Child sexual abuse is a serious problem that always has been and will be with families and communities. Child sexual abuse occurs within the family, and parents sometimes expect of the child not to tell, or tell the child to deny the abuse. This situation is sometimes exacerbated by the position of the perpetrator within or towards the family. Parents need to be familiarized with the different phases of the process of sexual abuse. Parents are expected to be committed and to provide reliable care and protection for the child. Child sexual abuse is a sensitive issue that harms the inner emotional person of the victim, and affects other family members. The child and the parents need a social worker who has the knowledge and skills to help the family. The family structure, its functioning and the relationships in the family are all important within the context child sexual abuse. The research was conducted among the social workers in Madibeng Municipality. The aim was to explore and describe the role of social workers in motivating parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their child. An empirical study was conducted using a qualitative approach to explore the role of the social worker. A self–administered schedule was used to evaluate the role of the social worker by means of interviews with each social worker. From the data collected during this research it becomes evident that social workers need forensic training so that they could learn the relevant skills and techniques to interview and handle child sexual abuse cases. The knowledge received during training will not only benefit the children, but also the parents. This research found that most social workers employed in both government and non–government organizations in the Madibeng area have not received formal training on how to deal with sexually abused children and their parents, especially with regard to how to motivate parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their child. Guidelines are offered for social workers on how they can motivate parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their children. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The demand for forensic social work as a specialist field is increasing rapidly, due to the increasing moral decline of the community and consequent higher demands set to generic social workers. Amendments to existing acts as well as the development of new legislation, lead to more opportunity for the prosecution of the perpetrator, and therefore a higher utilization of the forensic social worker. A need was experienced to do research regarding the gaps experienced by social workers or any other workers who are currently executing forensic assessments with the sexually traumatised child. The aim of the investigation was to determine which gaps social workers experience in the field when assessing a child forensically. A recording procedure was used to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative data. A purposive sampling was used were interviews were held with five participants to obtain the data. A selfdeveloped questionnaire was used as measuring instrument. It is clear from the findings that there are definite gaps within the field of forensic social work and the need of further research within the field of forensic social work in South Africa is highlighted. / Thesis (MA (SW (Forensic))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Due to the legal obligation to report actual or suspected cases of child sexual abuse and neglect, parents, concerned community members and friends, as well as various professionals like teachers, doctors and psychologists, refer children on a daily basis to social workers in order to initiate an investigation of the allegations. The intake interview is therefore a critical step in the process of child protection and care. In the context of this study, intake interview refers to the initial contact between the social worker and the child in the case of child sexual abuse, where a social worker seeks to establish all objective facts relating to the case so as to make informed decisions and to act accordingly. The Mafikeng Service Point of the Department of Health and Social Development has no standard procedures for social workers in cases of child sexual abuse. It is against this background that a North West based study on the child sexual abuse intake procedures was conducted at Mafikeng Service Point. The study was descriptive and quantitative in nature, with the aim of making a theoretical as well as an empirical study of the intake procedures at the time of the investigation. Data was collected by means of a self–administered questionnaire on the current intake procedures of 30 social workers. Data was triangulated by analysing 15 case files of reported child sexual abuse. It was found that the majority of social workers of the Mafikeng Service Point lack sufficient knowledge and skills regarding interviewing child sexual abuse cases and the legal requirements involved. As a result, they follow diverse and largely inefficient intake interview procedures. The 15 case files that were analysed revealed that social workers do not perform follow–up sessions after the intake and that case files are therefore not officially closed. Recommendations are made to the Mafikeng Service Point with regard to the intake procedures of child sexual abuse cases. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Child sexual abuse is a serious problem that always has been and will be with families and communities. Child sexual abuse occurs within the family, and parents sometimes expect of the child not to tell, or tell the child to deny the abuse. This situation is sometimes exacerbated by the position of the perpetrator within or towards the family. Parents need to be familiarized with the different phases of the process of sexual abuse. Parents are expected to be committed and to provide reliable care and protection for the child. Child sexual abuse is a sensitive issue that harms the inner emotional person of the victim, and affects other family members. The child and the parents need a social worker who has the knowledge and skills to help the family. The family structure, its functioning and the relationships in the family are all important within the context child sexual abuse. The research was conducted among the social workers in Madibeng Municipality. The aim was to explore and describe the role of social workers in motivating parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their child. An empirical study was conducted