in South African
society, affecting individuals across diverse socioeconomic and cultural
backgrounds. The impact of domestic violence is profound, often causing significant
physical, emotional, and psychological harm. Despite its widespread occurrence,
South African criminal law does not explicitly classify domestic violence as a
separate criminal offense, in contrast to some jurisdictions where it is specifically
criminalized. This gap raises concerns about the effectiveness of the current legal
framework in addressing domestic violence, safeguarding victims, and holding
offenders accountable.
This research proposal aims to investigate the historical development of South
Africa's criminal law response to domestic violence, critically evaluating how the legal
framework has progressed to its current form. The study will assess whether the
existing laws adequately protect victims' constitutional rights, particularly regarding
dignity, equality, and freedom from violence. It will also examine the sufficiency of
criminal penalties imposed on offenders and explore whether legislative reforms or
alternative legal measures could improve the current response.
The research will utilize a historical approach, tracking the evolution of domestic
violence legislation in South Africa from its inception to the present. By reviewing
case law, legislation, law reform commission reports, and academic literature, this
study will assess the effectiveness of the criminal law in addressing domestic
violence and suggest potential improvements. The goal is to advance the discussion
on domestic violence law reform in South Africa, ensuring that the legal system
better meets the needs of victims and aligns with the country’s constitutional
obligations.
1 L. Artz & D. Smythe, "Should We Criminalise Domestic Violence? Recent Developments in South
African Criminal Law" (2005) 21 South African Journal on Human Rights 634.
2 South African Law Reform Commission, 'Project 107: Sexual Offences Report' (2015).
3 L. Artz & D. Smythe, "Should We Criminalise Domestic Violence? Recent Developments in South
African Criminal Law" (2005) 21 South African Journal on Human Rights
