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South Africa hosts international conference

25 February 2009

Dr Robert Peacock

Thirty students from across the world attended a postgraduate course in victimology at Monash South Africa recently - the first to be held in Africa.

Victimology is the scientific study of victims including the relationship between victims, their offenders and the criminal justice system.

The two-week course was organised by Dr Robert Peacock from Monash South Africa's Criminology and Criminal Justice Department.

He was assisted by Dr Jaco Barkhuizen who recently joined Monash from the Tokiwa International Institute of Victimology in Japan.

Monash South Africa was chosen to host the event because of Dr Peacock's experience in international victimology research.

"The hosting of this course signals a new beginning for victimology and victims on our ravaged continent," Dr Peacock said.

"It positions Monash University as a very important domestic, regional and international role player in the field of victimology and in efforts to ameliorate the plight of victims and promote social justice."

The course was presented in association with the World Society of Victimology (WSV) - a non-profit organisation that aims to advance victimological research around the world.

WSV membership includes victim assistance practitioners, social scientists, social workers, physicians, lawyers, civil servants, volunteers, university academics and students.

Dr Peacock was recently selected to serve on WSV's executive committee.

Visit the Monash South Africa website for more information on studying Criminology and Criminal Justice.