Sevices Unit (CSU). Contained in the source records4 were the presentation of injuries sustained through police brutality, types of weapons used by police; victim background details; the nature of the violation; medical determination of the severity of the injury; the presentation of physical and mental trauma; site of the injury; and victims’ narratives of the incident in which they were brutalized by police, detailing what had transpired, why, where and when. The study population comprised of 19 randomly selected victims of police brutality from a population of 224 victims that had already been attended to by CSU between July and August 2016. Following a review of the source documents, a semi-structured questionnaire was administered to the study participants. The semi-structured questionnaire allowed researchers to capture anticipated response types and capture unpredictable responses that could not be categorised. Semi-structured questionnaires provide room for probing to get clarifications on information volunteered by respondents. The data collection process involved calling potential study participants on mobile numbers they had provided to CSU, requesting interviews and meeting them at agreed venues, in consideration for the participants’ safety and anxiety. Study participation was voluntary and confidentiality was guaranteed. 1.4 Data validation Information on the names; contact details; medical assessments, therapies prescribed and costs, as well as legal interventions carried out, was made available from the non-state service providers for legal, medical and psychosocial assistance. The personnel in these service provider organisations is experienced and appropriately trained and registered to operate. Information sourced from the victims was on direct and indirect costs that were not covered by assistance from service providers. Calculating the costs of political violence to victims is a challenging task, demanding rigour in the validation process. Data collection for this study involved the following: - medical costs/expenditure provided for and documented by an organisation that provides medical and psycho-social assistance - legal costs/expenditure provided for and documented by an organisation that provides 4 from member organisations of the Forum consortium that provide legal, medical and psychosocial assistance to victims of organised violence and torture 9