Department of Social Work
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Browsing Department of Social Work by Subject "Abusive men -- Rehabilitation -- South Africa -- Western Cape"
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- ItemThe perceptions and experience of male farm workers of the effects of a transpersonal social work intervention in addressing domestic violence(Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch, 2010-03) Brophy, Fiona C.; Green, S.; University of Stellenbosch. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Social Work.ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an attempt to gain a deeper understanding, from the perspective and experience of male farm workers, of the effects of a transpersonal social work counselling intervention, on a wine farm in the Western Cape, in promoting more socially functional behaviour and reducing violent behaviour, particularly towards their intimate partners. Domestic violence was found by Parenzee and Smythe (2003:47) of the Institute of Criminality to be “pervasive within farming communities” and that responses are less than adequate, no preventative services were being offered and the only structured interventions that were in place, were aimed at improving the livelihoods of women. There is a growing awareness that addressing the high and increasing levels of violence against women in South Africa needs to incorporate working directly with men as recommended, after local studies, by Sonke Gender Justice Network (2009), Boonzaier (2005), Londt (2004) and Abrahams, Jewkes and Laubsher (1999). A recent study concerning the legacy of dependency and powerlessness experienced by farm workers on wine farms in the Western Cape by Falletisch (2008:v) found there to be a need for “further research into accessible, appropriate and sustainable intervention strategies on farms that empower labourers and break the cycles of habitual excessive drinking, social violence and hopelessness on farms.” Transpersonal intervention enables human beings to attain a sense of Self and the consequent accessing of their own inner power, and with that the dissipation of the compulsion to hurt, control or abuse others and themselves says Hollis (1994) and France (2008). Circumstances that are oppressive, disempowering and poverty inducing, as experienced by a large majority of farm labour in South Africa, may be inhibiting to, but should not preclude, self realisation. The researcher, a social work practitioner in private practice on a wine farm in the Western Cape, applied this approach in a counselling intervention with male farm workers, to enable them to, not only reach their own self-defined goals, but also to reduce abusive behaviour such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence. The effects of the intervention from the perspectives of the men as well as their female partners, was explored in order to determine the effectiveness of the intervention, particularly, in reducing intimate partner violence. The goal of the study was thus to gain a deeper understanding, from the perspective and experience of male farm workers, of the effects of a transpersonal social work intervention in promoting more socially functional behaviour and reducing violent behaviour, particularly towards their intimate partners. There is a dearth of services, particularly addressing male workers on farms says Shabodien (2005) and it is hoped that this study may evaluate the effectiveness and potential for further application in practice amongst farm worker communities in South Africa.