When various individuals and organisations were invited to the national workshop on victim empowerment and support, a questionnaire was also faxed to them to assess the nature of the support services they provide to victims of crime. The results are reflected here. The study has obvious shortcomings; however, it indicates the vital need for a comprehensive national audit of service providers in this area.

SAMPLE

Following consultations with various interest groups, 100 invitations were sent to selected individuals or representatives of organisations working in the field of victim empowerment and support. A total of 54 questionnaires were returned, which amounts to a 54 per cent return rate.
Respondents were in the following sectors:

government (the departments of welfare, safety and security, justice, education and health);



business;



the media;



research institutions;



legal NGOs; and



NGOs providing counselling services.

Comment

The completed questionnaires represented a good balance of NGOs and government (mostly SAPS respondents). There was a strong research/academic response rate, with business and the media also well represented. While questionnaires were also sent to a range of community-based organisations (such as civics, churches and community policing forums), no responses were recorded. This could be for a number of reasons, including a lack of access to resources such as fax machines. Notably, a number of people who responded did not attend the workshop, or sent substitutes.

QUESTIONS ON TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

Respondents were asked what types of assistance they offered victims of crime. Forms of assistance specified included a visit from a volunteer; a letter offering help; a telephone hotline; accommodation and shelter; information about rights and compensation; assistance at court; medical help; referral to agencies; information regarding outcome of a court case; financial help; and professional counselling.

The four main types of assistance offered to victims of crime were:

referral to support agencies (37 per cent);



providing information about rights and compensation (26 per cent);



professional counselling (22 per cent); and



providing assistance during court procedures (19 per cent).

The types of assistance victims of crime are least likely to receive from this particular sample group are:

medical help (9 per cent);



telephone hotlines (7 per cent);



financial help (6 per cent); and



letters offering help (7 per cent

Comment

We were surprised by the large number of respondents providing assistance to victims during court proceedings. While the kind of assistance offered was not specified, it is reassuring that organisations ranging from business to NGOs and the government itself (in the form of the department of justice) are aware of the need for such assistance. The fact that there are relatively few telephone hotlines providing assistance to victims is interesting, as such services are relatively easy to establish.

By contrast, there is a high proportion of organisations which provide victims with information about their rights, and possible compensation. This may have something to do with an emergent human rights culture in South Africa.

Asked what other types of services were offered, respondents mentioned the following:

providing information and research findings;



facilitation and networking;



advocacy and lobbying;



training criminal justice officials;



public awareness campaigns;



asset tracing and the recovery of commercial crime losses; and



providing in basic needs (food).

Comment

This broad range of responses indicates the multidimensional nature of supporting and empowering victims – a factor which policy-makers ought to recognise.

FURTHER QUESTIONS

Respondents were also asked how they informed the public of the services they offered; how the organisation was structured (nationally, provincially or locally); how it was funded (state, private, foreign); and how it was staffed (volunteers, part-time, full-time).

Most respondents use the media and advertising to make the public aware of the services they offer. This is followed by word of mouth, and referrals by other organisations. Other means include publications (pamphlets and newsletters), workshops, and public meetings.

When it comes to how organisations are structured, respondents mostly fell into the national category, followed by organisations with a national and provincial structure. Few local organisations responded.

In terms of funding, respondents mostly relied on foreign funding. Foreign funding supplemented by private or state support was a common combination.

Most organisations were staffed by full-time employees, followed by full-time staff assisted by volunteers.

Comment

The role of the media in informing victims of available assistance is very important. While the media are often criticised for sensationalising the crime situation, they do provide a means of relaying valuable information to victims. The fact that most respondents operate on a national level is not surprising; the organisers intentionally invited national stakeholders, as it was a national workshop. The challenge will be for provincial initiatives to tap into local service providers and organisational networks.

It is noteworthy that service providers still largely rely on foreign funding; this source of funding may dry up, as donor funds are increasingly being swung away from civil society towards the state. The absence of substantial state support for these service providers is noticeable; this contrasts with current practice in many other countries.

When it comes to the way in which organisations are staffed, the over-reliance on salaried full-time staff could pose problems for the future of victim support in South Africa. In other parts of the world, much work is done by volunteers in the field of victim support, but mainly in contexts where the state provides comprehensive social services. This has not yet been achieved in South Africa. Bearing in mind limited state resources and other priorities when it comes to reconstruction and development, it appears as if volunteers are a possible route to adopt.

A NATIONAL CO-ORDINATING BODY?

The questionnaire asked whether respondents would support a national co-ordinating body for participants in victim support. The following responses were received:

yes (74 per cent);



no (0 per cent);



unanswered (17 per cent); and



qualified yes (9 per cent).

Comment

There was overwhelming support for the idea of a national co-ordinating body, with comments such as 'definitely', 'it is imperative' and 'of course' appended.

Those responding with qualified support expressed the following reservations:

provided the body links with other co-ordinating structures;



provided it links up with national and local structures;



an such a body be effective?; and



more information is needed

CONCLUSIONS

The survey was aimed at broadly assessing the nature of support services offered to victims of crime by delegates to the workshop. While it is by no means conclusive, it begins to assess the diverse nature of the services rendered. A comprehensive audit will have to be undertaken before the gaps in service provision can be seriously addressed.

ENDNOTE

See appendix 5 for questionnaire.