The dynamic interface between civil society and the State Preventing collective violence & reducing gun deaths
Introduction Two case studies: - GFSA & reducing gun deaths (reducing gun availability) - Bokfontein & preventing collective violence (creating employment safety net) Key elements of successful advocacy Implications for violence prevention – lessons learned 2
SAPS data 1994: 26,832 murders in South Africa, of which 11,134 were committed with firearms: 28.8 firearm homicides per 100,000. Although the number of murders in South Africa declined, the percentage of people killed by firearms increased from 41 per cent of all murders in 1994 to 49.3 per cent in 2000 NIMSS data: 1999 & 2000 Firearms leading external cause of death – 26 to 28% of total number of cases
4
NIMSS 1999: firearms leading external cause of non-natural death (3,906 = 26%)
Release of NIMSS 2004 data – 4 city study 16 August 2006
Firearms Control Act (60 of 2000) No disaggregated firearm homicide data from 2000 SAPS data:2009/ , 834 murders NIMSS data: 2007 & 2008 Sharp force objects leading cause of non- natural death
GFSA adopted a public policy advocacy approach to reducing gun deaths with aim of: - influencing public policy - shaping public opinion - making a difference in people’s lives 8
Understanding the context Building alliances and grass roots mobilisation e.g. Mapela & Gun Free Zones Research & dissemination Strategic partnership with government Developing solutions Lobbying Media advocacy 9
Collective Violence 10
History of removal Exclusion Poverty NW Province
Key resiliency factors contributing to VP - leadership style/champions - state sponsored public employment programme to alleviate poverty (CWP) that includes community building = OW - addressing trauma and psycho-social needs through Organisational Workshop (OW) process
Context responsive Social mobilisation – movement building Strategic partnership/engagement with government & other role players Addressing collective trauma