Since 1998 a Government-led communications campaign has been run to address the issue of domestic abuse in Scotland. The main objective of the campaign is to reinforce public opposition to, and condemnation of, domestic abuse as totally unacceptable behaviour. The Office of Chief Researcher commissioned TNS System Three to conduct research to monitor the awareness and effectiveness
Since 1998 a Government-led communications campaign has been run to address the issue of domestic abuse in Scotland. The main objective of the campaign is to reinforce public opposition to, and condemnation of, domestic abuse as totally unacceptable behaviour. The Office of Chief Researcher commissioned TNS System Three to conduct research to monitor the awareness and effectiveness of the campaign. TNS System Three has been conducting this research since the inception of the communications campaign. The TNS System Three omnibus, Scottish Opinion Survey (SOS), was used as the vehicle for data collection. Across Scotland, 1032 adults aged 16 and above were interviewed at this latest (9th) wave, over the period 26th January to 1st February 2006. This document is the full report of this evaluation.
This revised modern slavery guidance provides an overview of modern slavery and the UK framework for tackling it, and provides targeted sections for officers working in different council services to help them understand their specific responsibilities. Modern slavery is an umbrella term encompassing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. The Equality and Human Rights Commission provides the following definitions: slavery is when someone actually owns you, like a piece of property; servitude is similar to slavery - you might live on the person’s premises, work for them and be unable to leave, but they don't own you; forced labour means you are forced to do work that you have not agreed to, under the threat of punishment. The guidance covers: modern slavery - an overview; the UK framework for tackling modern slavery; public health approach to tackling modern slavery; councils' role in tackling modern slavery; coordinating council work and effective partnership working; children and young people and modern slavery; adult services and modern slavery; housing/homelessness services and modern slavery; community safety; regulatory and environmental services; commissioning and public procurement.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This revised modern slavery guidance provides an overview of modern slavery and the UK framework for tackling it, and provides targeted sections for officers working in different council services to help them understand their specific responsibilities. Modern slavery is an umbrella term encompassing slavery, servitude, forced or compulsory labour and human trafficking. The Equality and Human Rights Commission provides the following definitions: slavery is when someone actually owns you, like a piece of property; servitude is similar to slavery - you might live on the person’s premises, work for them and be unable to leave, but they don't own you; forced labour means you are forced to do work that you have not agreed to, under the threat of punishment. The guidance covers: modern slavery - an overview; the UK framework for tackling modern slavery; public health approach to tackling modern slavery; councils' role in tackling modern slavery; coordinating council work and effective partnership working; children and young people and modern slavery; adult services and modern slavery; housing/homelessness services and modern slavery; community safety; regulatory and environmental services; commissioning and public procurement.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
local authorities, modern slavery, human trafficking, abuse;
Community Mental Health Journal, 57(5), 2021, pp.994-999.
Publisher:
Springer
Objective: People with serious mental illnesses are exposed to high rates of verbal abuse. This study examines the impact of such experiences on loneliness and social support, which is hypothesized to ultimately diminish recovery. Method: Fifty participants with serious mental illnesses reported on their experiences with verbal abuse, loneliness, social support, and recovery. Results: Verbal abuse was found to be related to loneliness and social support, and both mediated the relationship between verbal abuse and recovery. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Verbal abuse is an all too common experience of people with serious mental illnesses that ultimately affects their recovery. Specifically, exposure to verbal abuse may impact recovery by increasing sense of loneliness and perceived social support. The implications are that a heightened awareness of verbal abuse and its impact on recovery should draw attention to interventions that decrease exposure and increase self-advocacy to combat negative outcomes.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Objective: People with serious mental illnesses are exposed to high rates of verbal abuse. This study examines the impact of such experiences on loneliness and social support, which is hypothesized to ultimately diminish recovery. Method: Fifty participants with serious mental illnesses reported on their experiences with verbal abuse, loneliness, social support, and recovery. Results: Verbal abuse was found to be related to loneliness and social support, and both mediated the relationship between verbal abuse and recovery. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Verbal abuse is an all too common experience of people with serious mental illnesses that ultimately affects their recovery. Specifically, exposure to verbal abuse may impact recovery by increasing sense of loneliness and perceived social support. The implications are that a heightened awareness of verbal abuse and its impact on recovery should draw attention to interventions that decrease exposure and increase self-advocacy to combat negative outcomes.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
mental health problems, recovery, abuse, loneliness;
Journal of Forensic Psychology Research and Practice, 21(3), 2021, pp.249-282.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia
Research exploring the experiences of men who have stalked is lacking, specifically how they construe their reality for stalking episodes. Addressing this absence of experiential expert contribution was the pivotal and timely aim of this research, given interventions for stalking are under-developed. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted with men convicted of stalking and held in UK prisons. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used with a unique, visually adapted repertory grid technique, derived from Personal Construct psychology (PCP). Both methods allow the researcher to explore the sense-making of experts by experience, hence the combined methodology produced an in-depth assessment of the phenomenon of stalking. This was the first study to capture the constructed realities of men who stalk, and the first study to use repertory grids with stalkers, piloting a visually adapted repertory grid technique for maximizing engagement. High levels of convergence between participants were found, with the analysis leading to the generation of three superordinate themes: (i) Neediness, (ii) “Nothing could stop me”, and (iii) Labeling, which were broadly supported by the repertory grid analyses. The findings contribute to both knowledge and practice gaps by supporting the relational goal pursuit theory for stalking and providing an evidence base to support therapeutic interventions for people who stalk. The effectiveness of deterrence and a need to improve social awareness for stalking are discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Research exploring the experiences of men who have stalked is lacking, specifically how they construe their reality for stalking episodes. Addressing this absence of experiential expert contribution was the pivotal and timely aim of this research, given interventions for stalking are under-developed. Seven in-depth interviews were conducted with men convicted of stalking and held in UK prisons. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used with a unique, visually adapted repertory grid technique, derived from Personal Construct psychology (PCP). Both methods allow the researcher to explore the sense-making of experts by experience, hence the combined methodology produced an in-depth assessment of the phenomenon of stalking. This was the first study to capture the constructed realities of men who stalk, and the first study to use repertory grids with stalkers, piloting a visually adapted repertory grid technique for maximizing engagement. High levels of convergence between participants were found, with the analysis leading to the generation of three superordinate themes: (i) Neediness, (ii) “Nothing could stop me”, and (iii) Labeling, which were broadly supported by the repertory grid analyses. The findings contribute to both knowledge and practice gaps by supporting the relational goal pursuit theory for stalking and providing an evidence base to support therapeutic interventions for people who stalk. The effectiveness of deterrence and a need to improve social awareness for stalking are discussed.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Journal of Gender-Based Violence, 5(1), 2021, pp.95-109.
Publisher:
Policy Press
This article discusses how the relationship between gender and violence can be articulated, both in policy and theory, in order to unsettle the feminist orthodoxy that equates gender-based violence with violence against (heterosexual, white) women. Through an interview study with Swedish policymakers in public-sector healthcare, the author discusses the work done by different conceptualisations, in particular the new and seemingly neutral category of ‘violence within close relationships’, and shows that there is a need to open up a discussion about the ambiguities involved in trying to find the right language to talk about the relationship between gender and violence. While uncertainty and anxiety are often regarded as negative feelings, as something to be overcome, this article argues that holding onto doubts about the possibility of fixing meaning helps to avoid reduced understandings. Thus, the attempt to lay down one correct version should be dismissed, and instead the author emphasises the need for a politics of uncertainty ‐ both in policy and theory.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This article discusses how the relationship between gender and violence can be articulated, both in policy and theory, in order to unsettle the feminist orthodoxy that equates gender-based violence with violence against (heterosexual, white) women. Through an interview study with Swedish policymakers in public-sector healthcare, the author discusses the work done by different conceptualisations, in particular the new and seemingly neutral category of ‘violence within close relationships’, and shows that there is a need to open up a discussion about the ambiguities involved in trying to find the right language to talk about the relationship between gender and violence. While uncertainty and anxiety are often regarded as negative feelings, as something to be overcome, this article argues that holding onto doubts about the possibility of fixing meaning helps to avoid reduced understandings. Thus, the attempt to lay down one correct version should be dismissed, and instead the author emphasises the need for a politics of uncertainty ‐ both in policy and theory.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This framework aims to promote best practice in research into domestic violence and abuse (DVA), giving policy makers and commissioners more clarity on the merits of different types of evidence and research, and the principles of integrity relating to DVA research. It brings together the knowledge and experience of both academic and NGO partners, drawing on feminist research practice since the 1970s. This recognises that good research should consider the motives, consequences, and context in which abuse and interventions take place. The current iteration of this framework has been developed within a UK context but can form the basis of a broader framework for research in other international contexts. The framework comprises five pillars: safety and wellbeing; transparency/accountability;
(Edited publisher abstract)
This framework aims to promote best practice in research into domestic violence and abuse (DVA), giving policy makers and commissioners more clarity on the merits of different types of evidence and research, and the principles of integrity relating to DVA research. It brings together the knowledge and experience of both academic and NGO partners, drawing on feminist research practice since the 1970s. This recognises that good research should consider the motives, consequences, and context in which abuse and interventions take place. The current iteration of this framework has been developed within a UK context but can form the basis of a broader framework for research in other international contexts. The framework comprises five pillars: safety and wellbeing; transparency/accountability; equality, human rights, and social justice; engagement; and research ethics.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
domestic violence, research, research ethics, abuse;
Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 24(3), 2020, pp.309-325.
