Background: There is a growing understanding that different kinds of interpersonal violence are interrelated. Many victims report experiences of cumulative violence, i.e., being subjected to more than one kind of violent behaviour (sexual, physical, emotional) and/or violence from more than one kind of perpetrator (family members, partners, acquaintances/strangers). To gain a more comprehensive understanding of what violence entails for victims, how victims can be helped and how violence can be prevented, there is a need to learn more about the co-occurrence of violence. Also, despite strong associations repeatedly being found between exposure to violence and the reporting of different kinds of ill-health, only a minority of victims have told health care professionals about their victimization. Less is known about the process of disclosing victimization to health care professionals for men than for women. Main aims: 1) Investigate the prevalence and co-occurrence of self-reported lifetime experiences of different kinds of interpersonal violence among male and female clinical and random population samples in Sweden (Study I-II). 2) Investigate whether cumulative violence is more strongly associated with       self-reported symptoms off psychological ill-health than with any kind of victimization alone (Study III).   3) Develop a theoretical model concerning male victims’ process of disclosing experiences of victimization to health care professionals in Sweden (Study IV).   Method: The self-reported prevalence of interpersonal violence as well as self-reported symptoms of psychological ill-health were estimated by means of secondary analyses of data collected with the NorVold Abuse Questionnaire (NorAQ). Both sexes were represented in clinical (women n=2439 men n=1767) and random population samples (women n=1168 men n=2924). Descriptive statistics as well as binary logistic regression and ordinal regression analyses were used (Study I-III). In study IV, constructivist grounded theory was used, and 12 men were interviewed concerning their experience of disclosing victimization to health care professionals. Results: A large proportion of victims (women: 47-48%, men: 29-31%) reported experiences of more than one kind of violent behaviour. Many also reported being subjected to violence by more than one kind of perpetrator (women: 33-37%, men: 22-23%). Reporting cumulative violence had a stronger association with symptoms of psychological ill-health than reporting only one kind of victimization. In study IV, the interviewed men’s own perceptions and considerations beforehand (e.g., perceived need for help and feelings of shame), as well as the dynamics during the actual health care encounter (e.g., patient-provider relationship and time constraints), were essential for understanding the process of disclosure. Also, the men’s own conformity to hegemonic constructions of masculinity and professionals’ adherence to gender norms had a strong negative influence on the men’s process of disclosure. Discussion: Experiences of cumulative violence were common. Prevalence rates of experiences of different kinds of interpersonal violence were compared to previous studies on interpersonal violence in Sweden. Large discrepancies were found between all studies, which is a symptom of methodological and conceptual difficulties within the research field. Violence is a gendered phenomenon. Differences were seen in the kind of violence men and women reported. In addition to this, the results in study IV indicate that gender affects how violence is perceived and how victims are treated by health care professionals. Conclusion: Integrated approaches in research on interpersonal violence, as well as in clinical work, are needed. If the co-occurrence of violence is ignored, it may hamper our understanding of the experiences and consequences of interpersonal violence for victims. More research is needed into what produces the differences found in prevalence rates between studies to improve the methodology.

