|
|
|
Dear VPF Friends,
Welcome to the Violence Prevention Forum newsletter. On a bi-weekly basis we will be sharing research, resources, upcoming events and opportunities. We hope you find this a useful resource.
For any resources and events you'd like to share in this newsletter or queries, contact vpf@issafrica.org.
|
|
|---|
|
VPF Policy Brief: How to prevent violence in South Africa
Violence in South Africa has a heavy cost not only on individuals and communities but also on our economy and social systems. This policy brief summarises lessons learnt from research, policy and practice over the past three years.
The latest policy brief from the Violence Prevention Forum clearly states: we have the evidence, the WHY, and the HOW to prevent violence, and the return on investment exceeds the cost. Effective violence prevention requires more than just policing. It requires investment in evidence-based interventions that are aligned with community needs and supported across government, civil society, research, and development partners. However, while coordinating efforts to prevent and respond to violence is necessary, new structures are not the answer. Governments and NGOs should assess existing structures before allocating resources to enhance their implementation capacity. |
|
|---|
|
|
 |
Planet Youth and Western Cape Government Partnership Launch: Using data and collaboration to create safer spaces for young people
Planet Youth, a global initiative supporting communities to create healthier environments for young people, has partnered with the Western Cape Government on a bold, data-driven initiative to prevent violence and substance abuse through schools. Together, they conducted an anonymised survey with nearly 49,000 grade 8 and 9 learners, led by the Department of Health and Wellness’s Violence Prevention Unit, a long-standing partner in the Western Cape Violence Prevention Forum. The survey asks learners various questions related to their well-being and environment, including safety and substance abuse at home and at school. Led by the results, Planet Youth and the Western Cape Government aim to empower young people to make healthier choices by strengthening the environments around them.
The partnership was officially launched on 24 July at Mondale High School in Mitchell’s Plain. The day was dedicated to sharing evidence and examples of effective violence prevention interventions. It included informative workshops and exhibitions. The event showcased a united front from government, academia, and the community, all committed to youth wellbeing. Participants included the MEC Mireille Wenger, Dr. Keith Cloete, Premier Alan Winde, Planet Youth Iceland, and Planeteer Michay Baartjies. The message on the day was clear: real change occurs when everyone gets involved. Local Planet Youth Coalitions are now forming, including schools, parents, NGOs, faith groups, and businesses, to create safer schools and communities for youth. |
|
|---|
|
|
Digital dialogue: Safe and enabling learning environments
The World Health Organization (WHO) is conducting a series of dialogues as part of the ongoing follow-up to the Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children last year.
This dialogue will focus on Safe School Environments and bring together stakeholders involved in implementing the commitments to safe learning environments made at the 2024 Ministerial Conference to End Violence Against Children.
Date: 13 August 2025
Time: 14:00-15:30 (CET) |
|
|---|
|
|
Global Launch: World Health Organization Report, Corporal Punishment of children, the public health impact
Join the World Health Organization for the global launch of their groundbreaking report, which recognises corporal punishment of children as a critical public health issue.
For the first time in the WHO’s 78-year history, this report presents undeniable scientific evidence that corporal punishment, the most common and socially accepted form of violence against children, harms their health and provides no benefits to children, parents, or society.
Date: 20 August 2025
Time: 14:00-15:00 (CEST)
|
|
|---|
|
|
Breathing Room: Collective practices for organisational healing
Hands-On and Wellbeing Architects present a six-live session series exploring how trauma, power, spirit, and story shape the soul of organisations. Through storytelling, embodied tools, and collective wisdom, the team builds a space for healing. Breathing Room isn’t your typical training—it’s a gentle, reflective space for organisers, activists, and social-purpose teams to pause, reconnect, and begin practicing organisational healing together.
The series draws from African, feminist, and Freirean approaches to help us reimagine what care, accountability, and transformation can look like in our workplaces.
Dates: 3 September - 12 November 2025 (every second Wednesday)
Times: 18:00 - 20:00 (SAT)
|
|
|---|
|
|
Call for projects: Technology-facilitated gender-based violence.
The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) is calling on feminist organisations to apply for funding to fight gender-based violence happening online, issues like cyberstalking, image abuse, sextortion, and harassment. They have set aside €4 million to support projects across Africa, the Near East, and the Middle East, focusing on prevention, survivor support, digital safety education, and pushing for better policies.
The funded projects will run for three to four years and must be led by groups with experience in feminist work, digital rights, or survivor support. A big focus is on building strong local partnerships and sharing decision-making power.
Deadline: 31 August 2025
|
|
|---|
|
|
|
Safe Online Report 2023: Understanding and tackling online child sexual exploitation
The Safe Online Report 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of the ongoing challenges and progress in protecting children from online sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) worldwide. The report draws on research from 25 countries, focusing on how technology is both enabling harm and offering new tools to combat it. It highlights gaps in laws, policies, and awareness, and stresses the need for coordinated action between governments, tech companies, civil society, and researchers to make online spaces safer for children.
|
|
|---|
|
|
| |
|
View this email in your browser
You are receiving this email because of your relationship with Violence Prevention Forum @ the Institute for Security Studies. Please reconfirm your interest in receiving emails from us. If you do not wish to receive any more emails, you can unsubscribe here.
|
|
 |
|  |
|
|
|
|
