Independent Projects Trust - Conflict resolution specialists.

Crime Reduction in Schools Project

CRISP, an Impumelelo Award winner for innovative and creative projects that address pressing issues in South Africa, began as a pilot study funded by the Innovation Fund of the National Department of Arts, Culture, Science & Technology (DACST), and was housed within the Faculty of Community & Development Disciplines at the University of Natal’s Durban campus. The project evolved in partnership with schools, businesses, community organizations and a range of other role players.

It is now at a point where it is able to offer training in areas such as trauma debriefing, anti-bullying, HIV/AIDS, and character building, all with the aim of creating a healthier school environment, and consequently emotionally stronger young people, in this way contributing to youth less likely to engage in crime, and schools more conducive to combating crime, and creating an enabling environment in which learners can achieve their potential.

An evaluation of the project conducted in December 1999 details some of the projects successes.

IPT provides an ideal context for the continued evolution of CRISP’s work. CRISP in turn is an ideal extension of IPT’s existing work. The joint force of these powerful and nationally recognised role players will, without doubt, make a major contribution to the evolution of South Africa into a safer country.

CRISP provides a smorgasbord of programmes which include

Character Building in Schools Project

Teenagers Action Aids Project

Schools Trauma Action Group

Children Against Bullying

For further information about any of these projects or about CRISP please contact one of our staff Janine