This thesis looks at how relevant 2 Corinthians 5:18-21 and Romans 5:1-11 is for bringing about reconciliation between victims and offenders in serious crime. Their relevance is discussed in the light of a psychological model of rape trauma and recovery and the real experiences of rape victims and rape offenders. The crime of rape is used and examined paradigmatically for serious crime as a whole. I contend in this thesis that reconciliation between victims and offenders, in serious crime, can promote healing, especially if it is done through careful mediation.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.