The findings made in this study require recommendations on how the implementation of educational programmes could be improved. In this study, the recommendations focus on aspects deduced from this study. The challenges and shortcomings in the implementation of the educational programme in responding to VAW and children were identified, and the recommendations were proposed and derived from the findings of in this study. These recommendations are shared based on identified study themes. It is important to note that recommendations from data analysed from the twelve SAPS officials and social workers who are attached to the local SAPS FCS office will be addressed.
6.4.1 Recommendations on types of abuse experienced by women and children
• Educational programmes on domestic violence legislations should be enforced to assist perpetrators to realise the seriousness of actions that can be taken against them and to help victims to be aware of different steps that they can take after abuse.
• There is an urgent need for educational programmes and counselling for perpetrators. These should offer behavioural change sessions, social and communication skills, self-esteem improvement and alternative coping skills. The researcher believes that these skills will decrease the possibility of men using violence against their partners.
• There is need to initiate men’s forums that focus on empowering and supporting men on challenges that they are facing that aim to include men in the fight against domestic violence.
• The school curriculum should include information on domestic violence to increase sensitivity of this issue at a young age, to help and avoid violence in youth dating relationships.
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6.4.2 Recommendations on the impact of exposure to abuse in childhood during adulthood
• Educational programmes on domestic violence legislations should be enforced to assist perpetrators to realise the seriousness of actions that can be taken against them and to help victims to be aware of different steps that they can take after abuse.
• There is a need for educational programmes for service providers such as social workers, health professionals and police on how to deal with domestic violence and to make the law effective.
• There is a need for educational programmes that are led by men that focus on the dissemination of information on domestic violence and its effects to sensitise communities on this issue. Men should have a particular role to play in educating other men about the nature of abuse and how men can change. The programmes should also extend to schools and other places where young people are so as to deconstruct patriarchal breeding grounds.
6.4.3 Recommendations regarding causes of domestic violence
• Educational programmes that are led by men should be prioritised, putting focus on giving information on factors contributing to domestic violence and its effect on affected communities. Programmes to deconstruct the patriarchal breeding grounds should be extended to schools and other places where young people are found.
• Educational programmes on domestic violence legislations should be enforced to assist perpetrators to realise the seriousness of actions that can be taken against them and to help victims to be aware of different steps that they can take after abuse.
• Educational programmes should be implemented to address power issues in most African culture and will challenge the negative impact of customs such as lobola and at the same time preserve their positive parts.
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• There is an urgent need for job creation to increase more employment opportunities for both men and women so that they will be able to provide for their families. The creation of job opportunities will reduce marital violence because there is a high rate of unemployment in the country.
6.4.4 Recommendations regarding challenges faced when responding to domestic violence
• Educational programmes for officials who deal with domestic violence cases and more training is required to equip and empower them with more knowledge and skills to tackle these cases.
• There is a need for the implementation of sensitive policies when it comes to the provision like protection orders and on how such provision affects institutions such as marriage.
• There is a need for outreach campaigns to educate men on domestic violence and its impact on their families, partners, and the community at large.
• There is a need for educational programmes for service providers such as social workers, health professional and police on how to deal with domestic violence and to make the law effective.
6.4.5 Recommendations regarding why victims stay in abusive relationships
• Educational programmes on domestic violence legislations should be enforced to assist perpetrators to realise the seriousness of actions that can be taken against them and to help victims to be aware of different steps that they can take after abuse.
• Educational programmes should be emphasised on women and children to acquire
• skills so that they cannot be financially dependent on men.
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• The policy that deals with implementation of provisions such as protection orders should be aware of the effects it has on institutions such as marriage and the consequences it has on the future of the marriage institution.
• The initiation of forums that emphasise supporting and empowering women on challenges that they face when responding to domestic violence and include men in the fight against domestic violence.
6.4.6 Recommendations on the effectiveness of the current policies
• Educational programmes on domestic violence legislations should be enforced to assist perpetrators to realise the seriousness of actions that can be taken against them and to help victims to be aware of different steps they can take after abuse.
• Men should be given responsibilities and be included in the policies in the fight against VAW and children in order to destroy perceptions of violence as women’s problem only.
• The policy that deals with the implementation of provisions, such as protection orders should be aware of the effects it has on institutions such as marriage and the consequences it has on the future of the marriage institution.
• There need to educate men on the definition of domestic violence as stated in the Domestic Violence Bill [DVA No. 116 of 1998] as most of them define violence from a physical dimension.