It is important to point out that the nature, extent, and consequences of women and child abuse in South Africa is a societal problem, which demands intervention on many levels, says the writer.
Tasneemah Cornelissen-Nordien and Marianne Strydom
Despite having progressive policies and legislation, South Africa continues to record alarmingly high rates of violence against women and children.
According to the first South African national gender-based violence study, conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and released recently, an estimated 7 310 389 women aged 18 years and older have experienced physical violence in their lifetime.
Nationally, 9.8% all women –approximately 2150342 – had experienced sexual violence in their lifetime.
The ongoing child abuse and neglect are also of great concern. The latest South African Child Gauge report, published by the Children’s Institute at UCT, shows that 42% of children in the country experience child abuse, violence or neglect.
It is important to point out that the nature, extent, and consequences of women and child abuse in South Africa is a societal problem, which demands intervention on many levels.
During the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children (November 25 –December 10), we must emphasise the need for guidelines for support services, such as empowerment services and prevention strategies to address this violence. Government policies stipulate the importance of prevention services for child protection.
Social workers at child and family welfare organisations are responsible for delivering child protection services to children and families who are at risk. In accordance with the Children’s Act No 38 of 2005, only social workers can investigate child abuse and neglect and have the authority to remove a child.
Unfortunately, the child protection system in South Africa is in a state of crisis due to soaring case loads of social workers and a lack of human and financial resources.
It is evident in policy and legislation that prevention should be the point of departure for service delivery to mitigate violence against women and children. However, it often does not indicate how or the type of services that should be developed to address the issue.
Furthermore, the resources necessary to implement services are not considered. Therefore, the empowerment of parents could help to prevent this type of violence because they play a crucial role within the interconnected structures of a child’s environment, making their empowerment essential for ensuring the protection of children.
This can be achieved by equipping parents with parental skills, which may include positive parenting, understanding childhood development, and relationship building with the child.
The opportunity is granted to the child to engage more positively with their environment, thus decreasing the risk of violence within the home and beyond. Empowering parents is essential at the individual, family, group, and community levels.
Interdependence between the social worker, the parents, and the child should be upheld. The social worker remains part of the profession without advancing privilege.
By offering parent empowerment programmes, service providers can improve the management of stress within the family which may lead to violence; enhance the quality of the interaction between parents and their children; and positively influence the social environment of families. If parents become empowered, relationships within the family improve. This may lead to a decrease in violence against women and children.
* Dr Cornelissen-Nordien and Dr Strydom are academics in the Department of Social Work at Stellenbosch University. This article is based, in part, on their chapter “Mitigating Family and Gender-Based Violence Through Parent Empowerment: A South African Perspective”, in “Family and Gendered Violence and Conflict” (2024).
Cape Times
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