Enchancinf m-commerce adoption in Thailand Essay

Enchancinf m-commerce adoption in Thailand - Essay Example This technology has seen rapid development and it has increased an organization’s ability to reach its customers regardless of the geographic distances due to which even farmers in India and Bangladesh made use of this technology. This in turn has created more demand for more advanced mobile devices with advance features. However, the success of m-commerce lies on mutual trust as trust plays a vital role in acceptance. It has become vital to the economic growth of a nation. While more than a third of mobile users in Japan had already used their phones to buy goods by 2003, m-commerce was introduced in Thailand only in 2005 (ATM Marketplace, 2003). It has been found that countries like Korea and Japan experience widespread penetration and success while another important Asian country – namely Thailand lags behind in e-commerce penetration. Developing countries have an advantage in adopting technology or ICT as they just have to follow the leader and thereby avoid costly mistakes (Gray & Sanzogni, 2004). Thailand has been competent in every respect, including political stability and financial robustness in introducing technology but it did not succeed. Penz (2006) contends that differences in behaviour and response pattern differ across culture and societies. Individuals group together through shared beliefs, emotions, lifestyles and consumption patterns. These perceptions, ideas and representations become the social creations and people base their responses accordingly. The attitude of the Thais has prevented new technologies from being accepted by the community at large (Gray & Sanzogni, 2004). This is because they do not tolerate failure and they do no readily accept ideas from the younger generation. This is also the reason that the government was slow to acknowledge the importance of internet for the progress of the nation. The Thai culture is based on trust and relationships with others,

The history and development of freehold property title in english Essay

The history and development of freehold property title in english system - Essay Example There were three aspects of feudalism such as personal, property, monarchial control. Under this system, the kings had rights but also had to perform responsibilities under feudalistic societal norms Over time, it was seen that the monarch was responsible for giving fiefs to knights for military services rendered to him. The king was also responsible for the upkeep of land since he had only parted with possession and not ownership which still vested with the Crown. Thus it could be seen that in the 10th century, the kings exercised tremendous control and patronage over land, and granted its use as payment for military services rendered by his knights and military personnel. For the first time in English history, William claimed eventual control of virtually all the land in England and asserted the right to dispose of it as he deemed necessary. Henceforth, all land was owned by the King. At the initial stages, King William appropriated the lands of all English lords who were killed during war and fiefed them to his Norman soldiers and supporters. These initial approbations led to revolts, which resulted in more seizures which moved along unabated for five years after Battle of Hastings. Even after he managed to quell rebellions, William the Conqueror continued to exercise their domain and supremacy of Normans over the country. His influences was so extensive that if the event an England landlord died without any children, the King or his barons, could choose a heir for the dead man’s properties and successor from Normandy. He exercised control over properties by encouraging marriages to Normans, which resulted in the ultimate takeover of English aristocracy by Normans. The system enunciated by William has impacted even modern day property holdings in England. The land belongs to the Crown and no individual or private holdings may be enforceable. Even

