By Ilona Serafin,
London Metropolitan University.
This study examines the challenges faced by social workers in the process of identifying at-risk children. While social workers are essential in protecting the most vulnerable children, they face different challenges. This research highlights the systematic, organisational, structural, and personal hurdles that affect the effectiveness of this identification process. This research will investigate and examine significant challenges in the assessment process by analysing serious case studies as secondary analysis. This study emphasises the need for enhanced training, resources, and strategies to improve outcomes. Emphasising recurring primary discussions and the necessity for enhanced policy.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16648388
By Keisha French,
London Metropolitan University.
The primary aim of this research was to investigate whether multi-agency support services offer sufficient support to victims of serious sexual violence in England and Wales. To achieve this, this research study conducted a thematic analysis using quantitative secondary data analysis. The research study starts by evaluating three multi-agency support services in England and Wales; that is, Independent Sexual Violence Advisers (ISVAs), Sexual Assault Referral Centres’ (SARCs), and Rape Crisis Centre’s (RCCs). The research study analyses their working framework and its effectiveness.
To investigate whether multi-agency support services offer sufficient support, three themes are analysed, that is: criminal justice outcome, immediate response, and long-term support for sexual violence victims.
From thematic analysis, it was discovered that multi-agency support services play a crucial role in helping victims of sexual violence navigate the criminal justice system. Specifically, it was discovered that sexual offence crimes in England and Wales take the longest to get an outcome, which may increase distress to victims of sexual violence. As such, with the help of support services, victims can understand the legal procedure and follow through with the whole process. In addition, it was concluded that multi-agency services offer sufficient support in addressing the immediate help needed by victims of serious sexual offences. This involves offering forensic examination, medical care, and psychological support. Also, it was concluded that multi-agency services offer sufficient support in the long-term recovery of sexual violence victims by offering group counselling, medical check-ups, follow-ups, and forensic examination, evidence preservation.
The research study concludes by offering policy recommendations that may help improve the delivery of support services, such as increasing funding and having a central case management system to help integrate multi-agency communication and reduce the burden of victims having to go through many steps to acquire multi-agency support services.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16266657
By Bronte Woodhouse,
UWE Bristol (University of the West of England).
This extended literature review explores the impact of trauma-induced biological changes (TIBC) on male violence and aggression. Initially, thematic analysis was used to identify the relevant themes relating to the research inquiry which were then used to form the chapter titles and subheadings. The findings suggest that trauma can change biological mechanisms which can contribute to the externalisation of violence and aggression in men. The implications for this evidence are discussed in relation to the court setting in England and Wales and other western countries. The findings highlight the need for trauma-informed practices to be implemented into the criminal justice system to support the complex needs of offenders, particularly those with PTSD. The findings also emphasise the importance of conducting more research on TIBC before they are recognised in court as mitigating factors, in order to prevent unjust legal outcomes. These findings support previous research linking trauma to violent offending behaviour, emphasising the need for offenders to have access to the appropriate treatment to support their journey towards rehabilitation.
This work received the 2025 JCJD Dissertation Prize.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16098618