A criminological assessment of police brutality and criminality against women in custody in South Africa

Bibliographic Data

ID21177367
AuthorsAnni Hesselink, Ann-Mari Elizabeth Hesselink (0000-0002-5777-2170, University of South Africa), Benjamin Häefele (University of South Africa, corresponding author)
Year2015
Volume16
Issue4
Pages316-327
Publication date2015-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenuePolice Practice and Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1561-4263 • E-ISSN: 1477-271X
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15614263.2015.1038029
OpenAlexW2056484217
LanguageEN
Citations received2

In recent years, South Africa has become infamous for unacceptable high rates of police brutality and criminality. This article alludes to police brutality and criminality in general and explains women in custody’s fear and experience of police brutality in South Africa. A total of 56 women were interviewed over a 6-month period to determine the level of police brutality they endured while in custody. Special attention is given to the types of crime committed, police brutality endured during custody, whether they reported the incident of police brutality to officials, as well as their general feelings and attitudes (fear) towards the police. We found that a significant number of women committed crimes such as in possession of stolen property, malicious damage to property, armed robbery and dealing in drugs. Most of the women experienced physical assault (clapping, hitting and kicking) and verbal abuse (being sworn at) while in custody

Criminology · Feeling · Police brutality · Political science · Law · Legal Issues in South Africa · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies · Social Psychology · South African History and Culture

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