Catherine's Reflection on FSW

Looking back at my personal reflections over the semester, from where I was at the beginning of the semester until now, I have grown in the areas of awareness of ethics and the influence of diversity and oppression throughout the semester. During week one, I had no knowledge of the areas and populations forensic social worker came in contact with. My only knowledge forensic social work was from an investigative and forensic point of view. Forensic social workers are like generalist social workers, meaning that they play a part in every realm of social work practice. I have grown to know and appreciate this about forensic social work because oppressed populations need every opportunity of advocacy available to them.

One population I did not count in forensic social work is the reentry population. During the week focused on the reentry population, I was surprised to find out they were considered an oppressed population. I had the mindset that they got themselves into this situation, so therefore they can get themselves out. I was not taking into consideration that we as social worker advocate of ALL populations without discrimination. I have learned throughout the semester that I lot of bias and opinions that I need to work out within myself because can truly call myself a social worker. This course has thought not to be closed minded when working with different populations, especially within the legal system. I am grateful I had the opportunity to take this course to learn the different occupations in the social work field.