The general objectives of the study were to evaluate a social work support group programme with informal caregivers that aimed to enhance the quality of care provided to older persons in an urban and rural community setting in Namibia. In order to achieve the general objectives of the study, the following specific objectives were formulated: * To explore how informal caregiving situations in urban and rural communities lead to elder abuse and neglect. * To describe existing literature on the various factors that contribute to elder abuse and neglect within community settings. * To develop a support group programme for informal caregivers of older persons in urban and rural community settings that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. * To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the support group programme for informal caregivers that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. The thesis consists of 5 sections: Section A consists of the problem statement, research objectives, central theoretical argument and the theoretical approaches that underpin the study. Furthermore, the research methodology, the definition of key concepts and the limitation of the study are presented. Section B contains four articles that together formed part of the research outcomes. Each article can function independently with it’s own objectives and distinctive content. However, each article is also a sub-project of the umbrella research study. Therefore, some of the data have to be repeated in different sections. The four articles are: Article 1: Informal caregiving, elder abuse and neglect in urban and rural areas of the Khomas region in Namibia: A needs assessment A needs assessment on informal caregiving situations and how it may lead to elder abuse and neglect of older persons from an urban and rural constituency in the Khomas region was explored. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with professional and community leaders. In addition, focus group discussions were held with older persons and informal caregivers in the urban and rural constituency. Article 2: Factors contributing to elder abuse and neglect in community settings In this article, a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the risk and protective factors to elder abuse and neglect was done. The ecological theory was worthwhile to describe the risk factors to elder abuse and neglect. Article 3: Designing a social work support group programme with informal caregivers of older people in Namibia A social work support group programme was developed for informal caregivers of older persons in community settings. The eight-week support group programme was developed based on a needs assessment and a comprehensive literature review, and included the following topics; the normal processes of aging, handling of difficult caregiving situations, caregiver stress, self-care of the caregiver, elder abuse and neglect and caregiver grief and loss. The planning model for group work was also utilised to design the group. Article 4: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a support group programme with informal caregivers to prevent elder abuse and neglect An eight-week support group programme with ten female informal caregivers from an urban group and twelve informal caregivers from a rural group setting was implemented and evaluated. Standardized measuring instruments that assessed the outcome of the group at pre-test, post-test and postponed post-test were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Potentially Harmful Behaviour (PHB) scale and the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE). The Group Engagement Measure (GEM) assessed the group processes at the fourth, sixth and eight group sessions. In addition, open-ended questions were used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative and qualitative evaluations indicated that both the urban and rural groups gained knowledge on aging and caregiving, and caregivers acquired vital qualities such as patience, compassion and communication skills. The process evaluation showed that caregivers from the urban group were more engaged in the group process than the rural group. Elder abuse was underreported in the study, while personal stress of caregivers reduced significantly because of the intervention. Section C consists of the summary of the most important findings and conclusions to the research study. In addition recommendations are provided. Section D consists of the annexures to the research report, such as the measuring instruments and interview schedules used for data collection. Section E contains a consolidated list of references. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The general objectives of the study were to evaluate a social work support group programme with informal caregivers that aimed to enhance the quality of care provided to older persons in an urban and rural community setting in Namibia. In order to achieve the general objectives of the study, the following specific objectives were formulated: * To explore how informal caregiving situations in urban and rural communities lead to elder abuse and neglect. * To describe existing literature on the various factors that contribute to elder abuse and neglect within community settings. * To develop a support group programme for informal caregivers of older persons in urban and rural community settings that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. * To implement and evaluate the effectiveness of the support group programme for informal caregivers that aimed at preventing elder abuse and neglect. The thesis consists of 5 sections: Section A consists of the problem statement, research objectives, central theoretical argument and the theoretical approaches that underpin the study. Furthermore, the research methodology, the definition of key concepts and the limitation of the study are presented. Section B contains four articles that together formed part of the research outcomes. Each article can function independently with it’s own objectives and distinctive content. However, each article is also a sub-project of the umbrella research study. Therefore, some of the data have to be repeated in different sections. The four articles are: Article 1: Informal caregiving, elder abuse and neglect in urban and rural areas of the Khomas region in Namibia: A needs assessment A needs assessment on informal caregiving situations and how it may lead to elder abuse and neglect of older persons from an urban and rural constituency in the Khomas region was explored. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with professional and community leaders. In addition, focus group discussions were held with older persons and informal caregivers in the urban and rural constituency. Article 2: Factors contributing to elder abuse and neglect in community settings In this article, a comprehensive review of the literature pertaining to the risk and protective factors to elder abuse and neglect was done. The ecological theory was worthwhile to describe the risk factors to elder abuse and neglect. Article 3: Designing a social work support group programme with informal caregivers of older people in Namibia A social work support group programme was developed for informal caregivers of older persons in community settings. The eight-week support group programme was developed based on a needs assessment and a comprehensive literature review, and included the following topics; the normal processes of aging, handling of difficult caregiving situations, caregiver stress, self-care of the caregiver, elder abuse and neglect and caregiver grief and loss. The planning model for group work was also utilised to design the group. Article 4: Evaluation of the effectiveness of a support group programme with informal caregivers to prevent elder abuse and neglect An eight-week support group programme with ten female informal caregivers from an urban group and twelve informal caregivers from a rural group setting was implemented and evaluated. Standardized measuring instruments that assessed the outcome of the group at pre-test, post-test and postponed post-test were the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Potentially Harmful Behaviour (PHB) scale and the Caregiver Abuse Screen (CASE). The Group Engagement Measure (GEM) assessed the group processes at the fourth, sixth and eight group sessions. In addition, open-ended questions were used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative and qualitative evaluations indicated that both the urban and rural groups gained knowledge on aging and caregiving, and caregivers acquired vital qualities such as patience, compassion and communication skills. The process evaluation showed that caregivers from the urban group were more engaged in the group process than the rural group. Elder abuse was underreported in the study, while personal stress of caregivers reduced significantly because of the intervention. Section C consists of the summary of the most important findings and conclusions to the research study. In addition recommendations are provided. Section D consists of the annexures to the research report, such as the measuring instruments and interview schedules used for data collection. Section E contains a consolidated list of references. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The prevalence of child sexual abuse in South Africa is alarmingly high. Child protection officials’ task is challenging due to the fact that most cases of child sexual abuse are never reported as a result of the stigma attached to child sexual abuse. This article explains the vulnerable position of the children of uniform members of the military due to the fact that one or both parents are absent from the family due to fragmentation. Two main reasons are causing fragmentation. The first reason that can be mentioned is the fact that the soldier him–/herself has decided not to relocate the family to his/her workplace. Cultural beliefs, housing crisis or other practical challenges might play a role in the parent’s decision. The second reason for fragmentation is the fact that soldiers are obliged to attend military courses or to represent their country during a peace operation on the African continent. These military obligations cause physical and emotional absence of the parental figure, which might leave the child in a vulnerable position to fall victim to child sexual abuse. Fragmentation impacts negatively on the parental relationship as well as on the safety of the child. The deployed parent often is left with no choice but to unwittingly leave the child with a harmful caretaker. The aim of the study was to establish the knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. The objectives of the study were: · To investigate parents in the military's basic knowledge of child sexual abuse in preventing their children from falling victim to sexual perpetrators. · To provide guidelines to military parents for preventing and recognising child sexual abuse. Data collection took place by means of interviews with ten South African National Defence Force members. A self–developed interview schedule was used to establish the parent's knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. The results indicated the limited knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. Many parents viewed sexuality as a taboo topic. Some parents presented with an attitude that someone else is responsible for their child's sexual education. Still, the parents indicated that they would like to improve their communication with their children in order to empower and protect the child against sexual perpetrators. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

The prevalence of child sexual abuse in South Africa is alarmingly high. Child protection officials’ task is challenging due to the fact that most cases of child sexual abuse are never reported as a result of the stigma attached to child sexual abuse. This article explains the vulnerable position of the children of uniform members of the military due to the fact that one or both parents are absent from the family due to fragmentation. Two main reasons are causing fragmentation. The first reason that can be mentioned is the fact that the soldier him–/herself has decided not to relocate the family to his/her workplace. Cultural beliefs, housing crisis or other practical challenges might play a role in the parent’s decision. The second reason for fragmentation is the fact that soldiers are obliged to attend military courses or to represent their country during a peace operation on the African continent. These military obligations cause physical and emotional absence of the parental figure, which might leave the child in a vulnerable position to fall victim to child sexual abuse. Fragmentation impacts negatively on the parental relationship as well as on the safety of the child. The deployed parent often is left with no choice but to unwittingly leave the child with a harmful caretaker. The aim of the study was to establish the knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. The objectives of the study were: · To investigate parents in the military's basic knowledge of child sexual abuse in preventing their children from falling victim to sexual perpetrators. · To provide guidelines to military parents for preventing and recognising child sexual abuse. Data collection took place by means of interviews with ten South African National Defence Force members. A self–developed interview schedule was used to establish the parent's knowledge regarding child sexual abuse. The results indicated the limited knowledge of parents in the military regarding child sexual abuse. Many parents viewed sexuality as a taboo topic. Some parents presented with an attitude that someone else is responsible for their child's sexual education. Still, the parents indicated that they would like to improve their communication with their children in order to empower and protect the child against sexual perpetrators. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Inaugural-Diss. / Bonn, Rheinischen Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität ; 1997.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major concern in the South African society. Although policies and legislation are directed at the protection of children, the high incidence of child sexual abuse is indicative of problems in society which cannot be addressed adequately with current service delivery. Individual interventions with children directly affected with CSA are still the norm, and even such services are inadequate to accommodate the high numbers of children affected by CSA. There is a polarity in terms of the shortage of social workers versus the need for intervention for this vulnerable group. Innovative and effective approaches to intervention for families affected by CSA were clearly needed. Based on practical experience in the field of CSA the researcher was interested in family play therapy as a possible approach to address CSA. Not only would more people be reached with limited services, but by involving family members in intervention it was envisaged that family systems would be strengthened, family members would be more attuned to each other and that the family would be more able to provide a safe space for the direct victim between sessions. Furthermore family members would be enabled to attend to their own processes of integration regarding the CSA. Intervention research guided this study aimed at developing tools for the helping profession. The research question focused on what the typical components would be of an integrated family play therapy approach. Participant groups included professionals working in the field of CSA. Focus groups and discussion groups with such professionals and also a literature review helped the researcher to identify functional elements to be included in a preliminary family play therapy model that was applied to four families who were affected by CSA. During the family play therapy sessions rich information was obtained on the experiences of families. Based on the data collection from the various participant groups an integrated family play therapy model was developed. Findings are reported in three articles. Article 1 outlines the views of professionals on family play therapy within the context of child sexual abuse in South Africa. The professional participants agreed that individual intervention in the context of CSA is not the ideal and that systemic, Gestalt-based family play therapy may offer avenues for trauma integration for family members. They also indicated that they do not have adequate knowledge and skills to engage in family play therapy. They made some suggestions for the incorporation of play in family play therapy interventions. The second article captured the experiences of family members as expressed in the family play therapy context and article 3 outlined an integrated family play therapy model based on the previous phases of the intervention research. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a major concern in the South African society. Although policies and legislation are directed at the protection of children, the high incidence of child sexual abuse is indicative of problems in society which cannot be addressed adequately with current service delivery. Individual interventions with children directly affected with CSA are still the norm, and even such services are inadequate to accommodate the high numbers of children affected by CSA. There is a polarity in terms of the shortage of social workers versus the need for intervention for this vulnerable group. Innovative and effective approaches to intervention for families affected by CSA were clearly needed. Based on practical experience in the field of CSA the researcher was interested in family play therapy as a possible approach to address CSA. Not only would more people be reached with limited services, but by involving family members in intervention it was envisaged that family systems would be strengthened, family members would be more attuned to each other and that the family would be more able to provide a safe space for the direct victim between sessions. Furthermore family members would be enabled to attend to their own processes of integration regarding the CSA. Intervention research guided this study aimed at developing tools for the helping profession. The research question focused on what the typical components would be of an integrated family play therapy approach. Participant groups included professionals working in the field of CSA. Focus groups and discussion groups with such professionals and also a literature review helped the researcher to identify functional elements to be included in a preliminary family play therapy model that was applied to four families who were affected by CSA. During the family play therapy sessions rich information was obtained on the experiences of families. Based on the data collection from the various participant groups an integrated family play therapy model was developed. Findings are reported in three articles. Article 1 outlines the views of professionals on family play therapy within the context of child sexual abuse in South Africa. The professional participants agreed that individual intervention in the context of CSA is not the ideal and that systemic, Gestalt-based family play therapy may offer avenues for trauma integration for family members. They also indicated that they do not have adequate knowledge and skills to engage in family play therapy. They made some suggestions for the incorporation of play in family play therapy interventions. The second article captured the experiences of family members as expressed in the family play therapy context and article 3 outlined an integrated family play therapy model based on the previous phases of the intervention research. / PhD (Social Work), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Child sexual abuse is a major problem in Africa. There are a large number of child sexual abuse cases which are opened on a monthly basis. Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue and therefore trained professionals are needed in order to deal with the issue. Proper investigations need to be conducted. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse cases, finalising such cases successfully becomes a major problem. Numerous departments play a role in the investigation of these cases such as the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, non–governmental organisations (NGOs), etcetera. The community does not have an understanding of how these cases are dealt with and, as a result, they blame the police for not doing their work properly and being useless. The role players also blame one another for the unsuccessful prosecution of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse. For example, prosecutors may blame the police for poor investigations and the police may, in turn, blame prosecutors for releasing suspects from custody unreasonably and removing cases off the roll for no apparent reasons. Social workers may also be blamed for not doing their work properly and taking too long to submit the assessment reports. Doctors may also be blamed for failing to attend court hearings and for filing incomplete reports. Although the role players have their inadequacies in investigating these cases, the truth is that each of them has their own unique protocol for handling cases of child sexual abuse. Therefore, a need emerged to explore the circumstances that affect the finalisation of child sexual abuse. In response to this, a qualitative study based in Tembisa was conducted. The aim of the study was to identify the circumstances that contribute to the finalisation of child sexual abuse cases in Tembisa. From the survey it was clear that there are several contributing factors, such as the delay of DNA results, inadequate training of the role players, and service points that are understaffed. The researcher came to the conclusion that the successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases lies with all the role players in the investigation of child sexual abuse. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Child sexual abuse is a major problem in Africa. There are a large number of child sexual abuse cases which are opened on a monthly basis. Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue and therefore trained professionals are needed in order to deal with the issue. Proper investigations need to be conducted. Due to the sensitive nature of child sexual abuse cases, finalising such cases successfully becomes a major problem. Numerous departments play a role in the investigation of these cases such as the National Prosecuting Authority, the South African Police Service, the Department of Social Development, the Department of Health, non–governmental organisations (NGOs), etcetera. The community does not have an understanding of how these cases are dealt with and, as a result, they blame the police for not doing their work properly and being useless. The role players also blame one another for the unsuccessful prosecution of perpetrators in cases of child sexual abuse. For example, prosecutors may blame the police for poor investigations and the police may, in turn, blame prosecutors for releasing suspects from custody unreasonably and removing cases off the roll for no apparent reasons. Social workers may also be blamed for not doing their work properly and taking too long to submit the assessment reports. Doctors may also be blamed for failing to attend court hearings and for filing incomplete reports. Although the role players have their inadequacies in investigating these cases, the truth is that each of them has their own unique protocol for handling cases of child sexual abuse. Therefore, a need emerged to explore the circumstances that affect the finalisation of child sexual abuse. In response to this, a qualitative study based in Tembisa was conducted. The aim of the study was to identify the circumstances that contribute to the finalisation of child sexual abuse cases in Tembisa. From the survey it was clear that there are several contributing factors, such as the delay of DNA results, inadequate training of the role players, and service points that are understaffed. The researcher came to the conclusion that the successful prosecution of child sexual abuse cases lies with all the role players in the investigation of child sexual abuse. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Section 28(1)(d) of the Constitution guarantees a child the right to be protected against abuse. When a child’s constitutional rights are violated by an offender by means of sexual abuse and degradation, the state has a legal responsibility to restore that right. In determining whether the state is adhering to its legal responsibility to socially reintegrate sexually abused children, the Constitution, the VEP, the Victims’ Charter, the UPVM, legislation and one-stop centres were explored. It was found that none of these programs, charters and documents places an obligation on the state. Section 39(1)(b) of the Constitution states that the court must consider international law when interpreting the Bill of Rights. The CRC, ACRWC, United Nations Declaration of Basic Principles were studied. It was found that although South Africa is a signatory to everyone, it does not adhere to the principles stated in the respected document. Section 39(1)(c) of the Constitution states that the court may consider foreign law when interpreting the Bill of Rights. The dissertation does not consist of a comparative study. Each of Canada, Australia and New Zealand’s legislation was studied relating to compensation schemes in order to determine what lessons can be drawn from the three countries. It was found that each country has a unique compensation scheme. Although South Africa can learn from the way in which these schemes are administered and funded, the schemes of the three countries are not beyond critique. South Africa can therefore also take note of the negative aspects of the compensation schemes of the three countries so as to improve on it. It was found that through a literature study the state does not adhere to its legal responsibility to socially reintegrate sexually abused children. It is recommended that the state should consider implementing a state-funded compensation scheme to assist the children that have fallen victim to sexual abuse and degradation. / LLM, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014