Evaluating the Social Work Services within the Victim Empowerment Programme in addressing gender-based violence in the North West Province

Abstract

Gender-based violence is one of the major social problems that affects the quality of life and social functioning of many people, including women and girls globally. It contributes negatively to the physical, social, emotional and psychological well-being of any individual. While research on gender-based violence against women is documented, the scarcity of evaluation research focusing on social work interventions and programmes in rendering services to victims of GBV in South Africa is sparse. This study undertook an evaluation and the recommendations to address this gap in knowledge and inform policy, practice and research were developed based on the study findings. Drawing from the sequential explanatory research design of the mixed-method approach, this study sought to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the implementation of the Victim Empowerment Programme in addressing GBV. Quantitative data were collected using a structured group questionnaire while qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews with key informants and individual interviews with victims. Quantitative data were collected from a clustered sample of 242 social workers and qualitative data from a purposive and convenience sample of 7 social workers and 5 women victims. The quantitative data were analysed using SPSS (version 11) while qualitative data were manually coded and analysed into thematic patterns. The study concluded that a paucity of knowledge about victim empowerment services that address GBV against women among social workers leads to inconsistencies in service delivery. Social workers have limited knowledge on pieces of legislation governing VEP. The study found that VEP plays a significant role in helping victims heal and recover from the trauma experienced due to GBV. Victim empowerment services enable women to develop mastery and control which leads to confidence, restored self-esteem and healing. The VEP lacks indicators that guide social workers to assess the effectiveness of their services. Findings also indicate that social workers need to adopt a more comprehensive empowerment approach that responds to the total well-being of an

individual. The study develops an intervention model for social workers to effectively address GBV and empower victims.