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Disclosing sexual abuse:an exploration into why female victims do not report
No full textThis research explores the complex interplay of psychological, cultural, and systemic factors influencing victims’ experiences of sexual violence, with a focus on delayed reporting, non-reporting, and withdrawal of complaints. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study integrates qualitative and quantitative data to provide a nuanced understanding of victim behaviour and societal trends. The findings highlight the pervasive impact of victim-blaming attitudes, cultural and religious pressures, and systemic barriers within the criminal justice system, which collectively deter survivors from seeking justice
Understanding spirituality:children’s spiritual voice(s) as a bridge for effective dialogue in religious, spiritual and moral education
No full textChildren and young people regularly report suppressing aspects of their spirituality due to fears of ridicule or dismissal, both in and out of school. This situation contributes to spirituality becoming hidden, which is further compounded by disconnects between informal and formal settings involving religious, spiritual, and moral education. This article proposes that the child’s voice(s) can potentially bridge these informal and formal contexts. However, achieving this requires adults to both recognize and understand spirituality from young people’s perspectives, which can be challenging. The argument is made that adopting an attitude of epistemic humility can help facilitate self-awareness and reduce dialogical tension. Examples of children and young people’s spiritual voice(s) are offered to illustrate continuums of adults’ epistemic un/ease and dialogical flow/tension in responding to them. These range from acceptance and empathy with moments of awe and wonder, through to the challenges posed by reports of divine encounters. Suggestions for cultivating epistemic humility are offered, while acknowledging the inherent difficulties. The article concludes that dialogical tension can be a positive force when approached with curiosity about children’s worlds and perspectives. In this way, intergenerational engagement in and across diverse educational settings is facilitated to support the flourishing of young people’s spirituality
Exploring Food and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) and its risk factors in a diverse age range sample
No full textFood and Alcohol Disturbance (FAD) refers to a pattern of behaviours characterised by deliberate restriction of food intake, excessive physical activity, or inappropriate purging behaviours to compensate for the caloric intake associated with alcohol consumption. Research on this topic is largely limited to university populations in the US. The current study examined the prevalence of FAD and its associated psychological and lifestyle-based risk factors in a wide age range UK sample. An exploratory online survey was completed by 142 participants (analysed n = 117; 39.54 ± 15.25 years; 90.60% identified as White - English, Welsh, Scottish, Northern Irish or British, 61.54% female) comprising validated scales for measures of FAD, emotion regulation, anxiety, stress and body appreciation. Participants were also asked about their alcohol consumption and how financial considerations formed their decisions around FAD. Age was a significant predictor of FAD engagement, with results indicating that for each additional year of age, scores decreased by 0.27 points on average (B = −0.272, p = <.001), with a moderate effect size (f2 = 0.196). Bivariate correlations revealed gender, age, student status, financial considerations, emotion regulation, stress and anxiety were correlated with FAD. These findings indicate that FAD is not a behaviour restricted to young people only. Findings are consistent with previous research and suggest further exploration in all age groups is warranted if an appropriate intervention is to be designed
The place of invisible worlds in children’s spiritual lives
No full textChildren have a natural tendency to move effortlessly between different worlds – being present in this material world and drifting in and out of other, less tangible ones. At any moment in the day, they may be absorbed in a book and the next they say they have been talking to their deceased grandparent, then they transform into an astronaut, flying into outer space in rocket. Drifting in and out of worlds, some of which are invisible to adults does not stop when night falls. There, children visit different places in their dreams while they sleep – some real, others mystical, where sometimes they also meet deceased pets and people they have loved. Adults often consider such ventures to be realms of the imagination and yet for children, these invisible spaces are often very real.To fully understand children and their claims of encountering the deceased, it is essential to recognise them as holistic beings. The most common ways of framing children lie in the physical, biological, psychological, social, emotional and cultural. Yet one of the most overlooked aspects is the spiritual: a dimension which is central to finding meaning and purpose in life. This chapter considers what we mean by ‘the spiritual’ and explores how children’s encounters with the deceased in two different states of consciousness – dreaming and waking – can reflect this aspect of children’s being. Suggestions for how adults can support young people and their encounters are offered from a spiritual perspective.<br/
Flattening the curve? The role of the state in mediating cumulative extremism dynamics in Northern Ireland, 1969-1975
No full textThis article explores the nature of violence in Northern Ireland between 1969 and 1975 through the lens of ‘cumulative extremism’. We argue that an examination of this period provides crucial insights into the dynamic role of the state as both an accelerator and brake on cumulative extremism, which has been underexplored in the literature. We contend that in Northern Ireland the state usually acted as a brake on cumulative extremism, even where this wasn’t always apparent at first sight. And that even where the state seemed to facilitate violence this did not always result in its escalation in an inter-group (movement/countermovement) context
Were the ‘New Police’ really that New? An analysis of community-led governance within Medieval Britain
No full texthe term ‘legitimacy’ is used extensively throughout contemporary debate surrounding the actions of police officers across Britain. Fuelled by global discussions on law enforcement practice, force areas have become focused on developing new initiatives and processes to improve trust and confidence within communities, believing this will enhance relationships and foster positiveoutcomes. Policing by consent has long been seen as the dream of Sir Robert Peel and from 1829, this became a reality with the creation of the Metropolitan Police. The paper will discuss if the radical reforms of the 19th century were building upon a pre-existing culture of community involvement within enforcementwhich dates to the 10th century. Rather than decades of oppression, social and political elites left governance to the citizens themselves, delivering force only on limited occasions and often when mass rebellion was taking place. The piece intends to provide an alternative perspective suggesting that the dark ages may not have entirely lived up to its name