MURDERERS MAKE RIGHT WITH VICTIM

On Thursday 20 November, at the onset of International Restorative Justice Week and the imminent 16 Days of Activism Against Abuse of Women and Children, a group of murderers will be escorted by the Department of Correctional Services to Alexandra SAPS Hall in order to give the community an opportunity to enter into a rare dialogue that was recently initiated between the murderers and a woman whose father was murdered in a hijacking.



The same event will happen on 26 November when the same perpetrators are escorted to the Naledi SAPS Hall in Soweto.



The sensational dialogue that began in private within the premises of Leeuwkop Correctional Centre is referred to as a Victim Impact Panel by Restorative Justice (RJ) practitioners and was facilitated by RJ specialists from Khulisa, a leading non governmental organization dedicated to preventing crime throughout South Africa.



During this Victim Impact panel, the daughter of the murdered hijack victim was given an opportunity to confront the three convicted murderers, together with two other men convicted of attempted murder and another of armed robbery. She shared with them the consequences of their crimes to her, her family, their friends and their neighbours. This dialogue is part of a process of healing for her after her father was murdered a few years ago.



Members of the Alexandra and Naledi community will also be given the opportunity to participate in this rare event of sharing, healing and learning by hearing feedback from the two parties and go a step further towards learning how to build a restorative community.



Head of Khulisa’s Restorative Justice Department, George Lai Thom, explains, “Restorative Justice (RJ) offers a holistic alternative to judicial systems that incarcerate offenders and often ignore victims' need for reparation and closure. In the interests of seeking true closure for these victims, offenders are asked to take responsibility, to be accountable and to be willing to make things as right as possible.



Khulisa’s Restorative Justice, Peacemaking and Conflict Resolution Department has facilitated over 4500 custodial and court-based cases in South Africa over the last five years.



Many victims report back feeling a decrease in fear after having seen the face and heard the story of an offender who might one day be released. The family of crime victims benefit from sharing their personal experience directly with the offenders. Often they also want to know the inner thoughts of offenders in order to get closure”.



Lai Thom explains further that, “The Victim Impact Panel offers an opportunity for those surviving a crime to give offenders hell for the damage they caused. In some cases this results in them being able to release the burden of anger and bitterness they feel and find sorely needed closure. They are asked to tell offenders what they’ve experienced and how they feel having gone through a Criminal Justice System that in many instances, left them doubly victimized because closure and reparation were never completed. Often they explain how they feel re-traumatised by the denial of the offenders.”



Lai Thom explains furthermore, that “Offenders who go through this process describe feeling shocked at the far-reaching effects and human costs of their actions. It’s hard for us to grasp, but they’ve never heard what the survivors of a crime have to say so explicitly”, he says. “They also experience a sense of closure and appreciate the opportunity for repentance and having a say in making things right.”



Lai Thom adds, “Our wish is that these two communities are strengthened by their participation in such an event where they have been given an opportunity to be connected in problem solving rather than feeling disempowered.



Khulisa is an award-winning national non governmental organization which has touched the lives of hundreds of thousands of South Africans since 1997 by preventing crime through promoting rehabilitation, education and reconciliation. It currently operates throughout South Africa, implementing innovative education, leadership, skills training and personal development programmes. Khulisa promotes reconciliation and reintegration in all aspects of its work.

Silence the Violence Graduation, Phoenix

For the Silence The Violence graduation of 2008, the graduates were taken to out for the day to the Cutty Sark hotel and resort or a day of fun and work. To show the graduates how, through teamwork, more can be accomplished, the squares puzzle game was used. This taught them the importance of teamwork. The graduates were all given certificates to show their accomplishment of completing the programme.

CITY OF JO’BURG SILENCES THE VIOLENCE

Date: 29 October 2008

Venue: Barnato Park High School, cnr Beatrice and Barnato Strs, Berea

Time: 14:00 – 17:00

Guest speakers confirmed:Chief of Police for the JMPD, Chris Ngcobo; the programme manager for Jo’burg’s City Safety Programme, Nazira Cachalia; as well as Barbara Holtmann, leader of crime prevention research for the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research.



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The City of Jo’burg will be graduating a group of 278 learners after their participation in an innovative behaviour change programme designed to strengthen youth development in the City and curb violent behavior levied at themselves and others.



According to Dr Marelize Schoeman, senior Criminology professor at UNISA, who carried out pre and post implementation research on the programme, violent behavior is identified by aggressive verbal, emotional and physical acts carried out in conflict situations, including abusing substances, bullying and name calling.



Sixteen of these 278 learners will graduate at Banato Park High school tomorrow, 29 October, at a ceremony with a keynote address by MMC for Public Safety, Councillor Thomas Phakathi.



