Power as a Conceptual and Analytical Devise in Child and Family Social Work – a case study of Child Sexual Abuse

Objectives:This paper seeks to provides a critical discussion on the importance of power as a conceptual and analytical devise in child and family social work and specifically in the assessment of adult disclosures of... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives:

This paper seeks to provides a critical discussion on the importance of power as a conceptual and analytical devise in child and family social work and specifically in the assessment of adult disclosures of childhood sexual abuse. Its intention is to show the value of the use of power as a conceptual and analytical devise to inform understanding of, and practice in, response to Child Sexual Abuse (CSA).

Methods:

This paper is part of a wider study concerned with adult’s experiences of disclosing CSA to child protection social work services in the Republic of Ireland based on policy analysis and narrative methods. The paper uses early findings from this study for illustrative and analytical purposes to consider how the concept of power can inform understanding of, and practice in, response to CSA. A specific analytical framework was designed to frame this analysis.

Results:

Using a framework of ‘power to, power over, power of and power with’ the paper demonstrates that a deeper understanding of power, between victim and survivor, social worker and adult and at a macro-societal level, becomes crucial. Through use of early findings from a study of adult’s experiences of disclosing CSA the paper demonstrates how these effects impact on the balance of power, implicit and explicit, when adults come forward to disclose experiences of CSA. The paper presents how a knowledge of power and how it mediates, is crucial for social work practitioners, and related professions, who engage with those affected by CSA.

Conclusion:

This paper argues that a critical understanding of power and power relations is essential for social work practitioners, in the field of CSA and elsewhere, and offers some suggestions as to how the presented framework could be further developed as a critical reflective tool for social work practitioners.