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Divisional Webinar: The Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2021: Is it enough and what are its implications for psychological practise? – Recording Out Now!

Divisional Webinar: The Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2021: Is it enough and what are its implications for psychological practise? – Recording Out Now!

by | Aug 31, 2023 | CPD Opportunities, Events and Announcements, Policy and Legislation, Professional Resources, Sexuality and Gender Division (SGD)

Divisional Webinar: The Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2021: Is it enough and what are its implications for psychological practise? – Recording Out Now!

Did you miss our divisional webinar: The Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2021: Is it enough and what are its implications for psychological practise?

Don’t worry! Watch the recording below!

Webinar Abstract

The Domestic Violence Amendment Act 2021 (DVAA), in tandem with the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act, and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, aims to strengthen the protection and support of vulnerable persons, and increase the scope for reporting and monitoring.

However, the most recent crime statistics reveal an enduring pattern of violence that target women and other marginalised and vulnerable persons, and are increasingly perpetrated in places that are traditionally associated with safety, such as homes and schools. In light of the amended Acts and what they hope to achieve, we ask, to what extent does the DVAA benefit and protect vulnerable groups, in particular, women, children, queer persons, and persons with disabilities? What is the likely impact of the DVAA on the incidence of GBV and femicide, particularly for these vulnerable groups? Inter alia, certain functionaries (i.e. medical practitioners, health care personnel, social workers, educators and caregivers, who could mental health practitioners) who reasonably believe or suspect that an act of domestic violence has been committed against a child, a disabled person, or an older person must report such belief or suspicion to a social worker or the SAPS. What might need to be done differently and what are the implications for the work of psychologists, particularly in relation to the new assessment and reporting obligations?

PsySSA’s National Health Insurance Update – 23 June 2021

PsySSA’s National Health Insurance Update – 23 June 2021

by | Jun 24, 2021 | Media and Public Awareness, Policy and Ethics, Policy and Legislation

Dear Colleague 

We hope you are well, safe and healthy. 

Kindly note that PsySSA was invited by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Health to present our submission on the National Health Insurance (NHI) on 23 June 2021.

Professor Garth Stevens, President of PsySSA, discussed eight key points on how to strengthen the NHI for mental health needs.

The Committee Chair, Dr Siboniseni Dhlomo, thanked PsySSA for the excellent suggestions and detailed presentation, and agreed to engage further as the rollout of the NHI gets underway in South Africa.

PsySSA’s submission was based on a consultation process that was undertaken in 2019, and the following documents are available for members to read in-depth:

Click here to read PsySSA's written response on the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill - 21 November 2020
Click here to read Kleintjes, S., den Hollander, D., Pillay, S.R., Kramers-Olen, A. (2020). Strengthening the National Health Insurance Bill for mental health needs: Response from the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), South African Journal of Psychology. [Online first, 28 Sept. 2020]
Click here to read PsySSA's presentation to Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Health - 23 June 2021
Click here to watch the presentation delivered by PsySSA President, Professor Garth Stevens from 07:00 to 1:26:30 - 23 June 2021
Section 6B of the Income Tax Act, 1962: PsySSA’s Response

Section 6B of the Income Tax Act, 1962: PsySSA’s Response

by | Jun 4, 2021 | Policy and Ethics, Policy and Legislation

On 31 May 2021, PsySSA submitted an official response to the proposed amendments, from the SARS Disability Team, on the Section 6B of the Income Tax Act, 1962. In summary, the amendments sought to amend the rules governing the tax relief associated with the payment of special needs school fees. The amendments sought to differentiate between education and intervention in regards to special needs schooling, whereby interventions qualify for tax exemption, but schooling would not. According to the proposed amendments: “School fees are not in consequence of a disability, but in consequence of education. For this reason, school fees will not qualify as a medical expense under this List.” PsySSA was approached by Autism South Africa to support through providing our own independent position to the draft proposals released by SARS 24th May 2021.

In summary, PsySSA commended SARS for ensuring financial support for vulnerable populations through tax relief and ensuring that all children have the right to access basic education. However, there are concerns that the process of how this differentiation has been proposed would place the burden of accountability on the shoulders of parents. Special Needs Schools without the necessary administrative support to record the differentiations would result in their pupils and their families not benefiting from the necessary tax relief vital for their education. It is ill conceived to separate the learning programme from the supportive intervention programme which takes place in the educational setting for a child with disabilities. We recommended that further discussion is needed between stakeholders to determine the best way forward.

On the 02 June 2021, SARS announced that it would be retracting these draft proposals “in order to permit more time to engage with stakeholders, explain the intent behind the changes and understand the concerns raised”. We would like to thank both divisions of SEPSA and PiPS for their assistance and expertise in driving this matter forward. This is further evidence of our progress in being actively involved with Public Psychology and being at the foreground of these discussions. We ensure this in order to mobilise Psychology in the interests of multiple publics, particularly those who are marginalised, and to respond to the critical social issues that impact the psychological health and wellbeing of our communities.