INS1502 THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN THE REHABILITATION OF CHILD MOLESTERS.

THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN THE REHABILITATION OF CHILD MOLESTERS by DINA CAROLINA JONKER submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in the subject PENOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: Prof J Kriel NOVEMBER 2011 2 Student number: I declare that: THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONAL SERVICES IN THE REHABILITATION OF CHILD MOLESTERS, is my own work, and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. D.C. JONKER 3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like firstly to thank GOD for the strength and insight to conduct this study. My husband and two children – thank you for all your support and sacrifices because of my studies. Prof Johan Kriel - his support, professional guidance and other perspectives which guided this study. My colleagues at UNISA, Department of Penology, for all their support, valuable inputs and constructive criticism Marlette, for professionally editing this document. My parents and friends, you supported me and when I needed help you were always there for me. The Department of Correctional Services, for permission to talk to their professional therapists. To every social worker who participated in this study. Thank you for your help and guidance in my studies. 4 SUMMARY This report is the result of a literature study and questionnaire which gave insight on the role of Department of Correctional Services in the rehabilitation of child molesters. Correctional Services has adopted a new approach, where offenders need to change their negative behavior and be rehabilitated. Corrections have a societal responsibility towards the community to guide the offender on his rehabilitation path. This study was conducted to give a better understanding of rehabilitation to child molesters. It seems that child molesters will re-offend if they are not included in a thorough treatment programme. The purpose of this research is to determine if the Department of Correctional Services delivers on its legal and social responsibility towards the rehabilitation of child molesters. It is evaluated against international benchmarks. In this study the researcher gathered information on the profile of a child molester, the programmes currently available in Correctional Services, and also the involvement of the community in this process. Corrections cannot work alone, and needs the help of the community and leaders in the community to assist it in this process. Correctional Services faces many challenges in order to succeed in the rehabilitation of offenders. Currently there is a shortage of social workers and psychologists in the Department of Correctional Services, and the Department cannot, therefore, fully succeed in its rehabilitative role. Another aspect is that treatment is voluntary, and offenders can decide if they want to become involved or not. Only if the judge decides that the offender must be included in therapy, can he be forced to do so.