The ‘Child, Justice, and Social Work’ seminar was held by the Vocational School of Health Services. Moderated by Lecturer Ezgi Tesir, head of the Child Protection and Care Services program at Üsküdar University SHMYO, the seminar, which hosted Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, head of the Social Work Department at Üsküdar University's Faculty of Health Sciences, was met with great interest by students. In the seminar, Barış defined the concept of justice with Mevlana’s words: “Justice is placing something in its rightful place; injustice is placing it where it does not belong.”
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış: “Depriving children of their freedom is a last resort”
In the event held at the Emir Nebi Conference Hall, Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış, head of the Social Work Department at the Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasized that children do not have the concepts of permissible-forbidden (halal-haram) or right-wrong, and pointed out that children have become a symbol of love in the world. Barış said; “It is not fair to punish children and adults in the same way, in the same category, just because they committed the same crime or did it together. Children do not have the concepts of permissible-forbidden or right-wrong. Depriving children of their freedom is a last resort.”
“In terms of vocational training, our guidance counselors in schools are not as successful as social workers”
Prof. Dr. İsmail Barış underlined the necessity of school social work practice. Barış said; “School social work practice exists but is not implemented. In 1984 or an earlier period, Ankara Gazi High School wrote a letter to a social services vocational school. I would like to state that this high school still exists today. Ankara Gazi High School stated, 'We want to implement a social service practice to help our students prepare for a better life and learn their personal rights. Please assign suitable individuals for this,' the letter read. There is still no answer, no response to the letter. In terms of vocational training, our guidance counselors in schools are not as successful as social workers in interpreting a child's guilt, sadness, happiness, or failure. Social service professionals examine not only the children themselves but also the factors that push children into crime or make them victims, even scrutinizing their friends at school, their family, their father's frequented tavern, their mother's workplace hospital, and even the income entering the home.”
The seminar concluded after students’ questions were answered.
Reporter: Eda Nur Keçeci / ÜHA
Photo: Sevde Korkut / ÜHA
Photo: Elifnur Öztürk / ÜHA