Citation

Hesselink A, Häefele B. Police Pract. Res. 2015; 16(4): 316-327.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/15614263.2015.1038029

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In recent years, South Africa has become infamous for unacceptable high rates of police brutality and criminality. This article alludes to police brutality and criminality in general and explains women in custody's fear and experience of police brutality in South Africa. A total of 56 women were interviewed over a 6-month period to determine the level of police brutality they endured while in custody. Special attention is given to the types of crime committed, police brutality endured during custody, whether they reported the incident of police brutality to officials, as well as their general feelings and attitudes (fear) towards the police. We found that a significant number of women committed crimes such as in possession of stolen property, malicious damage to property, armed robbery and dealing in drugs. Most of the women experienced physical assault (clapping, hitting and kicking) and verbal abuse (being sworn at) while in custody.