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Carjacking in South Africa: A Study on the Forgotten Actors—the Victims

Fri, Nov 20, 12:30 to 1:50pm, Hilton, Northwest, Lobby Level

Abstract

Carjacking remains a significant victimization in South Africa. From April 2013 to March 2014, 11, 221 carjackings were reported to the South African police. The extent to which this victimization pervades society stands in contrast to the available literature on those who suffer its consequences—the victims. To counter this dearth of information, this study aimed to collect information on the psychological, physical and financial impacts of this victimization. Through a snowball sampling method, 280 victims of carjacking completed a questionnaire on the character of their victimization. Results show that carjacking is inherently violent. Most victims were threatened with a life-endangering weapon and were likely to suffer an injury that required medical treatment, in most cases at a hospital. Victims were likely to react emotionally and experienced particularly high levels of stress afterwards. Victims took precautions in order to avoid re-victimization; however, these precautions appear to impose restrictions on their lives and do little to reduce the fear of being carjacked again. Participants indicated that psychological damage is the most debilitating. This information collected directly from victims suggests ways that assistance programs can assist victims in a country plagued by high rates of victimization.

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