Friday 05 de April
SS - ENG 06
11:30 - 12:30
Poster Presentation
1 - Democracia, Derechos Humanos, Construcción de la Paz y Justicia Ecosocial
#0285 |
Simposio de Alheimer: una mirada desde el trabajo social y la academia
Dra Florencia Velazquez Morales
1
1 - Universidad Interamericana.
Summary
El 21 de septiembre se conmemora el Día Mundial de la Concienciación de la Enfermedad del Alzheimer. Durante cuatro años nos hemos solidarizado a través de la celebración del Simposio de Alzheimer: una mirada desde la academia. En el Primer Simposio (2018) bajo el lema “Dos mundos un solo camino hacia la inclusión” se realizó un panel introductorio y se presentó la película ¿Quién eres tú?, con un panel interdisciplinario que incluyo al autor de la película. Hubo una asistencia de 455 personas. En el Segundo Simposio (2019) hubo una asistencia de 340 personas. Se realizó una plenaria, 7 talleres concurrentes y se presentó la película Desandando la Vida, hubo un panel de cuidadores que incluyó al autor de esta. La hoja de evaluación fue completada en línea por 60 personas, la cual incluyo 15 preguntas cerradas y una abierta. El 96.7 % le resulto interesante la presentación de apertura, de las siete sesiones concurrentes el 32.2 % asistió al tema de asuntos legales, seguido por el 27.1% que asistió al tema del abordaje desde el trabajo social, el 88.3 % contesto que la película le permitió entender mejor las vivencias de los cuidadores, el 86.4 % indico que el panel de cuidadores le permitió sentir empatía y el 96.7 % contesto que la actividad fue una oportunidad de aprendizaje y de desarrollo profesional. Se concluye que la actividad cumplió con los objetivos trazados. Debido a la Pandemia del COVID 19 el Tercer Simposio (2021) fue virtual, al cual asistieron 150 personas. Hubo una conferencia de apertura, cuatro conferencias concurrentes y un conversatorio por el Comité de “Un café por el Alzheimer”. En el Cuarto Simposio (2022) bajo el lema “Rompiendo las barreras del estigma y aumentando la calidad de vida” asitieron 130 personas. Se realizaron dos conferencias de apertura y 12 sesiones concurrentes.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Alzheimer, Simposio, Educación, Academia, Concienciación, Estigma, Edadismo
#0320 |
S W :Building bridges towards diversity
Tannya Rojas
1
1 - Colegio de Trabajadores Sociales de Costa Rica.
Summary
Históricamente hemos tendido puentes con diversidad y desde la diversidad hacia una cultura de respeto; mi obra sintetiza con simpleza el contexto geográfico en que nos congregamos y la labor que hacemos día a día al propiciar, crear conexiones en el tiempo real. Esta acuarela intencionada revela como el agua y el color se consuman en armonía para manifestar desde el lenguaje visual ; lo que nos convoca en este encuentro.
Keywords (separate with commas)
#BRIDGES# DIVERSITY#BUILD#SW#PANAMA#SWPANAMA2023
#0321 |
Building bridges towards diversity
Tannya Rojas
1
1 - Colegio de Trabajadores Sociales de Costa Rica.
Summary
Históricamente hemos tendido puentes con diversidad y desde la diversidad hacia una cultura de respeto; mi obra sintetiza con simpleza el contexto geográfico en que nos congregamos y la labor que hacemos día a día al propiciar, crear conexiones en el tiempo real. Esta acuarela intencionada revela como el agua y el color se consuman en armonía para manifestar desde el lenguaje visual ; lo que nos convoca en este encuentro.
Keywords (separate with commas)
BRIDGES # BULDING BRIDGES # SW PANAMA 2024
#0413 |
We respect diversity
Tannya Rojas
1
1 - Colegio de Trabajadores Sociales de Costa Rica.
Summary
un poster call to action que hace un llamado al respecto de la diversidad
Keywords (separate with commas)
respeto # diversidad# trabajo social
#1035 |
PARTICIPACIÓN POPULAR Y COLECTIVOS DE DEFENSA DEL DERECHO A LA CIUDAD EN CURITIBA, PARANÁ, BRASIL
ANDREA LUIZA CURRALINHO BRAGA
1
1 - Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná.
