Ethics and Social Work – A South African Perspective

Abstract

The prevalence of violence against South African women and children is reflected in the statement that every girl child born is more likely to be a victim of rape than be enabled to read. More reliable South African data regarding the frequency and scope of sexual violence against females, children, as well as vulnerable groups are now available. The implications are that social workers are placed at the coal face of working with both the victims/survivors, as well as the offenders of sexual violence. The South African code of conduct provides clear descriptions of those values, principles, obligations and rules with which social workers enter their worlds of work and perform their social work tasks. Social workers already possess the very values and commitment to pursue social justice, anti-oppression and recognition of human worth for all their clientele systems. However, some of these values and expectations need to be interrogated through a different lens, to achieve ethical practice and professional integrity of the highest level, when dealing with violent sex offenders.