Quando acolhida institucionalmente, a criança é abruptamente separada de pessoas de referência e colocada em um ambiente estranho, com pessoas desconhecidas. A vivência inicial da criança na instituição, como é recebida/acolhida, influenciará a maneira como enfrentará essa situação, a construção de novas relações afetivas e a manutenção dos vínculos afetivos anteriormente estabelecidos. Na creche/educação infantil, o processo de recepção/acolhimento tem importância reconhecida. O mesmo não acontece no acolhimento institucional. Com base teórico-metodológica na Rede de Significações, objetivou-se investigar o processo de recepção e acolhimento de crianças com idades até 6 anos, desenvolvido por instituições de acolhimento, a partir da perspectiva de profissionais envolvidos no processo. Participaram quatro instituições de cidade de grande porte do interior do estado de São Paulo. Foram entrevistadas 26 pessoas: três coordenadoras; quatro psicólogas; quatro assistentes sociais; três pedagogos; sete educadoras; um apoiador técnico; quatro conselheiros tutelares. As entrevistas contaram com questões disparadoras, no contexto de uma conversa e os dados foram analisados qualitativamente. Os resultados indicam que investimentos vêm sendo feitos na formação dos profissionais. E que a maioria dos que participaram da pesquisa está envolvida com a causa da criança e/ou com as crianças em si. Foram relatadas algumas práticas e sugestões de melhoria para o processo de acolhimento inicial, que se mostraram sensíveis às necessidades e capacidades da criança. Porém, ainda é insuficiente para garantir um processo de acolhimento inicial respeitoso e acolhedor para com a criança e sua família. Concepções antigas impregnam as práticas e o imaginário das pessoas. Apesar dos avanços, guardadas as diferenças pessoais/institucionais, decisões são tomadas sem que a criança e família participem efetivamente e sem que sejam preparadas para lidar com as mudanças decorrentes. A criança é, simplesmente, pega e levada à instituição. Sob essas condições, é separada e/ou desapropriada de tudo o que lhe é significativo (pessoas e objetos significativos), frequentemente, sem que nada lhe seja dito sobre o que está acontecendo e o que acontecerá. Recepção e acolhimento da criança resumem-se a higienizá-la, alimentá-la e distraí-la, por vezes, a partir de procedimentos altamente invasivos (nudez, fotografia, banho, corte de cabelo e unhas, por exemplo). E a instituição de acolhimento ainda encontra dificuldades para assumir sua corresponsabilidade no trabalho de manutenção dos vínculos familiares e comunitários (demora para dar início às visitas, que são semanais, com uma hora de duração, em dia e horário comerciais e regras rígidas a serem seguidas). Percebe-se que reflexões que promovam a (re)significação da identidade da instituição de acolhimento e a desconstrução das concepções e preconceitos que perpassam a relação entre profissionais e famílias, bem como entre adultos e crianças precisam receber atenção especial e contínua nos espaços já existentes de formação, e em novos espaços que devem ser criados. Apenas assim será possível qualificar o processo de acolhimento inicial da criança. Espera-se que esta pesquisa fomente e subsidie discussões e construções coletivas que contribuam para qualificar os procedimentos atualmente utilizados, perante a urgente necessidade de serem desenvolvidas práticas que respeitem e protejam a criança e não a (re)vitimizem. / When the child enters in a foster care institution, he/she is abruptly separated from family members and placed in a strange place, with strange people. Their initial experience in the institution, how they are received/welcome, will have an effect on the way they face the situation, construct new affectionate relationships and maintain the affective bonds already established. In early child education, the importance of the reception/welcome process is recognized. That does not occur in institutional foster care. Having the Network of Meanings perspective as a basis, this study investigated the process of entry and reception of zero to six years old children, in four foster care institutions of a large inland town of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The process was observed from the perspective of 26 professionals involved: three heads of the institutions, four psychologists, four social workers, three pedagogues, seven educators, one technical support, four tutelar counselors. Interviews included instigative questions in a conversation context. Data was qualitatively analyzed. Results indicate that some investments are being made in professional training. Most professionals who were interviewed are involved in the cause of children and/or in the children per se. Some practices and suggestions of improvements were made for the reception, which indicate sensitivity to the childrens needs and abilities. But, it is still insufficient to guarantee a respectful and welcoming reception process to child and family. Old conceptions impregnate peoples practices and imaginary. Despite some progress observed, decisions are taken with no participation of the child and family, and with no preparation to face the resulting changes. The child is simply caught and taken to the institution. In those conditions, he/she is received in the institution separated or destitute of all that is meaningful (people and objects), frequently with no information about what is occurring or will occur in the future. The reception of the child is reduced to measures of hygiene, feeding and distraction, often through highly invasive procedures (nakedness, photos, bath, hair and nail cut, for example). The foster care institution has difficulties in assuming its co-responsibility in the maintenance of family and community bonds (delays in the visits, just once per week, at working hours, last one hour, with rigid rules to be followed). The spaces for training (and new spaces to be created) should offer opportunities to reflect on this situation, to deconstruct conceptions and prejudices that prevail between professionals and families, as well as between adults and children, helping to build up a new meaning and identity for the foster institution. Only in such way it will be possible to qualify the reception for the children. We do hope this research stimulate and contribute for discussions and collective constructions that improve the quality of those processes. There is an urgent need to develop practices that respect and protect the child and do no (re)victimize her/him.