using a qualitative approach to explore the role of the social worker. A self–administered schedule was used to evaluate the role of the social worker by means of interviews with each social worker. From the data collected during this research it becomes evident that social workers need forensic training so that they could learn the relevant skills and techniques to interview and handle child sexual abuse cases. The knowledge received during training will not only benefit the children, but also the parents. This research found that most social workers employed in both government and non–government organizations in the Madibeng area have not received formal training on how to deal with sexually abused children and their parents, especially with regard to how to motivate parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their child. Guidelines are offered for social workers on how they can motivate parents to disclose the sexual abuse of their children. / Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

The demand for forensic social work as a specialist field is increasing rapidly, due to the increasing moral decline of the community and consequent higher demands set to generic social workers. Amendments to existing acts as well as the development of new legislation, lead to more opportunity for the prosecution of the perpetrator, and therefore a higher utilization of the forensic social worker. A need was experienced to do research regarding the gaps experienced by social workers or any other workers who are currently executing forensic assessments with the sexually traumatised child. The aim of the investigation was to determine which gaps social workers experience in the field when assessing a child forensically. A recording procedure was used to obtain qualitative as well as quantitative data. A purposive sampling was used were interviews were held with five participants to obtain the data. A selfdeveloped questionnaire was used as measuring instrument. It is clear from the findings that there are definite gaps within the field of forensic social work and the need of further research within the field of forensic social work in South Africa is highlighted. / Thesis (MA (SW (Forensic))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Afrikaans text / Die doel van hierdie studie is om die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie in die hantering van slagoffers van xenofobie te verken en te beskryf, ten einde aanbevelings te maak aan maatskaplike werkers. Die deelnemers was praktiserende maatskaplike werkers in die Kaapse Wynland Overberg Distrik wat gesinsorgdienste lewer. Die kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering, tesame met die fenomenologiese, kontekstuele, verkennende en beskrywende navorsingsontwerpe was benut. Data is binne die raamwerk van Tesch se stappe vir kwalitatiewe data-analise geanaliseer. Guba se model vir data verifikasie is benut om die geldigheid van die studie te verseker. Die navorsingsbevindinge het die navorser in staat gestel om aanbevelings aan maatskaplike werkers te maak in terme van die oorsake van xenofobie, die rol van die maatskaplike werk professie rakende dienste aan slagoffers van xenofobie, tipe maatskaplike dienste wat aan slagoffers van xenofobie gelewer moet word en hulpbronne wat benodig word vir effektiewe dienslewering. / The goal of this study is to explore and describe the role of the social work profession regarding interventions aimed at victims of xenophobia in order to make recommendations to social workers. Participants were practicing social workers in the Cape Wineland Overberg District who provided family services. The qualitative research approach, together with the phenomenological, contextual, explorative and descriptive research designs, was implemented. Data was analysed within the framework of Tesch’s steps for qualitative data analysis. Guba’s model for data verification was used to ensure the validity of the data. The research findings assisted the researcher to make recommendations to social workers in terms of the causes of xenophobia, the role of the social work profession regarding services to victims of xenophobia, the type of services that should be rendered to these victims and resources needed for effective service delivery. / Social Work / M.A. (SW)

The adolescent in a children’s home forms part of the growing number of South African children who through the course of their lives have been exposed to physical, emotional and sexual abuse, malnutrition and neglect. This type of abuse could be the result of lack of parenting skills in the case of parents and carers fuelled by poverty and poor education. Consequently, these adolescents would be described as “in need” and would be eligible for placement in alternative care. Children’s homes fall in the category of alternative care, made available for children “in need”. In terms of the law, a young person is enforced to leave the children’s home at the age of 18. This is accompanied by feelings of fear, uncertainty and denial. These feelings could influence the young person’s adaptation in the community negatively. The emphasis is therefore placed on the role and the responsibility of the social worker to prepare the individual for successful emancipation from the children’s home. Preparing the adolescent optimally for emancipation from the children’s home and in addition to deliver support throughout, may lead to successful adaptation into the community. This particular responsibility should be available to the child throughout his/her life in the children’s home, not just prior to the emancipation process. Social workers should be made aware of different factors that could influence the successful adaptation, for example, social workers might lack knowledge and the focus should be on bridging such shortcomings. This study focused on various contributing factors that influence the success of the adolescents’ adaptation in the community. The aim of the study was to investigate the general adaptation of the adolescent after emancipation from the children’s home. In order to reach the required goal, a number of objectives were formulated. These included the formulation of a theoretical framework of knowledge about the adolescent’s general life around the time of emancipation; the role and responsibilities of the social worker in providing support and optimal preparation of the individual; and the positive and negative factors that contribute to the individual’s success. An empirical study, during which semi-structured interviews were used as a data collecting