Definition of Communication Essay Example for Free

Definition of Communication Essay Introduction Whenever we interact with other people, intentional or unintentional, we communicate; because of its abstract nature, the concept of communication is difficult to define. If one remembers Communication Theory as a Field (Craig 1999), we gain insight into the scientific fields of communication, on how diverse the fields of study actually are. With such diversity among theorists’ approaches to communication, it is even harder to get a single definition standing, at least within academia. The devil is in the details; however some argue that it is rather impractical to study a subject that isn’t well defined. A First Look At Communication Theory (Griffin 2012) offers a working definition. (Griffin 2012:6) states â€Å"Communication is the relational process of creating and interpreting messages that elicit a response†. But does this definition of what communication is suffice in the light of what the different theorists argue it is? This will be the main focus of my paper. I find it most reasonable to approach this question with two communication theories with different fundamental approaches to communication. In order to cover both the interpretive and objective theoretical approach, I will discuss the definition in relation to Constructivism and Semiotics. The Definition The definition consists of five parts: messages, creation of Messages, interpretation of Messages, A Relational Process, and Messages that elicits a response (Griffin 2012:6-9). â€Å"Messages are the very core of communication study.† (Griffin 2012:6). The creation of messages is the implication that messages is usually not randomly generated (constructed, invented, planned, crafted, constituted, selected, or adopted (Griffin 2012:7)). A message does not hold a meaning in and of itself; e.g. there is a differentiation between the words and the meaning. Communication is considered a process, because it functions in a contextual sense. In addition, it is a relational phenomenon because it involves two or more participants and affects their connection. And lastly, if a message fails to initiate any reactions, it would be ironic to call it communication according to Griffin. Constructivism Constructivism approaches communication from the psychological perspective, focusing on cognitive competence in interpersonal communication (Griffin 2012:98). The level of interactional competence is determined by the sophistication of the actor’s social perception skills, and their ability to analyze the social situation (the cognitive complexity of an actor (Griffin 2012:99)). The cognitive complexity is reflected in the communication process through the effectiveness of person-centered messages. â€Å"†¦ the capacity to produce highly person-centered messages has been assessed by having participants generate messages in response to standard situations and then coding these messages within hierarchical schemes for the degree of person centeredness manifested. For example, messages seeking to persuade others have been coded for the extent to which the goals and desires of the target are taken into account.† (Brant R. Burleson, Scott E. Caplan 1998:II,B) In a constructivist view, the communication process is more goal-oriented than relational. Constructing the message in a communicational context is in and of itself an intention to get an anticipated or desired reaction. â€Å"The perception and processing of others intentional efforts to convey some internal statemay be viewed as a special case of social perception† (Brant R. Burleson, Scott E. Caplan 1998:II,C). The addressed uses a received message as input in the process of structuring their response. The effectiveness of a response is directly correlated to the message’s goal related structure, and the cognitive complexity and perception skills of both addresser and addressed. Semiology Semiotics is the study of signs; it involves the production and the analysis of socially attributed meaning to an object. The semiologist Roland Barthes focused his research on signs we use in communication (Griffin 2012:332). In Mythologies (Roland Barthes 2009) we see that Barthes’ perspective on communication is broader than the interpersonal level, focusing more on abstract connotations and mythical signs in a cultural context. He argues that reality is converted into speech through human history; therefore there are no eternal meanings (Roland Barthes 2009:132). Concordantly, the meaning of a sign can shift as time progresses, an original sign could become a denotation for something else through the semiotic process. The creation of meaning of signs is then not only an individual process; it is also a conjunction and ongoing process of communication and human history. Barthes offers a semantic explanation, in his example of wrestling, to the reactions of the audience towards the wrestlers (Roland Barthes 2009:11-12). Arguing that, with French wrestling, different connotations around the mythical sign of â€Å"justice† were at interplay. So in the process of interpretation; Meaning can be implicit. Unconsciously perceived as connotative factor(s) to what is consciously noticed, and then reacted upon. Directly applying the points of discussion Extending the commonalities and differences between the two theoretical views, with Griffin’s definition, some points are very clear. Both view messages as the core instrument in communication and see it as a process. Both agree that if no reaction is elicited in any way, then the function of the message initially failed. The circumstances thereof are different in each point of view. However the aspects of messages in each theoretical view are defined in such a fashion; without a response of any kind, it would be a contradiction to refer to them as such (If we, of course, interpret messages that elicit a response to include apathetic responses). On the points of objection, it seems mostly to be a case of â€Å"weighing the words†, when viewed by either theoretical lens. As an example: on the point of a relational process, constructivists might prefer â€Å"goal-oriented† rather than relational. Or from Barthes’ perspective, adding a concept of creating mea ning as a result of communication to the definition. Conclusion The outlined approaches in this paper of constructivism and semiotics, display clear differences in the assumptions, focus-points and explanations of communication. However their general outlook does not, in any significant way, object to Griffin’s working definition. I think this outcome qualifies the definition as sufficient, as a practical tool when studying communication. The evident boundary of my paper however, is the lack of other major theoretical lenses in the subject. Further work needs to be done in order to conduct a more unified definition. References Barthes, R. (2009). Mythologies. London: Vintage Classics. 3-14 and 131-144 Craig, R.T. (1999). Communication theory as a field. Communication Theory, 9, 119-161. Griffin, E. (2011). A First Look at Communication Theory. 8th edition. New York: McGraw Hill. J. C. McCroskey, J. A. Daly, M. M. Martin (Eds.). (1998). Communication and Personality: Trait Perspectives. Cresskill, NJ: Hampton, pp. 233-286, Website: Presshttp://www.ic.arizona.edu/ic/wrightr/const/bu98b.htm#II.B.%20CC%20and%20%E2%82%ACMessage%20Production%E2%82%AC

