Guidelines for trauma-sensitive social work forensic assessments

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to formulate guidelines for trauma-sensitive social work forensic assessments by means of a literature review and empirical study. Three objectives were formulated in order to achieve the aim of the study. These objectives were each planned according to three sequential steps. The first objective (step one) was a literature review which identified trauma-causing factors and resulting negative outcomes of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), as well as a conceptual framework: Finkelhor and Browne’s (1985) Traumagenic Dynamics Model, influencing contextual factors (such as child-specific, family-specific, and abuse-specific factors); and theory and principles of a trauma-sensitive approach. In addition, the role and duties of forensic social workers when conducting forensic assessments were highlighted. Due to the sensitive nature of the topic and the vulnerability of the participants, the second objective (step two), an empirical study, employed qualitative secondary analysis (QSA) of an existing data set so as to identify reports of trauma-causing factors and negative outcome related to CSA. The QSA was conducted by using two data sets collected during treatment sessions of the Survivor to Thriver (S2T) collaborative strengths-based group intervention programme for women survivors of CSA. The thematic analysis of this data identified three themes as trauma-causing factors contributing to the child’s degree of trauma experienced, namely: child-specific factors, family-specific factors, and abuse-specific factors. Nine sub-themes were identified in this data set, with this uniquely South African sample contributing to an additional sub-theme of parentification categorised under the main theme of family-specific factors. The themes and subthemes corresponded with the seminal work of Finkelhor and Browne’s (1985) Traumagenic Dynamics Model and influential contextual factors. Objective three (step three) formulated guidelines so as to inform trauma-sensitive social work forensic assessments, which was deduced from the empirical findings (step two) and the literature review (step one). The guidelines were formulated using three principles (recognise, respond, and report) which reflected a trauma-sensitive approach and integrated as well as acknowledged the role and duty of the forensic social worker in South Africa.