Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Child sexual abuse Australia Investigation'
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1
Kolbe, Cleophas. "An investigation into the patterns of child sexual abuse and victim-perpetrator relationships among survivors of child sexual abuse at a university." Thesis, University of the Western Cape, 2005. http://etd.uwc.ac.za/index.php?module=etd&.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the extent, pattern and forms of child sexual abuse amongst university studentsto investigate the degree of sexual coercion
to examine victim-perpetrator relationships
to determine the extent to which students are bothered by the event at the time of completing the Early Sexual Experiences Checklist
to establish the age of the student at the time the event occurred and also the age of the other person involved when the event occurred
and to determine the frequency of the coercive event.
2
Horne, Louise Catherine. "The investigation of child sexual abuse : the child, the family, and the professional system." Thesis, University of Liverpool, 1992. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.502540.
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Increased understanding about the nature of child sexual abuse has led to the development of specialist facilities to improve the service provided to alleged victims and their families. The research reported here aims to investigate the effects on agency investigations in cases of suspected sexual abuse, following the opening of one such centre in Liverpool, the Rainbow Centre. Data were gathered on all alleged or suspected cases of child sexual abuse coming to the attention of the police, social services and paediatricians, in a twelve month period prior to the establishment of the Centre, and for a six month period following the opening of the Centre, in a cross-sequential design. One focus of the study was interagency communication. It was found that, in a substantial proportion of cases, professionals reported that other agencies 'had not been involved in the investigation, whilst data collection revealed that information had, in fact, been provided by more than one agency. Such results indicate a lack of communication and collaboration between the agencies.
3
Bouse, Kirstin Leigh. "Community attitudes and the role of the victim offender relationship in child sexual abuse cases." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2000. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1364.
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Past research has illustrated that communily attitudes tend not to be reflected in crime legislation particularly when considering the victim-offender relationship and perceived seriousness of child sexual abuse. This study examined the effects of 4 different victimoffender relationships and the degree of trust within these relationships on perceptions of offence seriousness and emotional and physical harm, for the offence of indecently dealing with a 14-year old girl. One hundred and sixty community members used a 7- point scale to rate the degree of trust within these relationships, the seriousness of the offence and the emotional and physical harm suffered by the victim. Four two-way ANOVAs and one correlation were perfonned. Results showed that the victim-offender relationship failed to influence perceptions of offence seriousness, emotional and physical harm. Although the ratings of trust differed across the 4 relationship types, trust failed to significantly influence perceptions of offence seriousness, emotional and physical harm. Women were found to rate the offence as more serious and harmful than men. Possible explanations for these findings are discussed.
4
Lynch, Timothy. "Truly evil empires the panic over ritual child abuse in Australia /." Phd thesis, Australia : Macquarie University, 2006. http://hdl.handle.net/1959.14/38034.
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Thesis (PhD) -- Macquarie University, Division of Society, Culture, Media & Philosophy, Department of Anthropology, 2006."December 2005".
Bibliography: leaves 327-357.
Characteristics of ritual abuse discourse -- A plethora of theorists (and of differences between them) -- Defining ritual abuse: differences, disputes and bad faith -- Allegations, investigations and trials -- Abuse accomodation and recovered memories -- Moral panic and witch hunt -- Witch craze -- Outsiders, accusations and obligations -- Accusations of ritual abuse in Australia -- Witches and pedophiles -- Conclusion.
Allegations of "ritual abuse" were first made in North America in the 1970s and early 1980s. It was claimed that an extremely severe form of sexual and physical child abuse was being perpetrated by Satanists or the devotees of comparably unorthodox religions. Perpetrators were often supposed to be invloved in other serious criminal activities. Allegations were subsequently made in Britain, Holland, Australia and New Zealand. The thesis examines the bitter debates that these claims provoked, including the dispute about whether ritual abuse "really happens". -- The thesis also contributes to the debate by providing some anthropological insights into why these strange and incredible claims were made and why they were accepted by certain therapists, officials, journalists and members of the public. It is argued that the panic over ritual abuse was a panic about what anthropologists know as "witchcraft" and the thesis makes this argument through an analysis of the events (mainly discursive events) of the panic. The thesis in particular takes up Jean La Fontaine's argument about the similarities between accusations of ritual abuse and those made against "witches" in early modern Europe and in non-Western societies. The similarities between the kinds of people typically accused of perpetrating ritual abuse and those accused of practising witchcraft are considered, with a special emphasis on those cases where accusations were made by adult "survivors" and where alleged perpetrators were affluent and of relatively high social status. The thesis examines how supposed perpetrators of ritual abuse were denied the social support properly due to them and how accusations--and the persecution that followed--achieved certain political, professional and personal ends for survivors and their supporters. -- The thesis also considers similarities between "crazed" witch hunting and the recent spread of the panic about ritual abuse throughout much of the English-speaking West. The peculiar panic about witch-like figures that occurred in Australia -- especially in NSW--is examined. The thesis shows how, at a time when Australians had become very sceptical about claims of ritual abuse, activists were able to incite and affect the latest of a succession of homophobic panics in Australia.
Mode of access: World Wide Web.
357 leaves ill
5
Davies, Emma. "Sexual abuse investigation and criminal court processes: doing justice to the child?" Thesis, University of Auckland, 1999. http://hdl.handle.net/2292/1764.
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This thesis has contributed to the international literature on child sexual abuse investigation and criminal justice processes by conducting a programme evaluation of these processes in Auckland, New Zealand. In the first part of the study, 51 child complainants and 124 primary carers were interviewed about their perceptions of social work investigation, evidential interviewing, access to counselling services, police investigation, medical examinations and, for some, criminal court proceedings. Although participants were predominantly satisfied with early interactions with professionals, both children and primary carers highlighted the need for better interagency collaboration, reduced time delays throughout the process, earlier access to support services, more information and increased involvement in decision making. With specific reference to criminal court, participants indicated a need for better pre-court education and debriefing. The second part of this research involved analyses of criminal court transcripts on the ways that children are questioned by evidential interviewers and lawyers in court. The transcript analyses showed that some cross-examination strategies are reliant on prejudicial stereotypes of children and false assumptions about the dynamics of sexual abuse. In combination, the interviews and transcript analyses, indicate that Judges could usefully ensure that children are asked questions in terms they understand. The thesis revealed deficiencies within agency practices and, to a lesser extent, agency policies which impact negatively on children and their families during the sexual abuse investigation and criminal justice processes. It was shown that in practice these processes do not fully comply with Article 3(1) of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, in that the best interests of the child are not always 'of primary consideration'. Recommendations to address some of these deficiencies were proposed.
6
Gentile, Sonia. "Specialized worker training related to child sexual abuse custodyaccess investigations." Thesis, McGill University, 2000. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=30779.
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In this paper the researcher discusses the importance of specialized training for workers in child welfare who are responding to allegations of child sexual abuse in the context of custody/access disputes. The researcher has implemented an experimental design involving two matched groups of staff, equally sized, from an Ontario child welfare agency. Participants were requested to complete a pre-test and post-test which measured the priority assigned to a set of fictitious scenarios developed for the project. A training session was offered to the experimental group prior to the post-test.The outcome data suggests that the training affected the coding which members of the experimental group applied to scenarios. The experimental group tended to consider dynamics related to the issue of custody/access when assessing the priority of response time given to a referral. The control group evidenced no consideration of such dynamics.
The researcher has included a number of recommendations within the analysis section so that future applications of similar studies may be improved. The conclusion of this study clearly states that adequate worker training is essential in order that objective, reliable, and competent service is available to child welfare clients.
7
Delaney, Elizabeth M. "Canonical implications of the response of the Catholic Church in Australia to child sexual abuse." Thesis, University of Ottawa (Canada), 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10393/29095.
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Since the early 1980s the Church and society have been shocked and scandalised by incidents of child sexual abuse perpetrated by clerics and religious. During the past twenty years knowledge of sexual abuse has grown. With increased knowledge has come increased understanding of factors that affect offenders, that impact on the healing of victims. Church leaders in the church have not always responded well, to victims, to offenders and to communities. The Church has grown in understanding of how to respond to all who are affected by sexual abuse of children. Church and society continue to learn.
In 1996, the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference and the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes published Towards Healing, Principles and Procedures in Responding to Complaints of Sexual Abuse against Personnel of the Catholic Church in Australia. The following year, they published Integrity in Ministry: A Document of Ethical Standards for Catholic Clergy and Religious in Australia. The former document presents the principles and procedures for responding to complaints of misconduct and sexual abuse. The latter document presents standards for life and ministry for clergy and religious.
The Catholic Church in Australia responded to sexual abuse within the context of the Australian society, as did the church in each country. In presenting an overview of the response to child sexual abuse of both society and church in several countries besides Australia, the possibility exists not only for identifying similarities and differences, but also for understanding the reasons behind them.
In the 1980s knowledge of the complexities of sexual abuse and its impact on victims was very limited. Likewise familiarity with the church's penal law and related procedures was limited because it had not been used to any great extent. Increased and new usage of both penal law and procedural law identified areas that caused problems.
At the heart of the church's response to sexual abuse is the goal of responding to the dignity of the human person. Hopefully, identifying differences and problem areas will result in increased understanding and the upholding of the dignity of all people affected by sexual abuse.
8
Lawrence, Anne Margaret. "Interagency coordination and collaboration in the management of child sexual abuse in Australia and England." Thesis, University of Plymouth, 2001. http://hdl.handle.net/10026.1/1282.
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This thesis focuses on interagency coordination and collaboration in the management of child sexual abuse in Australia and in England. The impetus for the research arose from the experience of the author as manager and practitioner in the area of child sexual abuse, while working in these two countries. Problems regarding the management of interagency cooperation had become apparent in child protection practice and were also recognized in the literature. Personal experience, as well as a review of the literature, revealed that there was a need for the identification and validation of the key mechanisms and processes underlying effective interagency coordination and collaboration. This review of the literature also indicated that although existing models of operation had been identified, their value to practitioners had not been evaluated. The research underpinning the thesis set out to identify and validate key components contributing to effective interagency cooperation in the management of child sexual abuse that could be of international significance. This research is placed in the context of the evolving social construction of child abuse and child sexual abuse that is reflected in the rise in the incidence of the phenomena as well as in its expanding definitions. The nature of adult/child relationships are explored in terms of the sociological constructions of childhood and their periodisation. Specific attention is given to the rights of children and the professional regulation of child abuse and child sexual abuse in relation to the periodisation of modernity and postmodernity. Child abuse management operated mainly within the medical paradigm between the 1960s and the late 1980s. In England, child abuse tragedies occurred during the 1980s that resulted in official inquiries and culminated in various governmental reports that made recommendations for the improvement in services. The child sexual abuse scandal that occurred in Cleveland in 1986 was accompanied by a moral panic and a backlash in society against social workers and existing methods of professional regulation. As a consequence of Governmental efforts to remedy this situation, the medical paradigm that had dominated child abuse management' was shifted towards a socio-legal paradigm accompanied by the emergence of the discourse of `child protectionism'. However, challenges to the child protection discourse continued and these appear to be centred mainly upon the need for the adoption of a more subjectivist paradigm in the management of these phenomena. The debates and issues arising from these shifts in paradigm, particularly in relation to the operation of the interagency, multidisciplinary approach to the management of the problem, are discussed in the context of the self-referential, closed social systems involved in child protection network. Amidst these changes to service delivery paradigms concerning child welfare, the underlying multiagency interagency method of operation continued to be advocated. Existing research had pointed to the central role of this method of working in the management of child sexual abuse. An eclectically designed study was undertaken to validate the key mechanisms and processes underlying interagency coordination and collaboration. After their identification, it was found that they could be categorised into coordinating mechanisms, collaborative procedures and personal perspectives. These key components were then operationalised to form a questionnaire that was administered to a random sample of four-hundred and seven social worker practitioners and managers in both Australia and England. This was followed up with twenty in-depth interviews with a randomly selected sample of social work managers and practitioners from Australia and England chosen from those who had participated in the original survey. The major finding from a statistical analysis of the results of the survey, and discourse analysis of the in-depth interviews, indicated that the operationalised components were key mechanisms and procedures in the management of child sexual abuse in both Australia and England. A significant outcome from these findings has been the development and integration of the key mechanisms into a model of interagency coordination and collaboration. The model has been termed, the Interagency Model for the Management of Child Sexual Abuse (IAAC). The Model's functions are outlined, together with recommendations for its practical application for the planning of child protection services as well as the training of child protection teams. The final chapter contains specific recommendations for child protection practice, in the light of the research findings, together with their possible implications for the contemporary child protection discourse. Suggestions are made regarding future directions for child protection practice, also based on the research results, together with proposals for future research.
9
DeAngelo, Joseph M. "A psychological and behavioral analysis of child sex offenders the use of expert search warrants in the criminal investigation of acquaintance molestation /." [Denver, Colo.] : Regis University, 2007. http://165.236.235.140/lib/JDeAngelo2007.pdf.
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Sutherland, Karen Jeanne 1961. "Just being a girl : female child sexual abuse and the problem(s) of embodiment." Monash University, School of Political and Social Inquiry, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/9297.
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Loudermilk, Elaine, Pooja Subedi, Billy Brooks, and Arsham Alamian. "Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse Impact on Binge Drinking among Adults in the U.S." Digital Commons @ East Tennessee State University, 2017. https://dc.etsu.edu/etsu-works/1389.
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Background: In 2012, 62,939 cases of child sexual abuse (CSA) were reported in the United States (US). During the same year, binge drinking (BD) cost the US nearly $250 billion. Currently there are 38 million Americans who participate in BD. Researchers have found a significant association between adults who experienced adverse childhood events (ACEs) and BD in adulthood. However, CSA and BD have yet to be investigated using a nationally representative study sample. Objective: This study seeks to investigate the association between CSA and BD among adults in the US. Methods: Data from 2012 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) were used to analyze a sample of 25,037 adult participants from states that included the ACE questionnaire in the survey. CSA components, including forced touched sexually, forced to touch sexually, and forced sex, were assessed in relation to BD. Covariates included parental alcoholism, parental substance abuse, parental depression, age, sex, income, race, education level, and marital status. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models were conducted using SAS 9.4. Results: Approximately 17% of the study sample reported BD. Adults who had been touched forcefully during their childhood had around 2.18 times increased odds (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 2.18; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.97 – 2.41) of being involved in BD compared to those who did not have this experience. Being forced to touch sexually or forced to have sex during childhood was not significantly associated with BD and was not included in the adjusted model. Having parents who abused drugs (aOR 6.14; 95%CI: 5.56–6.79) and parents who were depressed (aOR: 3.35; 95%CI: 3.09-3.64) significantly increased the odds of BD among this population. Conclusion: Forced sexual touch was found to be significantly associated with BD. Further epidemiologic studies are necessary to determine if this is consistent in different years for the association between CSA and BD, since forced to touch sexually and forced sex were not found to impact BD in adults. The increased odds for BD from experiencing forced touch identifies a population where health education and awareness is vital to reduce the risk for BD in adults, thus reducing alcohol-related health problems and injuries. Health promotion campaigns for families affected by parental substance abuse and parental depression is also important to reduce the risk for BD among adults growing up with these experiences.
12
Yi, Mi Sun. "Investigative interviewing of alleged child victims in South Korea." Thesis, University of Cambridge, 2015. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.708959.
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Poulter, Sydney James Haylock 1941. "Issues of reflective practice and organisational learning in the protective investigation of child sexual abuse." Monash University, Dept. of Social Work and Human Services, 2001. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8736.
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Briers, Stephen J. "An investigation into male gender identity and the experience of childhood sexual abuse." Thesis, n.p, 2000. http://ethos.bl.uk/.
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Peace, Gillian M. "Child sexual abuse : an investigation of aspects of policy, practice and prevalence in Greater Manchester." Thesis, Sheffield Hallam University, 1991. http://shura.shu.ac.uk/20777/.
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This study is exploratory in nature with the central aim of increasing understanding and adding to the body of information relating to the management of child sexual abuse. Its primary focus is on issues of practice as seen from the perspectives of key professionals from social services, police, health authorities, NSPCC and voluntary societies who work in this field. Three major aspects are explored: investigation, interprofessional collaboration and continuing care after it has been established a child has been sexually abused. A qualitative research methodology is used based on 42 indepth interviews with key informants ranging from managers through to front line practitioners selected from the County of Greater Manchester. The study demonstrates the complexity and emotiveness of the issues involved in the management of child sexual abuse and the resulting impact on professionals and the effects of the impact on practice and interprofessional relationships. It highlights the influence of the present legal system on many aspects of practice. It points to the need for an increase in resources to deal with every stage of intervention but especially therapy. The study concludes with a discussion of the aspects that would benefit from further research. It is suggested that closer consideration of the place of specialism in child sexual abuse, the appropriate skills and training, the coordination of care and the emphasis of care would help improve practice and set priorities within a climate of scarce resources.
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Hester, Rachelle. "An Investigation of the Prevalence and Nature of Child Sexual Abuse Among the Deaf Population." DigitalCommons@USU, 2002. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/6169.
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The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence rates and effects of child sexual abuse in both deaf and hearing individuals living in Utah. A total of 104 deaf and 69 hearing individuals responded to the survey. The survey inquired about participants' experiences with sexual abuse and their mental health status.
The difference in rates of abuse between the two groups was not statistically significant. However, deaf individuals tended to be abused more often than hearing individuals. Deaf victims also experienced more severe forms of abuse and were abused more frequently than hearing victims. However, hearing victims experienced the use of force during abuse more often than deaf victims. The difference in mental health status between the deaf and hearing groups was not statistically significantly different. However, the difference between the total deaf group and the total hearing group was statistically significant, the deaf group reporting more problems than the hearing group.
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Belanger, Sarah Guillaume. "Three studies of sexual offenders : Female perpetrated sexual victimization, Comparison of male and female perpetrated sexual victimization, and Escalation histories : a project based upon an independent investigation /." View online, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10090/5867.
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Johansson, Cecilia. "Combating online child sexual abuse material. An explorative study of Swedish police investigations." Thesis, Malmö universitet, Fakulteten för hälsa och samhälle (HS), 2019. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:mau:diva-24527.
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Online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) is a growing problem that transcends geographical borders. In order to improve cooperation between international law enforcement, knowledge concerning the jurisdiction, procedure and issues with investigations in different countries is needed. This study aims to provide information on the Swedish context by (a) exploring how the Swedish police work with investigations of online CSAM, and (b) identifying potential challenges. The research questions have been answered by qualitative interviews with law enforcement personnel. Systematic text condensation revealed that there is a significant difference in the procedure between the police regions and that four major problems face the police. First, the police are dependent upon digital forensic experts but have limited access to their expertise and other resources due to the crime not being prioritised. Second, Internet Service Providers are not required to save their users IP-addresses, which complicates identification of the suspect. Third, a holistic perspective within the police is required. Investigators should work with all sexual crimes against children and not just CSAM, in order to be able to see reoccurring elements in the identification process. Four, there is a lack of public knowledge concerning CSAM that affects the resources and number of cases the police receive. The Swedish police is currently creating regional cybercrime centres in an attempt to create a national strategy for computer-related investigations. The implications on the victim identification process and development of treatment for offenders are discussed, as well as future directions. Clearer guidelines are needed.
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Spataro, Josie 1973. "Gender differences in child sexual abuse characteristics and long-term outcomes of mental illness, suicide, and fatal overdose : a prospective investigation." Monash University, Dept. of Psychological Medicine, 2002. http://arrow.monash.edu.au/hdl/1959.1/8111.
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Hovane, Victoria Elizabeth. "Aboriginal perspectives about child sexual abuse: Informing the cultural dimension in sex offending theories for use with Aboriginal offenders." Thesis, Edith Cowan University, Research Online, Perth, Western Australia, 2015. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses/1754.
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Child sexual abuse (CSA) and its consequences constitute a serious social issue in Aboriginal and other communities throughout the world. As a result, a number of influential psychological theories about sexual offending have been developed. These theories suggest that the early socialisation and developmental experiences of offenders are implicated in the onset, development and maintenance of sexual offending behaviour. While these theories suggest that culture is important for understanding such behaviour, their specific role has largely been ignored in the literature. Given the paucity of research in this area the aim of this study was to understand the perspectives of an Aboriginal community in Western Australia about the role of culture in CSA in their community, how this could inform the cultural dimension in existing psychological theories of sexual offending, and the implications of this for applying these theories with such sex offenders.
During the first stage the researcher undertook semi-structured, in-depth interviews to collect data from 11 Aboriginal adult female and four adult male members from the community. A thematic analysis of the transcribed interview data identified five primary themes: Misusing Power; Surviving the System; Evolving Culture; Fear of Repercussions; and Avoiding Exposure. During the second stage the researcher presented her results to six people at a local Aboriginal community forum for their feedback, insights and refinement of the results. The same, but refined, themes were then presented to a group of five non-Aboriginal people who work with Aboriginal people in child protection and family counselling, for their feedback and insights. On the basis of all the feedback a sixth theme, Holding Aboriginal Law, was added. Aboriginal Law provides specific information, and sets out rules and expectations about Aboriginal people’s lives, kinship structures, cultural traditions, spiritual beliefs, and restricted ceremonial practices, traditional medicine, education and specialised training.
Taken together the results of this study suggest the themes Misusing Power; Surviving the System and Holding Aboriginal Law are relevant to understanding the onset, development, maintenance and response to CSA, that Evolving Culture is relevant to understanding the development and maintenance of CSA, and Fear of Repercussions and Avoiding Exposure make an important contribution to understanding factors that maintain the commission of CSA in this community.
An important finding of this study is that, whilst the misinterpretation of Aboriginal Law plays a role in the onset, development and maintenance of CSA, a sound knowledge of Aboriginal Law can be used to prevent CSA and to respond to it. Policy developers should therefore have a sound knowledge of Aboriginal Law and take it into account when developing policies. They should also consider developing policies that will create opportunities for Aboriginal people to connect with and enhance their understanding of Aboriginal Law. Assessors and professionals working with Aboriginal CSA offenders should likewise have a solid understanding of Aboriginal Law, and consider developing treatment modalities which will challenge Aboriginal offenders’ misconceptions about Aboriginal Law, and provide them with opportunities to develop a sound understanding of its values, principles and practices.
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Nkongho, Ndiya. "Religious Coping among Sexually Abused Adolescent Girls: A Phenomenological Investigation." unrestricted, 2006. http://etd.gsu.edu/theses/available/etd-07282006-000252/.
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Thesis (Ph. D.)--Georgia State University, 2006.Title from title screen. Lisa Armistead, committee chair; Greg Jurkovic, committee co-chair; Sarah Cook, Rod Watts, committee members. Electronic text (133 p.) : digital, PDF file. Description based on contents viewed July 3, 2007. Includes bibliographical references (p. 91-109).
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Maleka, Setlaiso Caroline Poppy. "An information kit for families affected by child sexual abuse and reported to the East Rand Child Protection Unit / Setlaiso Caroline Poppy Maleka." Thesis, North-West University, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/4728.
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Child sexual abuse is a very sensitive issue that causes trauma and damage to the
victims. This does not affect only the victims, but their families and the society at
large. It is sometimes difficult for the society to support the victims of child sexual
abuse. It then becomes a burden on the families because they lack information on
how to deal with their sexually abused children. The families do not have
knowledge of forensic social work and it becomes difficult for them to understand
the process of forensic investigation.
The information kit for families affected by child sexual abuse will empower the
families with knowledge on the process of forensic investigation. This will also help
to prepare both the children and their families for what will happen after the case has
been reported to the Child Protection Unit. They will also be able to know their
expectations when it comes to the court proceedings. An improved understanding
will help the child prepare for testifying.
Developing an information kit and reader–friendly guidelines will assist in relieving
the stress on parents and strengthen them in giving their children the necessary
support. Further research should be conducted on families’ understanding of
forensic investigation and the court proceedings involved when a child has been
sexually abused. Currently there is little data on forensic social work in South
Africa, due to the fact that forensic social work is still quite a new field in our
country.
The researcher thus identified a need for conducting a qualitative study with the
parents of sexually abused children whose cases had been reported to the Family
Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit for forensic investigation at the
time of the study. The aim of this study was to develop an information kit for
families who were affected by child sexual abuse in order to give them a better
understanding of forensic investigations in such cases. An interview schedule was developed with the purpose of confirming whether the families understood what they
would be going through during the whole process.
From the research it was evident that forensic social work was something new to the
respondents as it was difficult for some of them to give detailed responses to the
questions. It became clear that the families of sexually abused children are in need
of relevant and clear information on forensic social work, the nature of forensic
investigations and associated procedures.Thesis (M.A. (MW))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.
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Coetzee, Colette. "An explorative study of the training needs of investigating officers interviewing young victims of sexual abuse." Thesis, Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/3315.
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Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2005.There is deep concern nationally and internationally about the increasing numbers of sexual offences against children. South Africa is one of the countries with a very high incidence of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse is very traumatic for most children: research reveals that the negative psychological impact of child sexual abuse persists over time and even into adulthood. Disclosure of sexual abuse is often very traumatic for the victim and the response of the investigation officer is crucial as inappropriate responses to disclosure can inhibit the child's healing process, jeopardize the subsequent legal proceedings and expose the child to secondary traumatisation. This study explores the training needs of investigating officers of the South African Police Services with regard to interviewing young victims of sexual abuse. The rationale would be that if investigating officers were adequately trained in interviewing sexually abused children the trauma will be lessened for the child victim and their families. A qualitative study was conducted. Two groups of participants were used in the study: Investigating officers working for the SA Police Service and social workers working for various non-governmental organizations. Participants were purposefully selected. Data were produced by the use of questionnaires and interviews semi-structured. The interviews were analysed thematically. The seven themes that emerged from the data analysis were: reporting of sexual abuse, investigation of sexual abuse, knowledge of sexual abuse, practical skills, attitudes of investigating officers, children with disabilities and support for investigating officers. The data from the questionnaires were also analysed quantitatively. The findings from the study indicate that investigating officers need more in-depth and extensive training on how to interview sexually abused children.
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Burgering, Wendy Helen Miller. "Reacting to a ‘Discovered’ Social Problem Through Organisational Adaptation: Case Studies of Child Sexual Abuse Investigation of Seven New Zealand Police Districts." Thesis, University of Auckland, 1994. http://hdl.handle.net/2292/1963.
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Organisations operate in an environment buffeted by social change. Child sexual abuse became publicly recognised as a social problem from 1986. The first part of this thesis examines public awareness of, and interest in child sexual abuse, how child sexual abuse arose in New Zealand, the influence of international "moral entrepreneurs" in shaping this recognition and the activities of local "moral entrepreneurs"' including some police officers, in assisting the move of child sexual abuse from the private to the public arena. The second part of this thesis examines organisational change and whether the causes for organisational change are environmentally or managerially driven. Or is it, as this thesis suggests a combination of both. This thesis takes these theoretical arguments and applies them to the process of organisational change that occurred in the New Zealand Police Department, from the development and implementation of the National Abuse Policy for the investigation of child sexual abuse and serious physical abuse. The third part of this thesis examines the interlinking between the main theoretical foci, organisational change and the construction of a social problem. The results of an investigation from key staff, Police and other agency personnel, from seven New Zealand Police Department Districts, interviewed in three waves over a two and a half year period, are reported. The total number of key staff from each wave was 93, 80 and 68. The results of the first part of the thesis is that through effective lobbying by the women's movement and child protection groups child sexual abuse has become a recognised social problem. In the second part of the thesis the following were found to be crucial factors in the shaping of organisational responses to child sexual abuse: The role of middle managers in the implementation of organisational change policies in assigning or not assigning appropriate resources. The role of the top management in the ownership of organisational change policies the procedures. Continual staff turnover and the policy of staff rotation limited the successful implementation and continued support for the National Abuse Policy. This factor, staff turn over and/or rotation, will impact on the success of any organisational change policy. The extent of the training provisions for police officers at all levels within the organisation and the maintenance of that training at a national and district level. Acceptance of the multidisciplinary investigative approach which differed from more traditional policing approaches. The internal and external pressure on the Police to implement and maintain a high profile response in the child sexual abuse field. The results of the third part of the thesis is that the Police Department played a role in the public recognition of child sexual abuse as a social problem and as a result had to implement an operational response through the development of a National Abuse Policy.
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LeClair, Laura. "A study on the long-term effects of child sexual abuse, an empirical investigation of the post-traumatic stress disorder and traumagenic dynamic models." Thesis, National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, 1999. http://www.collectionscanada.ca/obj/s4/f2/dsk1/tape10/PQDD_0011/NQ52427.pdf.
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Torbjörnsson, Maria, and Nermina Smajlovic. "Ovärderligt men samtidigt svårt och komplext : En kvalitativ studie om socialsekreterares erfarenheter av samverkan med Barnahus i ärenden där det finns misstanke om sexuella övergrepp." Thesis, Linnéuniversitetet, Institutionen för socialt arbete (SA), 2018. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:lnu:diva-75364.
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The purpose of this study is to deepen the knowledge of investigative work with children exposed to sexual abuse through an examination of social workers experiences of interorganizational cooperation within Swedish Barnahus. The data in this study was obtained from seven interviews with people who works within Barnahus with cases where children has been exposed to sexual abuse. The findings of this study shows that professionals experiences of cooperating within Barnahus is positive and looked upon as helpful, but also that it needs improvements in various areas. Access to competent staff is invaluable, but the cooperating actors in Barnahus need to learn more about each other’s professions.
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Gustafsson, Karin, and Nana Johansson. "Barns svar på pressande frågetyper." Thesis, Örebro universitet, Institutionen för samhällsvetenskap, 1999. http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:oru:diva-22940.
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Syftet är att undersöka hur pressande frågetyper vid polisförhör påverkar barns (3-7 år gamla) svar. Tio förhörsutskrifter i dialogform har använts. Olika kategorier av pressande frågetyper samt av svarstyper konstruerades. Resultaten visar att barn i regel är känsliga för suggestion, men det förekommer undantag. Barn ändrar ofta svar när samma fråga upprepas.The purpose is to study how pressing questions during police interrogations influence children´s answers. Ten transcriptions of police interrogations were analyzed for children 3 - 7 years old. The results show that children as a rule are influenced by suggestions. Children often change answers when the same question is repeated.
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Hudson, Catherine M. "Disclosing sexual abuse : the experience of some male survivors in Australia." 2007. http://arrow.unisa.edu.au:8081/1959.8/45994.
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This thesis focuses on disclosure of sexual abuse by men who were sexually abused either as children or adolescents. The research questions that it set out to answer were 'why and how do males in Australia disclose to another person that they have been sexually abused?' Aims were to understand disclosure from the perspective of male survivors in Australia, identify the factors that inhibit, trigger and facilitate disclosure, and develop a theory of disclosure reflecting the processes involved.
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Kirsztajn, Amy. "Childhood sexual abuse and lesbian coming out process a project based upon an independent investigation /." 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10090/9892.
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Morris, Anne. "Optimising the "spaces in-between" : the maternal alienation project and the politics of gender in macro and micro contexts." 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2440/49674.
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The centrepoint of this thesis is an action research project, the Maternal Alienation Project (MAP), implemented during 2002 and 2003 in Adelaide, South Australia. Resourced by two government-funded community health services, it was established to improve organisations’ (health, welfare and legal) and systems’ responses to the newly termed ‘maternal alienation’. MAP was situated within a tradition of feminist participatory and action research. It was designed to work on three levels: practice, systems and policy-making, and research. The outcomes, processes and events of MAP at the different levels of its operation are examined in the thesis through the employment of a gendered analysis drawn mainly from materialist feminism and standpoint theories. Post-project interviews and focus groups provided further data to the fieldnotes written throughout MAP, and the project’s formal and informal documents. A recent example of a contested gendered concept, “maternal alienation” was first identified and named in 1999 as a component of gender violence (Morris 1999). It forms part of a spectrum of violence perpetrated in households, and had been identified within domestic violence and child sexual abuse. It is a term for the range of tactics used by mainly male perpetrators, predominantly the mothers’ intimate partners and the children’s fathers or step-fathers, to deliberately undermine the relationship between mothers and their children. The mother-blaming discourses and degrading constructions of mothers conveyed to children and those in the family’s orbit are strongly related to wider socio-cultural constructions of women and mothers. The thesis examines theories of gender, gendered organisations and gender violence. It develops the concept of an abusive household gender regime, characterised by perpetrators’ imposition of a coercive and abusive regime on household members, and particular patternings of gendered relations. Comparisons are made between household and organisational gender regimes, which are also viewed in relation to the local gender order at the time of MAP. It was found that services that lack an analysis of gender are likely to re-inscribe the dynamics of maternal alienation in their responses to families. Language was found to play a significant part in addressing maternal alienation, particularly in developing congruence between language and women’s and children’s “lived” experiences. The principles that were developed were founded on supporting mothers and rebuilding their relationships with children, and making visible the tactics employed by perpetrators, thereby reducing their power to coerce and increasing their accountability. The concept of maternal alienation and MAP itself were attacked by a coalition of men’s rights and Christian Right lobbyists. This compromised the operations of MAP, and of its key supporters, managers of feminist and gender-aware organisations. In many ways these attacks, played out at a macro level, reflected the techniques and dynamics of maternal alienation at a micro level. This thesis raises questions about the strategies that feminist organisations need to develop to more effectively pursue feminist agendas, and to re-invigorate a women’s movement.Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Social Sciences, 2008
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Howard, Andrea Nicole. "An investigation into the reliability of disclosures of sexual abuse by preschool children (under seven years of age)." Thesis, 2002. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/4593.
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This study explored the reliability of disclosures of sexual abuse from preschool children. The study assumed the following: firstly the greater the level of trauma experienced by the child, the lower the reliability of the disclosure. Secondly, if the child had been severely threatened it was less likely that their disclosure would be reliable. Thirdly it was assumed that the more supportive the family was of the child's disclosure, the more reliable the disclosure would be. Fourthly, the study assumed that an important factor regarding reliability of a child's disclosure was the quality of the therapeutic relationship. Lastly it was assumed that the techniques used would be secondary in importance if compared with the therapeutic relationship . The research questions asked how techique, social worker and child-related variables affected the reliability of a child's disclosure of sexual abuse, and if there was a relationship between the variables and the child's ability to disclose reliably. The research included both qualitative and quantitative data and methodology. The research process was twofold. Firstly child, social worker and technique-related variables were identified from the case studies and the relationship between these variables described . Secondly, the effects of these variables on the participants' reliability in relating their sexual abuse experiences were explored. Thirty participants were selected through systematic random sampling. Participants were male and female between the ages of two and six years. The collective case study method was used and data was obtained from case records and analysed through content analysis. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. The results reflected a relationship between the above mentioned variables. It seemed that child-related variables were important and could affect the child's ability to disclose reliably. However social worker-related variables seemed to be able to positively mediate the negative effects of some of the child-related variables. Technique-related variables seemed to be closely related to the-quality of and the specific stage of the therapeutic relationship. Techniques could be successfully used where a trusting relationship existed between the social worker and the child.Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2002.
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Mkhize, Mary Sibongile. "An investigation of the relationship between childhood sexual abuse experiences and psychosocial adjustment in a sample of Black South African adolescents." Thesis, 2009. http://hdl.handle.net/10413/651.
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Luyt, Hendrina Magdalena. "Die psigososiale behoeftes van maatskaplike werkers tydens ondersoeke na seksuele misbruik van kinders / Hendrina Magdalena (Daleen) Luyt." Thesis, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10394/16305.
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Sexual abuse of children is a complex problem that holds far-reaching
consequences for the child and his / her family. It is a criminal act of power and
control that has an impact on all people regardless of age, race, culture and
economic status (Statistics, 2014). The handling of sexual abuse is a service field of
social work in which social workers are designated by law to investigate cases of
sexual abuse of children and the allegations thereof, according to the Children's Act
No 32 of 2005 (SA, 2005).
During investigations into child sexual abuse social workers experience intense,
powerful feelings that have an emotional impact on the social worker and his / her
role functioning (Cussons, 2011:2). It is important for social workers to possess the
necessary knowledge, skills and resources to facilitate service delivery (Van Wyk,
2011:65). The objective of this research was to determine the psychosocial needs of
social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse in order to establish the
nature of social workers' needs, conscious experiences and observable behaviour.
The researcher used the qualitative approach. The interpretive descriptive research
design as a research strategy was used to determine the psychosocial needs of
social workers during investigations into child sexual abuse. Eleven participants took
part in the study and data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews with
each participant individually. The qualitative data were transcribed into themes and
sub-themes to be analysed by a coding system according to the proposed
framework of Tesch (in Creswell, 2009:186). Eight themes were identified: (1) role requirements, (2) role expectations, (3)
emotional needs, (4) physical needs, (5) social needs, (6) cultural needs, (7) spiritual
needs and (8) development and growth. These themes were divided into sub-themes
and categories, and appropriate narratives as discussed in the interviews. The
information was checked with literature and some conclusions and recommendations
were made.
Investigations into child sexual abuse are high-intensity cases which require
immediate action from social workers. It was found that social workers experienced a
strong demand for debriefing and support during their involvement with these
investigations. It seems that social workers dealing with these cases experience
unique psychosocial needs. If these needs are not addressed, it can lead to negative
role functioning, occupational stress and even burnout of these social workers.
The following recommendations can be made, namely that:
* support working groups be presented for debriefing opportunities;
* organizations establish working groups that focus on stress;
* child sexual abuse be seen as a speciality field;
* social workers be trained as case managers of the investigation into child
sexual abuse;
* professional role-players involved be trained through workshops in respect of
their own and others' obligations;
* resources be recruited and obtained.MSW, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015
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Coetzee, Theo. "The evidential value of crime scene investigation in child rape cases." Diss., 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/2409.
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The main focus of this dissertation was to evaluate the evidential value of crime scene investigation in child rape cases. There are two kinds of crime scenes that needed to be processed in sexual crimes. Firstly is the location of occurrence and secondly is the victim's body. The crime scene is in any crime the major source of information if correctly approach, but even more so in a child rape investigations. A few crimes rely so heavily upon physical evidence as does the crime of rape.
It is therefore essential that all rape investigators have first-class knowledge of proper crime scene investigation methods and techniques. Since crime scenes not properly protected or process may fail the investigation in court and as a result see the suspect acquitted.
The following physical evidence could link and assist the investigator to individualise the suspect during thorough crime scene investigation; body fluids such as semen, blood, saliva. Other evidence of physical nature commonly found at crime scenes includes fingerprints, footprints (impression evidence); soil evidence, hair evidence, and anything in general handled or left behind by the rapist at the crime scene.
This dissertation strives to provide the Investigator with answers on, how, where, and when to process the crime scene.Criminology
M.Tech. (Forensic Investigation)
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Du, Toit Willem Johannes. "Statutêre assessering van kinderslagoffers van kriminele seksuele gedrag: 'n Gestaltterapeutiese riglyn." Diss., 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1982.
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Gestalt play therapy court
assessmentChild victim
Sexual crime
Legal professionals
Assessment guideline
Intermediary
Text in Afrikaans
As a source of information the court needs to be convinced of the witness's credibility and the ability to recall and communicate the truth regarding the Incident. Mostly the court uses the expertise of an expert witness to assist it in making a decision regarding the way in which a child needs to testify in court. Experts in this field are challenged to align the legal requirements with those of their field of expertise. In this research the Gestalt therapeutic approach is used to design an assessment guideline to assist experts to assess the ability of child victims of sexual crimes to testify in court. The Gestalt therapeutic approach focuses on the present (here and now) and has the ability to obtain access to the information present in the child's life. In the proposed assessment guideline certain Gestalt play therapy methods are recommended to assist the expert to assessing the child victim of a sexual crime.
Play therapy
M.Diac. (Play therapy)
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Boodhoo, Vinesh. "A critical analysis of the procedures followed in child rape cases in Mpumalanga Province." Diss., 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/19162.
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This study reflects a critical analysis of the procedures followed in child rape cases in
Mpumalanga Province and in the process to enhance investigative capabilities with sound detective development.
Empirical research was conducted with a literature review, docket analysis and interviews as methods to obtain information where the following important aspects were addressed: an overview of the field of forensic investigation, the shortcomings with regard to child rape investigations and correct procedures for conducting child rape investigations formulated.
The study found that generally rape cases were not properly investigated, correct procedures were not followed (biological/physical evidence was not readily identified nor correctly handled) and applicable directives pertaining to child rape investigations not complied with. Investigators had a narrow understanding of the concept forensic investigation. In child rape investigations it would be of more evidential value and reliable to collect physical evidence such as blood, semen, vaginal fluids and saliva as the child’s testimony at court might not be reliable, particularly when subjected to cross examination. Rape is both a contact crime as well as a psychologically motivated crime and both aspects of the trauma needs attention during the investigation process.
Crimes against women and children are also a national concern, thus making child rape a priority crime for the South African Police Service. For any successful prosecution it is necessary that policy and correct procedures are not compromised but rather strictly adhered to.
The Locard Principle in relation to physical evidence such as body fluids at the crime scene needs to be focussed on during the investigation process. The research suggests that the current standing operating procedures be amended to include the critical aspects of child rape investigation such as processing of the crime scene, the search for biological evidence as well as the packaging and preservation of biological evidence.Police Practice
M. Tech. (Forensic Investigation)
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Van, Niekerk Wilhelmina Johanna. "Emotional experiences of incestuous fathers : a social constructionist investigation." Diss., 2005. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/928.
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This study aimed to relate the emotions of two fathers regarding their incestuous behaviour.
The epistemological framework is social constructionism. The `case-study approach' was chosen as the most suitable method to gain access to the information. Qualitative in-depth interviews with the fathers were conducted to collect data about their emotional experiences regarding their incestuous behaviour and Hermeneutics was used as method of data analysis.
The emotional experiences of the participants regarding their incestuous behaviour were reconstructed in the form of prominent themes. Themes that seemed to re-occur in both participants' stories were identified and discussed as common themes. These themes included; ambivalence, powerlessness and guilt.
This study provides a rich understanding of the emotional experiences of incestuous fathers. These experiences seem to be unstated or insufficiently emphasised in the traditional empirical, cause and effect, linear modernist literature.Psychology
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)
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Verster, Blanche. "Assessering van die kind in die statutêre proses: `n gestaltbenadering." Diss., 2004. http://hdl.handle.net/10500/1793.
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Summary in Afrikaans and EnglishAlthough the rights of children in South Africa are being regulated by legislation, statistics prove that statutory services on behalf of children annually increase. Scientific accountable information regarding the child can be obtained by the assessment of the child. The purpose of this investigation was to identify the gaps in the existing assessment guidelines, as well as the needs of social workers regarding assessments. The sequential exploratory strategy was utilized, as quantitative data supported qualitative findings. The investigation showed that minimal assessment literature is available in South Africa and internationally, although assessment is the basis evidence of the social worker. The biggest gap in assessment guidelines is that assessment does not carry weight in the court. There is a need for social workers to be trained in relevant assessment skills based on a specific frame of reference. Gestalt therapy can provide a suitable theoretical frame of reference for assessment, and can serve as scientific foundation for social workers during the statutory process. A framework for an assessment guideline was thus proposed.
Ten spyte daarvan dat die regte van kinders in Suid-Afrika deur wette gereguleer word, bewys statistiek dat statutere dienste aan kinders jaarliks toeneem. Wetenskaplik verantwoordbare inligting ten opsigte van die kind kan bekom word deur die kind te assesseer. Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om leemtes wat in bestaande assesseringsriglyne is vas te stel, asook die behoeftes wat by maatskaplike werkers ten opsigte van assessering bestaan. Die opeenvolgende verkennende strategie is tydens hierdie ondersoek gevolg, aangesien kwantitatiewe data gebruik is om die kwalitatiewe bevindings te ondersteun. Die ondersoek het getoon dat min literatuur ten opsigte van assessering in Suid-Afrika en internasionaal beskikbaar is, ten spyte daarvan dat assessering die basis van die getuienis van die maatskaplike werker vorm. Die grootste leemte wat in assesseringsriglyne ge'identifiseer is, is die feit dat assessering nie gewig in die hof dra nie. 'n Behoefte ten opsigte van opleiding in toepaslike assesseringsvaardighede vanuit 'n spesifieke teoretiese verwysingsraamwerk bestaan. Gestaltterapie kan 'n teoretiese verwysingsraamwerk vir assessering bied en kan dien as wetenskaplike fundering vir optrede van maatskaplike werkers tydens die statutere proses. 'n Raamwerk vir 'n assesseringsriglyn is voorgestel.
Social Work
M. Diac. (Play Therapy)