This exam summary contains the following:
Rationale for victim empowerment
Objectives of victim empowerment
victim support vs. victim empowerment
Discussion of Van Dijk's crime prevention model
Thuthuzela rape care centres
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
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through EFT, credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying this summary from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller tanlanwebber. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy this summary for R100,00. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
