Child killings in the Western Cape
Date
2019-08-27
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Abstract
In the light of requests from certain civil organisations in the Western Cape (WC) (South Africa)
to the provincial government to establish a judicial commission of inquiry into child killings in
this province because of the high incidence of killings, a research committee from three WC
universities was put together to review existing research into this matter to determine a way
forward. This committee looked at primary drivers of child murders in the WC, gaps in
existing government services, the potential value of instigating a commission of inquiry or
some other mechanism, and recommending a way forward. A summary of its findings was
presented to, among others, the provincial cabinet that adopted all its recommendations.
Reflection on these final findings and recommendations forms the first part of the article. The
second part focuses in more detail on the research data presented (and provided) by experts
and practitioners who informed the research committee. Important aspects discussed here are
child death reviews, age- and sex-specific rates of child homicides, sexual killings of children,
the possible influence of unfortunate, traumatic childhood experiences in becoming a violent
adult, physical violence against children (and women), children’s perception of their safety
and risk factors for children specifically in the WC. The purpose of this article is to provide
well-researched information to role-players and decision-makers regarding the lives of
children to address the violence and its causes that so many children (and women) are exposed
to. Although the focus is on the dire situation in the WC, the broader South African and
international contexts will also be brought into play in the second part of the article in a way
that will (hopefully) be helpful with regard to the crises and challenges the WC is struggling
with in this respect.
Description
CITATION: Jones, C. 2019. Child killings in the Western Cape. HTS Theological Studies, 75(1):a5455, doi:10.4102/hts.v75i1.5455.
The original publication is available at https://hts.org.za
The original publication is available at https://hts.org.za
Keywords
Children -- Western Cape, Children -- Death -- Psychological aspects, Child abuse
Citation
Jones, C. 2019. Child killings in the Western Cape. HTS Theological Studies, 75(1):a5455, doi:10.4102/hts.v75i1.5455.