Quando acolhida institucionalmente, a criança é abruptamente separada de pessoas de referência e colocada em um ambiente estranho, com pessoas desconhecidas. A vivência inicial da criança na instituição, como é recebida/acolhida, influenciará a maneira como enfrentará essa situação, a construção de novas relações afetivas e a manutenção dos vínculos afetivos anteriormente estabelecidos. Na creche/educação infantil, o processo de recepção/acolhimento tem importância reconhecida. O mesmo não acontece no acolhimento institucional. Com base teórico-metodológica na Rede de Significações, objetivou-se investigar o processo de recepção e acolhimento de crianças com idades até 6 anos, desenvolvido por instituições de acolhimento, a partir da perspectiva de profissionais envolvidos no processo. Participaram quatro instituições de cidade de grande porte do interior do estado de São Paulo. Foram entrevistadas 26 pessoas: três coordenadoras; quatro psicólogas; quatro assistentes sociais; três pedagogos; sete educadoras; um apoiador técnico; quatro conselheiros tutelares. As entrevistas contaram com questões disparadoras, no contexto de uma conversa e os dados foram analisados qualitativamente. Os resultados indicam que investimentos vêm sendo feitos na formação dos profissionais. E que a maioria dos que participaram da pesquisa está envolvida com a causa da criança e/ou com as crianças em si. Foram relatadas algumas práticas e sugestões de melhoria para o processo de acolhimento inicial, que se mostraram sensíveis às necessidades e capacidades da criança. Porém, ainda é insuficiente para garantir um processo de acolhimento inicial respeitoso e acolhedor para com a criança e sua família. Concepções antigas impregnam as práticas e o imaginário das pessoas. Apesar dos avanços, guardadas as diferenças pessoais/institucionais, decisões são tomadas sem que a criança e família participem efetivamente e sem que sejam preparadas para lidar com as mudanças decorrentes. A criança é, simplesmente, pega e levada à instituição. Sob essas condições, é separada e/ou desapropriada de tudo o que lhe é significativo (pessoas e objetos significativos), frequentemente, sem que nada lhe seja dito sobre o que está acontecendo e o que acontecerá. Recepção e acolhimento da criança resumem-se a higienizá-la, alimentá-la e distraí-la, por vezes, a partir de procedimentos altamente invasivos (nudez, fotografia, banho, corte de cabelo e unhas, por exemplo). E a instituição de acolhimento ainda encontra dificuldades para assumir sua corresponsabilidade no trabalho de manutenção dos vínculos familiares e comunitários (demora para dar início às visitas, que são semanais, com uma hora de duração, em dia e horário comerciais e regras rígidas a serem seguidas). Percebe-se que reflexões que promovam a (re)significação da identidade da instituição de acolhimento e a desconstrução das concepções e preconceitos que perpassam a relação entre profissionais e famílias, bem como entre adultos e crianças precisam receber atenção especial e contínua nos espaços já existentes de formação, e em novos espaços que devem ser criados. Apenas assim será possível qualificar o processo de acolhimento inicial da criança. Espera-se que esta pesquisa fomente e subsidie discussões e construções coletivas que contribuam para qualificar os procedimentos atualmente utilizados, perante a urgente necessidade de serem desenvolvidas práticas que respeitem e protejam a criança e não a (re)vitimizem. / When the child enters in a foster care institution, he/she is abruptly separated from family members and placed in a strange place, with strange people. Their initial experience in the institution, how they are received/welcome, will have an effect on the way they face the situation, construct new affectionate relationships and maintain the affective bonds already established. In early child education, the importance of the reception/welcome process is recognized. That does not occur in institutional foster care. Having the Network of Meanings perspective as a basis, this study investigated the process of entry and reception of zero to six years old children, in four foster care institutions of a large inland town of the State of São Paulo, Brazil. The process was observed from the perspective of 26 professionals involved: three heads of the institutions, four psychologists, four social workers, three pedagogues, seven educators, one technical support, four tutelar counselors. Interviews included instigative questions in a conversation context. Data was qualitatively analyzed. Results indicate that some investments are being made in professional training. Most professionals who were interviewed are involved in the cause of children and/or in the children per se. Some practices and suggestions of improvements were made for the reception, which indicate sensitivity to the childrens needs and abilities. But, it is still insufficient to guarantee a respectful and welcoming reception process to child and family. Old conceptions impregnate peoples practices and imaginary. Despite some progress observed, decisions are taken with no participation of the child and family, and with no preparation to face the resulting changes. The child is simply caught and taken to the institution. In those conditions, he/she is received in the institution separated or destitute of all that is meaningful (people and objects), frequently with no information about what is occurring or will occur in the future. The reception of the child is reduced to measures of hygiene, feeding and distraction, often through highly invasive procedures (nakedness, photos, bath, hair and nail cut, for example). The foster care institution has difficulties in assuming its co-responsibility in the maintenance of family and community bonds (delays in the visits, just once per week, at working hours, last one hour, with rigid rules to be followed). The spaces for training (and new spaces to be created) should offer opportunities to reflect on this situation, to deconstruct conceptions and prejudices that prevail between professionals and families, as well as between adults and children, helping to build up a new meaning and identity for the foster institution. Only in such way it will be possible to qualify the reception for the children. We do hope this research stimulate and contribute for discussions and collective constructions that improve the quality of those processes. There is an urgent need to develop practices that respect and protect the child and do no (re)victimize her/him.

