Browsing by Subject "violence"

Now showing 1 - 14 of 14
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    A Capability Approach to Examining the Effects of Actual and Anticipated Fear of Crime: Experiences and Perceptions of Black Female Youth in the Cape Flats
    (2020) Beiser, Sarina; Kubeka, Alvina
    The purpose of this study was to examine how the fear of crime affects the capabilities, perceptions and experiences of black female youth, living in the Cape Flats, Cape Town. Qualitative semi structured interviews were conducted with 18 black female participants between the ages of 18 to 30. This study used Garofalo's model of fear of crime and Amartya Sen's capability approach as theoretical frameworks. With the help of these two frameworks, the researcher sought to gauge what influence the fear of crime can have on people's lives and how crime affects young black females living in communities with high crime rates. It also showed how their life choices and opportunities are influenced by living in unsafe communities. The major challenges and problems highlighted by the participants include: Constant trauma of their daily life (leaving their houses, random shootings, unsafe public transport), mental health issues (losing friends and relatives), lack of proper police service (lack of police presence, incompetence of police, corruption), fear for family or friends, lack of trust and support systems (broken families, loss of trust, no role models, lack of social capital), lack of infrastructure (such as safe hospitals or educational challenges), the effects of gangsterism (gangs and drug wars, effects of drugs, families' or friend's involvement in gangsterism) and the lack of opportunities such as unemployment. This study showed how the peoples' capabilities have been affected by the above-mentioned issues and how the fear of crime affected their daily lives. This study also made recommendations for policy makers and social institutions on what can be done to reduce crime rates and make communities with high crime rates safer
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    Adverse childhood experiences and educational outcomes, problem drinking and the perpetration of violence
    (2013) Pieterse, Duncan; Nattrass, Nicoli; Wittenbetg, Martin
    Violence in South Africa is very high by international standards. Many South African children experience adverse events, such as childhood maltreatment, that are a reflection of these high levels of violence. Due to a lack of data we know little about the extent, nature, causes and long-term consequences of adverse childhood experiences in South Africa. We contribute to closing this gap in the empirical literature by using the Cape Area Panel Study (which is the only representative dataset that includes a module on adverse childhood experiences for a metropolitan city in South Africa) to explore the extent and nature of adverse childhood experiences as well as the associated long-term developmental consequences. We supplement various waves of the Cape Area Panel Study with official crime statistics from the South African Police Service; demographic information from the 2001 Census; and spatial and demographic information from Cape Town. In our empirical chapters we explore the impact of childhood maltreatment and having a problem drinker in the home during childhood on the perpetration of violence, problem drinking and educational outcomes. We control for potential confounders using a range of statistical techniques (including neighbourhood fixed effects) and add several robustness checks (including household and sibling fixed effects) to evaluate the strength of our findings. Our results indicate that maltreated children suffer large adverse consequences in terms of their numeracy test scores and probability of dropout and the estimated effects of maltreatment are larger and more consistent for the most severe types of maltreatment. Children with a parent who is a problem drinker during childhood suffer adverse consequences in terms of childhood maltreatment and are at increased risk of problem drinking and the perpetration of assault against strangers later in life. Once we control for having a problem drinker in the home during childhood and binge drinking during adulthood, there is no evidence to support the cycle of violence hypothesis. Having problem drinker in the home during childhood doubles the probability of assaulting a stranger for black and coloured young adults. The strength of the effect of having a problem drinker in the home during childhood suggests the need for a more nuanced understanding of the childhood origins of violent behaviour in an environment where the prevalence of alcohol abuse is high.
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    Becoming with the dog in South Africa Reflections on family, memory, and human-animal relations in post-apartheid South Africa
    (2022) Ndaba, Mpho Antoon; Twidle, Hedley
    Can the relationship White people have with the figure of the dog, in what currently exists as South Africa, be free of antiblackness? Following instances where I saw black women who worked as domestic workers walk dogs belonging to their White employers, I write these letters addressed to you, my sister, Palesa – meditating on the dog-Human relationships as sites of racial violence. The core analytic framework and theory I employ to explore these extreme, mundane, and in-between forms of violence, is Afro-Pessimism.
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    Child sexual abuse in Atlantis
    (Children's Institute, 2003-07) Parker, Zareena; Dawes, Andrew
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    Exploring the forms of violence experienced by women street vendors, and the strategies they use to sustain a living, in a particular South African periurban context, Muswodi Dipeni
    (2025) Mphoshomali, Phindulo; Bennett, Jane
    This research sought to explore the forms of violence experienced by women street vendors and the strategies they use to sustain a living, in a particular South African peri-urban context, Muswodi Dipeni. The research used a qualitative method to explore the forms of violence experienced by the participants who classify themselves as women street vendors. I worked with twelve women street vendor participants, sampled through non-probability sampling, using semi-structured interviews to collect data. I employed a thematic analysis approach to analyse the data. In addition to highlighting the forms of violence experienced by women street vendors, the study sought to further the feminist discourse on the informal sector and contribute to the exploration of gender dynamics in street trading. Through the use of qualitative methods, the results showed that women street vendors deal with diverse forms of violence daily, including physical, emotional, economic, customer-based violence, and structural violence. The findings revealed an intersection of women's experiences of violence, gender, economic status, and geographic location, indicating that these experiences are not solely due to their informal activities. Despite the obstacles that overshadow street vending and women street vendors face, many rely on street vending to earn income and support their families' growth. The research findings revealed that to address the obstacle of safety and security, women street vendors in Muswodi Dipeni have established solidarity groups as a tactic to enhance their safety and security. This research not only fills the knowledge gap regarding the complex nature of violence that women street vendors face, but it also contributes to the wider discourse on gender dynamics and informal work.
