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Victim Empowerment |
STATUS REPORT: VICTIM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (VEP)
MARCH 2000
STATUS REPORT WITH REGARD TO THE VICTIM EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (VEP) COVERING THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2000 TO 15 MARCH 2000
1. BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION
Levels of crime have been of concern to the Government of South Africa since 1994 and in recognition of this, Cabinet initiated a process for the development of a National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) which was approved in May 1996.
The Victim Empowerment Programme (VEP), with a special focus on women and
children, is a government priority. This programme is co-ordinated and implemented by the Department of Welfare, together with an inter-departmental and inter-sectoral Victim Empowerment Management Team which consists of the Departments of Welfare, Health, Correctional Services, Justice, Education and the South African Police Service, relevant NGOs and provincial coordinators.
In collaboration with the NCPS, now known as the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC), the VEP advocates a new way of looking at crime. The paradigm shift includes a shift from crime control to crime prevention; a shift in emphasis on crime as a security issue towards crime as a social issue; and a shift from an emphasis on a state centred system to give way to a greater emphasis on a victim centred, restorative justice approach.
Crime prevention programmes should be approached from a social development perspective and should have a strong focus on children and youth. Families should be provided with the necessary support and resources to assist them to meet the challenges they face. This is internationally believed to be the best way to deal with the root causes of crime and victimisation.
The VEP envisages to have a peaceful South Africa where the interests of victims of crime are acknowledged and a balance between victims, communities and offenders is restored.
Empowering victims contributes towards crime prevention in that empowered victims:
- help to convict offenders so that they cannot commit more crimes,
- help with the investigation by reporting the crime and making a statement,
- help with the prosecution and sentencing of the offender by being a witness for the state,
- are less likely to continue the cycle of violence, as a victim who has contributed to a successful conviction of the offender feels that justice has been done and is not left with feelings of anger and wanting to take revenge,
- are informed because they have been given supportive access to the system and know what is expected of them and how and why they can best contribute to the process,
- will encourage more people to believe in the process of law and justice and make the Criminal Justice System stronger for all of us.
As a point of departure, the VEP refers to the broad definition of the United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, namely that a victim is:
"a person who, individually or collectively suffered harm, including physical or mental injury, emotional suffering, economic loss or substantial impairment of their rights, through acts or omissions that are violations of national criminal laws or of internationally recognised norms relating to human rights."
The VEP does not depart from a point of view that there are no services available to victims, but rather that the fragmentation of services to victims should be addressed. The focus is therefore on co-ordinated action, consolidation of existing models, testing of new practices, expansion and strengthening of existing services and assistance to put in place new services.
Critical success factors for the VEP are:
- Services to victims are available and accessible,
- services are rendered in an empowering, respectful and supportive manner,
- a thorough and professional service are rendered to victims by efficient and capable people,
- the victim is provided with all the necessary information on services available, the progress of related criminal investigation and the relevant information on procedures and processes,
- there are effective co-ordination and integration of services.
2. ACHIEVEMENTS
2.1 GENERAL ACHIEVEMENTS SINCE EMBARKING ON THE VEP
2.1.1 The approach of the VEP is also strongly based on the building and maintaining of partnerships between government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on national, provincial and local level, civil society, volunteers, business, religion, academics and research institutions. Strong partnerships have been established and it is believed that these partnerships are leading the way to participation and co-ordination based on a shared concern for all victims.
2.1.2 An Integrated Victim Empowerment Business Plan has been compiled. Consensus on the VEP Integrated Business Plan has been reached between all role players. It has been signed by the various Directors-General involved. The Business Plan has also been approved by the Department of State Expenditure. This Plan consists of inter-sectoral and departmental objectives, detailed action steps and performance indicators for each output. The Plan essentially provides for inter-sectoral processes and the funding of pilot projects, for which project criteria have been drafted.
2.1.3 A Victim of Crime Survey was conducted by Statistics South Africa and sponsored by Safety and Security. The Department of Welfare served in an advisory capacity as well as a critical reader. The results were released on 10 December 1998. The Survey was under the leadership of Welfare and the results provided to the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) for discussion with the NCPS Directors-General.
