3 BACKGROUND The consequences of organised violence are many and complex, and include both physical and psychological effects. Since this is a new field there are still controversies about the effects and how best to classify them. The definition of organised violence too is complex, having to cover a wide variety of causes and effects on people. The following definition gives a good indication of the scope of the problem: "Organised violence is the interhuman infliction of significant avoidable pain and suffering by an organised group according to a declared or implied strategy and/or system of ideas and attitudes. It comprises any violent action which is unacceptable by general human standards, and relates to the victims's feelings. Organised violence includes inter alia 'torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment' as mentioned in Article 5 of the UN Declaration of Human Rights(1948). Imprisonment without trial, mock executions, hostage taking or any other form of violent deprivation of liberty also fall under the heading of organised violence. The effects of apartheid, destablisation, civil war, the forced displacement of people, and political violence constitute organised violence. Violence which occurs in these situations as a direct consequence of political repression, although it may appear random, is of a structural nature, involves violations of basic human rights and can only disappear when human, social and political relationships are profoundly changed." (PAZ.1992) This definition, formulated during several Southern African meetings, describes the range of factors that must be relevant to any description of the health consequences of organised violence(1-2). The causes range from war and torture through to imprisonment and forced displacement, whilst the effects range from personal injury to social oppression. Thus, in Southern Africa, the decades of war and violence have created a justifiable concern for their effects. Despite this concern, detailed information and research is scarce, and the study of the effects of organised violence in the Southern African region is in its relative infancy.