Afrikaans text / Hierdie studie bied vanuit 'n ekosistemiese benadering 'n verduideliking van die lewenswereld van die volwasse persoon wat as kind gemolesteer is. Enkele uitgangspunte van die ekosistemiese benadering word bespreek wat dien as vertrekpunt waarvolgens die navorser konstruksies oor die as kind gemolesteerde volwassene konstrueer. Daar word gefokus op die langtermyneffekte van die kindermolestering met spesifieke verwysing na die effek op die • fisiese gedrag van die volwassene; • die aard van die seksuele verhoudings van die volwassene; en • die aard van die interpersoonlike verhoudings van die volwassene. Tydens hierdie bespreking word die oorlewingstrategiee, wat die volwassene aanwend om met die l angtermyneffekte te oorl eef, duidel i k belig. Die he l i ngsproses waardeur 'n vol wassene vol gens sy of haar ei e pas beweeg ten einde die effek van die molestering te verwerk, word volledig bespreek. Die teorie is toegepas in die navorsing om die uitwerking van die kindermolestering op volwassenes te beskryf asook enkele gebeure (events) van die helingsproses waardeur 'n volwassene beweeg het. Gevolgtrekkings en aanbevelings word geformuleer ten einde die bruikbaarheid van hierdie studie in die praktyk aan te dui. / In this study the world of the adult survivor of sexua 1 abuse is described in terms of the eco-systemic approach, as well as certain constructions within the approach. These constructions served as a base on which the researcher construed further constructions of the adult survivor of sexual abuse. The study focuses on the 1 ong term effects of the child abuse with specific reference to the effect on • the physical behaviour of the adult; • the nature of the sexual relationships of the adult; and • the nature of the interpersonal relationships of the adult. The strategies of the adult in surviving with these long term effects are also highlighted in the discussion. The healing process through which the adult survivor passes in healing the sexual trauma according to his or her own pace, is fully discussed. In the empirical research the theory is applied to describe the effect of sexual abuse on the lives of adults as well as on certain events of the healing process. Conclusions and recommendations are formulated to indicate the usefulness of this study for the field. / Social Work / D.Phil. (Maatskaplike Werk)

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the experiences of South African women prior to, during and after incarceration. The theoretical bases for this study include the general strain theory (GST), feminist pathways approach and Goffman’s “total institutions”. The study made use of a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of twenty female ex-prisoners, who were selected using snowball sampling, to obtain information about their experiences during the periods indicated. The findings of the study indicated that, in respect of the three periods mentioned, the participants cited their experiences during incarceration as the most prominent as they tended to dwell more on this phase of their lives than any other phase. This is, in fact, not surprising as their narratives portrayed their lives behind bars as having been traumatic with far-reaching consequences for their lives after their incarceration. The study found that some of the participants had histories of emotional and physical abuse before their offending behaviours. It emerged that consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in South African prisons exist and that these relationships are, sometimes, accepted by the family members of the female inmates. The participants reported that coercive sexual relationships also take place in female prisons in South Africa. It was also reported that the conditions under which females are incarcerated are, for the most part, deplorable. It emerged that the female prisoners use a unique monetary system which is based mainly on the trade by barter system. In addition, the findings revealed that female inmates often experience daunting challenges upon their release from prison, including high rates of unemployment, stigma and discrimination, family breakdown and the psychological effects of imprisonment, all of which often compound the resolve of some of the participants to live crime-free lives. / Sociology / D.Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the experiences of South African women prior to, during and after incarceration. The theoretical bases for this study include the general strain theory (GST), feminist pathways approach and Goffman’s “total institutions”. The study made use of a qualitative research design. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of twenty female ex-prisoners, who were selected using snowball sampling, to obtain information about their experiences during the periods indicated. The findings of the study indicated that, in respect of the three periods mentioned, the participants cited their experiences during incarceration as the most prominent as they tended to dwell more on this phase of their lives than any other phase. This is, in fact, not surprising as their narratives portrayed their lives behind bars as having been traumatic with far-reaching consequences for their lives after their incarceration. The study found that some of the participants had histories of emotional and physical abuse before their offending behaviours. It emerged that consensual same-sex sexual relationships between females in South African prisons exist and that these relationships are, sometimes, accepted by the family members of the female inmates. The participants reported that coercive sexual relationships also take place in female prisons in South Africa. It was also reported that the conditions under which females are incarcerated are, for the most part, deplorable. It emerged that the female prisoners use a unique monetary system which is based mainly on the trade by barter system. In addition, the findings revealed that female inmates often experience daunting challenges upon their release from prison, including high rates of unemployment, stigma and discrimination, family breakdown and the psychological effects of imprisonment, all of which often compound the resolve of some of the participants to live crime-free lives. / Sociology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Sociology)