The Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) was initially launched in January 1989 under the name of the Project for the Study of Violence. It is a multi-disciplinary institute concerned with policy formation, implementation, service delivery, education and training, amongst other activities. The CSVR also operates its own Trauma Clinic, which provides counselling services for both victims and perpetrators of violence.

The CSVR was actively involved in the work of South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) since its inception in 1994, and contributed to the drafting of the Promotion of National Unity and Reconciliation Act (1995). The CSVR interacted with the TRC in the following broad areas:

Offering support to survivors of political violence

Conducting community and civil society workshops

Lobbying and advocacy work

Creating TRC-related multi-media products such as videos and comics

Developing policy for the TRC

Conducting comparative research

Actively participating in the debates around the TRC

Evaluating, analyzing and commenting on the work of the TRC in all its guises

In performing this role, the CSVR cooperated closely with other NGOs and civil society groups, both local and international. As a result, a unique body of documentary artefacts was created which documents the work of the TRC and those organisations that interacted with it.