Summary
Esta investigación tiene como objetivo analizar los espacios de participación y acción social en los territorios en el contexto de Curitiba y de la Región Metropolitana, en el estado de Paraná, Brasil, presentando un análisis de cuáles son las acciones colectivas propuestas en el contexto de la defensa del Derecho a la Ciudad y de la Reforma Urbana. En el contexto brasileño, la democracia participativa se expresa a través de una multiplicidad de ámbitos participativos. La concepción inicial de esta propuesta se basa en los principios de la democratización del país y en los preceptos legales de que "el poder emana del pueblo", en los que los espacios de participación y control social serían instancias de participación capaces de democratizar la toma de decisiones e identificar las demandas de la población. Uno de los principios del Derecho a la Ciudad es la defensa de la gestión democrática. Este principio parte de la premisa de fortalecer la construcción del "derecho a la participación", que es efectivo y permite mejorar la democracia de manera radical, así como fortalecer la cultura de la participación, incluyendo a la población en los procesos de toma de decisiones y definición de políticas públicas De esta forma, la investigación aborda la cuestión del Derecho a la Ciudad y al territorio, con énfasis en la gestión democrática. Se realizó un estudio bibliográfico y documental para analizar las experiencias locales de Curitiba y de la Región Metropolitana en la participación de las organizaciones populares. También muestra que, para acceder a una vivienda digna, se organizan formas colectivas de movilización para conquistar derechos y reivindicar una vivienda social. Los resultados de esta investigación muestran los límites y desafíos de la participación popular y cómo las organizaciones colectivas y los movimientos sociales materializan la gestión democrática en el contexto local.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Derecho a la ciudad. Territorios. Organización Colectiva. Participación popular.
#1519 |
Ongoing Education and Ethics in Advisory and Consulting: A Commitment to Equality
Clara Storino Cavalcanti
1
1 - UFRJ.
Summary
Ongoing Education plays a crucial role in training professionals in various fields, from preparatory courses for exams to advisory and consulting services. However, the challenge arises when professional ethics collide with the need to meet the ever-evolving demands of society.\ Advisory and consulting are actions aimed at promoting changes in reality, being conducted by highly qualified professionals who are constantly updated and capable of presenting clear solutions. The advisor does not act directly but provides paths and strategies to the teams they advise, which have the autonomy to adopt their recommendations or not. Therefore, professional ethics and continuous updating are essential.\ Law No. 8.662/93 identifies advisory and consulting as the exclusive competencies of Social Workers. However, these activities are not exclusive to the profession. Initiating an advisory/consulting process requires in-depth knowledge of the reality of the services that have requested them. This necessitates continuous training, as the legitimacy of the consultant comes from their intellectual capacity and the clarity of their proposals.\ It is imperative to break away from piecemeal and clientelistic assistance and work towards an Assistance Social policy committed to the rights of citizens. The Social Worker, as an advisor/consultant, plays a fundamental role in this process. Quality ongoing education is essential to provide proposals that meet the demands of users and ensure their rights.\ Current challenges, marked by the dismantling of social policies, underscore the need for ongoing education in the professional field. This is essential to make social rights of users viable and to promote reflection, the expansion of theoretical-practical knowledge, and the consolidation of professional practices. Ongoing Education becomes a valuable tool for the realization of more just and equitable social policies, addressing the ever-evolving needs of society while remaining aligned with the ethical principles that should guide the actions of Social Work professionals.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Ongoing Education, Advisory, Consulting, Professional Ethics, Inequality, Social Work, Training, Professional Updating, Social Rights, Social Assistance Policy.
#1591 |
Exhibition by the artist Lúcio Mustafá
Alexandra Mustafá
1
1 - Universidade Federal de Pernambuco - UFPE - Brasil.
