03/07/2025
The Care2Kids Family & Child Forensic Unit, led by Prof. Cornelia Wessels, offers expert evidence-based assessments and therapy for children and parents in both civil and criminal court cases.
Our services include:
ā¢ Forensic Assessments: Specialised assessments for children in cases of suspected abuse.
ā¢ Expert Testimony: Professional evidence presented in court.
ā¢ Trauma Therapy: Support for children affected by abuse.
ā¢ Parenting Plans: Customised plans for parental responsibilities.
ā¢ Mediation Services: Helping families reach agreements.
ā¢ Psychotherapy: Supporting children facing emotional distress and other challenges due to abuse or divorce.
ā¢ Mulit-disciplinary Team: Mulit-disciplinary team assessments and support delivered by clinical and counselling psychologist, speech-language therapist, audiologists, forensic social workers and associate health care professionals.
The Forensic Unit is a specialised unit within Care2Kids, with the commitment to provide specialised evidence-based assessments and therapy to children and parents where the primary client is the court. In some civil court cases (divorce) the multi-disciplinary team for Care2Kids also form part of the assessment.
These pioneering forensic services is a first for the NWU and contribute to the specialised services that Care2Kids already render in the NWU Centre for Health and Human Performance a:
1. Divorce services
ā¢ All families, parents and children going through divorce suffer emotionally and need emotional support and constructive coping strategies to deal with their loss and or trauma.
ā¢ Therapy in the form of divorce care for all the relevant parties and children involved could prevent unresolved issues and the development of suppressed emotions. If not resolved the latter could have a negative impact on children's overall functioning and development (including academic, emotional, social and ultimately relationships).
ā¢ The importance of psychotherapy, parental guidance for divorce cases is emphasized and it will be of significance to take neurodiverse conditions into consideration.
2. Sexual abuse
ā¢ The growing need for forensic assessments of children underscores the importance of establishing a comprehensive, centralised service that prioritises the best interests of the child. In the South African social work landscape, child assessment services predominantly adopt a psychosocial perspective.
ā¢ Incorporating multidisciplinary professionals will enhance the process. One of the main reasons for specifically child sexual abuse cases not ending in successful prosecution is due to a lack of evidence and credible witness.
This was the main reason for developing a forensic social work model using evidence-based protocols and tools accepted by both criminal and civil counts in South Africa.
ā¢ Notably, the forensic unit will play a crucial role within the Care 2Kids team by collaborating closely with the justice system, including courts, public prosecutors, and legal professionals who often refer their clients to the unit for specialised forensic assessments. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive and coordinated response to cases of childhood sexual abuse, ultimately striving to uphold the rights and well-being of vulnerable children within the legal system.
ā¢ Many boundaries are being compromised in the event of sexual abuse which may lead to dysfunctional psychological functioning and probable negative long-term effects on emotional and social functioning. Thus, before the court case the victim might need trauma debriefing and after the court case psychotherapy will be necessary to focus on the emotional well-being of the abused child to minimise dysfunctional behaviour in adulthood.
Contact Prof Cornelia Wessels at corneliacwessels@gmail.com or 082-469-0066 for more details or to schedule an appointment.
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The North-West University (NWU) has launched a ground-breaking Family and Child Forensic Unit (FCFU) within the Centre of Health and Human Performanceās Care...
