Join The Star Academy for an insightful conference on Autism hosted in Cape Town and Johannesburg!
Guest Speaker: Dr. Antonucci (Italy)
Date: 20th October 2024
Time: 09:00 am
Location: Two Oceans Aquarium (09:00 AM)
Date: 22 October 2024
Time: 17:00
Location: The Wanderers Club
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In terms of the Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment Act, a perpetrator of rape and/or sexual violence may be acquitted if they subjectively believed there was consent. The recent case of S v Coko highlighted the inherent challenges of the current legal definition of consent.
Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) represented the Centre for Human Rights (CHR) and the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA) as joint amici in the matter of The Embrace Project and Others v Minister of Justice and Correctional Services and Others on 22 and July 23 July 2024.
The PsySSA submission highlighted how trauma suffered by survivors of sexual assault impacts their expression of consent. Non-active peritraumatic responses to sexual violence necessitate an objective and active understanding of consent.
On 30 September 2024, the Pretoria High Court handed down judgment declaring certain provisions in the Sexual Offence Act as unconstitutional for failing to protect GBVF victims against legal bias in favour of perpetrators.
Gratitude is extended to everyone involved in this significant GBV-related work. A special thanks to Ms Anne Kramers-Olen and the Sexuality and Gender Division of PsySSA, for their invaluable contributions.
Read about the case at the link below.
The aim of this paper is to argue the disruption of psychology from a Western and Eurocentric viewpoint to a psychology that addresses the needs and aspirations of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. From a social justice perspective psychology cannot be business as usual preparing psychologists to think only about lucrative private practices. This negatively impacts on the role of psychologists to contribute to the agency and empowerment of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Building on this premise I begin with a global conceptualisation of social justice and then zoom into the nature of social justice in South Africa. This is followed by an exploration of social justice within the discipline of psychology and how it would apply to the contexts of disadvantaged and vulnerable people. Then attention is drawn to a specific psychology category demonstrating systemic challenges that inhibit social justice practices in South Africa. Next, I discuss core psychology principles that must be embedded in the preparation of psychologists to make them advocates of social justice to empower disadvantaged and vulnerable people in local communities contributing to a better society. The paper encourages psychologists to think globally and act locally in addressing common problems across the globe.
Prof Jace Pillay is a registered educational and counselling psychologist and the South African Research Chair in Education and Care in Childhood in the Faculty of Education at the University of Johannesburg. In February 2024 he was appointed a UNESCO Chair in Mental Health and Psychological Support for Teachers and Learners in SA. His previous positions at UJ were the Head of the Department of Educational Psychology and Vice Dean in the Faculty of Education. Currently, he heads a research team focusing on the mental health of learners and teachers as well as psychosocial support in schools. As an academic he has published more than 100 journal articles, book chapters and conference proceedings both nationally and internationally. Also, he has supervised numerous postgraduate students and Postdoctoral Research Fellows. Prof Pillay is a keynote and invited speaker in numerous international conferences and has several international research collaborations. In addition to his academic stature, he serves on the Professional Board for Psychology. Also, he serves on the National Steering Committee for Care and Support for Teaching and Learning and chairs the CETA Programme for the Department of Education.
PsySSA is proud to share with you the Final 30th Anniversary Congress Programme. The Congress will be held at Emperor’s Palace, in Johannesburg, South Africa from 8-11 October 2024.
This milestone event, in conjunction with the 10th Anniversary Pan African Psychology Union (PAPU) Congress, features an extensive lineup of sessions from practitioners, scholars, researchers, educators, students, community organisers, activists, artists, and policymakers, each contributing to the rich tapestry of psychological thought, practice, and activism.
This year’s 30th Anniversary Congress is set to be an exhilarating and stimulating experience.
Here’s to 30 years of PsySSA, 10 years of PAPU, and to a milestone Congress!
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Where Olive Trees Weep offers a searing window into the struggles and resilience of the Palestinian people under Israeli occupation. It explores themes of loss, trauma, and the quest for justice.
PsySSA’s 30th and PAPU’s 10th Anniversary Congress
Date: Thursday, 10 October 2024
Time: 08h00 – 10h00 SAST
Venue: Emperors Palace, Venue 8