Summary
Lúcio Mustafá, in addition to being the husband of professor Alexandra Mustafá, Member at Large of the IASSW, is an artist who has participated in social movements demanding respect for human rights and defense of the most vulnerable, since his youth, having been a disciple of Father Larry Rosebaugh, who lived among the beggars of the city of Recife, Brazil, for many years.Then, Lúcio held a series of local, national and international exhibitions (See artistic curriculum in Attachment IV and V), also giving several conferences on the social function of art and the theory of the formation of the artist and the work of art . With the departure of her colleague Alexandra Mustafá for her doctorate in Rome (1994 to 1999), Lúcio, who accompanied her, became a Bachelor of Classical and Christian Letters at the Institutum Altioris Latinitatis Romae and took the opportunity to deepen her artistic theory and practice.\ In Brazil, at the beginning of the 21st century, Lúcio structures autonomous conceptions, regarding the essence of art, its social, pedagogical, existential and socioeconomic function, and becomes a bachelor and graduate in philosophy from the Federal University of Pernambuco - UFPE. \ For the Panama Conference, given that he is also an important collaborator of Professor Alexandra Mustafá in her national and international activities, Lúcio is proposing an exhibition of drawn portraits of important social workers from around the world. This display can take place in the hall where the Conference is taking place, as these are light pieces that do not require the use of anything that could damage the physical structure of the walls. The set of parts can easily be exposed in an alternative and innocuous way.
Keywords (separate with commas)
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch
ATLAPA Islands Room / Salón Islas de ATLAPA
- The Global Social Services Workforce Alliance
14:05 - 15:05
Area_08
Ethno-Cultural, Religious, And National Diversity
#0161 |
Organization Guidelines for Spiritually Informed Care
Melissa Grady
1
;
Brooks Zitzmann
1
1 - Catholic University of America.
Summary
This presentation will present a new model for Spiritually Informed Care (SIC), which was developed out of a study aimed at understanding how organizations can respond to those who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA). SIC integrates spirituality and the principles of trauma-informed care (TIC), while seeking to provide a holistic approach to those who have experienced CSA. The study included participants (
n=76) who took part in an international symposium focused on this topic and responded to an online survey with open-ended questions. Researchers conducted a thematic analysis of the qualitative data from which three themes emerged: negative impacts, direct response, and institutional changes. Participants emphasized the need for providers to understand CSA’s negative impacts to faith and the unique harm this does by disrupting connection to what would otherwise be a spiritual resource for healing. They described a range of direct responses needed tailored toward addressing spirituality. Lastly, several participants called for broad institutional reforms from religious institutions. The SIC model emerged based on these findings, which indicated the need for organizations to go beyond TIC and also approach spirituality with care, particularly for those who experienced faith-related harms. This presentation will include concrete examples for how social workers across multiple levels of practice can use SIC within their organizations to provide optimal care for all of their clients, regardless of their faith backgrounds, including those without a faith tradition. This presentation is directly connected to the subtheme of the conference related to social work development in mental health and spirituality. Its unique combination blends these larger subthemes and can be applied to various contexts across social work practice settings.
Keywords (separate with commas)
child sexual abuse, spirituality, mental health, organizations
#0704 |
Art as a Method to Engage a Community on Sensitive Topics: Reducing the Stigma of Suicide Deaths in the Latino Population
Enedina Nina
1
1 - University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
Summary
In the Latino population, there has been a 50% increase since 2000 for adolescent males and a 56% increase among adolescent females attempting suicide (Villatoro et al, 2014). Research indicates that cultural norms such as familismo, machismo, maranismo, la vergüencia, el que dirán, and respeto, can act as obstacles for some families to look for help outside the family (Hsu et al., 2013).\ \ Not talking about the tragedy, discouraging family members from seeking support, and lack of ability to cope with negative life events are predictors of suicide risk in Hispanics (Chang et al., 2010). The presentation will feature data and a film written from the qualitative interviews held with Latino survivors of suicide loss (SOSL). The interviews provided the basis for the development of a cinematic approach to increasing understanding and awareness of the traumatic process of dying by suicide. Using themes from the interview, a 12-minute film.\ Art has a way of captivating an audience and spark conversations on sensitive topics. Films can help spread awareness of mental health, suicide, and emotional pain. Conversations on emotional pain may be a challenge in some cultures. The Narrative Engagement Framework can draw an audience in with sensitive topics (Miller \& Hecht, 2014). The characters' story of pain, suffering, and loss sheds light on societal and cultural views of healing. \ It may also help to increase awareness of personal biases and beliefs. Objectives:Art and the Narrative Engagement Framework can captivate an audience and start conversations about stigma and cultural norms that hinder the healing journey for Latino Survivors of Suicide Loss (SOSL). Be able to analyze how film may aid in culturally shifting responses to prevent further trauma for bereaved survivors.Films can raise awareness of unconscious behavior affecting individuals, families, and communities. Create culturally sensitive therapies for Latino Survivors of Suicide Loss.\
Keywords (separate with commas)
Culture, Traumatic Grief, Art, Sensitive Topics, Begin the Conversation, Healing, Latino population.\
#1251 |
Respecting Diversity and Centering Social Justice in Social Work Curriculum: Lessons Learned in Canadian Social Work Education
Eunjung Lee
1
;
Toula Kourgiantakis
2
1 - University of Toronto.
