Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / In the U.S., the transgender community disproportionately experiences a rate of unemployment three times that of the national average. These nearly 1.4 million individuals receive no explicit federal employment protections. Though judges have historically concluded that Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 does not offer such protections, the Sixth Circuit recently concluded that transgender discrimination is prohibited under Title VII. A study was conducted to discern what lead to the Sixth Circuit explicitly extending Title VII’s sex-based protections to transgender individuals. Analysis consisted of data from historical Title VII legal cases—citing sex-based discrimination— brought by, or on behalf of, transgender individuals in the Sixth Circuit. The sample included 20 court records from 11 legal cases identified through the Nexis Uni database. Both a thematic analysis and a Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) were conducted. The thematic analysis illustrated four distinct steps taken by the Sixth Circuit—in addition to the two steps previously taken by other Circuits and the Supreme Court. Each stage revealed small deviations in statutory interpretation and application, which lead to a marked change in the legal discourse on Title VII’s sex-based discrimination prohibition. The CDA compared the Circuit’s starting discourse to its more recent discourse and found judges’ moved from a passive to an active role in constructing the legal discourse. Overall, the study illustrates the judicial branch of government’s influential impact on employment rights, and more broadly, social justice. Further, the study presents legal engagement as essential to the pursuit of social change. Given social work’s value of social justice, forensic participation is a suitable addition to the social work toolkit. / 2023-08-05

South Africa, notwithstanding her comprehensive legislation, has disturbingly high figures of child sexual violence. These crimes and the low conviction rates should put any role-player within the field of sexual violence to shame. Concerns are raised that, unless trained professionals deal with child sexual abuse victims, we will fail to protect children from abuse and fail in our quest for justice. The South African police, in its efforts to prioritize crimes against women and children, employed forensic social workers. This article presents the results of an explorative study of the role and responsibilities of the forensic social worker in the SAPS. Data was collected from three groups of participants (forensic social workers, state prosecutors and police investigating officers) according to a mixed method approach. Both qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (statistical data) methods were therefore employed. The forensic process is designed to answer a question of relevance to the legal system, which makes the role of the forensic social worker very specific. If roleplayers in the field of child sexual offences, however, are not entirely familiar with what forensic social work entails, it could not only complicate matters for the forensic social workers, but it could also mean that their services are not used optimally and effectively. The findings of the study indicate that forensic social workers make a valuable contribution to the successful investigation of child sexual offences; however, in the absence of adequate continuous trainin training, supervision and consultation, they could fail in providing a proficient service. / Thesis (MSW (Forensic Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Fighting sexual violence against women and children in South Africa is regarded as a priority. The aim of this study is to explore the reasons for the reluctance to disclose sexual abuse by middle childhood children. Some of the factors that were highlighted that cause the reluctance to disclose sexual abuse by middle childhood children were: threats made by the perpetrator, the relationship with the perpetrator, stigmatization and talking about sexual related matters were seen as a taboo. The study reveals that there is lack of parental support especially when the perpetrator is a family member as they want to avoid embarrassment. It was also discovered that it is difficult for those parents who have unresolved issues of sexual abuse to handle their children’s disclosure. The study further shows that people do not understand the justice process especially the bail conditions. They lose faith in the system especially when they see the perpetrator outside and they do not understand that the investigation is still in process. It was discovered that FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit) and FSW (Forensic Social Work) offices/environment should be better equipped and child friendly to put sexually abused children at ease. It was indicated that parents should supervise their children at all times. Children should be assured that it is not their fault and they do not deserve to be sexually abused. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

South Africa, notwithstanding her comprehensive legislation, has disturbingly high figures of child sexual violence. These crimes and the low conviction rates should put any role-player within the field of sexual violence to shame. Concerns are raised that, unless trained professionals deal with child sexual abuse victims, we will fail to protect children from abuse and fail in our quest for justice. The South African police, in its efforts to prioritize crimes against women and children, employed forensic social workers. This article presents the results of an explorative study of the role and responsibilities of the forensic social worker in the SAPS. Data was collected from three groups of participants (forensic social workers, state prosecutors and police investigating officers) according to a mixed method approach. Both qualitative (semi-structured interviews) and quantitative (statistical data) methods were therefore employed. The forensic process is designed to answer a question of relevance to the legal system, which makes the role of the forensic social worker very specific. If roleplayers in the field of child sexual offences, however, are not entirely familiar with what forensic social work entails, it could not only complicate matters for the forensic social workers, but it could also mean that their services are not used optimally and effectively. The findings of the study indicate that forensic social workers make a valuable contribution to the successful investigation of child sexual offences; however, in the absence of adequate continuous trainin training, supervision and consultation, they could fail in providing a proficient service. / Thesis (MSW (Forensic Practice))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Fighting sexual violence against women and children in South Africa is regarded as a priority. The aim of this study is to explore the reasons for the reluctance to disclose sexual abuse by middle childhood children. Some of the factors that were highlighted that cause the reluctance to disclose sexual abuse by middle childhood children were: threats made by the perpetrator, the relationship with the perpetrator, stigmatization and talking about sexual related matters were seen as a taboo. The study reveals that there is lack of parental support especially when the perpetrator is a family member as they want to avoid embarrassment. It was also discovered that it is difficult for those parents who have unresolved issues of sexual abuse to handle their children’s disclosure. The study further shows that people do not understand the justice process especially the bail conditions. They lose faith in the system especially when they see the perpetrator outside and they do not understand that the investigation is still in process. It was discovered that FCS (Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit) and FSW (Forensic Social Work) offices/environment should be better equipped and child friendly to put sexually abused children at ease. It was indicated that parents should supervise their children at all times. Children should be assured that it is not their fault and they do not deserve to be sexually abused. / MSW (Forensic Practice), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