In this study the researcher developed a training programme for state prosecutors to address re-victimization of the sexually abused child during forensic procedures. The study commenced with a literature study focusing on the following aspects: <ul> <li>Person-centred approach as scientific foundation for the work with sexually abused children during forensic procedures.</li> <li>Sexual abuse and the long-term effects thereof.</li> <li>Addressing re-victimization of the sexually abused child during forensic procedures.</li> After finalizing the literature study, the researcher did the empirical study, which was a combined qualitative-quantitative study. The researcher started with the qualitative study, where prosecutors dealing with sexual abuse cases were interviewed to determine their training needs. After their training needs were determined a training programme was compiled. This training programme formed part of the quantitative study and was implemented during a training session for prosecutors at the Justice College in Pretoria. The programme was also evaluated making use of a pre- and post-test questionnaire to determine whether there was a knowledge improvement after the presentation of the programme. / Thesis (DPhil (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T13:32:31Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Cristiane Andreotti Santos.pdf: 1415762 bytes, checksum: 333f8cb7165d79a8df19a602904e7ce1 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-05-17 / This research presents arguments concerning the hearing of children and adolescents who have been victims of, or witnesses to, sexual violence and mistreatment, aiming at non-re-victimization. The proposed law n. 4.126, of 2004, and its replacement, PLC n. 35/2007, currently passing through the national congress, seek to enshrine in law the experience initiated in Porto Alegre, entitled Deposition without Prejudice This proposal has generated heated debate between professionals in the areas of law, the social services and psychology. The research has as its focus the development of these debates, and the different positions of areas, specially concerning psychology and law. It provides a critical overview of documents in the public domain which are of great importance in understanding the background to these debates. It presents an overview of the concept of the child over a period of time, in which it can be seen that this concept is an historical construction, clearly indicating that violence, particularly sexual violence against the child, became a matter of concern to the authorities and society only in the last quarter of the twentieth century. The research traces out the journey the child victim or witness must make under Brazil s present judicial system. It also touches on other studies which contribute to a fuller and deeper understanding of the different levels and processes at which re-victimization occurs. The study also examines the Deposition without Prejudice and it informs of similar experiments in other countries. However, despite the divergencies existing between the areas, related to the form of how the question of the child re-victimization has been tackled, it is possible to identify a common element: the worry about the protection of the child. The research concludes with an acknowledgement that the legal project concerning the investigation of children mentioned as victims of, or witnesses to, sexual violence or mistreatment has not yet been fully discussed. This discussion must lead to implementation of the methodology showed in the proposed Law n. 4.126, with the incorporation, in the debates, of the democratic opinion of all segments interested in the effective protection of the child / Esta pesquisa apresenta as discussões em torno da oitiva de crianças apontadas como vítimas ou testemunhas de violência sexual ou de maus-tratos visando à não revitimização. O Projeto de Lei n. 4.126, de 2004, e seu substitutivo, o PLC n. 35/2007, que tramitam no Congresso Nacional, pretendem transformar a experiência iniciada em Porto Alegre intitulada Depoimento sem Dano em lei. Essa proposição tem gerado debates acalorados entre profissionais das áreas do direito, do serviço social e da psicologia. A pesquisa tem como foco a trajetória desses debates, os diferentes posicionamentos das áreas, especialmente no tocante ao debate entre psicologia e direito. Faz um levantamento crítico dos documentos de domínio público que foram de grande importância e sustentáculo para o cenário desses debates. Apresenta um levantamento do conceito de criança ao longo do tempo, em que se mostra que esse conceito é uma construção histórica, bem como indica que a violência, especialmente a violência sexual contra a criança, somente passou a ser fonte de preocupação das autoridades e da sociedade no último quarto do século XX. A pesquisa traça o itinerário que a criança vítima-testemunha deve percorrer no atual sistema judiciário brasileiro, e os fatores de revitimização. Aborda autores