2 - Laval University.
Summary
Although social justice is recognized as a core value shaping the curricula of social work programs, translating social justice values into teachable social work education content requires thoughtful curriculum planning . Scholars note an ongoing tension between developing professional social workers through evidence-based, competence skill training versus promoting social justice-oriented social workers through activism, advocacy, and policy development.\ Furthermore, discussing\
what to teach for social justice education amidst changing priorities and
how to teach social justice-related content has been an ongoing pedagogical challenge in social work education. It is invaluable for social work educators to have more information about lessons learned from teaching experiences in translating social justice values and principles into teachable curricula.\ This presentation aims to explore social justice and diversity education in Canadian schools of social work.\ Using an online survey,\ we invited\ faculty members\ to share their teaching experiences in social justice courses. Participants included 24 faculty members who have taught either undergraduate or graduate students in accredited social work schools across Canada. \ Findings revealed various characteristics of social justice and diversity courses, and main themes around challenges and supports in teaching social justice and diversity courses. Three challenges include: (1) insufficient time to cover social justice and diversity topics with enough breadth and depth; (2) addressing students’ affects and preconceived ideas; and (3) Increased burden for faculty members identifying as Black, Indigenous, and people of colour teaching social justice focused courses. Participants described three areas that need to be strengthened to teach social justice and diversity courses including (1) integrating social justice content across all micro and macro courses, as well as practicum; (2) creating a space and culture of community of practice (CoP) for social justice education and ongoing faculty training; and (3) institutionalizing social justice education for the professional accreditation of social work education.
Keywords (separate with commas)
social justice education as social action, pedagogical challenges and rewards, Canadian social work education\
15:05 - 16:05
Area_08
Ethno-Cultural, Religious, And National Diversity
#0838 |
Lessons Learned: Expanding International Social Work Practice through Social Work EducationCollaborations
Melissa Grady
1
;
Jo Ann Regan
1
1 - Catholic University of America.
Summary
Social work’s (SW’s) presence continues to grow internationally, as evidenced by the increasingnumber of international conferences and organizations, and the rising number of collaborationsand partnerships between universities from different countries. While these opportunities haveincreased among educators and researchers, graduate students in particular have had feweropportunities to engage in such international collaborations. In response, during the summer of2023, our university initiated an inaugural course in Rome Italy, in which SW graduate studentsfrom three countries (Czech Republic, Italy, and United States) participated in a course focusedon International Responses to Trauma. Through this course, students learned from their fellowstudents, faculty, and SW practitioners from all three countries regarding how each countrydefines and responds to trauma from a SW perspective. In addition to the group learning, thestudents identified and researched a social issue related to trauma within their own country, andpresented to the larger group a program to address that issue. Through this experience,students and faculty members engaged in learning about diversity and psychosocial responsesin disaster situations (Theme 10) and also learned to appreciate and learn about ethno-cultural,religious, and national diversities (Theme 8). While study abroad programs exist at many SWprograms, this course presented a unique opportunity for all to truly engage in an internationalexperience, as they lived, socialized, and learned together during the course. In thispresentation, we will provide lessons learned for how other universities might createpartnerships aimed at developing a similar experience for their students to increase theirexposure to international learning opportunities. Such opportunities will serve to strengthen ourprofession, both within our own countries and internationally, as we help future social workersearly in their careers to think and respond globally to the social challenges that they will face inthe future.
Keywords (separate with commas)
social work education, international social work, international collaboration,
#0861 |
Strengths and challenges of increasing numbers of overseas students in social work programmes in the United Kingdom: reflections from the Joint University Council International Committee
Vicky Sharley
1
;
Janet Walker
2
1 - University of Bristol.
