SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Assist victims in their interaction with the Criminal Justice System 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
119731  Assist victims in their interaction with the Criminal Justice System 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Victim Empowerment 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 07 - Human and Social Studies People/Human-Centred Development 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 3  NQF Level 03  4 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 2018-07-01  2023-06-30  SAQA 06120/18 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30   2027-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard. 

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
The qualifying learner will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of structures, functions, procedures and protocols of the Criminal Justice System in South Africa. A learner equipped with this Unit Standard will be able to identify the roles and responsibilities of the key personnel in the Criminal Justice System that interact with victims. The learner will display an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of victims within the Criminal Justice environment, as well as the support services and referral procedures for victims. The involvement of the victim in Restorative Justice processes is highlighted.

A learner accredited with this unit standard will be capable of:
  • Understanding structures, functions, procedures and protocols of the Criminal Justice System in South Africa as it relates to Victim Empowerment
  • Explaining the rights and responsibilities of victims within the Criminal Justice System
  • Understanding the support services and appropriate referrals available to victims within the Criminal Justice System
  • Explaining the role of Restorative Justice practices in contributing to justice in society 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    It is assumed that a learner will be competent in:
  • Communication at NQF level 2 or equivalent.
  • Mathematical literacy at NQF level 2 or equivalent.
  • The registered Unit Standard titled Demonstrate an understanding of Victim Empowerment in the Criminal Justice process, NQF level 2. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
    Range of victims include, but is not limited to: direct and indirect victims, witnesses etc.

    Range of benefits, include but not limited to: protection, respect, recognition, information, and confidentiality.

    Range of role-players include, but are not limited to: victims, offenders, communities, families, Criminal Justice personnel, and facilitator/mediator. 

    Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
    Understand the structures, functions, procedures and protocols within the Criminal Justice System in South Africa as it relates to Victim Empowerment. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The structure of the South African Criminal Justice System and the roles and responsibilities of key personnel involved in Victim Empowerment is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The role, function and purpose of each component of the Criminal Justice System and its relationship to the whole Justice System is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The relevant concepts and terminology used by the Criminal Justice System as it relates to Victim Empowerment is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    Relevant procedures and protocols within the Criminal Justice System as it relates to Victim Empowerment is explained in accordance with the Criminal Procedures Act 51 of 1977. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The legislative and legal framework governing the Criminal Justice System as it relates to Victim Empowerment is described, in accordance with the South African Constitution and other relevant legislation. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The functioning of the South African Criminal Justice System within an international and human rights framework is described in accordance with the United Nations Declaration on Basic Rights of Victims of Crime and Abuse of Power, the South African Constitution and Bill of Rights. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
    Explain the rights and responsibilities of victims within the Criminal Justice System. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Human rights and responsibilities of victims within the Criminal Justice System is explained in accordance with the South African Constitution, the South African Victims' Charter and the South African Bill of Rights. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The responsibilities of Criminal Justice personnel in upholding victims' rights in relation to relevant policy and legislation are explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Complaint mechanisms, if victims' rights are violated, are described as outlined in the South African Victims' Charter, South African Police Act, South African Constitution and the White Paper on Correctional Services. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The challenges in accessing the Criminal Justice System for victims is described with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    The role of victims within the Criminal Justice System is described as in the South African Victims' Charter. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of victims include, but is not limited to: direct and indirect victims, witnesses etc.
     

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
    Describe the relevant support services and appropriate referrals for victims to access the Criminal Justice System. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    Support services required by the victim is identified and described in accordance with the Integrated Victim Empowerment Policy and the South African Victim's Charter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The value in supporting victims through the Criminal Justice System is explained using case studies. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of benefits, include but not limited to: protection, respect, recognition, information, confidentiality.
     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    Methods of accessing support services, identifying the type of services needed and protocols for referrals in the Criminal Justice System is explained according tothe South African Victim's Charter. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The value of multi-disciplinary, inter-sectoral collaboration in referrals is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
    Secondary victimisation within the Criminal Justice System is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6 
    The way to gather, collate and evaluate referral information is described as per the Victim Empowerment sector. 

    SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
    Explain the role of Restorative Justice practices in the Criminal Justice System and its relationship to Victim Empowerment in South Africa. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERIA     

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
    The origins and definitions of Restorative Justice is explained in accordance with the United Nations Declaration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
    The philosophy, goals and key principles of Restorative Justice is explained with examples. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
    The benefits and limitations of Restorative Justice practices in contributing to justice and Victim Empowerment are explained in accordance with United Nations Declaration. 

    ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
    The various role players in Restorative Justice programmes are identified and described according to the United Nations Declaration. 
    ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
    Range of role-players include, but are not limited to: victims, offenders, communities, families, Criminal Justice personnel, facilitator/mediator.
     


    UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
    Moderation
  • Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this Unit Standard and the related Exit Level Outcomes of the Qualification must be accredited by the relevant ETQA.
  • External Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA at its discretion.
  • The accredited Training Provider will oversee internal moderation of assessment.
  • Internal and external moderation should encompass achievement of competence described in this Unit Standard as well as the integrated competence described in the Exit Level Outcome of the Qualification. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
    The knowledge component of this Unit Standard is derived from the relevant sections of the following:
  • The Services Charter for Victims of Crime (2004)
  • Criminal Procedure Act 51/1977 and related Bills
  • South African Constitution and Bill of Rights
  • Integrated National Victim Empowerment Policy
  • Domestic Violence Act
  • Child Care Act
  • Maintenance Act
  • SA Child Justice Bill, 42 (2002)
  • United Nations Handbook on Justice for Victims
  • United Nations Declaration on the basic principles on the use of Restorative Justice programmes in Criminal matters
  • White Paper on Correctional Services 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING 
    Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organisation and community to access the Criminal Justice System. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organise and evaluate information about victims to ensure that the correct procedures are followed in accessing the Criminal Justice System. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Use oral and written forms of communication effectively to persuade all role-players to collaborate in seeking redress for victims through the Criminal Justice System. 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts in Victim Empowerment do not exist in isolation and requires co-ordination of various role-players. 

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
  • Assessors must be registered as assessors with a relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
  • Assessors must be in possession of a Qualification in Victim Empowerment or a related sub-field of Human and Social Studies at a minimum of NQF level 4. 
    		•

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015. 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  49688   National Certificate: Victim Empowerment  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  HW SETA 
    Elective  66749   National Certificate: Community Development  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  ETDP SETA 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. DC Academy (PTY)LTD 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.