In this study, we investigated social workers' use of risk assessments and risk management in cases concerning intimate partner violence. The study examined social workers' experiences of work performance, organizational conditions, internal and external collaboration and challenges and opportunities at work. We interviewed twelve respondents in Swedish social work offices about what structures, supports and foundations they found essential for work sustainability and resilience. Support from colleagues and managers, experience, openness and trust were critical factors for work satisfaction. The study showed that work experience created trust and security, partly because the social worker became better at translating laws and regulations into practical work. Concerning the severity of the cases, collaboration was essential for building workplace confidence and well-being. A well-functioning internal and external collaboration was described as trust, reducing stress and access to open and straightforward communication with others. Sustainable routines and access to guidelines facilitated the work. An unsupportive work climate included a culture of silence, a lack of trust and generated feelings of stress. Feelings of vulnerability in the professional role arose when the workgroup and/or the management did not take a supportive approach to operational work. This study describes and discusses social workers' use of risk assessments and risk management and their experience working with challenging cases concerning intimate partner violence. Key factors that support the work were strongly linked to organizational factors, such as opportunities to work in pairs, have access to supervision or a mentor and receive support from a senior social worker colleague. Well-functioning internal and external collaboration was connected to trust, manageable stress levels and open and straightforward communication. An unsupportive work climate was linked to a culture of silence, lack of trust and high stress levels. When the team and the management did not take a supportive approach to operations, feelings of vulnerability in the professional role evolved.

Swedish social services play a pivotal role in preventing men’s violence against women, including honour-based violence. This type of family-based violence is based on norms that disregard human rights. Individuals growing up in an honour context have limited possibilities to choose their own paths in life. The study comprises young women aged eighteen to twenty-five who look back on their vulnerable positions and the circumstances resulting in their seeking help from social services. They also share their experiences of the support that they had received from social services. Semi-structured interviews with ten women were conducted. The data were analysed through a qualitative content analysis. The findings show that the interviewees are not a homogenous group; circumstances, needs and exposure varied considerably between participants. Professional attention is necessary when threats ensue after divorce, for example, in the case of a bride price refund. Child perspectives must be better considered in the event of a divorce. Women or families that reject standards of honour are subject to harassment in public by people aiming to coerce them into adopting honour norms. Leaving the family was facilitated if one’s fears were taken seriously and experiences of being met with understanding and being well cared for.

Samhällsutmaningar utmärker vår tid vilket inverkar på arbetet med att säkra hälsa och välfärd. Detta påverkar i synnerhet det sociala arbetets innehåll och utförande samt medför nya krav på hur arbetet ska ledas och organiseras. Förbättringsarbete och kvalitetssäkring är intimt förknippade med väl genomförda implementeringsprocesser. Arbetet med implementering är dock förenat med ett åtagande som kräver en noggrann och genomtänkt planering. Det är främst ett ansvar för arbetsledningen, samtidigt är det en interaktiv process som involverar många deltagare på en arbetsplats. Syftet med detta bidrag är att uppmärksamma och diskutera värdet i att arbeta med genomtänkta implementeringsplaner i en policydriven verksamhet. Implementeringsprocesser diskuteras dels i relation till forskning och teoribildning och dels med utgångspunkt från lärdomar som renderats från utbildningssatsningar för enhetschefer inom kommun och hälso- och sjukvård. Vidare är exempel i texten hämtat från författarens egna erfarenheter av över tjugo års arbete som socialsekreterare och IFO-chef. Kunskapsbidraget är tänkt att vara ett praktiknära och användbart stöd vid implementering av nya arbetssätt i en verksamhet.  

Introduction

Swedish social services play a pivotal role in preventing men’s violence against women. Men’s violence against women includes honor-based violence (HBV). This type of family-based violence consists of norms that disregard human rights. Individuals that grow up in an honor culture have limited possibilities to choose their own paths. Family members who challenge prevailing norms risk being subject to psychological and physical violence. The aim of this study is twofold. First, this study examines the circumstances that lead victims of HBV to seek help from social services. Second, the study examines victims of HBV’s experiences of support and relief offered by social services. This study consists of young women between the age of 18-25 who look back on their vulnerability and the circumstances that resulted in that they sought help from social services. They also share their experiences of the support that they received from social services. 

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with ten women about their experiences of HBV. A qualitative content analysis was conducted to analyze the data.   

Results and conclusions

The interview persons do not constitute a homogenous group; circumstances, needs and exposure varied considerably between participants. The women showed a great need to share their experiences about the violence and their exposure. Honor norms affect entire families and extended families. Interview persons’ access to long-term relations based on trust benefitted their break-up processes from families. Social services’ measures should not be limited and undermined by the prevalence of honor norms in public spaces and municipal activities. Joint efforts from the local community are therefore necessary to identify and prevent honor-based oppression. The findings of the study are discussed in light of previous research and Axel Honneth’s recognition theory.

Jämställdhetsmyndigheten har fått i uppdrag av regeringen att forsätta stärka arbetet mot att barn och unga respektive vuxna utnyttjas i prostitution och människohandel. Jämställdhetsmyndigheten ska, kartlägga förekomsten av, samt sprida kunskap om behov av särskilda insatser för både vuxna och barn som utsätts för hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck och som utnyttjas inom prostitution eller utsätts för människohandel. För att genomföra uppdraget har Jämställdhetsmyndigheten samarbetat med ett antal experter. Uppdraget har genomförst av Helén Olsson, lektor i socialt arbete vid Karlstads universitet i samarbete med Susanne Strand, docent i kriminologi  och Emma Källvik, adjunkt kriminologi vid Örebro universitet.

För att förstå vilken typ av våld som lagstiftningen fokuserar på så behövs kunskaper om de specifika våldsformerna som ofta är kännetecken för hedersrelaterat våld och förtryck. I detta kapitel följer en beskrivning av våldets uttryck och de konsekvenser våldet leder till. För den yrkesprofessionella handlar det om att ha kunskaper nog att synliggöra, uppmärksamma och bistå hedersvåldsutsatta när det handlar om frågor som berör könsstympning, barn- och tvångsäktenskap, bortförda barn och unga vuxna samt att värna och skydda individer som är utsatta för vardagliga begräsningar som kan övergå till extrem kontroll.

Societal norms and values along with laws and regulations strongly influence social work, as do megatrends as globalisation and migration. International agreements on human rights with special focus on violence against women have drawn attention to domestic violence, including honor-based violence (HBV). The purpose of this paper is to identify the factors that affect social workers' ability to work within the area of HBV and their experiences of their current work situation. Based on a qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with Swedish social workers, the study shows that HBV is not a new phenomenon in social work, but that unfamiliarity and a lack of legitimacy have made it difficult for social workers to deal with the issue. Inspired by recognition theory, a picture emerges of a profession with low mandates and low recognition that lacks resources regarding education, guidelines and a common view on how HBV should be identified and handled, both within the social workers' own organisation and in other authorities. The dynamics of HBV and approaches to the issue require a present state and legislative support. Social workers also need support from researchers in the field to develop effective interventions in their practical social work with HBV.

Många är begreppen som inryms i det nya examensmålet gällande mäns våld mot kvinnor och våld i nära relationer. I detta kapitel har ett försök gjorts för att förklara begreppen om de olika våldsformerna. Vid arbetet med det nya examensmålet, vare sig det gäller kursutveckling, undervisning eller ex-amination så är kunskap och förståelse om de olika våldsformerna av stor nödvändighet. Det som ytterligare försvårar är att det inte råder konsensus i forskarsamhället kring de begrepp som ingår.