Dr. Amani Kasherwa is a social work lecturer in the School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work at the University of Queensland (UQ), with expertise in childhood trauma. His primary research focus is on child sexual abuse, particularly among children and families exposed to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in complex humanitarian settings. Amani's work deeply explores the intersection of childhood trauma, including intergenerational trauma and access to support services for children and young people affected by various forms of childhood adversities. He is highly engaged in the fields of critical childhood and youth studies, peacebuilding, family violence, and mental health services.
Amani brings his extensive research, teaching and practice experiences to enrich the learning experiences of undergraduate and postgraduate students at UQ. He received his PhD in Social Work from the University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) in 2024, with a thesis titled "Negotiating Survival Overseas: Exploring the Help-Seeking Processes and Support Patterns of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Survivors in African Communities with Refugee Backgrounds in New South Wales." His research agenda post-PhD focuses on developing culturally safe prevention strategies for children, young people, and families transitioning from refugee settlements and negotiating a new life in high-income countries like Australia, building on the foundation of social work and peacebuilding theories and methods.
Journal Article: Ubuntu-informed approaches for addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV): Scope, rationale, and implications for Social Work
Kasherwa, Amani, Kapalata, Murhula and Twikirize, Janestic Mwende (2024). Ubuntu-informed approaches for addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV): Scope, rationale, and implications for Social Work. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-20. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4753200
Journal Article: The roles and ethics of psychosocial support workers in integrated health services for sexual and gender-based violence survivors
Kasherwa, Amani Clovis, Alexandre, Ali Bitenga, Mugisho, Gilbert Mubalama, Foussiakda, Agino Cecilia and Balegamire, Juvenal Bazilashe (2023). The roles and ethics of psychosocial support workers in integrated health services for sexual and gender-based violence survivors. Journal of Social Work, 23 (3), 586-607. doi: 10.1177/14680173221144551
Journal Article: Interventions addressing ritualistic child sexual abuse in post-conflict Eastern DRC: Reflections on child welfare policy and programming
Kasherwa, Amani C. and Twikirize, Janestic M. (2018). Interventions addressing ritualistic child sexual abuse in post-conflict Eastern DRC: Reflections on child welfare policy and programming. International Social Work, 63 (2), 193-205. doi: 10.1177/0020872818806347
Kasherwa, Amani, Kapalata, Murhula and Twikirize, Janestic Mwende (2024). Ubuntu-informed approaches for addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV): Scope, rationale, and implications for Social Work. SSRN Electronic Journal, 1-20. doi: 10.2139/ssrn.4753200
Kasherwa, Amani Clovis, Alexandre, Ali Bitenga, Mugisho, Gilbert Mubalama, Foussiakda, Agino Cecilia and Balegamire, Juvenal Bazilashe (2023). The roles and ethics of psychosocial support workers in integrated health services for sexual and gender-based violence survivors. Journal of Social Work, 23 (3), 586-607. doi: 10.1177/14680173221144551
Kasherwa, Amani C. and Twikirize, Janestic M. (2018). Interventions addressing ritualistic child sexual abuse in post-conflict Eastern DRC: Reflections on child welfare policy and programming. International Social Work, 63 (2), 193-205. doi: 10.1177/0020872818806347