Contents

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Motherhood in Western Europe

Insights from Western European Mothers

The changing face of motherhood — Western Europe

The accompanying reports combine a review of existing literature with an analysis of original quantitative data derived from a poll of 9,582 mothers from 12 countries in Western Europe, making it one of the largest studies of this kind ever conducted

Child Obesity and Health

An analysis of the latest available data from the Health Survey for England (HSE)

Child Obesity and Health — download the full report in pdf format

In this ‘National Childhood Obesity Week’, the SIRC report, Children, obesity and heath: Recent trends, holds up a true mirror, accurately reflecting the trend towards slimmer, healthier children. more

The Future of Freemasonry

An examination of the role of Freemasonry in the 21st century

Freemasonry

This report is, as far as we know, an account of the first ever study that has been commissioned by Freemasons from a non-Masonic body. None of the SIRC members involved in the project are Freemasons, a fact that evoked surprise and welcome in equal measure from the Lodge members we met. more

The Changing Face of Motherhood

Insights from three generations of mothers

Motherhood

The report seeks to answer some specific questions about the changing face of motherhood and determine the extent to which modern ‘solutions’ to motherhood are more or less beneficial than the solutions of the past. more

The measurement and recording of alcohol-related violence and disorder
A report of research commissioned by the Portman Group

Executive summary

This report concerns research commissioned by the Portman Group and conducted by the Social Issues Research Centre between March and October 2001.

The research examined in detail the current procedures used by police, hospital accident and emergency (A&E) departments, town centre managers, representatives of crime reduction partnerships (CRPs) and others to record and collate information on alcohol-related violence and disorder. Attention was paid to the varying definitions of ‘alcohol-related’ that were employed.

Qualitative methods, in the form of interviews, focus groups and discussions with the major stakeholders in this area, including representatives of drinks trade bodies, were used throughout England, Scotland and Wales to provide balanced and representative perspectives. Three questionnaire studies and a telephone survey were also conducted to provide quantitative data. A small comparative study was conducted in The Netherlands.

Principal Findings

Police data

Accident and emergency data

Crime reduction partnerships

Town centre management

Drinks trade bodies.

Conclusions and recommendations

Recommendations

1. Model recording procedures, which demonstrate objective assessment, systematic recording and ease of data retrieval and analysis, should be developed for both police and A&E departments . Such models should be tested in pilot schemes in various parts of the UK with assistance from external specialists and appropriate resources. Revised models derived from these experimental trials should, after appropriate consultation with relevant stakeholders, be considered by appropriate government departments for implementation nationwide.

2. In parallel with recommendation 1 specific evaluation models, based on existing, well-developed professional guidelines, should be developed for use within CRPs. After experimental trials which demonstrate the utility of such models, their deployment should be seen as a condition for public funding of CRP initiatives.

3. Research that directly measures the degree to which alcohol is a risk factor in violent crime and injury should be conducted. This would compare the alcohol consumption levels of offending and non-offending groups in town centres on Friday and Saturday nights. It would enable the issue of cause and effect to be examined more clearly and would identify the specific types of individual who may present a risk following drinking. This, in turn, would enable initiatives aimed at tackling the problems to be more clearly and appropriately targeted.

4. In order to avoid the ‘selective’ use of data on alcohol-related violence and disorder, whether derived from existing or improved procedures, publication of such data should be undertaken at fixed intervals in consistent formats. These reports should be available to all relevant stakeholders as a matter of course.

Dr Peter Marsh, 29 October 2001.