https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/14525 Fri, 19 Jun 2026 16:00:18 GMT 2026-06-19T16:00:18Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32627 Community perspectives on sex offenders' reintegration into the community Bulela, Ntlahla Sexual offences are one of the major criminal offences that affect communities globally. They affect not only the victims’ families but also the community at large. After serving a prison sentence, sex offenders are reintegrated back into the same communities from which they came. Government encourages communities to give offenders a second chance and to provide the support they need. The aim of this study was to explore the community perspectives on sex offenders’ reintegration into the community. The theoretical framework used in this study was the ecological systems approach. In employing the qualitative research approach an interpretivism paradigm was used. This encompassed explorative, descriptive and contextual designs to explore, describe and contextualise the community perspectives on sex offenders’ reintegration into the community. The research population consisted of community members based in Mamelodi Township, Pretoria. The sample of participants was selected in utilising purposive sampling. Semi structured interviews, guided by an interview guide with open-ended questions, were used to collect the data. The data were analysed using Tesch’s steps. The verification of data was conducted using Guba and Lincoln’s model and the four aspects of trustworthiness identified by them were applied. In conducting the research, the researcher adhered to the ethical considerations outlined by the University. The study adds to existing discussions on community perspectives regarding sex offender reintegration within the South African context. The findings revealed that community views on the reintegration of sex offenders are mixed, emotional, fearful, and stigmatised. Although some recognised that offenders deserve rehabilitation and second chances, concerns were raised about community safety, lack of information, and insufficient support for successful reintegration. The study also revealed that social workers play a critical role in mediating between offenders, victims, and communities by providing education, psychosocial support, and community meetings, highlighting the importance of enhancing community-based interventions and collaborative reintegration efforts. Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32627 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32528 Challenges and coping strategies of male adolescents in Waterberg District child and youth care centres Maela, Lebo Ignitius Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) play a critical role in safeguarding and supporting vulnerable children, yet adolescents in these centres often face complex challenges adapting to institutional life. This study explored the challenges experienced by male adolescents residing in CYCCs and examined their coping strategies, alongside the roles of Child and Youth Care Workers (CYCWs) in supporting these adolescents. The research was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory and Lazarus and Folkman’s Transactional Model of Stress and Coping, which provided a framework for understanding how environmental and individual factors interact to shape adolescent experiences in residential care. A qualitative phenomenological approach, complemented by exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research designs, was employed. The study was conducted in CYCCs in the Waterberg District Municipality, Limpopo Province, involving nine male adolescents aged 13–18 and seven CYCWs selected through purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed using the seven-phase qualitative analysis process outlined by Lochmiller and Lester (2017). Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, while ethical standards such as informed consent, confidentiality, and minimisation of harm were strictly maintained. The findings revealed that male adolescents in CYCCs face multifaceted challenges. Key issues included identity and belonging, with adolescents struggling to navigate cultural identity and social isolation; family separation, which led to feelings of abandonment; and emotional and psychological difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem, often linked to unresolved trauma. Institutional experiences were varied, with some adolescents benefiting from structure and support, while others felt constrained by rules. Coping strategies ranged