'U' prof. studies victims of human rights violations

About two months after the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission completed public hearings on the human rights violations that occurred during 50 years of apartheid rule, many wonder if the commission, directed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu achieved its goal of healing and forgiveness.

"On the whole, they were an important part in the healing process," said Oscar Barbarin, executive director of the University's South Africa Initiative Office.

"But in raising the issues, there is the possibility of raising hatred and anger with no clear resolution," Barbarin added.

In order to determine if the commission met its goal of forgiveness or led to more pain for the victims, University family medicine Prof. Jeffrey Sonis is studying the psychological effects on the human rights victims that testified.

Working in conjunction with a team in South Africa, Sonis is conducting a three-year study sponsored by an international research program for Scientific Studies on the Subject of Forgiveness that will compare the psychological distress of those that testified to those who did not.

"There is not great evidence, but it is thought that persons who have suffered significant trauma may relive that trauma when they testify," Sonis said. "This could lead to an exacerbation of anxiety or depression among persons who have post-traumatic stress disorder or depression.

But Sonis said other research has shown that for child victims of sexual abuse who testify in court, testifying relieves anxiety in the long run.

"The purpose of our study is to determine which happens among persons who testify before the TRC," he said.

Truth commissions are established to obtain an accurate account of events without punishment for the perpetrators. Those who testify are eligible for amnesty.

"When you testify in court, you have the hope that perpetrators will be brought to justice," Sonis said. "In truth commissions, people testify, but perpetrators are never brought to justice and receive no punishment. What effect does that have?"

Sonis said he hopes the study will help future truth commissions adhere to principles beneficial to victims.

"We want to identify the aspects of testifying that have good outcomes to help future truth commissions develop a mechanism that will be beneficial for those that choose to testify," Sonis said.

Social Work and Public Policy graduate student Alicia Wilson worked in South Africa this summer at the University of Capetown, South Africa, for the Child Health and Policy Institute - part of the post-apartheid transition programs facilitated by the University's South Africa Initiative Office.

Wilson said that although the TRC was not a common topic of conversation in South Africa, it received coverage in the news on a regular basis.

"Often there were reports on the TRC with interesting commentary whether or not the TRC (was) producing negative effects," Wilson said.

Because every citizen had been affected by apartheid rule, Wilson said, the issue has remained a part of their everyday lives.

"Everyone knew someone who was involved, hurt or maimed." Wilson said. "I knew a South African who's parents were killed. They might have been detached from the large process of the testimony, but there is no way to detach from an experience like that."

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