Research Articles (Social Work and Criminology)

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Intimate partner violence: impact of a faith-based biopsychosocio-spiritual approach to intervention
(Routledge, 2025) Bernardi, Delia Anastasia; Steyn, Francois
The dominant prevention programs for intimate partner violence are based on Duluth-type models, which attribute patriarchy as the root cause of abusive behavior. The gender paradigm has dominated criminal justice policy and the development of interventions for over four decades. The current study presents a novel theoretical framework grounded in the I-cubed metatheory, as well as evaluates the impact of a faith-based Relationship Violence Intervention Program. The research approach was mixed methods. The aim of the study was twofold. Firstly, to describe and explore factors that may influence partner abuse. Secondly, to evaluate an intervention that falls within the ambit of a biopsychosocio-spiritual approach. The short version of the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales was administered pre-posttest to assess the effect of the intervention. The sample consisted of a cohort of 35 respondents who were court-referred for assaulting their partners. The qualitative strand of the research revealed that a myriad of factors may contribute to intimate partner violence. The quantitative strand reflected an average reduction in the scores for depression, anxiety and stress, where the scores for depression and stress proved to be statistically significant pre-posttest. The findings suggest that a faith-based intervention has the potential to deter partner abuse.
Sadness in young children and the inadequate development of inner outer containment in childhood
(University of the Free State, 2024-12) Bezuidenhout, Christiaan; Moen, Melanie
Violent crimes and domestic violence are notoriously high in South Africa, which leaves many children defenceless to struggle with emotions such as loneliness and sadness. The healthy development and socialisation of children can be difficult in a society characterised by domestic tribulations, poverty, crime, single-parent homes, and absent parents. In South Africa, children often do not co-reside with their biological parents, mainly due to labour migration and low marital rates. Divorce and long working hours for parents also contribute to limited family interaction. Many children are raised by grandparents or older siblings and relatives, especially in rural areas. Due to these and other factors, children experience poor parental attachment, loss, sadness and loneliness, which impact their general well-being. These correlator factors often contribute to weak outer and inner containment, which are essential for a young person to develop sustained lawabiding behaviour. Being sad and lonely often prompts issues such as delinquency, violence, insecurity, insufficient self-control, and bullying. Reckless’ containment theory shows that these behaviours often stem from the absence of the inner and outer controls that are necessary for the development of normative behaviour. Healthy bonding with and attachment to significant others are also important to the development of normative behaviour. In this contribution, the findings from a study conducted in Limpopo, South Africa, are discussed. The qualitative research study involved asking 373 children, between the ages of eight and nine years, to draw and narrate what made them sad. The researchers wanted to determine the specific challenges that young South African children face. In line with the interpretivist paradigm, it was also important to determine what these children regarded as sad and challenging situations, to understand their unique perspectives and life worlds. The study was therefore guided by the research question: What challenges do young South African children face in their daily lives? Findings revealed that exposure to bullying, loss, inadequate attachment, and crime can cause the development of weak inner and outer containment, which might lead to future misbehaviour, poor self-control, incorrigible actions, and bullying behaviour.
Going home to the gangsters : a preliminary study on the potential link between reintegration support and recidivism amongst female offenders
(Emerald, 2024-03) Thornton, Jessica Leigh
PURPOSE – As the subject of female criminology in South Africa has only recently been dealt with in a qualitative manner, this paper aims to explore if there is a potential link between rehabilitation, reintegration support and recidivism as females are often placed back into the environment which prompted their criminal behaviour, further excluding them from rehabilitative reform, which might lead them to recidivate. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH – The research adopted a qualitative approach using in-depth, semi-structured interviews with six participants that were chosen purposively. FINDINGS – The paper notes a potential link between rehabilitation, reintegration support and recidivism as the female prisoners are imprinted with criminal dispositions since rehabilitation within the correctional facility has no implementation process to ensure that restoration can continue after they have been released. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS – Due to the limited number of the incarcerated female population and the scope of the preliminary study, the sample comprised of only six female offenders. As such, it contributes to the larger discourse of female criminality, but does not offer any recommendations. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS – Provides an understanding of the conditions in which the females are released. Allows for the inclusion of the female’s voice on, and reflection of, rehabilitation and recidivism. Notes a link between rehabilitation, reintegration and recidivism. Creates a pathway for further research in the exploration of a gendered reform approach. ORIGINALITY/VALUE – While the subject of female criminology in South Africa has only recently been dealt with in a qualitative manner, this study offers an insight into how females who offend are often placed back into the environment which prompted their criminal behaviour.
Complexities and challenges affecting the progress of community development in South Africa’s changing sociopolitical landscape
(Sage, 2024-09) Gray, Mel; Lombard, A. (Antoinette)
This article shows the strategic, institutional approach the South African government took in creating and professionalising an occupational group—community development workers (CDWs), later community development practitioners (CDPs)—as part of its human resource planning for the social development sector. It highlights the complexities and challenges affecting the progress of community development, not least adequate funding for CDPs employed in local municipalities that, in turn, had to budget and plan for the operation and delivery of services in partnership with the nongovernment sector. It begins with an examination of policy definitions of community development before discussing the ever-changing political landscape and community–government nexus. It highlights community development’s entanglement with government policy and service provision and the community development infrastructure that opened doors for CDPs. It then discusses the policy-led changes shaping community development as a recognised occupation, the legislative requirements for professionalisation and progress towards meeting these. Finally, it suggests that future progress rests on the development of a comprehensive practice framework that addresses not only individual practitioner standards but also the obligations of employers to create an environment conducive to empowering transformative community development programmes in partnership with communities, relevant stakeholders and local organisations.
Potential for digital gerontological social work with older persons in South African residential facilities
(National Association of Social Workers (Zimbabwe), 2024) Geyer, Stephan; Crafford, Gretel; stephan.geyer@up.ac.za
African social workers have not yet explored the potential of using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) to render digital gerontological social work (DGSW) services. ICT holds potential for technology-assisted services when direct service delivery is impracticable. The study aimed to determine older persons’ (60 years and older) access to, use and acceptance of ICT. A quantitative study, operationalised through a cross-sectional survey design involved 73 (N=73) older persons in residential facilities in the City of Tshwane, South Africa, through a two-phase indirect and non-probability sampling strategy. Face-to-face surveys explored the participants’ sociodemographics, access to ICT, and platforms/applications used. With the Senior Technology Acceptance Model by Chen and Chan, the study determined older persons’ health contexts and abilities, and acceptance of technology across ten constructs. Participants mostly connect with mobile data using a mobile phone. Messaging, reading news, and social media are among the platforms used independently. Participants rated their health and abilities high and showed high acceptance of technology. Considered from a developmental social work framework, DGSW services are recommended, while respecting potential service users' means of accessing the internet, their preferred platforms, acceptance and attitude towards technology.
Pathways to maternal filicide among women incarcerated in Gauteng province in South Africa
(IFE Center for Psychological Studies, 2024-06) Castlemaine, Melissa; Steyn, Francois; francois.steyn@up.ac.za
South African research on women who commit crime gained momentum over the past decade, yet little is known about their routes to criminality. This article contributes to the understanding of maternal filicide (the phenomenon of mothers who murder their children) in the context of pathways theory by examining the lived experiences of women who killed their children. Eight women incarcerated in Gauteng, South Africa were identified using purposive sampling. Drawing on evidence from the in-depth personal interviews, the study uncovered four theoretical pathways to explain maternal filicide, namely adversities during childhood and youth; lack of support and suicide ideation; problematic and abusive intimate relationships; and strains associated with motherhood and economic deprivation. The aetiological tenets of these pathways appear interrelated and overlaying. An unwanted child and failure to provide medical care to a neglected or injured child were the most reported motives for filicide.
Intimate partner violence : the criminal (in)justice system
(Criminological and Victimological Society of Southern Africa, 2023-12) Bernardi, Delia Anastasia
On 12 September 2021, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, addressed the nation regarding the COVID-19 vaccination drive. The President placed almost equal weight on the importance of finding a resolution for “violence against women and girls” when he referred to gender-based violence as the other pandemic. The victimisation of men by their partners is also a reality. However, the criminal justice system does not appear to react to men as victims of partner abuse in the same way as it does towards women. This paper addresses the conundrum of men who are victims of intimate partner violence being arrested. The bias sometimes displayed by the police assumes that men are perpetrators and that women perpetrate in self-defence or retaliation. Male victims of abuse are secluded in our society and their human rights are often violated. Their experience of detainment is examined and explored via the lens of a qualitative research approach. The sampling method was purposive and consisted of 29 participants who were arrested for assault and referred by the court to attend a diversion programme. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings reveal a high degree of victim-offender overlap (i.e. individuals reporting both victimisation and offending). Intimate partner violence is profoundly relational and does not take place in a vacuum. Bidirectional violence can easily ensue given the close proximity of two persons in an intimate relationship and especially if a partner participates, for example, in behaviour such as infidelity or excessive alcohol use. Additionally, the results reveal participants’ traumatic and adverse experiences of being arrested and detained while awaiting trial.
A comparison of loneliness and social support among South African older persons during a pandemic
(Unisa Press, 2024-05) Geyer, Stephan; Teater, Barbra; stephan.geyer@up.ac.za
Pandemics, such as the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) in March 2020, have a negative impact on older persons’ (60 years and older) physical and mental health. Research on the effects of Covid-19 on older persons’ experience of loneliness and self-reported social support has predominately originated from the Global North. Applying the strengths perspective, the present study aimed to determine and compare the loneliness and social support among South African older persons during a pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was operationalised to collect data from community-dwelling older persons (n = 139) and older persons residing in residential care facilities (n = 99) through purposive sampling across five South African provinces. A loneliness scale was used to measure the respondents’ overall loneliness, including emotional and social loneliness. A social support scale was used to measure the availability of social support across four domains. The survey focused on social contact, number of close friends/relatives, socio-demographics, and subjective physical and mental health, respectively. Independent samples t-tests were run to explore any statistically significant differences between the two groups. Community-dwelling older persons were found to present with marginally higher levels of loneliness. No statistically significant differences were identified between the two groups. Community-dwelling older persons measured higher on social support than their peers in residential care. Two domains of social support, namely, affectionate support and positive social interaction, were found to be significantly different (p < 0.01). Based on the study’s results, implications for strengths-based gerontological social work services in resource-constrained settings during a pandemic were delineated.
Structural inequalities in Namibia and South Africa : a critical social work perspective
(Unisa Press, 2024-05-27) Chiwara, Peggie; peggie.chiwara@up.ac.za
Namibia and South Africa share land and maritime borders and the interrelated structural challenges of poverty and socio-economic inequalities amidst progressive economic growth that are rooted in their apartheid past and contemporary economic development trajectories. Such inequalities are defined along racial, class, gender and other social locations that either grant privilege, power and access to socio-economic opportunities or result in marginalisation, oppression and resource deprivation. The rationale for this article is linked to the historic call for social work to intensify efforts in promoting social and economic equality. Despite Namibia and South Africa’s geographical proximity and their intertwined histories, there is a dearth of social work studies that offer a comparative critical social work perspective on structural inequalities in these former apartheid strongholds. While social work should actively engage in contesting the structural contradictions of poverty and inequalities amidst abundant resources, the reality is often that of the uncritical acceptance of existing socio-political inequalities, such that the profession’s enunciated commitment to social justice becomes perimetric. Thus, the article argues for the inclusion of critical social work approaches in social work education and practice against a backdrop of ideological divides, political trends and contextual factors that limit social workers’ critical and structural level engagement.
Disrupting gender-based violence : the role of private security
(University of Salento, 2024) Oeschger, Sarah; Nunlall-Hiralal, Reema; Steyn, Francois
South Africa suffers from pervasive gender-based violence that finds expression in, amongst others, domestic and intimate partner violence, rape, sexual harassment, and femicide. While the government and civil society organizations have implemented various measures to combat gender-based violence, the private security sector has traditionally been overlooked in prevention and mitigation strategies. This qualitative study set out to determine how private security can partner with the South African Police Service and community organizations to assist in the fight against gender-based violence. Data were collected from 12 managers of 5 private security companies operating in Pretoria East, South Africa. The participants stated that their companies receive calls related to domestic violence daily, but that they are often unable to meaningfully intervene because the sector does not have specific guidelines and policies on how to assist in such cases. Nevertheless, where possible private security officers aim to defuse the domestic conflict, ensure the physical safety of victims, and support the police when arrests are made. Since security companies have more resources (vehicles and personnel) than the police, they are frequently first to respond when called upon to intervene in domestic violence. The study suggests that, in addressing the gap in policy, the private security sector can be a vital partner in the fight against gender-based violence.
The roles of social workers and community volunteers in providing services to foster care children living with HIV in South Africa : a scoping review
(Whiting and Birch, 2024-03) Khosa, Jeffries Zwelithini; Gutura, Priscilla; priscilla.gutura@up.ac.za
This paper discusses the role of social workers and community volunteers in providing services to foster care children living with HIV in South Africa. A literature review was undertaken of 14 qualitative studies conducted in South Africa from 2012-2022. The review showed the prominent role played by social workers in foster care, despite factors which hindered service such as high caseloads, lack of knowledge on HIV and prioritisation of quantity over quality. Hence, several challenges were faced by foster carers. The studies also revealed that community volunteers were providing services to children living with HIV through linking them to care and providing educational support. The literature shows that the challenges faced by foster care parents and their children mostly resulted of social workers’ inability to provide comprehensive services. Community volunteers offered services where social workers were constrained. This paper concludes that social workers should work in collaboration with community volunteers to cater to the limitations facing the social work workforce in providing services to foster care parents and children living with HIV.
The experience of social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa
(University of Stellenbosch, 2023) Poopedi, Lehlogonolo Kwena; Bila, Nontembeko Joyce; poopedi.lk@up.ac.za and nontembeko.bila@up.ac.za
South Africa presents a high prevalence of mental health problems, with one in six South Africans being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and substance-use problems (excluding more severe conditions such as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia). The incidence of mental health problems is ranked third after HIV and other infectious diseases in determining the disease burden. Social workers are key professionals in rendering interventions and services aimed at treating persons with mental health problems. In this qualitative study, ten purposively sampled social workers providing mental health services at a mental health facility in Tshwane, South Africa were interviewed. The thematic analysis generated seven themes, four of which are discussed. The findings reveal that social workers are adequately capacitated to provide mental health services and are one of the key mental health service providers. Recommendations for practice are provided.
A link to recidivism : excluding female offenders serving short sentences from rehabilitation programmes
(Romanian Academy Francisc I Rainer Institute of Anthropology, 2023) Thornton, Jessica Leigh
OBJECTIVE. This study discusses the issue of rehabilitation and the lived reality of female offenders serving short-term sentences who are excluded from rehabilitation programmes. This exclusion ill-equips the women from reforming their criminal behaviours leading to a life of recidivism. It also examines Bourdieu’s theory of habitus to identify a suitably unifying theoretical framework to analyse female criminality and the link between short-term sentences and recidivism. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The explorative and ethnographic lens gives voice to social realities of the offender’s punishment, rehabilitation (or lack thereof), reintegration, and recidivism. As female offenders only constitute 3% of the correctional population in South Africa, the sample was limited to ten female offenders. RESULTS. While research on female criminality has just starting to receive attention in South Africa, rehabilitation programmes are still mostly geared toward the reform of criminal behaviour amongst male offenders and a gender-sensitive correctional programme has been overlooked. Ironically by default, female offenders serving short-term sentences are further overlooked as they are excluded from rehabilitation programmes. CONCLUSION. The study makes a case that a gender-sensitive rehabilitation programme (with a focus on empowering women as decision makers capable of acquiring competence in areas such as motherhood, education, and skills development) needs to be available to all females entering the penal and corrective system. Without being equipped to deal with a variety of challenges which may affect adjustment to life outside the correctional facility and maintain their reformative behaviours, a great risk of recidivism for female offenders arises.
Locked down in the rainbow nation : alleviating the loneliness of South African older persons
(University of Stellenbosch, 2023-12-04) Geyer, Stephan; Chonody, Jill; Teater, Barbra; stephan.geyer@up.ac.za
The literature on the biopsychosocial effects of COVID-19 on older persons has originated predominately from the Global North, with a dearth of studies focusing on the loneliness of older persons in the developing world, such as South Africa. This cross-sectional study explored the loneliness of South African older persons (N = 118) before and during COVID-19 to inform gerontological social work. The survey incorporated a standardised scale of loneliness and items to assess the type and quantity of contact with others, physical health, mental health and socio-demographic variables. Bivariate and multivariate analyses explored the factors that contributed to overall loneliness, emotional loneliness and social loneliness. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in social, emotional and overall loneliness from pre- to during COVID-19. Considered from a socio-ecological resilience perspective, gerontological social work services are recommended for alleviating loneliness amongst South African older persons during a pandemic, such as COVID-19.
A pre-experimental design evaluation of brief harm reduction interventions to improve coping self-efficacy of carers of people with substance use disorder
(BMC, 2023-06-15) Swanepoel, Ilze; Crafford, Gretel; Geyer, Lourens Stephan; Marcus, Tessa S.
BACKGROUND : Globally, the rise in the number of people living with a substance use disorder (SUD) carries a multitude of individual and social health implications for carers and their families, often impacting negatively on their quality of life. Considered from a harm reduction approach, SUD is understood as a chronic protracted, complex health and social condition. From the extant literature, there is no evidence of the harm reduction approach being applied to address the needs of carers/family members who carry the burden of SUD care. This study preliminarily evaluated the Care4Carers Programme. It is a purposively designed set of brief interventions to improve the coping self-efficacy of carers of people with SUD (PwSUD carers) by equipping them to think about ways to exert control over their motivation, behaviours and social environment. METHODS : A pre-experimental, one group pretest–posttest design was implemented with 15 purposively selected participants in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The intervention was conducted by the lead researcher, a registered social worker. Eight brief intervention sessions were held, over 5–6 weeks at research sites where the participants were identified. The coping self-efficacy scale was completed before and directly after exposure to the programme. Results were analysed using paired t-tests. RESULTS : There were statistically significant (p < .05) improvements in carers’ coping self-efficacy, both overall and in respect of each of its constituent components: problem-focused coping, emotion-focused coping and social support strategies. CONCLUSIONS : The Care4Carers Programme improved the coping self-efficacy of carers of people living with SUDs. The application of this programmatic harm reduction intervention to support PwSUD carers should be tested on a larger scale across South Africa.
Retiring in a prison cell : the South African sentenced older adult male offender
(Sage, 2023-03) Booyens, Karen; Geyer, Lourens Stephan; Masenge, Andries; karen.booyens@up.ac.za
The purpose of this study was to create a profile of the sentenced older adult male offender incarcerated in South African prisons. The findings of this investigation are based on face-to-face surveys with 88 older adult male inmates. In order to develop a comprehensive profile, the study explored offenders’ backgrounds, previous and current offenses, lifestyle patterns, physical and mental health, institutional living conditions, release, reintegration, and mortality in prison. These domains are discussed in detail, and recommendations are offered for the treatment and care of this offender group. The recommendations may be applicable to other developing countries in the Global South.
Progress of the social service professions in South Africa's developmental social welfare system : social work, and child and youth care work
(Wiley, 2023-10) Gray, Mel; Lombard, A. (Antoinette)
This paper examines the progress of the social service professions delivering developmental social welfare in South Africa, a subject we have followed closely over the last 20 years. Being policy-driven, developmental social welfare stemmed from expert social analyses that resulted in technically oriented solutions, including the broadening of social service professions. Twenty years on, it is hard to see developmental social welfare, as envisaged in government policy, in action, since the practice reality does not differ drastically from the prior apartheid system with the government's heavy reliance on social security as a poverty-alleviation measure. The expanded social security budget has led to underfunded services and a crisis for social service professionals. This paper focuses on the regulated professions of social workers, and child and youth care workers. Our examination of critical issues for these occupational groups revealed that South Africa still has a long way to go in building a strong social service workforce.
An exploration of the Vatsonga people’s markers of childhood
(Springer, 2023-06) Simbine, Samuel Lisenga; Le Roux, Liana; Muridzo, Noel Garikai
Children are entitled to a host of rights cutting across the socio-economic and cultural fabric. These are contained in various international and regional conventions such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child among many more. The concept of childhood is socially constructed therefore childhood is neither a natural nor universal feature of human groups but rather a specific cultural component of given societies. The paper is based on a qualitative study in which purposively selected 40 Indigenous Knowledge Systems experts and 11 social workers drawn from Mozambique and Zimbabwe participated in the study. The article explores the Vatsonga people’s markers of childhood drawing lessons for social workers working with indigenous groups. The findings revealed that childhood among the Vatsonga is not determined by chronological numeric age but by various markers such as maturity and rites of passage. Childhood was romanticised by the Vatsonga as a period of innocence and irrationality. Children were viewed as of great value as they represent the posterity of society and a gift from their ancestors. We conclude that a people’s construction of childhood has a bearing on upholding child rights hence it is important for social workers to have an understanding of their clients’ views on childhood to effectively prevent child rights violations.
A new path to cultivate human rights education at schools of social work in Africa from a decolonial lens
(Routledge, 2023) Giliomee, Cornelia Magrietha; corlie.giliomee@up.ac.za
This article reports on a theoretical and empirical study exploring the nature and extent of human rights coverage in the curriculum in schools of social work at universities in Southern and East Africa. In a mixed methods research approach, quantitative data were gathered using an online survey, and qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and document study. The findings indicate that countries’ socio-political contexts influence the freedom of their higher education institutions to discuss human rights and speak out about human rights abuses. Educators’ personal viewpoints, training, and experiences influence the human rights content that they present in the curriculum. Students are not involved in curriculum design in the schools surveyed. The study recommends that a new path for cultivating human rights education for schools of social work in Africa be followed where a decolonial human rights-infused social work curriculum and locally relevant pedagogy are adopted. It calls for training for social work educators to deliver and research a human rights-based curriculum to be pursued from a decolonial perspective.
Perceptions of nyaope users regarding therapeutic services at private in-patient treatment centres in Gauteng
(University of Stellenbosch, Department of Social Work, 2023) Zwane, Noxolo Chairmaine Minenhle; Geyer, Lourens Stephan; stephan.geyer@up.ac.za
National data indicate that young adults are increasingly vulnerable to the harmful use of nyaope – an illicit drug. Consequently, there is a need for appropriate treatment services. This study aimed to explore and describe the experiences of nyaope users regarding therapeutic services at private in-patient treatment centres in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative study operationalised through a case study design, specifically an instrumental case study, involved 11 cases/participants who were recruited through a three-phase non-probability sampling process at treatment centres in two Gauteng metropoles. Following a method of reflexive thematic analysis, four themes with associated sub-themes, are reported. Recommendations focus on tailored service delivery at treatment centres and addressing limitations in policies.

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