cujos estudos contribuem para uma compreensão mais ampla e aprofundada dos diferentes níveis e processos em que a revitimização ocorre. A pesquisa caracteriza o projeto do Depoimento Sem Dano , bem como informa sobre experiências semelhantes em outros países. Entretanto, apesar das divergências entre as áreas, relativas à forma como deve ser abordada a questão da revitimização da criança, é possível constatar um elemento comum: a preocupação com a proteção da criança. A pesquisa conclui com o reconhecimento de que o projeto de lei acerca da inquirição de crianças apontadas como vítimas ou testemunhas de violência sexual ou de maus-tratos não foi amplamente discutido, discussão que deve preceder à implementação da metodologia indicada no projeto da Lei n. 4.126, com a incorporação, nos debates, da opinião democrática de todos os segmentos interessados na efetiva proteção da criança

The goal of the study was to conduct a survey on the extent and nature of poly-victimization of adolescents in Heideveld. This researcher used a quantitative approach, administering an altered form of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire to achieve the goal. This questionnaire had 34 screener items exploring victimization events across a broad range of possible victimization types. Convenience sampling of grade 8-10 learners was used from a school in Heideveld. Ninety-one respondents completed the questionnaire, the age range spread from 13 – 18 years of age. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results. Responses of respondents to victimization (directed either at themselves or a peer) were explored through open-ended questions. Content analysis was performed to describe the data collected. The results showed that the extent of poly-victimization of adolescents in Heideveld is high. The findings were explored and finally conclusions and recommendations were discussed. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The goal of the study was to conduct a survey on the extent and nature of poly-victimization of adolescents in Heideveld. This researcher used a quantitative approach, administering an altered form of the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire to achieve the goal. This questionnaire had 34 screener items exploring victimization events across a broad range of possible victimization types. Convenience sampling of grade 8-10 learners was used from a school in Heideveld. Ninety-one respondents completed the questionnaire, the age range spread from 13 – 18 years of age. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse the results. Responses of respondents to victimization (directed either at themselves or a peer) were explored through open-ended questions. Content analysis was performed to describe the data collected. The results showed that the extent of poly-victimization of adolescents in Heideveld is high. The findings were explored and finally conclusions and recommendations were discussed. / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The research addresses secondary victimization of women reporting abuse at the Lenasia Police Station and reasons why it occurs. In addition, the research also determines if the expectations of the survivors of abuse about the police when reporting abuse are in line with what the Domestic Violence Act stipulates as their duties. To determine this, a sample of survivors reporting abuse was used. A qualitative and quantitative approach to the research was used. Two questionnaires were used for the sample of survivors and for service provides, with an opinion survey with knowledgeable people and a focus group discussion with police. It was found that some women were experiencing victimization by the police and that the survivors' expectations of the police were as stipulated in the Domestic Violence Act. Services provided by service providers were outlined and obstacles preventing police to provide a good service were identified. Recommendations were made. / Social work / MA(SS) (SOCIAL WORK)

The research addresses secondary victimization of women reporting abuse at the Lenasia Police Station and reasons why it occurs. In addition, the research also determines if the expectations of the survivors of abuse about the police when reporting abuse are in line with what the Domestic Violence Act stipulates as their duties. To determine this, a sample of survivors reporting abuse was used. A qualitative and quantitative approach to the research was used. Two questionnaires were used for the sample of survivors and for service provides, with an opinion survey with knowledgeable people and a focus group discussion with police. It was found that some women were experiencing victimization by the police and that the survivors' expectations of the police were as stipulated in the Domestic Violence Act. Services provided by service providers were outlined and obstacles preventing police to provide a good service were identified. Recommendations were made. / Social work / MA(SS) (SOCIAL WORK)