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    How does mainstream print media frame service delivery protests? The application of the protest paradigm and propaganda model in the South African case
    (2022) Makanda, Mfundo Xolo; Bosch, Tanja; Chuma, Wallace
    This thesis examines how the South African mainstream print media frame service delivery protests in the country. Studies in countries such as the United States (U.S.), Brazil and Canada show that media coverage of social movements conforms to the protest paradigm by depicting protesters as violent, destructive, unreasonable and a threat to the national economy. This thesis builds on existing literature on the protest paradigm, framing theory, agenda setting and the propaganda model (PM) to analyse mainstream print media coverage of service delivery protests in South Africa. The thesis examines the inclusion of the voices of protesters and women in the press, use of terminology, diversity of news content and media coverage of the underlying causes of the protests. This was done to determine how media coverage of protests in South Africa fits within the global debate on mainstream media coverage of social movements. A sample of 603 news articles from 10 different English-language mainstream newspapers were analysed longitudinally using a quantitative content analysis. The selected time, spanned over a six-year period starting on 15 January 2016 and ending on 12 August 2021. The findings showed that the media tends to marginalise protesters or groups that are challenging the status quo and thus the coverage of service delivery protests conforms to the protest paradigm. The mainstream press foregrounds episodic frames such as violence and destruction when reporting on these protests. The thesis concludes by illustrating that extensive coverage of violence associated with service delivery protests has a potential to escalate conflict instead of contributing to peaceful resolution of service delivery problems. Because of the power that the mainstream media holds in a society, the thesis proposes that the South African mainstream press could focus instead on alternatives to violence by emphasising positive action taken by both conflicting parties to solve service delivery problems.
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    Positive parenting in South Africa: why supporting families is key to development and violence prevention
    (2015-04-08) Gould, Chandre; Ward, Catherine L.
    Preventing and reducing violence by supporting parents is critical to national development. This policy brief explains how positive parenting relates to violence prevention and national development, and why the national implementation of evidence-based programmes to support positive parenting is both necessary and achievable.
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    Twenty years of punishment (and democracy) in South Africa the pitfalls of governing crime through the community
    (Academy of Science of South Africa, 2014) Super, Gail
    This article examines how the ideology of 'community' is deployed to govern crime in South Africa, both by marginalised black communities and by the government. Although the turn to 'community' started under the National Party government in the late 1970s, there is no doubt that as a site, technology, discourse, ideology and form of governance, 'community' has become entrenched in the post-1994 era. Utilising empirical data drawn from ethnographic research on vigilantism in Khayelitsha, as well as archival materials in respect of ANC policies and practices before it became the governing party, I argue that rallying 'communities' around crime combatting has the potential to unleash violent technologies in the quest for 'ethics' and 'morality'. When community members unite against an outsider they are bonded for an intense moment in a way that masks the very real problems that tear the community apart. Because violent punishment is one of the consequences of the state's turn towards democratic localism, we should question the way in which the 'community' is deployed as a tool of crime prevention, and subject it to rigorous scrutiny.
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    Understanding female gang involvement in Mitchells Plain, Western Cape: exploring female gang involvement
    (2025) Vala, Nthabiseng; Holtzhausen, Leon
    The dissertation focuses on understanding female gang involvement in Mitchells Plain, Western Cape: Exploring Female Gang Involvement. The purpose of this study was to explore realities of female gang involvement in the Western Cape, South Africa in a township called Mitchells Plain making use of the Violentization Theory. Athens (1992) concept of ‘Violentization' was deemed suitable in order to explore how gangs are formed and to reflect on the lived experiences of female gangs. This qualitative study explores the experiences and perspectives of young females regarding gang involvement in Mitchells Plain town centre. Allowing a deep, detailed understanding of the participants' lives and the social dynamics influencing their decisions, particularly regarding gang involvement. Purposive sampling was utilized to identify and select 15 young females from Mitchells Plain who were relevant to the research topic. To ensure that the sample is particularly suited to provide the necessary insights and information about the gang involvement among young females. In this research, the sample consisted of 15 young females from Mitchells Plain. The sample size and composition are crucial as they impact the richness of the data collected and the depth of the analysis. By focusing on this specific group, the study aims to gather detailed and contextually relevant information about their experiences and perceptions. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with the 15 young females. Allowing the researcher to gather consistent data across all interviews while also being adaptable to the unique experiences and insights each participant offers and facilitated a comprehensive understanding of complex issues. The results of this qualitative study indicated that although female gangs operate independently of male gangs, they remain subordinate to them and are often victimized and exploited. One significant factor contributing to young females joining gangs is adverse childhood experiences. The study's key findings revealed that many girls join gangs not only for safety and comfort but also as a means of employment. They are typically less suspected by law enforcement, which makes them valuable for processing and transporting drugs for both their male counterparts and themselves.