method, was undertaken to assess the adaptation of the adolescents after emancipation from the children’s home. The following main themes were identified: the current life situation of the adolescent over the age of 18 who lives outside the borders of the children’s home; his/her self-esteem and how this perception of him/herself influences the adaptation process after emancipation; how the adolescents adapt and experience the social environment; their opinion about participation in anti-social behaviour; their feelings about the optimal preparation before and after the process of emancipation and their opinion on specific areas of change to contribute to the optimal preparation of emancipation out of the children’s home. Ten participants took part in individual, semi-structured interviews. Applied research was undertaken as the researcher aimed at establishing solutions for the identified problem area, namely that social workers need more information on the contributing factors that influence the general adaptation process after emancipation. A qualitative approach was used in order to gather qualitative empirical data. To achieve the goal in this study, a phenomenological strategy was applied, as the focus was on the experience, meaning and concept of the individual as regards his/her general adaptation process after emancipation from the children’s home. The research question formulated for this study was: What are the contributing factors that influence the general adaptation process of the adolescent after emancipation from the children’s home? The research findings indicate that the adolescent generally adapts well after emancipation from the children’s home. Most individuals experience their lives as children in a children’s home as positive. This positive feedback could be attributed to the way these individuals have been treated in the children’s home. Their adaptation process depends on the value they attach to their lives in the children’s home. The following aspects was indicated to have a positive influence on the adaptation of the adolescent after leaving the children’s home: - - preparation for life outside the children’s home by social workers - - acceptance by the peer group - - support from social workers during the adolescent’s time in the children’s home and after leaving the children’s home - - facilitation of the adolescent’ s effective handling of his trauma during his stay in the children’s home. - - Spontaneous socialization outside the children’s home - - Supportive contact with family members This study revealed the experience of the adolescents after emancipation from the children’s home, which holds further research possibilities. The necessary information was acquired and could be used in further studies of adolescents in a similar situation. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Child trafficking is a global problem which affects every country. It is a serious crime that many governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community based organizations (CBOs) around the world are trying to address. Child trafficking involves multiple forms of exploitation, therefore it has been described as a form of modern slavery. South Africa, like most countries, is a place of origin, transit and destination. Children are increasingly being trafficked for purposes of sexual and labour exploitation. However, child trafficking has traumatic and devastating effects on the victims, affected families, communities as well as countries as a whole. The effects suffered by victims range from psychological, physical, emotional, social and economical in nature. The particular psychological, physical, emotional and social harm suffered by the trafficked children and their increased vulnerability to exploitation require that the governments and NGOs deal with them separately from adult trafficked victims in terms of laws, policies, programs and interventions. The best interest of the child must be the primary consideration in all actions concerning trafficked children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies. Research has confirmed that the population of children vulnerable to trafficking is growing worldwide with potentially disastrous effects. The number of orphans in many developing countries, including South Africa, is also rising dramatically due to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. The rapid rise of child-headed households is also creating fertile ground for traffickers. Literature also indicated that children have fewer control decisions about their lives, and that the national systems of child justice and child welfare often have inadequate means of protecting them against trafficking and, as a result, children remain vulnerable to the possible exposure of child trafficking. A great deal of internal trafficking of children occurs within South Africa for reasons of labour and sexual exploitation. It is confirmed in existent literature that South Africa is a major destination for regional and extra-regional trafficking activities. In this study, the researcher explored through a qualitative, applied study the role of the social worker in the prevention of child trafficking. The empirical study confirms that the information gathered from this study will benefit not only vulnerable children, families and victims of child trafficking, but also empower the social workers and other role players to render a more effective service to children vulnerable to possible child trafficking. Through an empirical study, it was concluded that the government in collaboration with NGOs, need to empower social workers in order for them to successfully execute their role in preventing child trafficking in South Africa. Prevention of child trafficking requires a short- and long-term strategy which should target tracking down the perpetrators and providing protection for vulnerable children who end up being victims of trafficking. Prevention of child trafficking focuses on three levels, namely primary, secondary and tertiary strategies. AFRIKAANS : Kinderhandel is ʼn globale probleem wat alle lande raak. Dit is ʼn ernstige probleem wat deur baie regerings sowel as nie-regeringsorganisasies aangespreek word. Kinderhandel is ʼn vorm van hedendaagse slawerny en sluit baie vorme van blootstelling in. Kinders word in toenemende mate verkoop vir kinderarbeid, asook vir seksuele blootstelling. Kinderhandel het traumatiese en vernietigende gevolge vir die slagoffers, hulle families, die gemeenskap asook die betrokke lande. Die letsels wat gelaat word wissel van