from adaptive mechanisms, such as self-reflection, behavioural adjustment, and seeking peer or caregiver support, to maladaptive strategies, including withdrawal and substance use. CYCWs played a critical role in facilitating coping and resilience, though they require adequate training and resources to effectively meet adolescents’ complex needs. Overall, the study highlighted the importance of trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, and holistic support systems that integrate emotional, social, and educational interventions. The findings provided practical insights for improving care practices, guiding policy, and informing future research, ultimately aiming to enhance the well-being, resilience, and development of male adolescents in residential care.; Tisenthara ta Nhlayiso wa Vana na Vantshwa (tiCYCC) ti tirha ntirho wa nkoka swonghasi emisaveni hinkwayo eka ku sirhelela na ku seketela vana lava nga sirhelelekangiki. Hambiswiritano, vakondlo-a-ndzi-dyi kotala va langutana na ku tikeriwa ko tivikana eka ku tifambelanisa na mbangu lowu. Ndzavisiso lowu wu lavisisile mitlhontlho leyi fanaka yi ri yoxe leyi tokotiwaka hi vaxinuna va vakondlo-a-ndzi-dyi lava tshamaka eka tiCYCC naswona wu kamberile tindlela ta vona to kondzelela endzeni ka ndhawu leyi. Rimba ra ntivontokoto wa mpimarisima ri amukeriwile, ri tatisiwa hi mitivomaendlelo yo valanga, yo hlamusela hi vutalo, na ya mbangu. Ndzavisiso lowu wu kongomise eka vakondlo-a-ndzi-dyi va 12–18 wa malembe hi vukhale na Vatirhi va le ka Nhlayiso wa Vana na Vantshwa (tiCYCW) eka tiCYCC leti kumekaka eka Masipala wa Xifundzatsongo wa Waterberg. Masampulelo lama nga na xikongomelo ya tirhisiwile ku hlawula vatekaxiave, ku tiyisisa mfambelano na swikongomelotsongo swa ndzavisiso lowu. Mihlokohliso leyi nga na xivumbekohafu yi endliwile ku hlengeleta switiviwa, leswi endzhaku ka swona swi xopaxopiweke hi ku tirhisa endlelo ra nxopaxopo wa mpimarisima wa swiyimo swa nkombo, leri katskanyiweke hi Lochmiller na Lester (2017). Tiphurosese ta ntiyisiso wa vuenti ti tirhisiwile ku tiyisisa vutshembeki bya switiviwa, vutiyisiseki, vuhundziseleki, na vutshemberi. Mipimo ya matikhomelonene yi landzeleriwile hi ndlela ya vurhonwana, leyi katsaka mpfumelelo u ri na vutivi, xihundla, ku hungutiwa ka ku vaviseka, na ku rhangisiwa emahlweni ka nhlayiseko wa vatekaxiave. Hi ku tlakusa marito ya vaxinuna va vakondlo-a-ndzi-dyi lava nga eka tiCYCC, ndzavisiso lowu wu tirhana na vangwa leri vonaka eka matsalwa lama nga kona naswona wu hoxa xandla eka ntwisiso wo enta wa mitokoto ya vona leyi hanyiweke; Disenthara tša Tlhokomelo ya Bana le Baswa (di-CYCC) di šoma mošomo wo bohlokwa lefaseng ka bophara go šireletša le go thekga bana bao ba lego kotsing. Le ge go le bjalo, batšwamahlalagading gantši ba lebeletšana le mathata a magolo a gore ba ka tlwaela tikologo ye. Nyakišišo ye e nyakišišitše ditlhohlo tša moswananoši tšeo di itemogetšwego ke batšwamahlalagading ba e lego banna bao ba dulago ka gare ga di-CYCC le go hlahloba mekgwa ya bona ya go lebeletšana le maemo ka gare ga lefelo le. Foreimiweke ya ponagalo ya khwalithethifi e amogetšwe, ya tlaleletšwa ka mekgwa ya go nyakišiša, ya tlhalošo le ya diteng. Dinyakišišo di be di lebeletše kudu baswa ba mengwaga ye 12–18 le Bašomi ba Tlhokomelo ya Bana le Baswa (di-CYCW) ka gare ga di-CYCC tšeo di lego Mmasepaleng wa Selete sa Waterberg. Go šomišitšwe sampole ya ka morero go kgetha bakgathatema, go kgonthiša gore go be le tshepetšano le maikemišetšo a nyakišišo. Dipoledišano peakanyo-seripa di dirilwe go kgoboketša datha, tšeo ka morago di sekasekilwego ka go šomiša mokgwa wa tshekatsheko ya khwalithethifi wa dikgato tše šupa, bjalo ka ge o hlalošitšwe ke Lochmiller le Lester (2017). Ditshepetšo tše di tiilego tša kgonthišo di šomišitšwe go kgonthiša gore datha ke ye e botegago, tiišetšegago, fetišetšegago, gape ye go ka ithekgwago ka yona. Maemo a boitshwaro a latetšwe ka botlalo, a akaretša tumelelo ka tsebo, sephiri, phokotšo ya kotsi le ketišopele ya boiketlo bja bakgathatema. Ka go godiša mantšu a batšwamahlalagading ba e lego banna ka gare ga di-CYCC, nyakišišo ye e rarolla sekgoba se se lemogegago ka dingwalong tše di lego gona gape e tlaleletša kwešišong ye e tseneletšego ya maitemogelo a bona ao ba a phetšego Abstract in English with Venda and Sepedi translations Sat, 01 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32528 2025-11-01T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32524 The experiences of social workers working with the youth abusing illegal chemical substances Khampepe (nee Bantsho), Oratile Illegal chemical substance