Scientific Annals of the “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University, Iaşi. New Series SOCIOLOGY AND SOCIAL WORK Section

CURRENT LEGAL PERSPECTIVES OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

DIANA-MIHAELA CHEPTENE-MICU — 2024-07-31

The judicial proceedings that are generated by violence against women registered significant increases at the level of the courts of the Court of Appeal Iași, from 2019 to 2023, according to the statistical data provided by the ECRIS computer application, used for the efficient management of cases.

In the case of domestic violence crimes, statistics have shown that women are the victims in most of the cases, whether there is an injury to bodily integrity or health, or even their death. Thus, at the level of the local courts in Iași and Vaslui counties, it was found that, within 5 years, 82% of the family violence crimes had women as victims.

There are many cases in which violence against women takes on forms of high danger, both by the materiality of the acts done by the aggressors and by their extension in time, and the recent casuistry has revealed that there are recurrences on the same victim by the same aggressor.

Although the protection orders are increasing significantly and their number has been double, the criminal persistence, by violating the protection order repeatedly, indicates the need to analyze the efficiency of the current legal instruments in reducing domestic violence against women.

VIOLENCE WITHIN THE FAMILY

MĂDĂLINA FRUNZĂ — 2024-07-31

Domestic violence represents a worldwide problem, being present in the privacy of many families. This issue is viewed and treated differently, from one country to another, depending on the social, legal, cultural, and political codes of the society.

The necessity of empirical research in the field of providing services to victims of domestic violence is highlighted both by the numerous changes imposed through the regulatory framework and by the need to have an overview of the quality of services offered by the state system.

The mixed research (quantitative and qualitative - utilizing secondary data analysis and the case study method) was conducted at the Center for Social Services for Adults in Difficulty within the General Directorate of Social Assistance and Child Protection in Iași throughout the year 2022. The present research aimed to identify the consequences of domestic violence on nuclear families. The study aimed to identify the triggering factors of domestic violence, determine the main types of violence to which victims are subjected, and identify the role and importance of social services in the lives of victims. The paper highlights the importance and role of social services offered to victims, which will be quantified over time, as well as the need to improve the current system.

CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE: FACTORS INHIBITING OR TRIGGERING THE DISCLOSURE OF THE SECRET

OANA LĂCRĂMIOARA BĂDĂRĂU — 2024-07-31

The secret character in the abusive relationship, as well as the child's vulnerability, forces him to remain silent and allows the abuse to be repeated. The objective of this paper was to identify the factors that inhibit or cause disclosure of child sexual abuse. The study is based on the opinion of six young women between the ages of 19 and 27, victims of intrafamilial sexual abuse, who benefited from special protection measures.

Based on the interview method, the following were analyzed: individual and family history; the age of onset of sexual abuse, its duration and type; the strategies used by the aggressor in keeping the secret; the way of disclosure and the results obtained afterward. In four of the six cases, the perpetrator was the biological father, and the "secret of sexual abuse" was secured through repeated threats, terrorizing, and physical abuse. Three of the young women revealed the sexual abuse to a friend, respectively to the foster mother (intentionally), one other young woman confessed what happened to them during counseling sessions, and therapy (requested/supported), and one young woman spoke when she was a child to the educator from kindergarten (accidental). One of the participants spoke for the first time about childhood sexual abuse during the present study. Fear of being blamed or held responsible, and feelings of shame contributed to the delay in disclosing the secret.

USING MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS FOR BETTER EXPLAIN AND PREDICT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

NADJI RAHMANIA — 2024-07-31

This study is intended to be educational and is of particular interest to young researchers. It first aims to present and analyze the most relevant risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV), then to highlight the most used models in the fight against IPV, and, finally, to discuss them. By incorporating partner-related risk factors into standard screening procedures, we can potentially detect a higher number of women experiencing abuse, as well as those at greater risk of experiencing abuse or physical harm in the future.

RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS AMONG WOMEN

ANCUȚA ELENA PĂDURARU — 2024-07-31

Violence against women is a problem with significant personal, social, and economic implications that occurs in all countries, regardless of economic level, culture, or religion. Violence against women is often divided into three categories: physical, sexual, and psychological, whether self-directed, interpersonal, or collective. The consequences for victims are both physical and psychological. Although not widely recognized and easily visualized by others, chronic illness can also be a consequence of violence, with a long-term impact on the victim's life, acting as a reminder of what happened even long after the abuse has stopped. This paper is a narrative review that aims to highlight the link between violence against women and chronic somatic illness. In studies addressing and highlighting this relationship, the research methods used have raised important questions about the representativeness of the results obtained, and the extent to which they can be compared, particularly in research addressing intimate partner violence. We highlight gaps in knowledge and propose recommendations for future studies and psychotherapeutic intervention programs for victims of violence.

EMOTIONAL NEGLECT IN CHILDHOOD - PSYCHOLOGICAL MECHANISMS OF ADAPTATION AND CONSEQUENCES

LUCIA STAN — 2024-07-31

It is well known that violence can have its roots in parent-child relationships; the child learns a role and replicates it in adulthood in their relationships. The subject addressed in the article concerns a more unnoticed form of violence, namely emotional neglect. Even in the absence of association with other forms of abuse, emotional neglect causes a lot of emotional pain, and its consequences are considerable. The article explores the universe and intense experiences of young children, as well as their ways of adapting to parental unavailability. It subsequently examines how these mechanisms persist into adulthood and determines the individual's positioning in one of the roles in the dramatic triangle. The article theoretically explains emotional neglect from the perspective of attachment theories and psychological trauma, seeking to offer a more nuanced perspective of the causes of violence in the family, especially those related to an individual's personal history and the transgenerational transmission of violence.

CONSEQUENCES OF EXPOSURE TO FAMILY VIOLENCE ON THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF CHILDREN, ADOLESCENTS, AND YOUNG PEOPLE

MARILENA GEANINA BÂRSAN — 2024-07-31

This article examines the consequences of domestic violence on the lives and education of children, adolescents, and young people, highlighting how they can benefit from support within the educational system (Lloyd, 2018). By applying a systematic research and review approach, we synthetically analyzed studies that precisely evaluated the quantitative and qualitative impact of exposure to family violence on the academic achievements of these age groups. The results underscore the need for implementing educational solutions and support to help them overcome trauma and develop harmoniously. Synthesizing recent studies, we explored how exposure to family violence affects the adaptation and academic achievements of the respondents. The nine examined studies focused on the population of children, adolescents, and young people to assess the relationship between exposure to family violence and academic performance (Supol, 2021). In these research studies, exposure to family violence was treated as an independent variable, while academic success was considered a dependent variable. The conclusions highlight the significant link between family violence and a decline in academic results, emphasizing negative consequences on concentration and learning (da Silva Alves, 2021). Additionally, how a family climate marked by violence influences involvement in school activities, impacting their emotional well-being, is addressed. Through a comprehensive analysis of this topic, the review provides a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms through which family violence can influence the academic trajectory of young people and suggests possible directions for interventions and support.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE TRUE LIFE OF WOMEN IN THE “PERFECT HOME”

MIHAELA-ANDREEA STAMATE — 2024-07-31

Domestic violence is one of the most frequent violations of human rights, occurring worldwide and manifesting in various forms. It has been found that domestic violence should not be ignored or considered normal. Thus, various actions have been initiated to inform society about the consequences of this issue at individual, community, and national levels. Although in Romanian society, the awareness of domestic violence came much later, in the last three decades, previously being a “taboo” subject, today, violence against women is viewed with a different attitude. Through this paper, I aimed to identify the effects of domestic violence on victims, and for data collection, the interview guide has been used. The study is based on the analysis of 5 interviews conducted with women victims of domestic violence, who were beneficiaries at the time at the Social Services Center for Adults in Difficulty in Iasi. The discussion areas have been focused on the following aspects: the history of violence in the couple relationship, the couple relationship, the factors leading to acts of violence, the reason why the woman remains in the abusive relationship, and support services for victims. The main aspects identified from the study refer to the partner’s alcohol consumption, which is a primary factor in triggering acts of violence, jealousy, lack of financial resources (a reason that keeps the victim trapped in the relationship), and the partner’s promises.

