The Direction of Violence Against Women Research and Evaluation

Although researchers have made numerous advances in the understanding of the nature, extent, and dynamics of violence against women (VAW), there is an ever-increasing need for data used in academic research and within policy decision-making to be collected via rigorous methodological designs to accurately measure the incidence and impact of VAW. What is now needed are research collaborations within an interdisciplinary research cluster that will expand understanding of the complex nature of VAW. The current article details an agenda or “call to action” to address deficiencies and advance VAW research, in addition to informing VAW intervention and prevention efforts.     

Limits to partnership working: developing relationship-based approaches with children and their families

Located within a context of widespread change social work professionals are required to navigate tensions between organisational imperatives and developing effective relationships with families. Achieving effective partnership working is premised on the development of relational ways of working where trust is formed through co-creation. The recent emergence of 'Fast-track' approaches in education and training reflects a shift away from developing skills in critical/analytical reflection, towards an employer-led approach that prioritises the need for 'ready practitioners'. Simultaneously there has been change in the family justice system, culminating in the Children and Families Act 2014 and the 26-week time frame for the completion of care cases. This paper explores current contradictions within social work practice. Pivotal is defining the role of social work within a contemporary English jurisdiction. Adopting deeper relational ways of working with families may help to define the boundaries of a profession that appears to have lost its identity. Rather than facing the prospect that the door is closed on the possibility of reclaiming practice that prioritises and values professional judgement and discretion, this paper reflects upon some positive examples of relational work with families by social workers within different sectors of practice.     

韩国在中美安全竞争间的选择

由于中国的崛起,东亚的地区秩序发生了巨大变化,目前正处于过渡阶段。在过渡期的地区秩序下,像韩国这样的中等国家面临严重问题,即随着中美大国竞争导致地区旧秩序削弱,韩国该如何应对这种局面。观察家们为中等国家指出了一系列策略选择:从制衡到追随,从防范到接触。有些观察家认为,中等国家将通过不同方式扮演稳定局面的角色,保持双重等级体系,因为中等国家有可能从大国僵持中获益。作者则认为,中等国家可以采用的策略选择很大程度上受制于大国竞争的背景。在大国竞争的背景下,中等国家在战略结盟时很难做出自己的选择,更多是被迫接受某种选择。作者使用基本议价理论作为工具,阐述该观点背后的逻辑支撑是:在影响过渡期地区秩序的相对稳定性方面,中等国家的作用很小;在调和各种选择的影响方面,中等国家也不如大国有决定作用。