Other guest speakers will include Chief of Police for the Johannesburg Metro Police Department, Chris Ngcobo; the programme manager for Jo’burg’s City Safety Programme, Nazira Cachalia; as well as Barbara Holtmann, leader of crime prevention research for the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research.



In August this year, the City commissioned national NGO Khulisa Crime Prevention Initiative to analyze the developmental needs of identified learners in seven schools within three of its regions and evaluate a suitable programme to meet these needs. Based on this research, the programme called “Silence the Violence”, was selected for implementation. The schools were selected by social workers from the Department of Community Development, as well as the South African Police Service, who were asked to recommend the schools which had a history of learners involved in some form of violent behaviour, towards themselves or towards others.



Silence the Violence takes participants on a journey of self-discovery in which they become aware of the extent and origins of their own violence, and introduces effective, non-violent alternatives. The programme illustrates how violence (physical, emotional and verbal) is ingrained in culture and belief systems and how it emerges in daily interactions. Participants learn practical ways to minimise violent behaviour. It aims to empower participants to restore themselves and develop the skills to restore other relationships. As part of this programme, participants confront their violent self and discover their original or true self through a series of facilitated therapeutic techniques.



Dr Schoeman’s research found that the programme heightened participants’ awareness of what constitutes violence and infringements of human rights, and their increased their sense of hope at being able to direct their life in a positive manner.



For the last three years, The City’s Department of Community Development, together with the City’s Safety Programme has focused strongly on youth development through its youth strategy as well as its city safety strategy and commissioned specialist service providers to research and address the needs of Youth-at-Risk. Youth that were previously identified by the Department of Community Development and the South African Police Service.



Banato Park High school, together with New Nation High school, also in Region F, were selected because some of the learners enrolled there are sheltered nearby and considered vulnerable, especially to substance abuse. The programme was run during their scheduled Life Orientation lessons.



MMC for Public Safety, Councillor Thomas Phakathi says, “This has been a significant project because it’s clear that the learners who have benefitted from this programme have made some amazing shifts in their attitudes and behaviour. These learners now have the tools to make better informed decisions about the kind of life they want they want to pursue. This project forms part of the city’s broader focus on youth because we realize the youth are a vulnerable group and need assistance and support.”



Yashina Pillay, Gauteng Area manager for Khulisa, says “Evidence from throughout South Africa reveals that children and youth are increasingly both perpetrating and becoming victims to crime and violence. This has a profound effect on the development of young people as well-adapted, healthy and socialized individuals who can positively contribute towards society. Recognising this trend within its own boundaries, City of Jo’burg had the foresight to address the cause and not just the symptoms of violent behaviour.”



Dr Schoeman has recommended that support systems should be established in the schools and appeals made to the public for donation of services.

Dwarsrivier DCS, Western Cape

“Don’t stop to inspire people like us, if you can be blessing to me you will certainly be a blessing to others like me” – BRUCE

“I think there’s a better person with a good heart in me, but I sometimes just can’t figure him out” – DUMISANI

“I want to stop violence between me and my community. I want to help those who are being violated and abused. To control my emotions with positive non-violent communication”- ALBERT

“My dream is to facilitate this programme in my community” – GILBERT

“This programme is a step towards my healing” – MARUWAAN

“I don’t like to fool myself as I did before. This course help me to reach my expectations to a brighter future” – ROBERT

“To be part of this course is just what I needed to break my cycle of violence and I will try my best to change my violent behaviour” – ELTON

“This programme should be must for every individual regardless of the crime they have committed” – MAKHAYA

“Everybody must stand up and fight the violence against women and children” – DUMISANI

“I like this course because it opens my eyes. Today I can help others with this information. I would like Khulisa to be more powerful to the outside world” – FEZEKILE

Comments from WORCESTER DCS

“I am excited to be part of this course, because even though I am not a violent person, I will still need to deal with issues of violence that I have personally experience” – EDITH

“I feel privileged to attend this course” – GAIL

“I have a very bad temper; it usually takes a small thing to set me off. I know this course will help me deal with my temper, anger and aggressiveness” – WANDA

“It will be good to know how to handle other people. This course is very powerful. I’m glad to attend it, I have learned a lot” – CATHLEEN

“My anger is so deeply rooted; I hope that this course will help me get rid of it. It’s like a shadow that follows me around wherever I go” – SHANNON

True Self Hat

Barnato Park High School Silence the Violence Participants

Silence the Violence participants at Barnato Park High School with Khulisa facilitator, Zain Halle. Zain calls them his "super stars" - and indeed, that's just what they are!