THE WOMAN VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

OANA-LAVINIA BERCSENYI — 2024-07-31

Violence against women is a large-scale phenomenon in contemporary society, the number of women abused in a couple's relationship is constantly increasing. Even though in recent years there have been significant changes regarding the distribution of roles in the family, and the differences between men and women have narrowed considerably, there are still men with traditional mindsets who place women in a spot of inferiority, women's capabilities and aspirations being treated with superficiality or even with indifference.

The investigative approach consisted of qualitative research, with an interview guide, applied to 20 women involved in abusive relationships. The qualitative research was conducted in the "Children of Jesus" Day Center in Reșița Municipality. The purpose of the study is to determine the main reasons causing victims of domestic violence not to end the abusive relationship. The results of the research demonstrate the difficulties faced by victims of domestic violence and the need to adopt legislative measures to protect victims and apply strict sanctions to domestic abusers.

PSYCHOGENEALOGICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THE PHENOMENON OF VIOLENCE IN THE FIELD OF SOCIAL WORK

NINA MIHAELA MIHALACHE — 2024-07-31

Psychogenealogy, the science of the unconscious transmission from one generation to another of the unsaid (Schutzenberger, 2016, p.17), began to gain greater visibility in the field of social assistance, as a result of the need for a deeper knowledge of the problems individual social, of their origin and manifestation to facilitate the intervention process. Although social work is on the border with other socio-human sciences, the intervention may require the reinterpretation of this border in order to understand the mental processes and the behaviors associated with them both for professionals and for the beneficiaries of social work. It is not proposed to violate the boundary of the field of psychology, but only a reconfiguration of working techniques in social assistance. The genosociogram, used by many social workers in interventions, can be enriched for the assistance field with elements regarding the contextualization of the origin of the social problems of the beneficiaries at an intergenerational and transgenerational level. This approach would support a comprehensive understanding of the risk factors regarding antisocial behaviors and their origin for a quality intervention but also a more complex collaboration in the interdisciplinary team. The invitation for the opening and deepening of these theories in social wor could contribute on the one hand to the personal and professional development of social workers, and on the other hand, it would bring significant contributions in the intervention processes of the social work field. This approach is configured in the new trends of modern social assistance, focused on learning and social pedagogy, which requires the practice of professional skills of critical thinking and creativity.

THE ROLE OF PSYCHOEDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK SERVICES WITHIN THE ROMANIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH IN THE PREVENTION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

PETRONELA POLIXENIA NISTOR — 2024-07-31

This paper theoretically approaches the role of psychoeducation and professional social work services within the Romanian Orthodox Church in the prevention of domestic violence, as a contemporary social phenomenon. Domestic violence is not a new social problem, as social history demonstrates, but due to its recent worrying frequency, it can be considered a phenomenon that can be thought of as a form of contemporary social pathology, on the one hand, or a social anomaly, as the recrudescence of violent acts currently increases significantly compared to the previous periods in history. The intervention of the Church within the family or society in the prevention of family violence is oriented towards the three dimensions of psychoeducation: the spiritual-pedagogical dimension, the psychological dimension, and the behavioural dimension, which aim to change the perspective on the purpose and existence in life, the reduction of aggressive behaviours and promotion of respectful and nonviolent conduct in interpersonal relationships. The objective of this paper is to analyze the connection between psychoeducation and social work from a socio-spiritual perspective, by taking into account the specificity of this activity within the professionalised social work services provided by the Romanian Orthodox Church, to see if there are systemic differences in the approach to cases of family violence in religiously infused assistential services compared to secular services.

COUNSELING WOMEN IN RISK SITUATIONS

ALEXANDRA-ELISA MEREUȚĂ — 2024-07-31

In today's society, seeking psychological counseling or therapy remains a stigmatized topic. Often, individuals face negative perceptions from others who do not recognize the benefits of counseling, making it even more challenging to seek help. Furthermore, the main purpose of counseling is to support clients in understanding and clarifying their perspectives on life and their environment. Thus, it facilitates better information regarding possible solutions for emotional and interpersonal problems. Through this bachelor’s thesis, I aimed to identify the reasons behind women’s acceptance of certain risky situations, including domestic violence, highlight the main warning signs of these risky situations, and discover the coping strategies women generally use, especially those with violent partners. To achieve my objectives, I interviewed five victims who are beneficiaries of the Social Services Center for Adults in Difficulty: Emergency Reception Center for Victims of Domestic Violence, Iași.

