The ecological systems theory and the buffering effect model both suggest that the absence of a multi-systemic conceptualisation of supporting parents of children in conflict with the law (CCL) diminishes the impact of traditional generic efforts to meaningfully buffer parents of CCL during the child justice process. This participatory qualitative study involved parents of CCL and child justice officials as co-constructors of a practice model for supporting parents of CCL. The co-constructed practice model shows that parents must have access to informational, emotional, practical and professional support prior to, during and after the child justice process..
Despite the widespread prevalence of gangsterism and the predominantly male membership of gangs, some males residing and growing up in the Northern Areas of Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), where gangsterism is so widespread, have never been involved in gangs. A qualitative study, explorative, descriptive and contextual in design, using semi-structured interviews as data-collection method, explored and described the experience-based lessons from selected males on factors that have protected them from gang involvement. Findings included family support, faith or religion, positive role models, education, participation in wholesome pursuits and involvement in sports as being amongst the factors that prevented participants against involvement in gang activities. Strategies to strengthen these protective factors and utilise them to design relevant programmes and interventions should now be investigated. Keywords: gangsterism, buffering, buffer, protective factors, community members
The current Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 as amended is based on the principles of restorative justice, which promote a collaborative and participative approach to justice that is sensitive to power imbalances. Despite the Act's approach, the current child justice system is characterised by structural settings and processes that disempower and exclude parents of children in conflict with the law during the child justice process. This chapter describes the power dynamics experienced by parents of children in this situation, with the view to expose opportunities within the system to shift and share power with parents, using a restorative justice approach. The qualitative study on which this chapter is based used participatory action research and intervention design. Participants were 19 parents and 14 child justice officials who collaborated in a working group over an 18-month period to co-construct a practice model for supporting parents of children in conflict with the law. The Eurocentric and retributive underpinnings of the criminal justice system have spilled over into the child justice system, making it difficult to shift current power imbalances to the envisioned restorative justice approach, which facilitates shared power, collective decision-making and the inclusion of parents. Critical interrogation of the power vested in the child justice system shows how parents are excluded during various decision-making processes. The restorative justice approach offers opportunities for the child justice system to reimagine and transform the relationship between the system and parents of children who have been in conflict with the law.
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