Aboriginal Children Belong in the Aboriginal Community: Changing Practices in Adoption

The placement of aboriginal children has been the responsibility of white social workers attached to state welfare agencies. Many of these children have been fostered or adopted by white families and have had little or no contact with the aboriginal community. Aboriginal people are now voicing opposition to such practices and are calling for an end to inter-racial adoption. They want the placement of all aboriginal children to be in the hands of the aboriginal community and are seeking to establish aboriginal placement agencies. These, and other demands, were voiced by an aboriginal task group at the recent First Australian Conference on Adoption.     

Responding to child maltreatment: Comparison between the USA and China

A recent study estimated that over one‐fourth of Chinese children have suffered maltreatment (Fang et al., 2015 ). However, the current child welfare policy in China is limited to orphans, abandoned children, and children with disabilities. Also, there is very little comparative research in China on Chinese and other countries’ child welfare systems. The purpose of this study was to analyze applicable US and Chinese child welfare policies, identify gaps in Chinese policy regarding child maltreatment, and make recommendations for a policy agenda for improving child welfare in China based on cultural values and existing policy structures. Results show that China has considerable capacity to make improvements in child protective services, foster care, and adoption policies. Based on the results of this study, several implications are provided to develop China's child maltreatment policy to increase children's outcomes of well‐being, safety, and permanency. Key Practitioner Message: ? To understand the background and system of current Chinese child maltreatment policy; ? To review US child maltreatment policy and its implementation to identify gaps in the Chinese child maltreatment system; ? To provide policy suggestions to develop Chinese child maltreatment policy and provide recommendations for social work education and practice in China.     

Responding to the call: a conceptual model for kinship care assessment

Kinship care has become an important care option worldwide. However, in many jurisdictions, child welfare services use traditional foster care assessment systems. The assessment of the kinship home poses particular challenges. The initial assessment of the kinship home, enabling emergency placements, provides a child‐centred perspective. However, agencies frequently fail to meet the designated time frame for completion of the assessment/approval process. Such failures require the development of different conceptual models for kinship care service delivery, especially for assessments. This paper builds on earlier work on assessment models, drawing on the international literature and the author's involvement and research on kinship care in Ireland. The usability of the proposed model needs to be evaluated across different legislative, policy and practice contexts internationally.     

Responding to Youth Crime in Scotland

Correspondence to Bill Whyte, Director, Criminal Justice Social Work Development Centre for Scotland, School of Social and Political Studies, University of Edinburgh, Flat 1FR, 31 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LJ. E-mail: B.Whyte{at}ed.ac.uk Summary Scotland’s Children’s Hearings deal with young peoplewho offend within an integrated system dealing also with youngpeople in need of care and protection, on the assumption thatthe difficulties of both groups have similar roots in multiplesocial disadvantage and social adversity (Whyte, 1998a). A government-fundedstudy, one of the first since the system’s inception in1971, was commissioned to examine the social characteristicsof over 1,000 children and young people referred for offenceand nonoffence reasons. This paper describes the characteristicsof 465 of the young people who were referred specifically foroffending. It provides the first ‘official’ datain twenty-five years on young people in the system. The studyfound that most of those referred for offending had characteristicsstrikingly similar to those referred for nonoffence reasons,as predicted when the system was first established, and similarto those present in the general literature on young offendersfrom other jurisdictions. The study poses fundamental questionstaken up by the Scottish Executive’s review of youth crimeon how best to design systems and develop social interventionsthat can address offending and social disadvantage in an integratedway.     