2 - University of Lincoln.
Summary
This abstract aligns with the conference’s sub-themes: Ethno-cultural, Religious and National Diversities8, and Social Service Workers’ Working Conditions16.\\ The\\ Joint University Council (JUC) International Sub-Committee (IC) works closely with the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the European Association of Schools of Social Work (EASSW), and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). The purpose of JUC IC is to identify international trends and priorities in social work education and the profession, focusing on promoting the internationalisation of the social work curriculum in the United Kingdom (JUC, 2023).Whilst the challenges of working conditions16 for international social work practitioners are becoming well-documented (Ravalier
et al., 2022) the preceding challenges for education providers supporting students from overseas has received much less consideration. The benefits of cultural, ethnic and religious diversity8\\ in social work education are certain (Panagiotis, 2020;\\ Azzopardi and McNeill, 2016;)\\ with literature giving particular emphasis to the value of international elective practicum (Smith \\& Sharley, 2016). This paper focuses upon understanding the challenges of supporting overseas students in UK-based social work qualifying programmes. It presents key themes identified within a workshop comprised selected members of the International Sub-Committee in 2023. Academics affiliated with Universities that \\ observed a significant rise in the proportion of international students enrolled upon their programmes in the last 3 years, and who all hold membership to the IC. \\ Identified themes include challenges experienced in relation to admissions, teaching and learning pedagogy, practice placements, assessment, and pastoral support.Reflections from the workshop will be shared with the conference to promote broader dialogue on this important and emergent trend of increasing overseas applicants in university-based social work programmes. Implications for both the internationalisation of the social work curriculum in Higher Education, and wider implications for international practitioners entering the profession in the UK will be examined.
Keywords (separate with commas)
International Social Work, Higher Education, Social Work Education, Overseas Students, Challenges, Cultural Diversity
#0943 |
Race Affinity Groups in Social Work Education: The Power of Diversity and Caucusing to Advance Social Action
Julia Kleinschmit
1
;
Yolanda Spears
1
1 - University of Iowa School of Social Work.
Summary
This is a 30 minute workshop.\\ People of Color are the global majority, and it is time that the US moved from teaching social work as if whiteness is the norm. In the US, the social work profession is overwhelmingly white. Studies have shown and what we have found is that White students aren’t gaining skills to become and behave in less-racist ways and BIPOC students aren’t building their critical consciousness or skills either. The social work curriculum is white-centered and depends on the few students who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) to tell and relive their individual stories of racial trauma so that white students will better understand their individual positionality and the harm that comes from the system of white supremacy. \\ Using racial caucus groups (also known as affinity groups) in which students meet and work through content and practice skills with students from their own racial/ethnic group allows all students to grow while lessening the harm to BIPOC students. We must implement bold teaching approaches like racial caucus groups so that we can have brave conversations in the classroom about theoretical and historical perspectives on racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination; enhance culturally competent social work practice; and develop and commit to social action strategies. In this workshop, participants will learn: 1) how to set up racial caucus groups, 2) why they are impactful, 3) lessons we learned from using the strategy, and 4) the challenges we face in using racial caucus groups in the current US political environment.\\
Keywords (separate with commas)
white supremacy, social work education, university, race, affinity group, caucus group, critical consciousness, privilege, trauma, skill development, teaching, social action, emancipatory approach, USA
16:10 - 17:10
Area_08
Ethno-Cultural, Religious, And National Diversity
#0143 |
Virtual Treatment during the COVID-19 Pandemic for Ultra-Orthodox Young Women with Eating Disorders
Yael Latzer
1
1 - University of Haifa.
