Caring for those who are left behind: Social workers care for children affected by femicides

The research focussed on the professionals who care for children orphaned as a result of femicide. Caring for these children means acting swiftly and deliberately, but it also means putting oneself in a position of great vulnerability, with exposure to criticism and error, the results of which could further harm the lives of the children involved and their network. Given the lack of specific training on the subject and the growing number of cases, we considered it essential to investigate how the social workers responsible for caring for children in vulnerable situations dealt with this specific case and what they feel they need to work in the children’s best interests. Six social workers agreed to participate in the research and the be interviewed. All interviews were recorded and subsequently transcribed to then be analysed through a thematic content analysis. The interviewees’ answers reveal the perspective and experiences of social workers who deal with minors orphaned as a result of femicide. The results underline the widespread deep trauma experienced by the social workers themselves and a lack of appropriate tools to reach effective goals.