Study Unit 5 (Chapter 5): Victim Empowerment in SA
Explain the rationale for victim empowerment by highlighting the reasons why victims
need attention.
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
and emotional level.
• The different needs of victims include:
o Emotional needs
o Acknowledgement needs
o Practical needs
o Information needs
o Need for understanding
o Need for contact with judicial process
• Crime victimization takes an enormous toll on its victims
• In the aftermath of an incident of crime victimization, survivors, in varying
degrees, develop similar needs:
o They may have practical needs (locks to be repaired or transport to the
local clinic or police station)
o need for understanding (not to be blamed for or questioned on their
involvement in the crime)
o need for acknowledgement (of their loss or trauma and their response
is a “normal” situation)
o need for emotional support (defusing, debriefing, trauma therapy)
o need for contact with the judicial process (to provide a statement for
investigative purposes)
o need for information (about the criminal justice system and resources
in the community to assist them in their period of crisis)
Outline of the objectives of victim empowerment.
• The objectives of victim empowerment and support are to:
• Reduce the psychological shock and trauma victims may suffer by providing
emotional support and practical assistance immediately or shortly after the
incident
• Identify symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and refer victims to trauma
counselling and other professional services where necessary
• Prevent or reduce secondary victimization by the criminal justice system by
providing information on matters such as the status of the investigation, the
functioning of the court system and the rights of victims within it
Intellectual Property of Tanlan Webber – Do Not Distribute Illegally © 1
Explain the rationale for victim empowerment by highlighting the reasons why victims
need attention.
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
and emotional level.
• The different needs of victims include:
o Emotional needs
o Acknowledgement needs
o Practical needs
o Information needs
o Need for understanding
o Need for contact with judicial process
• Crime victimization takes an enormous toll on its victims
• In the aftermath of an incident of crime victimization, survivors, in varying
degrees, develop similar needs:
o They may have practical needs (locks to be repaired or transport to the
local clinic or police station)
o need for understanding (not to be blamed for or questioned on their
involvement in the crime)
o need for acknowledgement (of their loss or trauma and their response
is a “normal” situation)
o need for emotional support (defusing, debriefing, trauma therapy)
o need for contact with the judicial process (to provide a statement for
investigative purposes)
o need for information (about the criminal justice system and resources
in the community to assist them in their period of crisis)
Outline of the objectives of victim empowerment.
• The objectives of victim empowerment and support are to:
• Reduce the psychological shock and trauma victims may suffer by providing
emotional support and practical assistance immediately or shortly after the
incident
• Identify symptoms of post-traumatic stress, and refer victims to trauma
counselling and other professional services where necessary
• Prevent or reduce secondary victimization by the criminal justice system by
providing information on matters such as the status of the investigation, the
functioning of the court system and the rights of victims within it
Intellectual Property of Tanlan Webber – Do Not Distribute Illegally © 1
