In this master’s thesis, I explore the work with victims and perpetrators of violence at the Savinjsko–Šaleška Centre for Social Work in the field of adult protection. The research focuses on the role of social workers, the process of addressing victims and perpetrators, and the legislation relevant to this area of practice. It examines personal and professional challenges faced by social workers, ways of coping with these challenges, approaches to engaging with service users, and differences between voluntary and involuntary involvement in interventions. Furthermore, the study explores key professional competencies, interinstitutional cooperation, psychosocial risks, and factors contributing to their prevention. The theoretical part defines violence, outlines social work with victims and perpetrators, and presents the competencies required for this field. It also discusses approaches to client engagement, the relevant legal framework, interinstitutional cooperation, and psychosocial risks. The research is qualitative and empirical, based on seven interviews with social workers employed in adult protection who have experience working with both victims and perpetrators of violence.
The results show that social workers play a central role in addressing violence, as they are often the first point of contact for victims or perpetrators. In their work with victims, they focus on immediate protection, support in reporting, informing about rights and assistance options, developing safety and support plans, and referring to appropriate services. In work with perpetrators, they emphasize awareness of the consequences of violence, motivation for taking responsibility, and encouragement to join behavioural change programs. Effective practice is based on competencies such as active listening, adaptive communication, reflective dialogue, recognition of behavioural patterns and defence mechanisms, documentation, and a strengths-based approach. Interinstitutional cooperation is essential for comprehensive case management. Preventive efforts include public awareness and professional education programs. Work in this field involves numerous challenges and psychosocial risks, including stress, emotional strain, threats, and overload. Supervision, teamwork, continuous professional development, and protective strategies are key for managing these risks. The legal framework provides guidelines for victim protection and service delivery, although limitations remain, such as lengthy legal procedures, unequal regional service distribution, issues with informal interpretation, and restricted authority.
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