Browsing by Author "Blankenberg, Cheryl Marion"

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    A coordinated response to bullying of and among children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities within the context of the child protection system
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Blankenberg, Cheryl Marion; Van Der Westhuizen, Marichen
    This study responded to the identified need for research to develop a guideline for a coordinated Child Protection Service (CPS) response to protect children with mild to moderate Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) from bullying. Framed within the bio-ecological systems theory, three research questions guided the study, namely: 1) What is the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 2) What formal and informal systems should be included in a coordinated response to address the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 3) What components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs should be included within the CPS? Guided by these questions, the first aim of the research was to explore and describe the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs. The second aim was to identify formal and informal systems to include in a coordinated response, and the third aim was to identify and operationalise the components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among these children.
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    A coordinated response to bullying of and among children with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities within the context of the child protection system
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Blankenberg, Cheryl Marion; Van Der Westhuizen, Marichen
    This study responded to the identified need for research to develop a guideline for a coordinated Child Protection Service (CPS) response to protect children with mild to moderate Intellectual Disabilities (IDs) from bullying. Framed within the bio-ecological systems theory, three research questions guided the study, namely: 1) What is the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 2) What formal and informal systems should be included in a coordinated response to address the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs? 3) What components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs should be included within the CPS? Guided by these questions, the first aim of the research was to explore and describe the nature of the bullying of and among children with mild to moderate IDs. The second aim was to identify formal and informal systems to include in a coordinated response, and the third aim was to identify and operationalise the components for both preventing and responding effectively to the bullying of and among these children.
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    Evaluating the special sexual offences courts in Cape Town and Wynberg through professional perspectives
    (University of Western Cape, 2020) Blankenberg, Cheryl Marion; Bozalek, Vivienne
    This is an evaluative research study which was undertaken to establish whether the legal reforms, through the establishment of the Special Sexual Offences Courts, have been effective in reducing secondary traumatisation. In attempting to examine this crucial area, I focused specifically on the perceptions of professionals who are involved in child sexual abuse matters in the Special Sexual Offences Courts at Wynberg (Court G) and Cape Town (Court 32). The study employed qualitative research methodology, in the form of individual and group interviews, structured questionnaires and participant observation, to collect data. The respondents included magistrates, prosecutors, both victims support services coordinators within the court system, social workers who work with child abuse matters, Child Protection Unit investigating officers who investigate matters of this nature and attorneys who have defended offenders of child sexual abuse. The results indicate a marked disparity in physical appearance, location and an overall sense of child-friendliness between the two Special Sexual Offences Courts; a need for joint training of inter-disciplinary professionals, and a need for a more effective multidisciplinary team approach to the problem of child sexual abuse. The findings also indicate a need for regular contact between the professionals involved at the two Special Courts to ensure uniformity in terms of service provision, and a need for the restructuring of the job description of the co-ordinator. The findings reported and discussed, suggest that the legal reforms promulgated are but one aspect to the entire area of child protection. The overall success of these legal reforms depends upon the involvement, commitment and development of a common philosophy in child protection by, the medical, social, legal and police service systems. It is hoped that this report will act as a catalyst to urgently address the shortcomings which have been identified by the respondents, and that the recommendations reported will contribute to measures which will result in the development and implementation of effective child protective policies and practices.