Summary
Background: With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the need arose to maintain treatment continuity for religious Jewish Ultra-Orthodox young women with eating disorders (EDs). This need leading to the development of home-based online treatment channels, previously unfamiliar and unaccepted in this population. Aims: To investigate our online home-based treatment model implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic Method: We briefly review the literature on 1. The Jewish Israeli Ultra-Orthodox culture; 2. Young women in Ultra-Orthodox society; and 3. EDs in Jewish Israeli Ultra-Orthodox women. We then present the inpatient ED department for Ultra-Orthodox young women and describe the online treatment model adapted to this population during the COVID-19 pandemic. We highlight the difficulties, dilemmas, and advantages of our online model with the description of three patients. Findings: Online therapy can serve as a barrier to treatment in some cases, due to physical (lack of suitable online devices except phones), familial (over-crowded families), and religious circumstances, as well as because of the patient's reluctance to take part in this treatment. In other cases, virtual home-based treatment can lead to a positive change. This may be the case in patients who find the distancing online model suitable for them, and in parents who are committed to treatment, using their greater physical and emotional presence at home during the COVID-19 pandemic for the good of their ill daughters.Discussion: This paper highlights the difficulties and possibilities inherent in a virtual home-based treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic for Ultra-Orthodox young women previously hospitalized because of an ED. This model can be effective for some patients and families if undertaken by a multidisciplinary team that is not only knowledgeable about the treatment of EDs and the use of online strategies but also knowledgeable and culturally sensitive to the specific needs and codes of Ultra-Orthodox populations.
Keywords (separate with commas)
anorexia nervosa, COVID-19, eating disorders, home hospitalization, online treatment, Jewish Ultra-Orthodox
#0630 |
Inter-ethnic relationships in the establishment sector: a lever for integration
Hugo Lefrancois
1
;
Erfaneh Razavipour Naghani
1
;
Jill Hanley
1
1 - McGill University.
Summary
Social capital literature makes it abundantly clear that international migrants benefit from relationships with people outside of their own ethnic group. Inter-ethnic relationships can provide newcomers with new sources of information, help them access different resources (e.g. housing, employment) than those available in their own communities, and increase their sense of inclusion and belonging in their new home. Community organizations in the settlement sector play a central role in the integration of newcomers in Canada. Every year, these organizations receive and support immigrants from various ethnic backgrounds. However, little research has explored the inter-ethnic relationships that are established within the settlement sector. Through a pan-Canadian study, semi-structured interviews were conducted in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal with practitioners (n=40) and service users (n=40) in the settlement sector. The nature of the results is twofold: 1) this research permitted to describe the nature of the inter-ethnic relationships taking place in the establishment sector and 2) the impact of those relationships on the integration of immigrants was assessed. Furthermore, this research explores how policy differences between Quebec and the rest of Canada impact inter-ethnic relationships in the settlement sector. Understanding the nature of these relationships and how they are tied to policy can allow us to understand better what contributes to the integration of immigrants, and therefore guide practices and policies, in Canada and in other destination countries.
Keywords (separate with commas)
migration, inter-ethnic relationships, settlement sector, community organizations, social integration, immigration policies
#0731 |
Exploring Intersections of Age, Gender, Immigration, Ethnicity and Widowhood among Older Chinese Immigrants in Canada
Summary
The population of older adults in\ Canadian society is ageing and becoming more ethnically diverse. Some scholars have explored the lived experiences of older immigrants in Western societies, however, studies on widowhood experiences among older immigrants are extremely limited. Adopting an intersectionality framework, this study seeks to address this gap by examining\ the influences of age, gender, immigrant status, ethnicity on the lived experience of widowed older Chinese immigrants in Calgary, Canada.\ Data were collected from 12 in-depth qualitative interviews and thematically analyzed. Older Chinese immigrants’ widowhood experiences were located within intersections of multiple identities. Findings suggest that an intersectionality perspective could be used to better inform the development of social work practice and policy making for older immigrants.\
Keywords (separate with commas)
widowhood, older adult, Chinese immigrant, lived experience, spousal bereavement, intersectionality\
#0864 |
Institutional Child Sexual Abuse and barriers to change within closed communities, a case study of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Australia
Marcia Pinskier
1
1 - Monash University.