EMPOWERING THE WOMEN IN THE CONTEXT OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.A PUBLIC POLICY PROPOSAL FOR IAȘI COUNTY

CIPRIAN IFTIMOAEI — 2024-07-31

This public policy proposal highlights the challenges faced by women in Iași County, including violence, teenage motherhood, issues related to women working abroad, poverty among women, and their underrepresentation in local politics. It outlines a general action framework involving various stakeholders, such as public institutions, non-governmental organizations, and professional groups. The proposal sets goals and objectives aligned with the principles, norms, and values of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The public policy proposal is organized into five sections. The first section introduces gender issues in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the European Strategy on Gender Equality 2020-2025, Romania’s Sustainable Development Strategy, and the National Strategy for promoting equal opportunities and treatment for women and men and for preventing and combating domestic violence for 2018-2021. The second section provides an analysis of the most severe issues facing women in Iași County, including various forms of violence, teenage motherhood, women working abroad and leaving children behind, how poverty affects women, and their underrepresentation in political decision-making roles. Section three outlines the proposal’s goals, general and specific objectives, and identifies the direct and indirect beneficiaries. Section four discusses potential solutions to the identified problems, using SWOT analysis for each proposed option, and presents the rationale for selecting the implementation option, including an assessment of its economic, social, and environmental impact. Section five suggests a consultation framework for adopting the public policy proposal, and summarizes the post-adoption measures.

THE DYNAMICS OF TEACHER AND STUDENT ROLES AS AN ONGOING RELATIONSHIP

MARA – SÎNZIANA PASCU — 2024-07-31

The term "role" is used to designate realities of psychosocial relationships. Consequently, the definition of the concept will always be interdisciplinary, from a psychological, sociological, praxeological, axiological, and, in the context of our work, a pedagogical one, whereby the interdependencies involved in the educational process are analyzed, in which the teacher is the coordinator and the one responsible for the effects. The various taxonomies include "roles: specialised (according to status), those that are the expression of aspirations (in essence) and assumed, organised, possible to modify, because they are created or imposed, but also have a certain degree of freedom. To these can be added permanent or current roles (in terms of temporality), individual or collective (by origin), psychosocial, pedagogical (by content), weak, balanced or strong (by consistency), flexible or rigid (by form), simple or complex (by difficulty)" (JOIȚA, E., 2000, 40). Their importance is evident from the perspective of relations between people - understood as a continuous present of joint action. The analysis focused on the teacher-student relationship is an opportunity to record psychosocial conditioning and ways to eliminate the potential for symbolic violence.

SELF-ADVOCACY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS STANDARDS

NATALIA COJOCARU — 2024-07-31

The article delves into the concept of self-advocacy among persons with disabilities and its significance within the framework of international human rights standards. It analyses the legislation and policies of the Republic of Moldova to demonstrate how they establish conditions for the self-advocacy of persons with disabilities. The recently initiated process of accession to the European Union by the Republic of Moldova has implications for the country's approach to the rights of persons with disabilities. Consequently, the article also offers insights into the standards and legal provisions of the European Union that affect the self-advocacy of persons with disabilities. The article employs the method of documentary analysis to investigate relevant scientific publications and to scrutinize the legal frameworks at both the national and international levels that are relevant to the rights of persons with disabilities, enabling their self-advocacy and participation. The article concludes that Moldovan legislation is aligned with international standards on the rights of persons with disabilities, providing a robust legal basis for their self-advocacy. However, the effectiveness of self-advocacy depends on how actively involved persons with disabilities are in promoting their own interests. Additionally, it depends on whether decision-makers make media and information easily accessible to them, thus enabling their full and meaningful participation.

THE UNSEEN FACES OF VIOLENCE

Carmen Palaghia — 2024-07-31

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