Social Work - Research Publications
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ItemChild sexual abuse allegations in the context of divorce: issues for mothers(British Association of Social Workers, 1997)The investigation and assessment of allegations of child sexual abuse constitute a difficult and contentious area for practitioners involved in this process. When these allegations emerge in the context of divorce, the problems of assessment appear to be compounded. This paper argues that when mothers raise concerns about child sexual abuse during divorce proceedings these are often construed as vindictive or misguided. Such constructions of mothers have significant implications for the protection,or lack of protection of children in these circumstances. The way in which this ’knowledge’ about mothers has developed is explored and held up against the results of empirical studies which show that there is little basis for this construction of mothers. Possible explanations for this incongruity are suggested with a view to progressing child protection in this area.
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ItemAvoidance and confrontation: social work practice in relation to domestic violence and child abuse(Blackwell Science, 1999)Action on the relationship between domestic violence and child abuse has been slow to emerge in mainstream child protection agencies. This paper reports a qualitative study of child protection files. Particular attention was given to the issues for Asian families. Initially the numerous strategies which social workers and other professionals at child protection conferences used to avoid the issue of domestic violence are explored. However, there was also a small, but emerging, pattern of child abuse in the context of domestic violence being taken seriously. In each of these cases strong expectations were placed on women to separate from or remain separated from men who were violent. These expectations were backed up by ’threats’ or the actual accommodation of children often with little interagency support for women undertaking this difficult and dangerous task, or before women were ready to undertake this separation. Suggestions were made about aspects of the organizational context which need to change if good child protection is also to include appropriate protection and support for the child’s mother.
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ItemDiscrimination in child protection work: recurring themes in work with Asian families(Blackwell Science, 1999)When the relationships within the institutions and social practices of a society cannot be explained by the intentions, good or bad, of individual men and women, they can be described as structural (Weedon 1987, p. 3). This paper reports on research in a Midlands Social Services Department which examined child protection practice in relation to Asian families who had attended case conferences. The research shows that in spite of the good intentions of many individual workers, Asian families experienced a discriminatory service. Discriminatory policies and practices were perpetuated at an organizational level. Three themes from the research are explored: the use of interpreters, the accommodation of children, and the lack of attention to the mental and physical health of the child’s mother and father. Each theme is explored to highlight the issues which Asian families faced and the problems which created barriers to good practice.