Maatskaplike werkers se assessering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders in hul middelkinderjare

Thesis (M Social Work))--University of Stellenbosch, 2001.277 leaves single sided printed, preliminary pages i-xv and numbered pages 1-255. Includes bibliography, list of tables and figures. Used a Hp Scanjet 8250 Scanner to pdf format(OCR).ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The purpose of the research for this assignment was to establish and provide guidelines as well as techniques according to which social workers, who are involved in family welfare organisations, will be able not only to assess molested children in their middle childhood, but also to plan and introduce the required intervention. To achieve the aforementioned, use was made of a literature survey in terms of which all aspects of sexual molestation that need to be considered whilst handling molested children as well as the phases and processes of assessing such molestations, are discussed. Techniques are also proposed according to which such assessments could be performed. Following this study the empirical research was utilised by means of exploratory and descriptive studies. To obtain the required information, data was collected by means of a postal (mail) questionnaire containing quantitative as well as qualitative questions. This research has shown that social workers do not regard themselves as adequately equipped in handling cases involving sexually molested children. Their (social workers) knowledge and skills in terms of the areas relating to service delivery came across as being poor. The respondents agreed that the shortage of resources restricted the referral of these cases. This results in social workers having to treat such cases themselves. It is apparent that knowledge regarding the handling of molested children is mostly gained by practical experience. Assessments are often carried out without the required theoretical background. This contributes to findings and actions taken not always being scientifically substantiated, resulting in a lack of professional conduct. The study also shows that the training and conduct of social workers, especially as it relates to the assessing of sexually molested children which could lead to statutory action in terms of the Children's Status Act 82 of 1987 (as amended) as well as the Sexual Offences Act 23 of 1957, are lacking. No clear guidelines and policy are stipulated in this instance by the family welfare organisations. Based on the findings of this research the deduction is made that social workers, despite the statutory obligation they have towards a sexually molested child, do not possess the necessary skills or are not equipped with the competence required to execute the task on hand. In this regard social workers have a significant need to learn and be given the required competence, as organisations and tertiary institutions currently do not equip them adequately or effectively. Recommendations relative to the assessment of sexually molested children have been made to tertiary institutions, organisations and social workers. Opportunities for further research are also indicated.AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om riglyne en tegnieke voor te stel waarvolgens maatskaplike werkers werksaam by gesinsorgorganisasies gemolesteerde kinders in hulle middelkinderjare kan assesseer en intervensie kan beplan. Om daarin te slaag, is 'n literatuurstudie ondemeem ten opsigte van alle aspekte van seksuele molestering wat in ag geneem moet word in die hantering van gemolesteerde kinders. Die fases en prosesse van assessering word bespreek en tegnieke word voorgestel waarvolgens die assessering gedoen kan word. Daarna is die empiriese ondersoek onderneem deur middel van 'n verkennende en beskrywende studie. Posvraelyste, bestaande uit kwantitatiewe sowel as kwalitatiewe vrae, is benut vir data-insameling. Die navorsing het getoon dat maatskaplike werkers hulleself nie bekwaam ag in die hantering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders nie. Hulle kennis en vaardighede ten opsigte van die area van dienslewering kom swak voor. Die respondente was dit eens dat 'n tekort aan hulpbronne verwysing van die gevalle bemoeilik, wat meebring dat maatskaplike werkers die gevalle self moet hanteer. Dit is duidelik dat kennis ten opsigte van die hantering van gemolesteerde kinders meestal deur middel van praktykervaring verkry word. Assessering word dikwels sonder die nodige teoretiese agtergrond uitgevoer wat meebring dat bevindinge en optrede nie altyd wetenskaplik verklaarbaar is nie en daartoe lei dat daar 'n tekort aan professionele optrede is. Die navorsing toon voorts dat maatskaplike werkers se opleiding en optrede ten opsigte van die assessering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders vir statutere optrede ingevolge die Wet op Kindersorg (Wet 74 van 1983 soos gewysig) sowel as die Wet op Seksuele Misdrywe (Wet 23 van 1957) veral tekort skiet. Geen duidelike riglyne en beleid word in die verband deur gesinsorgorganisasies neergelê nie. Na aanleiding van die bevindinge word die gevolgtrekking gemaak dat maatskaplike werkers, ten spyte daarvan dat hulle 'n statutêre verpligting teenoor die seksueel gemolesteerde kind het, nie oor die nodige bevoegdheid beskik om die taak uit te voer nie. Maatskaplike werkers toon 'n groot leerbehoefte in die verband, aangesien gesinsorgorganisasies en opleidingsinstellings hulle tans nie genoegsaam toerus nie. Aanbevelings ten opsigte van die assessering van seksueel gemolesteerde kinders word aan opleidingsinstansies, gesinsorgorganisasies en maatskaplike werkers gemaak. Moontlikhede vir verdere navorsing word ook vermeld.Maste