Summary
To date, there has been limited scholarly analysis of manifestations of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse (ICSA) within Jewish, Ultra-orthodox communities. The Australian Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (2013-2017) (RCIRCSA) provided a valuable examination of two ultra-orthodox organisations in Australia, \ and additionally issued a set of child safety recommendations for application. \ RCIRCSA recommendations and broader community observations addressed the need to support, (rather than discourage) disclosures, improve reporting to authorities, and provide greater survivor support as opposed to siding with individuals against whom allegations had been laid. The dilemma of institutional and communal reputational prioritization was also noted.Further highlighting cultural concerns in management of incidents of ICSA, was the recent, extended high-profile case of Malka Leifer, principal at the ultra-orthodox Adass Jewish school in Melbourne. Recently found guilty on a series of charges of sexually abusing two former students, Leifer was assisted to flee to Israel in 2008 by members of the communal leadership as they became aware of a series of allegations made against her, prior to reporting their concerns to police, thus enabling her to avoid extradition and facing the courts, prior to 2021.The paper addresses:- Ultra-orthodox cultural leadership practices that have failed to protect children, in particular practices that have acted as barriers to disclosure of sexual abuse;- Performance of mainstream Australian, Jewish leadership in addressing child safety within these communities;- Likely commonalities with other comparable faith-based communities; and\ - Acknowledgement of the existence of child safety inadequacies in more contemporary times, in mainstream Jewish institutions and their leadership performance.This paper presents as part of a study addressing:- Institutional Child Sexual Abuse and Jewish Communal Leadership; and- Improved policy, practice and tailored community education to promote child safety within Jewish communities.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, Ultra-orthodox Jewish organisations, Jewish community, Australia, Leadership
17:10 - 18:10
Area_08
Ethno-Cultural, Religious, And National Diversity
#0203 |
Multicultural quality of life of a Muslim community in South Australia: A need for religiosity in policy and practice developments
Helen McLaren
1
;
Emi Patmisari
1
;
Michelle Jones
2
1 - Flinders University.
2 - University of South Australia.
Summary
Australians have more than 300 different cultural origins, speak more than 300 languages from nearly 200 nations, and practice more than 100 religions. Islam is the second largest religion comprising 2.6% of the population. Most Muslims are immigrants or diaspora of South Asia, or descendants. Muslims strong sense of obligation to Islam informs their ways of life, but it is mostly invisible in Australia's mainstream policy, health, and welfare services. Our study assessed the subjective quality of life of adults from a Muslim community affiliated with the Adelaide Mosque in metropolitan South Australia. Using a mixed-methods research design, data were collected via a cross-sectional survey incorporating the Multicultural Quality of Life Index (MQLI) and qualitative group interviews. The survey (
n = 98) found that women had a lower quality of life than men, and married participants had a better quality of life than non-married participants. In two focus groups, participants (
n = 18) reported feeling overwhelmed and isolated, primarily related to a lack of ‘Muslim-friendly’ health, welfare, and social support services. Greater opportunities for religiously informed services that respect Muslim religiosity and performative ways of life would benefit the community studied, in particular the women. While findings from our study are not representative of all Muslim perspectives in Australia, they reveal a dialogic interchange between gender differences and matrimonial status and cultural variances that may exist in the concept of well-being. While such religious considerations are needed in multicultural practice, in both discrete and mainstream service, respect for religiosity in Australia’s health, welfare, and sociopolitical systems fall far behind many other nations. Much more needs to be done, since the delivery of religiously appropriate services is crucial for the multicultural quality of life of Muslims, and for the achievement of truly multicultural and inclusive nations.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Australia, Muslim, multicultural, quality of life, well-being
#1066 |
Researcher-practitioner partnership for culturally appropriate intimate partner violence prevention programs in immigrant communities
Y. Joon Choi
1
1 - Georgia State University.
Summary
Intervention strategies cannot be universally applied to all groups or communities due to the inherent diversity in contexts and needs. Immigrant survivors facing intimate partner violence (IPV) encounter numerous language and cultural barriers when seeking help; thus, they turn to faith leaders for help. However, these faith leaders, who are also immigrants themselves, frequently lack training in IPV prevention. Additionally, attempts by community organizations to engage with them have yielded limited success.To tackle these challenges, Religious Leaders for Healthy Families (RLHF) was established. RLHF provided training to immigrant pastors on IPV prevention through virtual case simulations and workshops and facilitated their connection with community organizations for IPV intervention in Asian communities. RLHF was evaluated through a randomized controlled trial focused on the Korean American community in Chicago and Washington, D.C. metropolitan areas.The researchers partnered with two Asian American survivor-serving community organizations for the project. To ensure the seamless involvement of partner organizations without burdening them, each organization hired a project coordinator funded by the grant. A bi-weekly online meeting facilitated collaboration between the researcher/practitioner team, enabling joint decision-making on scientific methodology, program development, survey construction, data collection procedures, planned analyses, report creation, and scientific presentations.Over five years, this partnership significantly improved the researchers’ capacity to develop culturally appropriate programs. Notably, 102 Korean faith leaders received training in IPV prevention and intervention. This initiative also forged a robust collaboration between community partners and faith leaders, opening\ new doors to IPV prevention and reshaping the perspectives of Korean faith leaders who have a greater appreciation for the agencies' assistance.The project exemplifies a successful program that incorporated community voices, leading to tangible benefits for community partners and fostering enduring positive outcomes within the community.