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    Violence In Nursing: Perceived Prevalence and Impact in Community Health Clinics In Cape Town
    (2010) Adams, Faiza Kajee; Khalil, Doris Deedei
    The paper will be focusing on violence against nurses working in community health clinics in Cape Town. The study is a replication of Prof Doris Deedei Khalil‟s (principle researcher) larger studies on violence in all areas of nursing including general, paediatric and psychiatric nursing, midwifery and undergraduate nursing schools. Aim and objectives: to explore violence in nursing within community health care settings. Some of the objectives of the study examined the extent and frequency of violence against nursing staff in community health clinics. Research design: phenomenological approach was selected to capture experiences and views of nurses working in selected health centres. The sample group or research participants was drawn from seven sub-districts public funded clinics within the Cape Town Metropole Health District, namely Tygerberg, Mitchell‟s Plain and Klipfontein, Southern, Eastern, Western and Northern sub-districts. Categories of nurses that participated in the study were Professional Nurses (RN), Clinical Nurse Practitioners (CNP), Unit Mangers (UM), Registered Auxiliary Nurses, Enrolled Nurses (EN) and Student Nurses. Ethical approval to proceed with data collection and permission to access research sites was granted in 2008. Methods of data collection: data was collected from three sources, i.e. questionnaires, interviews and documents. Although phenomenological approach normally does not use questionnaires as a means of data collection because of the nature of the topic under study, confidentiality has to be assured to avoid the possibility of reprisals or intimidation. Analysis: computer software were utilised to capture information obtained from questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires and interview responses were compared for similarities and differences. Only official document was made available for the study; therefore triangulation of data sources was possible. Results: The main types of violence were verbal abuse, and threats to assault. Significant number of respondents indicated that women attack nurses more often than gang members and patients‟ relatives. Nevertheless, perpetrators of violence against nurses varied among the sub-districts, e.g. Western sub-district clinics identified women whereas, Klipfontein identified patient relatives and Tygerberg identified gang members as regular perpetrators of violence against staff in their clinics. Results indicated that violent incidences occur on Mondays and Fridays in all the participating clinics. The highest number of violent incidences in Tygerberg clinics occurred on Mondays. On the other hand, threats to assault nurses were high in Western and Southern sub districts clinics compared to the other sub-districts. Conclusions: violence against nurses in 16 most health clinics of the study is on the increase because of substance abuse and gang violence. Recruitment of additional staff could minimise the time patients have to wait to see a doctor. However, it is essential that some nurses working in these clinics be more compassionate and polite towards their patients. Recommendations: increase number of security personnel sub-districts with high frequency of attacks against nurses. Nurses should be encouraged to respect each other and minimise verbal abuses against each other. Nurses that violate patients should be dismissed from the profession
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    Violence, alcohol and symptoms of depression and in Cape Town's poorest communities: results of a community survey
    (2018-04-20) Cassidy, Tali; Lloyd, Sam; Bowman, Brett; Myers, J E; Parry, Charles; Makanga, Tatenda; Corrigall, Joanne; Thompson, Mary Lou; Matzopoulos, Richard
    Introduction This paper summarises key findings from the first of three household surveys conducted in three high-violence areas in the Cape Town, investigating community members’ experiences of alcohol use, their built environment, violence and symptoms of depression, together with their views on alcohol and other interventions. Methods A stratified random sample of 1500 dwellings, 1200 in Khayelitsha and 300 in Gugulethu and Nyanga (“Gunya”) was selected using GIS address data for formal areas and aerial photography for informal areas. Fieldwork took place from July to November 2013. Responses to questions were summarized by area, gender, age and formal vs. informal settlement type. Results After substitution and data cleaning, 1213 Khayelitsha households and 286 Gunya households were included. In Gunya, 29% of respondents reported that they or their family members had been affected by at least one violent crime (murder, assault, domestic violence, rape) in the past year, compared with 12% in Khayelitsha. Using a CES-D-10 cut-off of 10, 44% of respondents were classified as depressed. More than half the respondents reported having experienced some form of alcohol nuisance. Respondents were supportive of alcohol interventions such as increased taxes and police regulation of outlets, particularly in Gunya (87%) and amongst female respondents (76%). Satisfaction with infrastructure such as street lighting and drainage was generally low. Conclusions The results describe the co-occurring burdens of alcohol and drug use, violence, depression and deprivation in our study populations.
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    Youth violence: sources and solutions in South Africa
    (2012) Ward, Catherine; van der Merwe, Amelia; Dawes, Andrew
    'Youth violence: sources and solutions in South Africa' thoroughly and carefully reviews the evidence for risk and protective factors that influence the likelihood of young people acting aggressively. This can be used as a reference text for work on violence and aggression in many contexts, and for interventions to prevent violence and aggression.