PRESENTATION AT A PARLIAMENTARY

DISCUSSION RE: FUND FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME

AND VIOLENCE

24.08.2007

PURPOSE OF THE PURPOSE OF THE PRESENTATIONPRESENTATION

• To inform the members about the role of To inform the members about the role of DSD in relation to the Victim DSD in relation to the Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP).Empowerment Programme (VEP).

BACKGROUND OF VEPBACKGROUND OF VEP

VEP adopts a victim-centered approach to VEP adopts a victim-centered approach to crime crime preventionprevention Emanated from the National Crime Emanated from the National Crime Prevention Prevention StrategyStrategy Is making the criminal justice process more Is making the criminal justice process more victim-victim- friendlyfriendly Ensures that the criminal justice system is Ensures that the criminal justice system is responsive to the needs of all victims of responsive to the needs of all victims of crime.crime.

INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR VEPFOR VEP

• DSD is the lead department & has constituted DSD is the lead department & has constituted the National Interdepartmental, Intersectoral the National Interdepartmental, Intersectoral VE Management teamVE Management team• Each province has a Victim Empowerment Each province has a Victim Empowerment forum which is also coordinated and lead by forum which is also coordinated and lead by DSD.DSD.

Goal Of VEP:Goal Of VEP:

• To inform, guide & facilitate the provision of co-To inform, guide & facilitate the provision of co-ordinated integrated multi-disciplinary services to ordinated integrated multi-disciplinary services to victims of crime and violence in order to address victims of crime and violence in order to address their needs efficiently & effectivelytheir needs efficiently & effectively

PURPOSE OF VEPPURPOSE OF VEP

IMPACT OF VICTIMISATIONIMPACT OF VICTIMISATION

•Aggravated by inadequacy of services & Ltd Aggravated by inadequacy of services & Ltd access to servicesaccess to services•Physical injuries – Disability & deathPhysical injuries – Disability & death•Emotional trauma – Post Traumatic Stress Emotional trauma – Post Traumatic Stress DisorderDisorder•PovertyPoverty•Negative impact on economyNegative impact on economy•Community destabilizationCommunity destabilization

PHILOSOPHY OF VEPPHILOSOPHY OF VEP

The philosophy underlying the VE is that:• Victims should be adequately recognized and treated with respect for their dignity to prevent re-victimisation. • Victims are entitled to access to the mechanisms of justice and

prompt redress for the harm and loss suffered. • They are also entitled to receive adequate specialized assistance

in dealing with emotional trauma and other problems caused by the impact of victimisation.

SERVICES TO MEET NEEDS OF SERVICES TO MEET NEEDS OF VICTIMSVICTIMS

1.1.One-Stop Crisis Centers: Diverse & immediate One-Stop Crisis Centers: Diverse & immediate needs of victims are attended to by a Multi-needs of victims are attended to by a Multi-disciplinary team at an identified facility.disciplinary team at an identified facility.

2.2.Shelters for Victims of domestic violence: Shelters for Victims of domestic violence: Temporal accommodation & security for victims who Temporal accommodation & security for victims who have no alternative accommodation.have no alternative accommodation.

3.3.Trauma Counseling services within these facilitiesTrauma Counseling services within these facilities4.4. The rest of services are out lined in the next slide.The rest of services are out lined in the next slide.

NEEDS OF VICTIMS & RESPONSIBLE DEPTSNEEDS OF VICTIMS & RESPONSIBLE DEPTS

• General & Forensic Health Services : Health Care ProfessionalsGeneral & Forensic Health Services : Health Care Professionals• Trauma Counseling; Shelters & One Stop Crisis Centers: Social Trauma Counseling; Shelters & One Stop Crisis Centers: Social WorkersWorkers• Laying a charge & investigation, arrest: SAPSLaying a charge & investigation, arrest: SAPS• Legal representation, prosecution & conviction + compensation: Legal representation, prosecution & conviction + compensation: Dept. of Justice & Constitutional DevelopmentDept. of Justice & Constitutional Development• Reintegration & rehabilitation: Correctional ServicesReintegration & rehabilitation: Correctional Services• Violence free schools: EducationViolence free schools: Education• Support, care, advice, advocacy and referrals: Relevant NGOsSupport, care, advice, advocacy and referrals: Relevant NGOs

NEEDS & RESPONSIBILITIESNEEDS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Health: care & evidence

SAPS: information, arrest, investigation, etc

Welfare: care & protection

Justice: prosecution & conviction

VICTIM

EDUCATION: Prevention of violence in schools

NGOs: Support, care, advice & referrals

Local Authority: Emergency Services

Correctional Services: reintegration & rehabilitation

RECOMMENDATIONSRECOMMENDATIONS

•It is recommended that members take note of the current status of the Victim Empowerment Programme as a strategic approach to address the diverse needs of victims of violence.