Victim Support by the South African Police Service to the Parents/Guardians of Missing Children

• NCJ Number: 217326
• Journal: Acta Criminologica Volume: 17 Issue: 1 Dated: 2004 Pages: 115-120
• Author(s): M. van Zyl
• Date Published: 2004
• Length: 6 pages
• Publication Format: Document (Online)
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: South Africa
• Note: To access the full text PDF: 1) select the provided PDF link; 2) from the Acta Criminologica Web site, select "Table of Contents"; 3) select the corresponding Volume and Issue (see the NCJRS abstract record for the exact Volume and Issue); 4) scroll the Table of Contents to the exact article; and 5) click on the "full text" icon. Downloaded February 12, 2007

Annotation

This analysis of the services that the South African Police Service (SAPS) is providing to the parents/guardians of missing children offers recommendations for improving such services.

Abstract

The study revealed various problems in the way the SAPS are currently dealing with cases of missing children. In some cases, parents/guardians had difficulty convincing the police to register their cases, even though there was evidence that kidnapping had occurred. Even when cases were registered, the police did not provide parents/caregivers with information on the case. Parents/guardians were not referred by police to any other support services. This article recommends that the SAPS change its view of missing-child cases. Such cases should be viewed as an ongoing victimization process that is among the worst that parents/guardians could experience. The SAPS must develop guidelines for the support and treatment of these victims. Specific officers should be selected and trained to deal with these types of cases. Police should advise parents/guardians on the steps to take after they have reported the missing child to the police. Further, parents should be involved in the investigation based on their knowledge of facts that may be important to the case. Features of victim services should include a victim empowerment program, emotional support and counseling, and assistance in forming support groups for parents. Police stations should have a computer facility accessible to parents of missing children, where they can see information on their case, check progress, and provide the investigator with any new information they may have. Police should also inform parents about the techniques the police are using in searching for their child. Interviews were conducted with five parents of missing children under the age of 18 between 1990 and 2002. A 13-item bibliography