Browsing by Author "Perry, Edwin C."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4

Crime and tourism in South Africa.
(Kamla-Raj Enterprises., 2013) Perry, Edwin C.; Potgieter, Cheryl.
The trepidation over tourism and crime has emerged as a global issue, gaining prominence in the media and political debates. South Africa is often viewed as the crime capital of the world and while crime rates in specific types of crime are decreasing or stabilising, there continues to be an upward trend in many types of crimes. Examining issues pertaining to crime and tourism is important since effective crime prevention and changing negative perceptions can contribute significantly to economic growth by promoting investments and tourism. Furthermore, this can have a positive impact on residents’ quality of life since low crime levels are one of the global indicators of social stability and integration. This article uses relevant literature as well as data from South African Tourism (SAT) on tourists’ perceptions and attitudes toward crime and satisfaction with security in the country, the South African Police Services (SAPS) data on crime rates and resident perception findings on crime and tourism. The study underscores that tourists and locals perceive South Africa as having high levels of crime. Crime remains an important consideration in relation to tourism in South Africa and requires an interdisciplinary and critical theoretical and methodological approach to examine multi-faceted and complex economic, social, political and spatial aspects. It is critical that actual as well as perceptions of crime and security are addressed in relation to different stakeholders such as locals, tourists and the tourism industry. This needs to be part of broader strategies that incorporate risk and safety.
Environmental conflicts and women's vulnerability in Africa.
(African Journal of Conflict Resolution, 2010) Perry, Edwin C.; Potgieter, Cheryl.; Bob, Urmilla.
This article examines environmental conflicts and women’s vulnerability in Africa. Environmental resources are critical to poor women’s productive and reproductive lives in Africa. Environmental resources diversify livelihoods and are key to the survival strategies women adopt. Environmental conflicts are of concern in several parts of Africa and they have gendered impacts that need to be considered. This article focuses on two main aspects. The first examines the linkages between environmental conflicts, women’s vulnerability and gender-based violence. The second considers environmental conflicts, access to resources and women’s vulnerability. In particular, the focus is on the way in which conflicts restrict women’s access to and control of environmental resources. Additionally, the impacts of environmental degradation which tend to characterise environmental conflicts are considered. The article also briefly discusses women’s responses and adaptation strategies to the challenges they confront in relation to environmental conflicts.
Females' environmental perceptions of violence and danger in secondary schools : case studies from the Durban Metropolitan area.
(2002) Perry, Edwin C.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
There has been a significant level of outcry opposing violence against females and the development of policies and legislation aimed at reducing this increasing problem that confronts South African society. Yet, violence and the fear of violence, especially gender-based violence, are widespread in South Africa. Despite the considerable research that has been undertaken on violence in South Africa, there remains a weak empirical and conceptual basis to understand females' environmental perceptions of violence and danger in secondary schools. This dissertation contributes to a greater understanding of the relationships between gender, violence and environmental perceptions. Gender specific spatialities, experiences and perceptions are critically examined. Critical concerns in the study include females' environmental perceptions of violence and images of danger in secondary schools, sources of information regarding violence and danger, types of violence that females are aware of, specific experiences of violence among the respondents and the coping strategies adopted by females. To enable a critical examination of the above issues, a comprehensive literature review was undertaken as well as fieldwork was conducted in two secondary schools (Dr A D Lazarus and Ridge Park College). Both female learners and teachers participated in the study. A variety of quantitative and qualitative methods were used including questionnaire surveys as well as mental mapping and ranking exercises to achieve the aims and objectives of this study. The key findings of the research show that violence and the danger of violence constrain the movements and the options of females. Furthermore, the results clearly illustrate discernible patterns of fear of violence, experiences of violence, perceptions of violence and responses to the perceived threat of violence among the respondents. Additionally, a disconcerting finding was that a significant proportion of the respondents at both schools viewed the school itself to be unsafe or located in close proximity to areas that they perceived to be dangerous. Undoubtedly, addressing issues pertaining to gender and violence in secondary schools (and in society more generally) will enhance females' abilities to effectively participate in and benefit from educational and development processes. This study shows that acts of violence generally and gender-based violence particularly need to be understood in their environmental contexts inclusive of the location! spatial, social, economic and political dimensions. Moreover, perceptions and the fear of violence, although they may not match actual risk, need to be responded to constructively.
Socio-economic and environmental perceptions and impacts of violence and crime in residential areas in Durban, South Africa.
(2006) Perry, Edwin C.; Moodley, Vadivelu.
Violence and crime are amongst the most difficult of the many challenges facing South Africa. There is widespread concern in all segments of society about persistent and widespread violence and crime. The central aim of the study is to critically examine the socio-economic and environmental perceptions and impacts of violence and crime in residential areas in Durban, South Africa, by utilizing specific case studies. This study contributes to understanding the socio-economic and environmental perceptions of crime and violence at the local level. The actual and perceived spatial distribution and understanding of violence and crime ronn a critical focus of this study. This study adopts a multi-conceptual framework (drawing from the psychological/behavioural perspective, political economy approach and rational perspective of physical environment and crime) that coalesces several themes relating to crime and violence including historical contexts, policy frameworks, stakeholder analyses, environmental aspects, economic facets, distributional concerns as well as social and cultural dimensions. The focus of the study in terms of primary data collection was Durban. Within this area the specific residential localities (from infoffilal settlements to upper income areas) were chosen from the lnnerwest sub-region. The four specific communities/localities chosen reflect the residential settlement type and socio-economic differentiation prevalent in the area as well as to some extent the historical residential classification on the basis of race. These localities are Westville (a historically White, upper income area), Reservoir Hills (a historically Lndian, middle income area), Cleffilont (a historically African, working class township) and the Palmiet and New Germany Road in informal settlements. The case studies reflect a cross-section of experiences contrasting institutional dynamics as well as socio-economic and spatial contexts and experiences. Both quantitative (questionnaire surveys) and qualitative (focus group discussions, key informant interviews and ranking exercises) methods were employed to collect primary data from the following stakeholders: residents, businesses, police, private security companies and community-based organizations/community forums. The main findings of the research were that perceptions of safety and security varied greatly depending on personal, socio-economic, and environmental/spatial factors. Gender, class and race emerged as key socio-economic aspects. Furthermore, violence and the threat of violence severely constrain and influence the movements and options of people. Respondents considered several areas within the communities, especially public spaces, to be unsafe. Respondents, especially those who could afford to do so, used a range of security measures. This study shows that acts of violence and crime need to be understood in their environmental contexts inclusive of the locational/spatial, social, economic and political dimensions. An examination and greater understanding of the socio-economic and spatial manifestations of crime and violence is paramount to develop safe and secure environments.