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Submission information
Submission Number: 51
Submission ID: 805
Submission UUID: 7b621cc9-9b89-4cb7-bc61-e52fafaf0ec9
Submission URI: /2025/abstracts
Created: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 09:07
Completed: Wed, 04/23/2025 - 09:34
Changed: Thu, 05/29/2025 - 18:34
Remote IP address: 163.200.79.25
Submitted by: Anonymous
Language: English
Is draft: No
Current page: Complete
Webform: Abstract
Presenters
Dr.
Erlank
Elizabeth
Unisa
Dr. E C Erlank has been a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work at UNISA since 2017. She teaches undergraduate and postgraduate modules, supervises research, and contributes to curriculum development. Her research focuses on integrated social service delivery, community work, trauma, substance use disorders, and counselling. She leads a community engagement project supporting children in CYCCs and actively publishes in accredited journals. Dr. Erlank also serves on various departmental committees and is an external examiner for research in social work.
Yes
Ms.
MALAN-LEBONA
VERONICA
UNISA
Veronica is a qualified social worker currently serving in the Department of Social Work at the University of South Africa. In her role, she works closely with the Chair of the Department (COD) as a personal assistant, providing essential administrative and secretarial support to academic and administrative staff. In addition, she plays a key role in offering student support services within the department. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Veronica is actively involved in faith-based community initiatives, focusing on supporting vulnerable populations such as the needy, destitute, and elderly. Her work also provides holistic family support within these communities, reflecting her deep commitment to social justice and community upliftment.
No
Abstract
AGEING IN FEAR: EXPERIENCES OF OLDER PERSONS LIVING IN A HIGH-CRIME AND VIOLENT COMMUNITY IN SOUTH AFRICA
THEME 3: Policy and Advocacy for Peace building, Environmental and Social Justice
SUB 3.3 Social workers as advocates for environmental rights and sustainability.
Oral Presentation
Policy and advocacy for peacebuilding, environmental, and social justice are critical in promoting safe, equitable communities, particularly for vulnerable populations such as older people. This study highlights how the absence of such advocacy and systemic intervention contributes to the marginalisation and fear experienced by older people living in high-crime areas of South Africa. Focusing on Eersterust, a violence-affected community in the Tshwane region, the study explores the lived experiences of older persons facing pervasive crime and insecurity.
The qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants, using an ecological systems perspective grounded in social justice theory. Data were analysed using Tesch’s (1990) eight-step approach and verified through Guba and Lincoln’s model (Lietz & Zayas, 2010). Findings reveal that older persons endure emotional distress, deteriorating health, and feelings of disrespect and abandonment, exacerbated by limited access to support systems and a perceived lack of government and community intervention.
These findings underscore the urgent need for robust policy and advocacy efforts that address the emotional trauma, health deterioration, social isolation, and lack of institutional support experienced by older persons—by prioritising peacebuilding strategies to reduce community violence and promoting social justice through improved access to mental health services, social work intervention, and coordinated stakeholder engagement. The lack of coordinated stakeholder involvement reflects a broader systemic neglect that policy interventions must urgently address. In response to these gaps, participants have developed coping strategies, such as avoidance, self-protective behaviours, and community safety networks, highlighting the resilience of older persons and the need for formalised support structures.
The research study calls for enhanced mental health and emotional support, improved access to social work services, and stronger coordination among governmental and community stakeholders to promote ageing in place in violent environments.
The qualitative research employed semi-structured interviews with ten purposively selected participants, using an ecological systems perspective grounded in social justice theory. Data were analysed using Tesch’s (1990) eight-step approach and verified through Guba and Lincoln’s model (Lietz & Zayas, 2010). Findings reveal that older persons endure emotional distress, deteriorating health, and feelings of disrespect and abandonment, exacerbated by limited access to support systems and a perceived lack of government and community intervention.
These findings underscore the urgent need for robust policy and advocacy efforts that address the emotional trauma, health deterioration, social isolation, and lack of institutional support experienced by older persons—by prioritising peacebuilding strategies to reduce community violence and promoting social justice through improved access to mental health services, social work intervention, and coordinated stakeholder engagement. The lack of coordinated stakeholder involvement reflects a broader systemic neglect that policy interventions must urgently address. In response to these gaps, participants have developed coping strategies, such as avoidance, self-protective behaviours, and community safety networks, highlighting the resilience of older persons and the need for formalised support structures.
The research study calls for enhanced mental health and emotional support, improved access to social work services, and stronger coordination among governmental and community stakeholders to promote ageing in place in violent environments.
Reviewer ONE Feedback
DR
SANDILE
DHLUDHLU
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted
Reviewer TWO Feedback
Dr
Nthabiseng
Latakgomo
Yes
Empirical Research
Accepted