MIRROR YOURSELF FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING AND SELF-ACCEPTANCE – CHILD SEX OFFENDERS

By Sello Tang

• The Department of Social Development has launched a three-day training programme aimed at rehabilitating child sex offenders.
• The “In the Mirror” initiative, taking place in Pretoria this week, equips social workers with the tools to address the complex psychological factors that drive these crimes.
• By focusing on issues such as self-image and emotional development, the programme aims to reduce reoffending rates and create safer communities.

The Department of Social Development’s Social Crime Prevention Directorate today commenced a three-day Master Trainer Workshop on the “In the Mirror Therapeutic Programme – Sexual Offender’s Programme for Children.” This important initiative, taking place from 19 to 21 August 2024 at the Premier Hotel in Pretoria, brings together participants from four provinces: Limpopo, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga.

The key goal of the “In the Mirror” programme is to help child sexual offenders refrain from committing further sexual offenses. The programme is designed to confront and address harmful behavior patterns exhibited by these offenders, which often include distorted thinking, victim-blaming, denial of responsibility, and minimizing the harm they cause. Through targeted interventions, the programme aims to reshape these destructive attitudes, foster behavioral change, and equip participants with the skills necessary to identify and manage high-risk situations in the future.

The training workshop underscores the Department’s commitment to empowering social workers with the knowledge and tools to tackle these complex challenges, ultimately contributing to safer communities across South Africa.

Speaking on the challenges of working with child sexual offenders, Mr. Ernest Nnyawedzeni Nemutunde, Social Work Policy Manager from Limpopo Province, highlighted the discomfort social workers often face.

 “As social workers, there are aspects of dealing with child sexual offenders that make us uncomfortable, such as addressing their poor self-image and physical appearance. However, we need to encourage children to accept and appreciate themselves as they are. Helping them focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses can be crucial in improving their self-image,” he said.

Ms. Linda Makhathini, Social Work Policy Manager for the Directorate of Families and Social Crime Prevention, emphasized the importance of addressing the emotional and cognitive development of children, particularly boys.

“Children must learn about their bodies, sexuality, cognitive sense, and emotions. This knowledge could help instil a sense of positive masculinity in boys, which may reduce their likelihood of engaging in harmful behaviours,” she noted.

Adding to the discussion, Mr. Muntuwenkosi Sibisi, Social Work Policy Developer from Gauteng Province, stressed how teasing and bullying about physical appearance can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and anger in these children.

 “Children who are constantly ridiculed for their looks may develop an inferiority complex, and this anger can later manifest in harmful ways when triggered by similar remarks,” he explained.

The workshop serves as part of the Department’s broader effort to align with the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030, which recognizes the complexity of crime and calls for a comprehensive approach to ensuring safety and security. At the heart of this strategy is the principle of placing individuals and communities at the centre of crime prevention efforts, with a focus on transforming offenders into productive and law-abiding citizens.