Faculty of Humanities
School of Professional Social Sciences
Department of Social Work and Criminology
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
Contact person: Prof C Bezuidenhout.
Contact person: Dr F Steyn.
The study set out to determine the experinces of victims regarding restorative mediation, in particular family group conferencing where the victim, the offender and supporters of each are brought together to discuss the offence and to plan a way forward. The strategy is rooted in the restorative justice philosophy which considers crime as an offence not only against the state, but more so as a wrongful act against victims, families and the broader community. The objectives of the study were to identify the types and nature of offences typically referred for restorative intervention, why victins agree to participate in a mediation programme in Attridgeville, Pretoria. Between May 2010 and August 2011, a total of 97 victims took part in the programme of which 59 were interviewed by means of a structured questionnaire. Most of the respondents were female (66%) who were victims of assaults(62%) and theft (16%). Offences were mostly perpetrated by someone they knew well (64%), in particular a spouse or a partner (53%). A major concern was that more than half of respondents (56%) were not consulted about the poosibility of mediation before their cases were referred to restorative intervention. Not suprisingly, their emotions ranged from shock, anger and disbelief to being scared and feeling intimidated by the process. The time lapse between the offences and the mediation sessions varied between one and eleven months with a mean of 3.5 months (standard deviation 2.5). The bulk of respondents (78%) stated that the offender showed remorse during mediation meeting and the other offender apologised for his/her wrongdoing in nearly all of the cases (95%0. A significant relationship was found between respondents experiencing the apology as honest (73%) and their rating in terms of mediation (p=0.038; w=0.7); being satisfird with the agreement (p-0.002; w-1.57); and feeling empowered by the mediation process (p<0.001; w=2.03). The majority of respondents (90%) stated that they would recommend restorative mediation to other victims of crime. The results demontrate the value of restorative mediation to other victims of crime. The results demonstrate the value of restorative mediation as an alternative to formal legal proceedings and custodial sentences.
Contact person: Dr F Steyn.
The focus of the research was an analysis of the SAVF's (South African Women's Federation) six pillar poverty reduction model as applied to the Thuthukani project; a third year social work student community engagement project. In the absence of a government strategy for poverty reduction, the SAVF model emerged as a model to reduce poverty in an integrated, holistic manner. The SAVF model demonstrates that NGOs in the social welfare sector and social workers can be significant change agents in adding value in the form of transformational change that will benefit disadvantaged communities and ultimately society at large. The model is embedded in a developmental social welfare approach which brings hope and dignity to poor people with the opportunity to be recognised as contributing positively to their own and the community's well being. The research culminated in a publication: Lombard, A; Kemp, M; Viljoen-Toet & Booyzen, M. 2011. An Integrated Developmental Model for Poverty Reduction in South africa: An NGO's Perspective. Journal of Community Practise.
Contact person: Prof A Lombard.
The research was aimed at demonstrating how, within the context of a developmental approach, social entrepreneurship provides social work with an avenue to engage communities in their own development. The research focused on how social entrepreneurship can be promoted through its introduction at the student level in the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) programme at the University of Pretoria. Findings indicate how social work studentshad to shift their mind-set and change attitude with regard to their role in poverty reduction and social development before they could fully embrae and engage in social entrepreneurship projects that benefitted the cummunity. This learning experince challenges social workers to utilise social entrepreneurship as an intervention strategy in communitties for integrated social and economic development. The research culminated in a publication: Lombard, A. & Strydom, R. 2011. Community Development through social entrepreneurship. Social Work Practitioner Researcher. Special Edition
Contact person: Prof A Lombard.
Contact person: Dr CE Prinsloo.
The focus of the research was on exploring the experiences of students engaged in a community project embedded in formal teaching. The community engagement project annually aims to enhance the social responsibity of students and the intergration of social work values and priniples in challenging settings such as detention centres and prosons. The project is an example of a community engagement project as envisioned for tertiary institutions with reciprocity and partnerships. The research finding included two focus areas. The initial reactions of students were that they were scared to work in prison; they were uncertain of what to expect; they were judgemental with regards to the detainees and students were shocked that they had to do community engagement with detainees. After the exposure and experince students understood the children and youth awaiting trial as human beings; students became non-judgemental and students became aware of clients' capacity to grow and change. The value of the youth awaiting trial project as embedded in formal teaching assists students to discover their inner strength and weaknesses; be aware of own feelings, thoughts, emotions, perceptions, beliefs, values and principles in practice when working with individuals, groups and communities. The experince teaches students how to be non-judgemental; how to accept a person unconditionally; hoew to respect people for who they are and for their frame of reference. Dr Prinsloo was invited to deliver a keynote address on the research project at the 9th International Practice teaching Conference at Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, UK.
Contact person: Dr CE Prinsloo.
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