2.1.4 The appointment of provincial VEP project managers are progressing well. All the provincial project managers should commence working by 1 April 2000. The appointment of these provincial VEP project managers in all nine provinces will strength provincial capacity and fast track the process of establishing and coordinating services.
2.1.5 A very successful national conference on victim empowerment (Theme: Together Empowering Victims) was held in Kimberley on 18 and 19 June 1998. The objectives of the conference were, to evaluate the status of the VEP, share good practices, clarify roles and responsibilities, make victim empowerment a reality by moving from policy to practice and re-emphasise the fact that the VEP is an integrated process. The conference, which was attended by 400 delegates from around the country, focussed strongly on direct services, inclusion of all types of victims, the building of partnerships and strategies for implementation. A "Special report on victim empowerment", which will feature the conference report as well as an international perspective on victim empowerment was written.
2.1.6 Central to the VEP, is the establishment of 50 Victim Empowerment Projects at provincial level. The majority of these projects operate on the basis of "24-hour one-stop service centres". Victims receive a range of services rendered by trained professional and/or volunteer staff. Each project reaches at least 20 victims per month which means that 1000 more victims have access to services than in the past.
2.1.7 A second staff member (Ms Vasinthi Pillay) now forms an integral part of the team involved in the day to day management of the VEP. This partly assists in effectively managing this huge and complex inter-departmental and inter-sectoral programme.
2.1.8 All nine provinces were briefed regarding VEP and domestic violence related issues, focussing specifically on welfare’s role in the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act (shelters, pilot projects, training of social workers and lay counsellors).
2.1.9 A Domestic Violence Resource Directory, which includes protocols and services on domestic violence, has been compiled through the partnership of the Department and the National Network on Violence Against Women. It is envisaged that the directory will be launched during June 2000.
2.1.10 Provincial visits have been carried out to obtain information on existing services with a view to draft a model on One-Stop-Service Centres. A provincial workshop is planned for May 2000 to consult provinces and finalise this model. This model will be used as a guide to suit provincial needs.
2.1.11 A tender for training social workers in domestic violence was awarded to the Advice Desk for Abused Women and the training should commence in the middle of April 2000.
2.1.12 Since embarking on the VEP, several stakeholders have indicated the need for volunteer training to be co-ordinated and standardised. Agreement has been reached on a guideline for voluntarism in victim empowerment.
2.1.13 The Department was invited by the Eastern Cape Departments of Health and Welfare and the National Department of Health to assist with the establishment of a Secondary Violence Referral Centre.
2.1.14 Information (eg minutes, notices, etc) regarding the VEP is presently being distributed to a wider list of stakeholders than those serving on the VEP Management Team. Although it creates even more work for the team, the reaction is very positive, as people are commenting on documents and decisions taken. The distribution list is constantly growing.
2.1.15 Four VEP Management Team meetings were held in this period (28 July 1999, 19 August 1999, 16 September 1999, 2 November 1999.
2.1.16 Three VEP Executive Committee meetings were held (10 August 1999,
27 August 1999, 20 September 1999)
2.1.17 In 1998 South Africa launched a campaign of 16 Days of Activism on No Violence Against Women (hereafter referred to as A16 Days@). The 16 Days culminated in commitments from various departments to implement the SADC Addendum on the Prevention and Eradication of Violence against Women and Children.
The 16 Days were again commemorated in 1999 from 25 November to
10 December 1999 and the VEP team was responsible for the coordination. The focus of this year=s programme was ABreaking the cycle of violence by preventing offending and translating commitments into action.@ The Welfare specific planning for the 16 Days was formulated by a task team which was established for the implementation of the 16 Days. The focus on violence against women is not a once-off focus for the Department of Welfare, as the Department focuses on it throughout the year.
Several activities were embarked upon, namely: Focus group discussion with the theme AReclaiming the family@ (22/11/99); Gender and Equity Workshops (25/11/99 and 29/11/99); Self-defence course to prevent rape and assault (29/11/99); Participation in celebration of World Aids Day (1/12/99); Launch of the Federal Council on Disability (3/12/99); Launch of the partnership between Transnet and the Department/Flagship Programme (3/12/99); Participation and contribution to the Children's Festival on 6/11/99; Participation in the SABC Two Way programme
"Socialisation of men with regard to violence against women and children"; Organising of national workshop to develop a framework for effective service delivery to children infected and affected by HIV/Aids (9 and 10/11/99); Launch: Operation Dignity in Northern Province (12/11/99); National workshop: Probation Services towards the new millennium (15 to 19/11/99); Manufacturing of white ribbon pins; Printing of poster with femicide message.