use is not a mere societal issue but a global one, and it is a battle to eliminate it from the government level to service provides on the lower ground. This study was undertaken to explore the experiences of social workers when working with youth who use illegal substances. Its aim was to provide light to the youth, the community at large as well as the employer on what social workers go through to help the youth on personal and professional aspects. The study was conducted with a total of 15 social workers employed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) from both the Vereeniging and Sebokeng office and the South African National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependency (SANCA), in Vanderbijlpark office. The mentioned organisations are all in the Vaal Triangle area, in Gauteng province. A qualitative research method was undertaken to collect data through semi-structured interviews. Data collected was analysed thematically. The researcher aims to make a positive contribution to the shortage of available literature regarding the chosen topic by providing knowledge to upcoming social workers regarding the realities of serving the youth abusing drugs. Furthermore, to equip the employer with information on what social workers go through in their line of work to fight the use of illegal chemical substances in the country. Ethical considerations were adhered to by the researcher throughout this study. Amongst others put into practice were informed consent, voluntary participation, anonymity, and respect for persons. The findings of the study revealed that participants have low morale for their work due to lack of motivated clients, relapse rate and the fight against substance use being an evolving pandemic. Furthermore, it was found that social workers lacked resources and are demotivated with their profession due to low income paid. Conclusions and recommendations were made about the experiences of social workers regarding what was gathered from the interviews conducted. Sun, 28 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32524 2024-04-28T00:00:00Z https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32472 Youth marijuana misuse and social workers’ perspectives on effective service delivery in Mbabane and Manzini Eswatini (Swaziland) : Guidelines for social work practice Tabi, Felicity Besong Marijuana misuse among youths is of global concern and, the increased levels of marijuana misuse among youths have raised concerns for health and clinical practice due to youths’ neurodevelopmental vulnerability, causing researchers to concentrate on this age group. In Eswatini, the phenomenon of marijuana misuse is very prevalent among youths, necessitating effective social work services. However, there is lack, need and a death of guidelines for social work practice with youths misusing marijuana. Such guidelines will allow social workers to help youths misusing marijuana through a variety of intervention. The study’s main purpose was to explore the experiences of youths misusing marijuana and social workers perspectives on effective service delivery within Mbabane in the Hhohho and Manzini in the Manzini regions of Eswatini (Swaziland). The qualitative research study aimed to generate contextually valid empirical evidence to inform guidelines for social work practice. The population groups for this study included youths who misuse marijuana and practicing social workers within the Mbabane and Manzini regions of Eswatini. The study’s target population included youths who have been misusing marijuana for 2 to 10 years and social workers who have experience working with these youths. Participants were selected through non-probability sampling techniques, with the assistance of gate keepers, specifically support group leaders who collaborated with the National Psychiatric Referral Hospital in Manzini. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 youths misusing marijuana and 5 experienced social workers. Data was analysed through the qualitative data analysis process. Based on the findings, guidelines for social work practice are provided together. Conclusions highlighted the need for guidelines for social work practice to enhance intervention strategies while recommendations provided for continuous professional development for social workers to deal with the phenomenon as well as the need for policy reviews towards positive mitigation of the phenomenon. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT https://ir.unisa.ac.za/handle/10500/32472 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z