Theses and Dissertations (Social Work)
http://hdl.handle.net/10386/46
2023-11-01T01:47:17ZAn exploratory study on the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the schools of Maleboho East Circuit of the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province to develop a multi-disciplinary model
http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4326
An exploratory study on the challenges faced by orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) in the schools of Maleboho East Circuit of the Capricorn District of Limpopo Province to develop a multi-disciplinary model
Ntjana, Ngwanamontjane Eglesia
Society faces the serious challenges of having to find solutions to look after orphaned
and vulnerable children (OVC), who often survive against all odds, and are exposed to
more threatening or challenging environments than other children. Although this is a
widespread and global problem, in sub-Saharan Africa it is exacerbated by other
precarious social conditions such as poverty, unemployment, inequality and domestic
violence, among other factors. South Africa is no exception to these challenges. Being a
developing country, it is still faced with an escalating problem of vulnerable children. This
scenario is complicated by the fact that the scope of vulnerable children is vast and
complex, but OVCs form the most vulnerable group, as they experience multiple
dimensions of vulnerabilities. The South African Government took a positive step and
responded with a series of legislations, policies and programmes to mitigate the
vulnerability of children. However, despite these responses, the issue of vulnerability
continues to grow. In schools, vulnerability makes it extremely difficult for OVC to cope
with the demands of academic work and causes them to repeat their grades several
times.
The present study explored the challenges facing OVC in schools of the Maleboho East
Circuit. The communities around the Maleboho East Circuit are termed multi-risks
communities, where social issues such as poverty, unemployment, inequality and
substance abuse are prevalent. The study anchored itself on ecosystem theory,
emphasising the importance of a person in context, strength-based, which was a shift
from deficiencies to strengths and resilience theory. This approach provided a lens and
mind map that guided the study. This was paramount for a study of this nature, as the
problems experienced by the child at home will eventually cascade into the school
environment, where academic performance is needed. The three theories were
complementary to each other, as they were used to compensate each other’s
deficiencies.
The study followed an interpretive paradigm, which placed emphasis on the participants’
lived experiences. In a study such as this one, where in-depth data was required; this
paradigm allowed the researcher to enter the participants’ lived world through a focus
group discussion and personal interviews. From the interviews, themes and sub-themes
were generated that were informed by the participants’ responses.
Findings indicated that the OVC face many challenges both in school and in their homes
as well as their communities. In their homes, they are heavily burdened with household
chores that consume most of their time, making it difficult for OVC to juggle both
household duties and academic work, causing serious barriers that hinder their academic
progress, and results in them often failing and repeating their grades multiple times. They
are also challenged by other psychosocial issues such as anger and frustration, and
emotional difficulties caused by their lack of basic and school necessities.
Though faced with these challenges, they developed their own coping strategies to
manage their situation. However, the researcher concluded that the OVC’s challenges
made them feel and become educationally excluded. As most OVC are coming from
impoverished homes, they will fail to break the intergenerational cycle of poverty they are
subjected to. Therefore, the researcher recommended that the government as a
custodian of children’s welfare should create an environment that is more conducive for
the policy for inclusive education to be implemented. Schools should adopt a
responsibility, where the focus is not only on education, but on creating an environment
where all learners will be catered for holistically, irrespective of their background, thereby
enabling them to become better citizens of tomorrow. This is in line with the spirit of the
Constitution of South Africa, 1996.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Social work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023
2023-01-01T00:00:00ZTowards the development of an integrated model to mitigate the non-disclosure of child sexual abuse amongst Vhaveṋda : an afrocentric perspective
http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4323
Towards the development of an integrated model to mitigate the non-disclosure of child sexual abuse amongst Vhaveṋda : an afrocentric perspective
Ramphabana, Livhuwani Bethuel
Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a social, health and behavioural problem that undermines the human rights of children. Although it is a problem that is largely researched globally, it continues to subsist even to this date. It is challenging to develop mechanisms and approaches to abate CSA because it often happens in private and is not always disclosed. Unfortunately, this non-disclosure undermines and delays the determination to provide the necessary support services to child victims of sexual abuse and protect other children from being potential victims of such atrocious abuse. To understand the dynamics around disclosure, one has to situate CSA in social and cultural contexts. In other words, how CSA is interpreted varies from one context to the next, and such variations have implications on the decision to disclose or not disclose CSA. That is why any effort to develop methods and models to mitigate the non-disclose of CSA must be context-specific and relevant. To put it differently, using one-size-fits-all methods or models cannot always be appropriate and effective in mitigating the non-disclosure of CSA. In light of the above, this study sought to contextually explore and describe the dynamics of disclosing CSA amongst Vhaveṋda, with the intent to develop an integrated model to mitigate non-disclosure of CSA. In this study, both the Ecological Systems Theory and Afrocentric Theory were employed to provide the theoretical framework in the context of Vhaveṋda. This study adopted both the descriptive and intervention research designs within the ambit of a qualitative approach. A simple random sampling technique was used to purposively select five adult survivors of CSA, seven Vhaveṋda caregivers of CSA survivors, two traditional leaders, four social workers and two educators in the Vhembe District Municipality of the Limpopo Province. The researcher used semi-structured one-on-one interviews as a data collection method. Thematic content analysis, with the assistance of the NVivo software, was used to help the researcher interpret and organise data into meaningful themes. The findings of this study show that socio-cultural practices and values amongst Vhaveṋda cause challenges in the disclosure of CSA, which include a lack of a broader understanding of CSA, a lack of parent-child discussion on sexual-related matters, unsupportive responses from parents, victims’ desire to protect others and traditional leaders’ inability to handle the disclosure in confidence. Despite these challenges, the findings of this study revealed that Khoro, mahundwane, initiation schools, Munna Ndi Nnyi Forum, and collaborations between traditional councils and other stakeholders are the current measures or systems in place amongst Vhaveṋda to mitigate CSA despite their ineffectiveness. The quest to protect children from sexual abuse requires a collection and collaboration of different systems and stakeholders. The findings of this study also revealed the psycho-social effects of not disclosing CSA on the child victims, namely social withdrawal, difficulty in trusting the opposite gender, poor school performance, bitter relationships between a victim and parent and living with continued confusion. Undisclosed sexual abuse experiences affect the overall development of child victims and the impacts thereof exist for a long-term. As a result of concerning limited knowledge amongst Vhaveṋda regarding what constitutes CSA and also the effects and/or dynamics of not disclosing sexual abuse due to socio-cultural practices and values, the researcher developed an educational model for Vhaveṋda titled “an integrated child sexual abuse educational model for Vhaveṋda”. This model was developed on the premise that non-disclosure of CSA can be mitigated if Vhaveṋda people are provided with educational guidance on sexual offending behaviours, sex and sexuality, culture and law, an open child-parent communication sex matters, a comprehensive approach to address CSA and the psycho-social effects of not disclosing CSA on child victims. This model contributes to the endeavour and determination to mitigate the non-disclosure of CSA in the context of Vhaveṋda.
Thesis (Ph.D. (Social Work)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZLived experiences of police officers dealing with domestic violence matters in Mankweng, Limpopo Province
http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4248
Lived experiences of police officers dealing with domestic violence matters in Mankweng, Limpopo Province
Mkhonto, Ronny
Several studies show that domestic violence is a global problem that the police deal with daily. Police officers are mostly being called upon to intervene during domestic violence occurrences. The police are considered first responders to domestic violence and other emergencies because of their broader scope. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of police officers who are dealing with domestic violence matters in Mankweng, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This study was qualitative and employed an exploratory case study to get insight into the lived experiences of police officers who are assigned to handle domestic violence cases. Five police officers were sampled from Mankweng Police Station using purposive and snowball sampling techniques. To stay in line with Covid-19 national regulations, data was collected via individual telephone interviews. Data was collected until saturation was reached and analysed thematically. The study found that police officers require the necessary skills and resources to deal with victims and survivors of domestic violence, especially those who have experienced emotional abuse. Furthermore, the study revealed a need for inter-professional collaboration between the police and social service agencies. Dealing with domestic violence presents complications for police officers, especially when they have to make an informed decision. The study recommends that more social workers should be hired in the police stations to assist police officers in handling domestic violence cases.
Thesis (M. (Social Work) -- University of Limpopo, 2022
2022-01-01T00:00:00ZFactors that hinder the utilisation of intermediary social work support service to alleged child offenders in Mopani District, Limpopo Province
http://hdl.handle.net/10386/4243
Factors that hinder the utilisation of intermediary social work support service to alleged child offenders in Mopani District, Limpopo Province
Makwala, Kelebogile Precious
The study concentrated on factors that hinder the utilisation of intermediary social
work support services to alleged child offenders in Mopani District. The study aimed
to assess knowledge from probation officers in respect of awareness, utilisation and
effectiveness of referral to intermediary services, as well as the level at which they
can refer alleged child offenders to an intermediary. The study employed the
qualitative research design. The Integrated Service model was employed to
understand the utilisation of intermediary social work support services to alleged
child offenders. Purposive sampling was used to obtain nine participants who were
probation officers. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of Limpopo
and gatekeepers approval from the Department of Social Development. Participation
was voluntary and no one was forced to participate. The findings of the study
revealed that there are no clear guidelines or legislation for probation officers to
guide them on how and when to recommend the alleged child offenders to the
intermediary services. The study also revealed that section 158(2) of the Criminal
Procedure Act 51 of 1977 is not effective to alleged child offenders but rather is used
to child victims.
Therefore, probation officers must have understanding of the role of an intermediary,
process and referral when conducting assessments. As a result, the study
recommends that the probation officers should come to the developmental level of
the child, speak the language of the child and follow up assessment interviews as
opposed to informed allegation interviews. However, training is also recommended
to all probation officers about the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 and
amendments of the Child Justice Act 75 of 2008 with the inclusion of intermediary
services to alleged child offenders
Thesis (M.A. (Social Work)) -- University Of Lmpopo, 2022
2022-01-01T00:00:00Z