Competency 2: Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice
Social workers understand that every person regardless of position in society has fundamental human rights. Social workers are knowledgeable about the global intersecting and ongoing injustices throughout history that result in oppression and racism, including social work’s role and response. Social workers critically evaluate the distribution of power and privilege in society in order to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice by reducing inequities and ensuring dignity and respect for all. Social workers advocate for and engage in strategies to eliminate oppressive structural barriers to ensure that social resources, rights, and responsibilities are distributed equitably and that civil, political, economic, social, and cultural human rights are protected.
Social workers:
- advocate for human rights at the individual, family, group, organizational, and community system levels; and
- engage in practices that advance human rights to promote social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Advancing rights and promoting racial, economic and environmental justice involves encouraging inclusive interactions, among diverse communities. It emphasizes the significance of valuing awareness and ensuring treatment for all individuals. Standing up for those who experience injustice and striving for equality are components of this competency. While engaging in these efforts can be fulfilling, social workers may face obstacles such as questioning established norms and addressing biases. This skill motivates me to evaluate my beliefs and biases to uphold fairness in my work. I am dedicated to advancing this skill by supporting individuals affected by racial, economic, and environmental injustices through providing assistance to clients, collaborating with local authorities, and offering guidance during court proceedings. This commitment extends beyond my internship environment into my personal life where I seek to promote the rights of marginalized groups. By taking part in these endeavors, I contribute to the struggle for justice and equality embodying the essence of this skill, in both professional and personal areas.
During the school years I engaged in a variety of activities that helped me develop mastery of this competence. I have completed assignments that have helped me in my development of competency two and have practiced competency two in my practicum setting.
School Work: Literature Review
My literature review paper for my Human Behavior in the Social Environment II class outlined factors contributing to the prevalence of rape culture on college campuses. The paper discussed the need for the development and implementation of sexual assault policies that create a safer campus environment and provide guidelines for reporting allegations of sexual assault. This aligns with the principle of the competency of Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice, as it demonstrates my ability to integrate academic understanding with real life issues in the field. Through this research, I developed a better understanding of the complexities surrounding sexual assault on college campuses. I also gained knowledge about the various factors that contribute to rape culture, such as the acceptance of rape myths, Greek life, and high-risk drinking behaviors. I gained skills in literature review, critical analysis, and using information from various empirical sources. Finally, I incorporated values of social justice, empathy, and advocacy into my research for survivors of sexual assault. I believe this research deepened my understanding of the topic and equipped me with knowledge and skills essential for effective practice in the field of social work and advocacy.
Field: Intake Assessments/Reporting to Law Enforcement
At my internship, I conduct intake assessments with clients who have been sexually assaulted. In these intakes I fill out paperwork, inform the client about the sexual assault exam, explain to them what the rape crisis center can provide them, and address their needs and goals. In my internship, I encountered a client who expressed that they wanted help to report their assault to law enforcement. I called law enforcement and asked if they could send someone down to Partnership to complete the reporting process. Throughout the process, I acted as a physical, mental, and emotional support system for the client. I was there to answer questions that law enforcement had and to make sure that the client’s needs were being met. This situation helped me to develop skills in empathy and communication. I was able to convey information clearly and facilitate the reporting process. I also demonstrated skills in crisis intervention by remaining calm, assessing the situation, and providing my client with the appropriate resources. Finally, I believe that this experience aligns perfectly with the competency of advancing human rights. The client that I encountered had her rights taken from her. The assault was a direct violation of her dignity and her body. Throughout this process I was able to directly advocate for her by contacting law enforcement and assisting her through the challenging reporting process. Through this and other methods, I hope to give this client back her rights and allow her to begin to heal from the horrible crime that was committed against her. I believe that this is the heart of social work: to advocate for those who have been wronged, and cannot–due to challenging circumstances beyond their control–advocate for themselves. This is what I am called to do as a social worker. In my future practice, I will continue to advance human rights, and advocate for social, racial, economic, and environmental justice.
Other Evidences: Community Service with Sleep in Heavenly Peace
I participated in a community service event with Sleep in Heavenly Peace in Chattanooga. Their slogan is “no kid sleeps on the floor in our town.” Together, we worked to deliver fully furnished beds to different families in our community. This event gave me the opportunity to advance human rights and economic justice by providing low income families with an extremely important resource. I was able to see firsthand the immense impact that our work had on these families, which increased my passion for equality and justice. I chose to participate in this event because I am passionate about advocating for human rights, and this event allowed me to directly connect with families in need. It increased my empathy and understanding of the issues that they face. Understanding different perspectives and cultures is crucial to the advancement of human rights. Through interacting with diverse communities, I was able to develop cultural competency which is at the heart of justice.