Rehearsing modern tragedy :a Benjaminian interpretation of drama and the dramatic in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's writings

PhD ThesisThis thesis offers a reappraisal of Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s dramatic theory and writing. Although critical interest in Coleridge’s dramatic work is relatively small in comparison to other areas, it is increasing. A central aim of the thesis is to add to this field of criticism by suggesting a greater significance of the dramatic in Coleridge’s oeuvre. This is an area of Coleridge’s work that can be illuminated by way of its interpretation using Walter Benjamin’s reassessment of dramatic genres in The Origin of German Tragic Drama. A key assumption of the thesis is that Coleridge’s dramatic work extends beyond the parameters of his activity as a playwright. It therefore positions key moments of his critical theory and poetic writing as dramatic. In viewing selected works in this way, a greater coincidence between Coleridge and Benjamin’s work emerges most significantly through their shared themes of truthful representation and correct interpretation. A short introduction highlights common themes between Coleridge and Benjamin and proposes a view of the two writers that follows Benjamin’s concept of the ‘constellation’. Chapter One draws together key critical interest in Romantic drama. It also aims to connect Coleridge’s dramatic theory and works with key themes in On German Tragic Drama. Chapter Two explores Coleridge’s dramatic theory in his Lectures before 1812 and offers a reading of the ‘Critique of Bertram’ that seeks to reassert the importance of this piece. Chapter Three aims to reveal a dramatic current running through ‘The Eolian Harp’ and The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. The thesis culminates, in Chapter Four, with a reading of Remorse informed by Benjamin’s critical model of the Trauerspiel in The Origin of German Tragic Drama. In conclusion, the thesis offers up aspects of Coleridge’s works that can be termed as dramatic so as to reveal their anticipation of a Benjaminian modernity. In this sense, it proposes that drama should be accorded more significance within Coleridge’s oeuvre as it reveals a better understanding of some of his lesser known material and highlights some of his most original thinking

Exploration of the risk factors contained within the UK’s existing domestic abuse risk assessment tool (DASH): do these risk factors have individual predictive validity regarding recidivism?

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore risk factors contained in the existing UK domestic abuse (DA) risk assessment tool: domestic abuse, stalking and harassment and honour-based violence (DASH) for individual predictive validity of DA recidivism using data from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary. Design/methodology/approach In total, 1,441 DA perpetrators were monitored over a 12-month period, and 270 (18.7 per cent) went on to commit a further DA offence. The individual risk factors which were associated and predictive of increased risk of recidivism were identified. Findings Only four of the individual risk factors were significantly associated with an increased risk of DA recidivism: “criminal history”, “problems with alcohol”, “separation” and “frightened”. Therefore, 21 of the risk factor items analysed could not discriminate between non-recidivist and recidivist perpetrators. Only two risk factors were able to significantly predict the recidivist group when compared to the non-recidivist group. These were identified as “criminal history” and “separated”. Of those who did commit a further DA offence in the following 12 months, 133 were violent and 137 were non-violent. The risk factors associated with these types of recidivism are identified. Practical implications The implications for UK police practice and the DASH risk assessment tool are discussed. By identifying key individual factors that can prioritise those individuals likely to recidivate and the severity of that recidivism, this could assist police decision making regarding the response and further prevention of DA incidents. The validation of association between individual factors and DA recidivism should improve the accuracy of risk levels. Originality/value This is the first large-scale validation of the individual risk factors contained within the UK’s DA risk assessment tool. It should be noted that the validity of the DASH tool itself was not examined within the current study

The Co-occurrence of Risk Factors for Intra-familial Child Homicides and Suspicious Child Deaths in England and Wales.