Publisher:
Sage
Place of publication:
London
People with intellectual disability experience disproportionately high rates of interpersonal violence (IPV) due, in part, to disability-related risks that often can be minimized through targeted intervention. In this article, the authors describe using an academic and community participatory research approach to develop and test the feasibility of an accessible IPV prevention program for people with intellectual disability. The Safety Class, which is an interactive, structured, eight-session, weekly face-to-face group program, was found feasible for implementation in an efficacy study. Working in partnership with the intellectual disability community through all phases of the project helps ensure the relevance, inclusion, and accessibility of The Safety Class.
(Edited publisher abstract)
People with intellectual disability experience disproportionately high rates of interpersonal violence (IPV) due, in part, to disability-related risks that often can be minimized through targeted intervention. In this article, the authors describe using an academic and community participatory research approach to develop and test the feasibility of an accessible IPV prevention program for people with intellectual disability. The Safety Class, which is an interactive, structured, eight-session, weekly face-to-face group program, was found feasible for implementation in an efficacy study. Working in partnership with the intellectual disability community through all phases of the project helps ensure the relevance, inclusion, and accessibility of The Safety Class.
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report chronicles the findings and resources generated by the MsUnderstood Partnership (MSU) over the past three years, with specific reference to the tools and knowledge created alongside professionals through local site work. The partnership supports the development of responses to peer-on-peer abuse specifically, and young people’s experiences of inequality, more broadly. The partnership sought to bring academic rigour, partnerships with practitioners and young people’s voices to the fore of the debate, and generate practice-based evidence to support the development of responses that engaged with young people’s lived realities of violence and abuse. MSU comprised: a programme of work with local multi-agency partnerships to audit and develop their responses to peer-on-peer abuse (Local Site Work); a paid internship and young people’s engagement programme; engagement in policy consultation and influencing; and the dissemination of research, practice learning and young people’s voice. The report finds that: peer-on-peer abuse, and other extra-familial issues that present a risk to the well-being and safety of young people, are contextual and complex; responses to peer-on-peer abuse,
(Edited publisher abstract)
This report chronicles the findings and resources generated by the MsUnderstood Partnership (MSU) over the past three years, with specific reference to the tools and knowledge created alongside professionals through local site work. The partnership supports the development of responses to peer-on-peer abuse specifically, and young people’s experiences of inequality, more broadly. The partnership sought to bring academic rigour, partnerships with practitioners and young people’s voices to the fore of the debate, and generate practice-based evidence to support the development of responses that engaged with young people’s lived realities of violence and abuse. MSU comprised: a programme of work with local multi-agency partnerships to audit and develop their responses to peer-on-peer abuse (Local Site Work); a paid internship and young people’s engagement programme; engagement in policy consultation and influencing; and the dissemination of research, practice learning and young people’s voice. The report finds that: peer-on-peer abuse, and other extra-familial issues that present a risk to the well-being and safety of young people, are contextual and complex; responses to peer-on-peer abuse, and adolescent safeguarding more broadly, need to engage both contextually and holistically at strategic and operational levels; practitioners who work on the ground with young people are well aware of both the above points but struggle to realise them in a consistent fashion when working within a child protection system that is built on intervening with individual children and their families; contextual approaches developed by local practitioners require strategic authorisation in order to make them a viable, consistent and sustained response within a given local area; contextual and holistic practices are achievable, and when implemented illuminate a collective understanding of extra-familial risk, the tensions of an individualised model and a desire to change the social conditions that facilitate and enable abusive behaviours.
(Edited publisher abstract)
... domestic violence is, why it happens and how it can be measured; who the perpetrators of domestic violence are, including discussion of non-stereotypical patterns such as male victims, female perpetrators, couples where the abuse is mutual, and couples with abusive relationships who want the abuse to end but the relationship to be sustained; strategies for engaging perpetrators in interventions
(Edited publisher abstract)
This book provides an overview of what the research tells us about the perpetrators of domestic violence and what works, and what doesn’t, in promoting positive change. Collecting together the most up-to-date evidence from the international literature and bringing psychological, sociological, gendered and socio-political theoretical perspectives to bear on the issue, the authors explore: what domestic violence is, why it happens and how it can be measured; who the perpetrators of domestic violence are, including discussion of non-stereotypical patterns such as male victims, female perpetrators, couples where the abuse is mutual, and couples with abusive relationships who want the abuse to end but the relationship to be sustained; strategies for engaging perpetrators in interventions and for promoting behaviour change; evidence-informed interventions, programmes and policies for working with perpetrators; where robust evidence is lacking and more research needs to be undertaken.
(Edited publisher abstract)