Keywords (separate with commas)
domestic violence, immigrant survivors, religious leaders, community-university collaboration, community-engaged research
#1076 |
Centering Black experiences: Treatment of Mental illness in Montreal's Afro-Caribbean community
Syndie David
1
1 - McGill University.
Summary
Black people in Western countries are overrepresented within mandatory mental health services and underrepresented in voluntary services. This discrepancy between psychological distress and service seeking behavior raises concerns about the potential impact of racial stereotypes and ethnocentric practices contributing to discriminatory interventions within social services.\ The objective of this research is to provide a better understanding of how social representations of mental illness influence help-seeking behavior and treatment perspectives within the Black community, to center Black experiences, and consequently help develop services that are more appropriate to the specific needs of Afro-descendants.\ This study is based on eight adult participants, living in Montreal, of Afro-Caribbean descent, with a mental illness and a treatment plan. The narrative approach allows for participants\ to contextualize their illness in their own words; a space too often denied to Black communities, especially when it does not comply with the dominant narrative.Findings show that the intersectionality of race, ethnicity, and migration influences the experience of psychological distress within the Afro-Caribbean community, as they fear racial discrimination within a predominantly white social service setting. Furthermore, the social representations of mental health combining biomedical, traditional, and spiritual perspectives influences help-seeking behaviors. Discrepancies between a Western model of psychological distress, focused solely on a biomedical perspective of treatment and an Afro-Caribbean perspective that takes a holistic approach are highlighter; this aligns with research on Black mental health in the US and the UK. \ Finally, the Eurocentric lens that surrounds the normative framework of service offerings, including diagnostic and treatment guidelines, only continues to maintain inequity in access to services. These findings speak to the transnational experiences of racism in Black communities, and its impact on mental health services and possibility for recovery, making it imperative to reconsider mental health service delivery in Black communities on a global scale.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Afro-Caribbean, racism, mental health services, help-seeking behavior\
#1077 |
Examining and Addressing Socioculturally Rooted Gender Beliefs and Norms via Interactive Theatre
Mieko Yoshihama
1
;
Amy Hammock
2
;
Fatmeh Baidoun
1
1 - University of Michigan.
2 - Stony Brook University.
Summary
As part of an ongoing larger university-community partnership, we applied methods of interactive theatre to inform the development of socioculturally responsive domestic violence prevention programs. This study examines the gender beliefs and norms expressed by local community members.At an event in a local South Asian community in midwestern USA, trained peer educators performed a skit in which the husband makes a gesture to physically strike his wife. The same skit was performed again applying the methods of Forum Theatre. The audience were then invited to intervene in the scene as bystanders, such as friends or family, which was videorecorded. Using a ground theory approach, supplemented by visual analysis techniques, we conducted inductive coding to analyze community members’ responses to an enacted theatrical performance.Community members’ actions reflected the complexity of varying norms and beliefs about gender roles and relations. Although many confronted the husband, most of them (inadvertently or not) reinforced the centrality of women as caregivers of children in the family. Most community members chose to intervene by interacting with the couple together, interpreting the enacted scene as a conflict to be resolved between the two parties. On the other hand, some community members’ actions reflected a perception that the conflict was a reflection of a gendered power differential between the husband and wife.\ The complexity of gender norms and values reflected in community members’ actions calls for sociocultural tailoring; future social work research and prevention programs must attend to the rich, within-group variations in community members’ attitudes and beliefs.\ Methodologically, this study also points out the effectiveness of using interactive theatre to examine embodied knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes shaped by sociocultural and structural arrangements in their particular community.
Keywords (separate with commas)
Community-based participatory action research, Arts-based approach, Gender-based violence, Qualitative analysis, grounded Theory, Sociocultually responsive research and practice