This study aimed to examine the co-occurrence of known risk indicators for intra-familial child death, to identify any themes which may exist. Data consisted of 100 child intra-familial deaths recorded by Police forces in England and Wales from 2006-2012. Categorical principal component analysis was used to assess relationships between 10 risk factors for intra-familial child death, resulting in the creation of four risk conditions, representing themes drawn from the literature, ‘abusive and unstable co-parenting’, ‘multiple parent stressors’, ‘parental social issues’ and ‘neglectful parenting’. Implications for police practice and risk management strategies are discussed

Behavioural themes in Spanish missing persons cases:an empirical typology

The high number of missing person reports that occur globally each year highlights the need for research in this academically neglected field. This research focuses on establishing whether there are different scenarios or behavioural themes that consistently appear in missing person cases in Spain, which could assist the police investigation process. A representative sample of 341 missing person police reports was collated and up to 27 behaviours, which occur during the disappearance, have been codified, as well as circumstances surrounding the case. Through multidimensional scaling four behavioural themes have been identified: intentional‐escape, intentional‐dysfunctional, unintentional‐accidental, and forced‐criminal. These findings entail implications, both in terms of prevention and in the scope of police investigations. Specifically, this research is considered a key step in the development of: (a) a predictive risk assessment system for harmed or deceased outcomes, and (b) in‐depth review of forced‐criminal disappearances that concur with homicide

Risks, responses and review: analysis and key recommendations from Child Practice Reviews

Where children suffer significant harm resulting in serious and permanent damage or death within their families, a Child Practice Review (CPR) provides the opportunity to understand issues and improve professional and organisational practice. This poster summarises the findings of an analytical review of 33 Child Practice Reviews (CPRs) that were undertaken by the six Regional Safeguarding Boards (RSBs) in Wales between 2013 and 2021. Mixed-methods analyses examined key risk factors, multi-agency responses and the review proces

Risk, response and review: multi-agency safeguarding: a thematic analysis of child practice reviews in Wales 2023

Child Practice Reviews (CPRs) are undertaken in circumstances of a significant incident where abuse or neglect of a child is known or suspected. The purpose of a child practice review is to generate professional and organisational learning and promote improvement in future inter-agency child protection practice. The analysis provides a deep dive into the complexities surrounding multi-agency safeguarding and the challenges in achieving a collective safeguarding responsibility. None of these factors are singular or offer simple solutions and all require concerted collective commitment at all levels, to further reduce risk and ensure that good practice is sustained over the long term. The report contains actionable recommendations to support practitioners, leaders and policymakers to maximise effective working across all agencies involved with children and families. In addition, there are recommendations to ensure that CPRs are of high quality with clear review processes to provide greater transparency to prevent future harms. Lead author Michelle McManus, Professor of Safeguarding and Violence Prevention at Manchester Met, said: “Our analysis aims to be constructive, not critical. While it revealed several key issues that require urgent prioritisation, it also highlighted examples of good practice that should be acknowledged.

'Honour'-based abuse: A descriptive study of survivor, perpetrator, and abuse characteristics

AbstractCurrent literature on ‘honour’‐based abuse (HBA) has largely focussed on exploring the lived experience of individuals, with limited analysis of the prevalence and associations of abuse characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify base rates of survivor, perpetrator and abuse characteristics. To identify these characteristics and their prevalence, 160 cases from Savera UK, a charity specialising in HBA and harmful practices, were coded for 66 variables and descriptive statistics produced. Fifteen of the coded abuse characteristics were present in more than 50% of cases, with ‘Emotional/psychological abuse and coercive control’, ‘Specific family cultural traditions’, ‘Gender‐based socialisation’ and ‘Physical violence’ being the only characteristics seen in more than 75% of cases. These represent the core characteristics of HBA but there are indications of qualitative and quantitate differences in this sample. Understanding the prevalence of characteristics is key to effectively identifying abuse, supporting survivors and improving effective prevention strategies.</jats:p

Internet Facilitated Rape: A Multivariate Model of Offense Behavior

In recent years there has been a significant increase in individuals reporting they have been raped by someone they have met through the internet (IFR). Previous literature has primarily focused on child victims, hence, the overriding aim of this study is to further our understanding of IFR in terms of overt crime scene behaviour. The sample consisted of 144 single IFR cases and two comparative samples of age-matched non-IFR offenders (confidence approach and surprise approach). Thirty-eight crime scene actions were coded as either present or absent for each offence. Findings suggest that the platforms IFR offenders use to meet their victims were not suggestive of the behaviour they were likely to display. In terms of specific offence behaviours, the IFR and confidence approach samples were considerably similar and both samples were comparatively different from the surprise approach cases. A smallest space analysis of the IFR sample revealed three distinct themes of behaviour with 71% of cases being assigned to a dominant behavioural theme. The practical and theoretical implications of the findings will be discussed