Beyond the Bottle: Introducing Anthropological Debate to Research into Aboriginal Alcohol Use

This paper selectively identifies two recurring misconceptions of theory present in the existing research literature on Aboriginal alcohol use which may impede future research and prevention activities: the denial of contemporary Aboriginal cultures, particularly in urban areas, and the consequent failure to conceive of Aboriginal drinking as socially, culturally and politically meaningful behaviour; and an emphasis on rural/remote communities in research initiatives which reflects outdated conceptual paradigms which have been brought to bear on the prevention of alcohol-related problems and has hindered innovation in program design for urban areas. Evidence from recent anthropological studies of both Aboriginal society and culture and Aboriginal alcohol use is presented which conflicts with the identified misconceptions and a case is made for the value of such analyses. Following an examination of these conflicting viewpoints, suggestions are made with respect to future research.     

Responding to violence with guns: Mass shootings and gun acquisition

Although some sources have observed an increase in the number of gun purchases following mass shootings, empirical research investigating this pattern is limited. Appraisal Theory suggests that mass shootings contribute to fear of victimization through media exposure. Desire for self-protection is the primary reason many individuals own and purchase guns. This paper examines this link by assessing the effects of six mass shootings that took place in the 2000–2010 time period. This study examines effects for gun acquisition nationally and regionally as well as timing-specific patterns in gun acquisition following these events. Gun acquisition counts are approximated from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). Results indicate a positive but delayed association between mass shootings and the number of NICS background checks. Implications of this finding for violence and possibilities for future research are discussed.     

Interpersonal Behaviour in Relation to Aboriginal Programs

Over recent years there has been increased concern for the health, education and welfare of aboriginal people. Many of the newer programs in these areas are worthwhile. As health, education and welfare services are directed at people, greater understanding of interpersonal behaviour is needed by administrators and fieldworkers if outcomes are to be improved. The importance of interpersonal behaviours such as looking, listening, talking and touching is noted. The distinctiveness of these behaviour patterns in aboriginal society is examined and their impact on programs discussed.     

Violence to Probation Staff: Patterns and Managerial Responses

This article examines the impact of violence perpetrated against probation officers. It presents empirical evidence based upon work carried out under the ESRC Violence Research Programme. It is argued that the managerial response to violence has been largely defensive and piecemeal. Professional responses to violence are context‐bound, while risk assessment is largely confined to the potential harm to the general public posed by offenders. The article concludes by arguing that more attention needs to be given to the evaluation of management responses to violence including appropriate training, and the greater organizational support for safety at work.     

Access to justice for Aboriginal People in the Northern Territory

This article discusses research in the Northern Territory on Aboriginal civil and family law needs. It is based on focus group discussions and interviews with legal services providers and other associated organisations. The article argues that key areas of legal need involve discrimination, housing, child protection, social security, credit/debt and consumer law problems. It further argues that welfare conditionality, particularly as embodied in the NT Intervention and subsequent Stronger Futures policies, has exacerbated the need for legal assistance and advocacy for Aboriginal people.     

Responding to the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative: a multilevel community approach to building aging competency

Infusing age-specific, multigenerational content into social work curricula at both the MSW and BSW levels are key goals in preparing age-competent social workers to meet the needs of our current and future aging populations. The social work profession has a holistic approach and crucial skills that can promote aging well. This article will discuss an innovative, multilevel intervention strategy supported by the Hartford Geriatric Social Work Initiative that formulates, implements, and sustains age-infused curricula and assures the education of age-competent social workers by capitalizing on a "community-focus" strategy.     

Human Trafficking in Australia: The Challenge of Responding to Suspicious Activities

This paper relates to the Australian government's community awareness campaign, as part of the Action Plan to Eradicate Trafficking in Persons, which was announced in October 2003 in response to evidence of human trafficking in Australia. The authors explore the challenges that are likely to be encountered during the implementation of the campaign using empirical data from two Victorian studies, the first of which explored community awareness of trafficking and the second of which examined Victoria Police and local government's responses to trafficking. We conclude that there are significant barriers to both the community and authorities identifying suspicious activities and acting on reports by community. In addition, institution challenges faced by Victoria police and local government in dealing with referred information appropriately will jeopardise the success of the initiative.     

