Taking a stand against acts of violence

The Department of Social Work and Criminology strongly condemns the appalling acts of violence that occurred internationally and locally in recent weeks. As stated by the Head of Department, Prof Antoinette Lombard, the Department is against any form of violence and supports dialogue and respect for human dignity and diversity.

The current acts of extreme violence against foreign persons living in South Africa militate against the principles and values of Social Work. The profession remains committed to the dignity and worth of all people and respect for diversity, and strives to promote the well-being of individuals, groups and communities. The theme for World Social Work Day 2015 focuses on human worth and dignity. Our Department celebrated the day in a number of ways, including a seminar in which Prof Lombard addressed the issue of human worth and dignity in her opening speech.

There is a global call to speak out against all forms of violence and for respect towards all people. The Department supports the statements against violence by the University of Pretoria and the Faculty of Humanities. We also support the social work students at the University of KwaZulu Natal, who have drawn up a petition to show solidarity with the people in Kenya and unite against the inhumane acts of violence at the Garissa University College.