The Country of Liberia :: Africa Profile Geography Anthropology Essays

The Country of Liberia This paper is about a small country on the west coast of Africa called Liberia. It is a country built with the help of The American Colonization Society. It was established to place freed blacks in the days of slavery in the United States in the 1800s. The government was modeled after the United States. Monrovia, the capital and principal, port is named after a president of the united states, James Monroe. This country has historical significance for african Americans. As Africa's oldest republic, established by former black American slaves, Liberia played and important role as a model for African colones seeking independence. HISTORY   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liberia's tribal peoples migrated to the area between the 12th and 16th centuries. The Portuguese arrived in 1461 and began a trade in ivory, pepper, and later in slaves. In 1820, the first colonists arrived. Their successful settlement was named Monrovia in 1824. More colonists gradually arrived and established separate colonies. In 1847 the colonies united and Liberia became the first independent republic in black Africa.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The new nation faced many problems. Some of them were tribal wars, low exports, and land claimed by other countries. Liberia was able to maintain its independence only with the help of the United States. Following World War II, the modern port, airport, hospitals, hydroelectric station, and other projects, all financed by the United States, were opened. There has been frequent military conflicts and civil wars. In August 1990, forces from several African countries entered Liberia to try and stop the bloody civil wars. The fighting only became worse and the Prospects of a negotiated settlement were dim. LAND AND RESOURCES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liberia's straight sandy coast is 350 miles long. It is broken by lagoons and mangrove swamps. It gives way to a low rolling plain about 20 miles wide. Further inland, foothills ranging in height from 600 to 1000 feet high are found. They become mountains in the north and east. The highest point in the country is Mt. Wutuvi which rises to 4,531 feet. Land area of the country is 43,000 square miles.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liberia's rivers are short and flow parallel to one another from the mountains to the ocean. The largest rivers are the St. Paul, St. John, and Cavalla.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Liberia's tropical climate is hot and humid. The usual temperature ranges from 60 degrees to 87 degrees. Annual rainfall, as much as 177 inches at the coast, gradually decreases inland to 96 inches. The rainy season occurs between May and October. A dusty winter wind blows during December.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are 90 different kind of usable wood in Liberia's vast timber resources. Mineral resources include large deposits of iron ore, diamonds, and

Maternal and Paternal Inheritances Essay

Our very existence in this world begins from both maternal and paternal inheritance. Both are very similar in characteristics; however the real difference is only in the gender. The definition of both communicates as; originates either from the mother or the father’s side, motherly or fatherly bonds, received or inherited from ones mother or father, every one of us also has someone in their lives who shows these characteristics but are of no relation. The majority of women have maternal instincts; which is passed down from mother to daughter. It originates from your mother’s side and will be continued to be passed down in generations to come however if a women was not to have children the can still pass on their maternal instincts on to their nieces and nephews, an adopted child, step children, and even their friends children. Maternal refers to the mother and child bonds, these bonds can form at any time in life. They can last for many years but can also be broken very quickly. Motherly is a description of maternal, which can mean caring, accepting, embracing, comforting and this is the tip of the iceberg of characteristics that could be mentioned. It’s not only traits that a mother can pass down it’s teachings like cooking and sewing. Paternal originates from you dads side of the family and can be passed down. Not even man will have children but he can still pass on his paternal instincts to the players on the team that they couch, their nephews, and their friend’s children. The instincts that they can pass on are different than the ones from a female figure. Paternal is also recognized as fatherly. Fatherly can be the knowledge on sports begin passed on and how to play them, and being there for the players. The bond of a father and child is simpler for the son because it can be through watching football every Sunday night, or playing catch in the backyard. On the other hand with the father and daughter bond it may be a bit more complicated because of the different interests between daughters and their fathers. There are many things that you can receive from paternal such as traits like hair color, eye color, body build. They can also pass on their knowledge, wisdom, and their drive to succeed. We all know someone who’s in our life by choice not by force. These people are the non-maternal and non-paternal friends that aren’t related to you in any way but still show and give the maternal and paternal characteristics. These are the people, which may be closer than actual family and that you may relay on the most during the good and bad situations in life. We deal everyday with maternal and paternal situations that have helped us become the person we are today. These may originate from the mother’s or the father’s side, including bonding with either mothers or fathers and we can receive or inherit traits from both sides of the family. There are also many non-family relationships that give us the same traits and characteristics.

