Forensic social work
Forensic social work is an application of social behavioural science to questions and issues relating to law and legal systems. This speciality goes far beyond clinics and psychiatric hospitals for criminal defendants being evaluated and treated on issues of competency and responsibility. It can be otherwise defined as a social science practice that relates to legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil. Also falling under this definition is child custody issues involving separation, divorce, neglect and termination of parental rights; the assessment and implications of abuse; juvenile and adult justice systems and mandated treatment.
Forensic or psycholegal assessment in:
Family law matters
- I am called upon to assess divorcing parents and their children so to focus on relevant considerations with regards to contact and care arrangements
Sexual offences
- evaluations of child sexual abuse allegation
- assisting with the process of reporting abuse to the authorities
- assessment of victims and providing expert testimony to courts regarding the short- and long-term psychological and emotional effects of the sexual crime
- preparation of child or adult victims for testimony in courts for sexual offences
- addressing the court on the appropriate way in which the victim should give testimony
Child care or children's court matters
- assessment of development, care and exposure of children when asked by indiviuals or children's rights organizations
- presenting recommendations regarding care and protection, that are in the child's best interest
The criminal setting
- assisting the presiding officer of the court with sentencing options, based on an equally proportioned view of the profile of the accused, versus the interest of and emergent risk for the community, versus the criminal liability.
