THE ROLE OF SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONAL IN SOCIAL SUPPORT FOR FEMALE IMMIGRANT RAPE VICTIMS: A CASE STUDY OF FINLAND

Abstract

ABSTRACT Flavian Sine The role of social service professional in social support for female immigrant rape victims: A case study of Finland 45pages, 1 appendix Published (January, 2019) Diaconia University of Applied Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Social Services Bachelor of Social Services Violence against women is a significant and internationally recognized human rights issue and Finland ranks second in number of gender-based violence offences within the European Union. Immigrant women are more susceptible to violence for several of reasons, hence the need for specialized support services. The responsibility of social service professionals in this case is one that requires emotional intelligence, empathy as well as attention to ethical issues. Therefore, the study aims to examine the role of social service professional in helping the victims of sexual violence in Fin- land. The research will also highlight the social support services available to the victims of sexual violence, and how to improve access to those services. It is a qualitative research carried out with thematic analysis of social service professional experts from shelter houses in the Helsinki region and secondary data from relevant literature. Data was collected by face-to-face interview from a group of five social service professionals and one individual interview. The findings of the study indicate that the professionals provide frontline support and social assistance to aid victims of sexual violence cope with their crisis; they also act as social justice crusaders and change agents of women emancipation. The result of the findings further shows the ethical issues involved in providing social support for the victims as well as the factors that limits the role of the professionals in the execution of their duties. Attempts will be made at the end of the study to highlight further ways of improving access to social support, and the support services rendered to female migrant sexual violence victims in Finland. Key Words: Sexual Violence, Social Support, Migrant, Social Service Professional, Sexual violence victim.