Social Workers’ Experiences of Forensic Practice With Victims of Child Sexual Abuse in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Summary: This article details a study conducted with South African social workers who provide forensic services in court cases and prosecutions involving child sexual abuse. The aim of the study was to examine the experiences of social workers who are both generalists and forensic practitioners providing a specialized service in the context of sexual crimes against children, and to assess how this affects service delivery and justice for victims. To understand these circumstances, social workers from the South African Police Service, a national non-profit welfare organization known as ACVV, and the state's Department of Social Development were interviewed. Findings: The findings revealed that the social workers dealt with a variety of problems that have adverse effects on them personally and on the services they provide. In the areas where they served, they faced threats to their safety and challenging work situations that affected their well-being and their professional interventions. Constrained resources and a lack of coordination among role players contributed to delays in the processing of cases and, as a result, low conviction rates for sexual offenses. Applications: Effective collaboration among role players, adequate resources, and support for social workers were identified as key to dealing with these complex cases. This information provides important insights to understand and improve forensic social work related to child sexual abuse in general, and particularly in resource scarce countries that additionally experience high levels of violence, like South Africa.