Abstract
A large number of children worldwide are detained. Social workers are rendering services to these children with the aim of rehabilitating them and reducing recidivism. This study aimed to identify the challenges experienced by social welfare officers in the rehabilitation of child offenders in Zambia. It seemed most of the challenges were experienced because of a lack of resources relating to people power, capacity building, trained social workers and facilities. For Zambia to curb the challenges experienced, the custodians of the child justice programmes should strengthen their resources.
Highlights
Children make up about a third of the world population
The aim of the study was to explore the challenges experienced by social welfare officers in the rehabilitation of child offenders, as it was established that there is a lack of research in Zambia with regard to this issue
Despite the government of Zambia having gazetted some social welfare officers from other social science professions, a little more than 50% who are working with child offenders are still trained social workers
Summary
Children make up about a third of the world population. Africa alone accounts for the highest percentage of children in the world (Mumba, 2011). Normative standards (laws, culture and religion) may shape and direct the way members of a community will choose to protect their children, and these choices will affect the very nature of their childhood (Wulczyn, Davo, Fluke, Feldman, Glodek & Lifanda, 2010). This means that the normative standards in each society should have the best interests of the child as the guiding principle at all times. The harsh reality has been established that worldwide, at any given time, over one million children are detained by law enforcement bodies (UNICEF, 2008). Justice for children goes beyond juvenile justice – that is, working with children in conflict with the law – to include all children going through the justice system for whatever reason (victims, witnesses, care, custody and alleged offenders (UNICEF, 2008)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
