Ethical Issues in Post-Disaster Social Work Practices

Abstract

Disasters are events that can occur acutely and negatively affect the well-being of exposed people and societies. Social work profession and discipline is one of the rare professions and disciplines that can carry out post-disaster practices and do this directly with disaster victims. This article examines ethical issues that may be overlooked in emergency situations, affecting the quality and operability of post-disaster practices. The relationship of the social work profession with the disaster is explained and it is emphasized that social workers are professionals who have important duties in the post-disaster process. Ethical responsibilities determined by the National Association of Social Workers were determined as the framework in this study as they are frequently brought up in the practices of the social work profession and discipline. In this context, discussions have been held regarding the support to be provided to disaster victims and the professional practices to be carried out in the post-disaster situation. Ethical responsibilities, which are very important in terms of protecting human dignity and value, have also been brought to the fore with their practical qualities. This article was written in the inseparable focus of practice and theory, in order to refresh the knowledge of social workers who are/will be working in disaster areas and to provide guidance regarding the values that need to be protected for those service-users.

Afet Sonrası Sosyal Hizmet Uygulamalarında Etik Hususlar

Abstract

Afetler, akut bir şekilde ortaya çıkabilen, maruz kalan insanların ve toplumların iyilik hallerini olumsuz etkileyen olaylardır. Sosyal hizmet meslek ve disiplini, afet sonrası uygulamalar yürütebilen ve bunu afetzedelerle doğrudan yapabilen ender meslek ve disiplinlerden biridir. Bu makale, afet sonrası uygulamaların niteliğini ve işlerliğini etkileyen, acil durumlarda göz ardı edilebilen etik hususları incelemektedir. Sosyal hizmet mesleğinin afetle olan ilişkisi açıklanmış ve sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının afet sonrası süreçte önemli görevlere sahip meslek elemanları oldukları vurgulanmıştır. Amerikan-Ulusal Sosyal Hizmet Uzmanları Derneği tarafından belirlenen etik sorumluluklar, sosyal hizmet meslek ve disiplininin uygulamalarında sıkça gündeme geldiği için bu çalışmada da etik çerçeve olarak belirlenmiştir. Bu çerçevede, afet sonrası durumda, afetzedelere sunulacak destekler ve yürütülecek mesleki uygulamalara ilişkin tartışmalarda bulunulmuştur. İnsanın onur ve değerinin gözetilmesi açısından oldukça önemli olan etik sorumluluklar, uygulamaya ilişkin nitelikleriyle de ön plana çıkarılmıştır. Bu makale, afet alanlarında görev yapan/yapacak sosyal hizmet uzmanlarının sahip oldukları bilgileri tazelemeleri ve hizmet alanlara yönelik korunması gereken değerlere ilişkin rehberlik etmesi amacıyla, uygulama-kuramın birbirinden ayrılmaz odağında kaleme alınmıştır.

Keywords

• afet
• sosyal hizmet
• etik
• afetzede

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