sielkundig, fisies, emosioneel, sosiaal tot ekonomies van aard. Die spesifieke sielkundige, fisiese, emosionele en sosiale skade wat deur slagoffers van kinderhandel gely word, asook hulle toenemende weerloosheid vir blootstelling vereis dat regerings en nie-regeringsorganisasies ʼn ander aanslag moet gebruik as in die geval van volwasse slagoffers in terme van beleid, programme, die wet en terapeutiese intervensies. Kinders se behoeftes moet sentraal gestel word in alle aksies rakende kinderhandel – deur regerings-of deur nie-regeringsorganisasies, die hof, administratiewe of wetgewende liggame. Navorsing het bevestig dat die aantal kinders wat kwesbaar is tot kinderhandel wêreldwys kommerwekkend toeneem, met potensieel vernietigende gevolge. Die aantal weeskinders in ontwikkelende lande, insluitend Suid-Afrika, styg kommerwekkend as gevolg van die MIV-pandemie. Die voorkoms van huishoudings wat deur kinders gelei word, is vrugbare grond vir kinderhandelaars. In die literatuur word dit ook duidelik getoon dat kinders minder beheer het om oor hulle eie lewens te besluit, en dat nasionale sisteme van kinderreg en kinderwelsyn nie genoegsame kapasiteit het om kinders teen kinderhandel te beskerm nie. Die gevolg is dat kinders steeds blootgestel word aan kinderhandel. Kinderhandel binne die grense van Suid-Afrika sluit kinderarbeid en seksuele blootstelling in. Dit word bevestig in die bestudeerde literatuur dat Suid-Afrika ʼn eindbestemming vir streeks- en wyer mensehandelpraktyke is. In hierdie studie poog die navorser om deur middel van ʼn kwalitatiewe studie, die rol van die maatskaplike werker in die voorkoming van kinderhandel te ontdek. Die empiriese studie bevestig dat die inligting wat van hierdie studie verkry is, nie net weerlose kinders, families en slagoffers kan bevoordeel nie, maar dat dit ook maatskaplike werkers en ander rolspelers kan bemagtig om meer effektiewe diens aan kinders wat blootgestel is aan kinderhandel diens te lewer. Deur middel van die empiriese studie, is daar gevind dat regerings- sowel as nie-regeringsorganisasies in samewerking met mekaar maatskaplike werkers behoort te bemagtig, om hulle rol in die voorkoming van kinderhandel in Suid-Afrika meer suksesvol te kan vervul. Voorkoming van kinderhandel vereis ʼn kort- sowel as langtermynstrategieë wat daarop gemik moet wees om kinderhandelaars te identifiseer, en beskerming te bied aan weerlose kinders wat moontlike slagoffers van kinderhandel kan word. Voorkoming van kinderhandel fokus op drie vlakke, naamlik: primêre, sekondêre en tersiêre strategieë. Copyright / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Supervision is an important aspect in the practice of social work. It enhances the service delivery of social workers to clients. Supervision also gives direction to functional workers. A supervisory position in any welfare organization is a managerial position and supervisors are thus managers. It is therefore important to understand the experiences of social work supervisors as first-line managers in a welfare organization. In light of the above, the goal of this study was to explore the experiences of social work supervisors as first-line managers in a welfare organization during and after transition from supervisee to supervisor. The research question arising from the goal of the study was: “What are the experiences of social work supervisors as first-line managers in a welfare organization during and after transition from supervisee to supervisor?” A qualitative, explorative study was conducted, with the following objectives: <ul> <li> To conceptualize social work supervision theoretically, based on available literature.</li> <li> To explore empirically the experiences of social work supervisors as first-line managers, during and after role transition from supervisee to supervisor.</li> <li> To make recommendations regarding the situation of social work supervisors, in order to improve their service rendering.</li> </ul> Nine social work supervisors from the North-Rand Region Service Offices and Institutions of the Department of Social Development formed the sample for the study. After the conclusion of a literature study and pilot study, data collection was based on semistructured interviews with selected supervisors. The main conclusions drawn from the research findings were that social work supervisors go through some difficult experiences when they move from the position of social worker to that of a supervisor. This requires support from their superiors which, according to the study, is currently lacking. The study indicated a need for the generation of more in-depth literature on social work supervision in general. The study was concluded by relevant recommendations to the Department of Social Development in the Gauteng Province. Copyright / Dissertation (MSD)--University of Pretoria, 2009. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

This study focuses on the skills and needs of forensic social workers, working with alleged child sexual abuse in the Western Cape. Forensic social work is based on specialised knowledge drawn from established principles and their application within proven methodology of training, familiarity with the law, evaluation and objective criteria associated with treatment outcomes. The scope of forensic social work thus includes a specialised skill where human service systems communicate the language in the context of legal systems. This means that the forensic process must withstand critical review and rebuttal from opposing parties in a legal system. It is evident that a forensic social worker needs to have specialised training and specific skills, focusing on forensic investigative interviews, all aspects of child sexual abuse and how the South African justice system operates. Without these skills, the legal process may not be successful and the prevention of child sexual abuse not as successful as it might otherwise be. The general aim of the study was to analyse the skills and needs of social workers assessing allegations of child sexual abuse in order to assist organisations working in the field of forensic social work by improving their support training practices in forensic social work. The researcher used a quantitative descriptive design also known as a survey design. This design usually makes use of a questionnaire as a data collection method and nineteen (19) respondents were selected according to a randomised method of sampling. The findings form part of a list of recommendations to participating welfare organisations. / Thesis (MSc (Physiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.