Glimmers of hope in fighting crime
We were dismayed, though not entirely surprised, by SA’s crime statistics, released this week. A lineup of possible suspects that have contributed to the depressing news for the period in question — April 1 2017-March 2018 — include a rise in political heat and violence, sinister manoeuvres from those implicated in state capture, revelations of how the leadership of the police were previously focused on political battles rather than on police work, details of the corruption that bled the country of funds to demolish the apartheid legacy, a spike in cash-in-transit heists, reports of renewed gang and taxi violence. How could the violence in these arenas not spill into the lives of citizens trying to go about their business?
There are some old recidivists in the lineup too — persistent poverty, inequality, unemployment and lack of prospects for young people ill-prepared for a working future. Not to mention the scars of apartheid and its dehumanising effect on all of us.
We have seen some encouraging steps, such as the appointment of key police posts, action from the Hawks following revelations at the Zondo commission, and a clean-up of state-owned enterprises. Some of the architects of state capture have fled, worried about facing the music if they return. In other words, consequences for crime are back in play.
But it is increasingly clear that violence is incubated in our families, schools and communities. Researchers have identified exposure to violence and other “adverse childhood experiences” — such as physical, sexual or emotional abuse, neglect, or losing a parent — as risk factors for depression, substance abuse and antisocial behaviour. Worse, these experiences can affect the ability to learn and reason, leading to poor engagement and behaviour at school, and other predictable outcomes. Researchers have found that prisoners commonly experienced violence in their own homes.
This knowledge offers promising pointers to interventions that could be ramped up. These include early childhood development interventions, better support for abused women and poor mothers, and education about how to deal with violence and abuse.
It is no exaggeration to say our future depends on it.