Boomer Matters: Responding to Emotional Health Needs in an Aging Society

This study explores baby boomer-aged adults’ experiences accessing an emotional health program (EHP) in a community-based seniors’ center, examining differences between it and an older cohort of users. Data generation includes client-based surveys (n=118), in-depth qualitative interviews (n=20) with client users and professionally-trained counselors (n=2), and a focus group with peer support service worker (n=14). Key findings suggest EHPs as a preventative strategy to address familial abuse, the need for education and support on sexual health and dating, and the need to combat ageism to improve access. Community-based seniors’ centers as a cost-effective approach to health promotion is also highlighted.     

Responding to September 11: A Conflict Resolution Scholar/Practitioner's Perspective

We find ourselves thrust into a deadly conflict of potentially very large scale. This conflict may proceed in several different directions, some of which might prove quite destructive, involving high numbers of further civilian casualties on all sides. There are lessons to be drawn from both theory and practice in the field of conflict resolution that may be helpful in considering how to proceed. In this paper, we review a few important concepts from the field of conflict resolution, attempt to point out where some of these dynamics are occurring in the current situation, and highlight some potential pitfalls. Specific policy recommendations based on this analysis are offered, and the question of how we can best ensure that our response to the attacks does not lead to a degenerative cycle of violence that further destabilizes the Middle East and undermines American long-term interests is addressed.     

关于应对气候变化的几个问题

近些年来,随着气候变化影响的加剧,气候变化已经从自然科学所面对的问题转而成为重要的社会问题、经济问题和国际斗争问题,引起大家的高度重视。我们应当正确认识和对待IPCC报告及其他不同意见。坚持＂节能减排＂的国策,大力降低能耗,调整产业结构,淘汰落后产能。在国际上,我国必须力争应有的排放权和发展权。必须加强应对气候变化的科学研究,提升应对气候变化的能力。     

Children and Violence: Nurturing Social-Emotional Development to Promote Mental Health

The absence of violence against children is a fundamental children's right and a major milestone of civilized society. Similarly, reports on incidences of violence by children and youth, including severe cases with devastating consequences, speak to the need that the trauma of exposure to violence in childhood needs to be addressed. While violence and its risk factors are generally understood, what is less clear are the essential protective factors, how we can identify those as early as possible, and how we can use them to prevent and address the trauma of violence exposure in children and youth. In this report, I review pathways of child and youth violence through the lens of social-emotional development as a central protective factor. Negative emotions of frustration and anger can underlie violence and aggression. Kind emotions, such as caring and our ability to connect with others emotionally, can serve as social-emotional protective factors. A brief review of the central social-emotional processes and their development is provided, including the human capacity to feel with others and express empathy, be emotionally aware and care about the effects of one's own actions on others, and be able to regulate the self and their emotions. Given the negative widespread and long-term impact of exposure to violence, I describe research-informed attempts to prevent violence exposure across development. Taking a humanistic, strength-based perspective, the focus is on social-emotional protective factors to address violence and nurture mental health in every child. I conclude with recommendations for practice and policy.     

Responding to the experiences of minority ethnic children in virtually all-white communities

This paper aims to contribute to the relatively small body of literature on the minority ethnic experience in almost entirely white communities, by reporting the findings of qualitative research into the experiences of minority ethnic children living in the South Wales valleys. Twenty‐eight interviews were conducted with children and their parents/carers. Interviews with children also included sentence completion and card‐sorting tasks. The paper focuses on the views expressed about quality of life, sense of community, leisure activities, experience of racism and dealings with institutions. The children and adults revealed a complex picture, which challenges both optimistic accounts of ‘traditional’ communities and also the negativity of pressure group reports on racism in similar areas. There is considerable variety of experience, mediated by class and gender. Whilst racism is in many respects an ever‐present reality for these children, many of them find creative ways of responding to their situation. Several also spoke of their lives in the valleys in generally very positive terms. The paper concludes by reflecting on the potential implications of the research for policy and practice.