2.2 SPECIFIC ACHIEVEMENTS DURING THE PERIOD 1 JANUARY 2000 TO
15 MARCH 2000
2.2.1 Substantial inputs were prepared for the SA Country report to the UN.
2.2.2 Two VEP Executive Committee meeting were held (11/1/2000 and 8/3/2000) during which 48 business plans were considered for approval.
2.2.3 A draft audit of VEP government funded projects has been compiled and is in the process of being refined (ANNEXURE A).
2.2.4 A VEP workshop hosted on 19, 20 and 21 January 2000 resulted in a new strategic direction, which is in line with the Minister for Welfare, Population and Development’s recently launched 10 point plan, for the VEP, namely: focussing more on prevention to support goals and integration, focussing on all victims - not only women and children, establishing programmes for perpetrators of violence and linking closely with economic empowerment programmes.
2.2.5 The VEP mandated a task team to devise a strategy/programme for perpetrators of violence during a VEP workshop which was held on 19, 20 and 21 January 2000 in Pretoria. A first task team meeting was held on 21 February 2000. It was decided that a consultative workshop has to be arranged to assess the current situation with regard to existing initiatives, form crucial partnerships, obtain consensus on a process and possible model for the South African context.
2.2.6 The VEP mandated a task team to devise a strategy/programme for Shelters for abused women and their children (including minimum standards for shelters) during a VEP workshop which was held on 19, 20 and 21 January 2000 in Pretoria. A first task team meeting was held on 21 February 2000 during which draft minimum standards were drafted. A second meeting was held on 10 March 2000 during which the minimum standards were refined. The draft minimum standards are being circulated to shelters for comments.
2.2.7 The Welfare VEP Team met to clarify role differentiation. Mss Kotze and Pillay will be responsible for the national coordination of the VEP, the professional secretariat of the VEP, project management of the VEP, management of violence against women issues and the Trauma Response Unit. Mss Mkhasibe and Groenewald will be responsible for the domestic violence project, sexual offences issues, strategy on shelters (Ms Nettie Boshoff will assist) and perpetrator programmes.
2.2.8 The amount of R4 000 000 has been spent in this financial year..
BLOCKAGES
3.1 Since embarking on the VEP in April 1997, the appointment of a National VEP Programme Manager has been a priority. The contract appointment was advertised; interviews were conducted and re-conducted. Top management has not yet made a decision on the appointment.
3.2 The main obstacle in the way of implementation of the VEP projects has always been accessing the funds. Major problems were experienced with the payment of claims to the provinces.
4. WAY FORWARD
4.1 Finalising the audit of VEP projects
4.2 Finalising Service Level Agreements between national and provincial welfare.
4.3 Ensure that point 4 of the Ministerial 10 Point Plan (Mobilising For A Caring Society, People First For Sustainable Development) be used to strategise for 2000.
4.4 Establish all projects by the end of March 2000.
4.5 Formulating a funding proposal to elicit funds from various sources in order ensure sustainability of projects.
4.6 In order to facilitate the implementation of the Domestic Violence Act, training of social workers and lay counsellors will be undertaken from May 2000.
4.7 Drafting of an operational business plan for the period 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001.
4.8 Finalising of the guideline on voluntarism in victim empowerment.
4.9 Hosting of a consultative workshop on programmes for perpetrators on 31 March 2000 in order to assess the current situation with regard to existing initiatives, form crucial partnerships, obtain consensus on a process and possible model for the South African context.
4.10 Hosting a meeting of the Shelter task team in order to strategise towards addressing the urgent needs for shelters in the country.
4.11 Development of a policy package, including minimum standards and practice guidelines for the VEP. Based on the last mentioned, embarking on a Developmental Quality Assurance (DQA) process of the VEP projects.
Prepared by Suzette Kotze.
16/3/2000 (23:30))
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