From earliest times, child protection has formed an important part of the social worker's responsibilities. When child protection is referred to, statutory intervention, with the accompanying supportive or therapeutic intervention, is often necessary. In cases of sexual abuse of children, the nature of the service rendered is complex, requiring a wide range of inputs. Forensic social work is a fairly new specialist field in terms of service provision in social work in South Africa. The forensic social worker is primarily involved in investigating reports of alleged sexual abuse and must draw up a court report and, as an expert, give evidence in court. The forensic social worker is not involved with the child at therapeutic level. Social workers involved with generic child and family care can be involved in both the statutory and the therapeutic interventions, but are not always sure when a child should be referred for forensic assessment. This may lead to role confusion and conflict. This study attempts to establish a guideline for social workers in the offices of the Christian Council Social Services in the Highveld Synod, in order to facilitate referral for forensic assessment and to eliminate the role confusion and conflict mentioned above. The guidelines have been drawn up on the basis of information gathered from the relevant literature and from focus group conversations with social workers and individual interviews with social workers specialising in forensic social work. Although the guidelines have been developed specifically for the above–mentioned organisation, social workers in other child and family care organisations could also derive benefit from them. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

From earliest times, child protection has formed an important part of the social worker's responsibilities. When child protection is referred to, statutory intervention, with the accompanying supportive or therapeutic intervention, is often necessary. In cases of sexual abuse of children, the nature of the service rendered is complex, requiring a wide range of inputs. Forensic social work is a fairly new specialist field in terms of service provision in social work in South Africa. The forensic social worker is primarily involved in investigating reports of alleged sexual abuse and must draw up a court report and, as an expert, give evidence in court. The forensic social worker is not involved with the child at therapeutic level. Social workers involved with generic child and family care can be involved in both the statutory and the therapeutic interventions, but are not always sure when a child should be referred for forensic assessment. This may lead to role confusion and conflict. This study attempts to establish a guideline for social workers in the offices of the Christian Council Social Services in the Highveld Synod, in order to facilitate referral for forensic assessment and to eliminate the role confusion and conflict mentioned above. The guidelines have been drawn up on the basis of information gathered from the relevant literature and from focus group conversations with social workers and individual interviews with social workers specialising in forensic social work. Although the guidelines have been developed specifically for the above–mentioned organisation, social workers in other child and family care organisations could also derive benefit from them. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The high crime rate in South Africa and the government’s apparent inability to deal with this problem is a reality. Even though no official statistics exist regarding the recidivism rate in South Africa it is estimated that it could be between 55% and 95%. The contributing role that recidivism plays towards the high crime rate can therefore not be ignored. In South Africa no classification system exists whereby a repeat offender can formally be classified as a recidivist. The crime prevention and management strategies currently utilised in South Africa furthermore does not recognise and address the role that recidivism plays as contributing factor towards the high crime rate. The aim of this study was to formulate a classification system for the South African recidivist in order to compile an inter-disciplinary action plan for the prevention and management of recidivism. The research design of this study was exploratory and both quantitative and qualitative data gathering methods were used in this study. The quantitative study involved the completion of the PFIR eco-metric scale by offenders falling within the classification criteria for recidivism. From the analyses of this data a proposed profile of the South African recidivist was compiled. During the qualitative phase of the research interviews were conducted with experts in the field of crime prevention and management. A semi-structured interview schedule was used for this purpose. Based on the key findings of the study an inter-disciplinary action plan for the prevention and management of recidivism was compiled. The purpose of this action plan is to propose an inter-disciplinary and inter-sectoral intervention and management strategy to address recidivism holistically. Within the action plan it is suggested that recidivism should be addressed on three levels, namely prevention, therapeutic and developmental intervention and reintegration. The primary recommendation of this study was that the proposed inter-disciplinary action plan should be adopted by policy makers and be included in the crime management and prevention strategies of South Africa. The study concluded with specific recommendations to help facilitate this process. / Thesis (DPhil)--University of Pretoria, 2002. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted