ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKER IN REDUCTION OF CHILD ABUSE A CASE STUDY OF BO TOWN SIERRA LEONE /
HAJA FANTA FOFANAH ; SUPERVISOR, ASSOC. PROF. DR. BİLGE ÖNAL DÖLEK
- 100 sheets ; 30 cm +1 CD ROM
Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Social Work
Child abuse and neglect inflict harm upon both parents and children universally, hence heightening public consciousness and emphasizing the necessity for expert intervention. Immigrant families in industrialized nations often face challenges in raising their children due to parenting techniques that do not prioritize children's rights. Experts, such as social workers, intervene in these circumstances to safeguard the children. According to the Child Care Protection and Justice Act and the Sierra Leonean Constitution, a child is legally defined as someone below the age of 16. Nonetheless, Sierra Leone has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which stipulate that a child is an individual below 18. According to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, a kid is defined as an individual who is under the age of 18. The study aimed to identify challenges encountered by social workers in the field of child protection when they are required to remove a child from their home for their safety. Additionally, the study sought to explore the distinctions and similarities between social workers and the local community regarding how they are perceived or recognized. The problems encountered during the data collection encompassed insufficient resources, divergent parenting practices among families, potential criticism towards social workers if a kid is relocated, and disparities in values and priorities between cultural, traditional, and social work perspectives on child-rearing. The primary issue pertains to the approach employed by social workers while engaging with the community, which has subsequently influenced the perception of social workers within local communities. The comments and recommendations section presents the possibility of enhancing the relationship by connecting the findings with concealed implications and hypotheses. The scarcity of resources has contributed to the occurrence of conflicts. If resources were more abundant, there would be greater awareness and understanding, decreasing conflicts. This study has generated insights that can inform other related studies, perhaps enhancing social work practice. It also contributes to existing theories that social workers encounter difficulties and conflicts when working with clients in the context of child protection.