Human Embryonic Stem Cells ( Hescs ) - 1627 Words

Introduction Vision loss has raised tremendous attention along with the ageing society. Relevant health expenditure has been invested into the medical field to improve patient’s quality of life, yet the (cure. the invention of iPSC, provide opportunity) MORE! Establishment of iPSC The interest in developing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as a regenerative medicine has been prospering due to its pluripotency and indefinite self-renewal capacity since first discovered in 19981,2. However, the method to harvest hESCs by destroying embryos raised ethical concerns and thus the progress of this therapeutics has been impeded for years. Alternative approach was not achieved until the discover of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) by integrating a combination of transcriptional factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf4, and c-Myc) to human fibroblasts through retroviral vectors3,4. The research of iPSCs has grew rapidly since then due to its avoidance of embryo utility as well as its capacity to encapsulate disease phenotype, which is ideal for cell-based disease modelling and drug screening1,4. Furthermore, autologous iPSCs give possibility to non-immunogenic transplantation and thus provide promise to patient-specific therapy1. To realise clinical application of iPSC therapy, several new methods to produce iPSCs were developed using non-integrating approach such as recombinant proteins, Sendai virus, mRNA, and episomes1. The new lines of iPSCs eschew the risk of tumorigenicityShow MoreRelatedEmbryonic Stem Cells Pros And Cons1664 Words   |  7 Pagesone already exists. For years, researchers have been studying the miraculous potential of human embryonic stem cells. Human embryonic stem cells, also known as hESC, have the ability to develop into any kind of specialized cells in the human body, ranging from as simple as a skin cell to as complex as a neuron. This â€Å"miracle cure,† however, comes with a great cost; the stem cells have to be extracted from a human embryo, completely destroying it. Research institutions often obtain embryos either fromRead MoreAdvantages Of Human Embryonic Stem Cells1572 Words   |  7 PagesCompare advantages and disadvantages of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) for use in cellular therapy The research of human embryonic stem cells (hESC) is talked about a lot in the field of medical research, not just by the scientists, but also by politicians, religious groups, etc. The discovery of stem cells is known as a medical sensation, with its research having the potential to cure many diseases. But there are still ethical issues standing in the way of this research, and due to this, differentRead MoreHow Does Embryonic Stem Cells Help Treat Patients With Spinal Cord Injuries?1228 Words   |  5 Pagesapplied is the use of embryonic stem cells to help treat patients with spinal cord injuries. 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HESC research consists of using human embryonic stem cells, which are very flexible and adaptive to create the necessary cells to develop future cell-based therapies for currently untreatable diseasesRead MoreStem Cells And The Human Body1421 Words   |  6 Pages Stem Cells Raven Carr Governor State University Stem Cells The human body is full of hundreds of special types of cells that are essential for ones every day health. These special cells are accountable for keeping our bodies going daily for instance making our brains think, hearts beat and, restoring our skin cells as they shed off. Stem cells are the provider for the development of new cells. â€Å"Stem cells have the amazing potential to expand into many different cell types in the body during earlyRead MoreStem Cells : Growing An Ethical Pair1427 Words   |  6 PagesStem Cells: Growing an ethical pair What if millions of Americans could have their lives changed for the better? This could be a reality if human embryonic stem cells research (HESC) was regulated and funded by the government. The reason for the lack of human trials is that many believe the use of stem cells is unethical. This combined with the fact that the process is extremely expensive, and it goes against many people’s religious or morals beliefs. Thankfully, under President Obama, the restrictionsRead MoreStem Cell Research1167 Words   |  5 Pages. Stem cell is a cell that has the ability to change into several or multiple types of cells or into any cell type in the body. There are two main types of stem cells, adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are found in cells that have only undergone the first few dozen cycles of growth and division following the fusion of egg and sperm. These cells are pluripotent and can be maintained so that they grow and divide indefinitely witho ut differentiating. 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Domestic Violence in the UK - a definition and analysis - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2724 Downloads: 7 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Sociology Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? The ability to live free from violence and fear is a basic human right. Sandra Horley CBE, Chief Executive of Refuge. Annual Report, 2014, p 2 Introduction A brief essay cannot detail all aspects of a topic which transcends gender or sexual orientation and encompasses psychological, physical, sexual, financial, and emotional abuse. Domestic violence (DV) includes forced marriage, human trafficking, rape and sexual assaults, honour killings and elder abuse (Crown Prosecution Service, 2015). Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Domestic Violence in the UK a definition and analysis" essay for you Create order While recognising the importance of these issues and acknowledging that men can also be victims, this essay will focus on DV against women. The evidence shows that the majority of victims are women in heterosexual relationships (Department of Health, 2005). Also, as women tend to have overall responsibility for their offspring, it is relevant to discuss the impact of DV on the children involved. Domestic violence against women will be noted in the context of patriarchy, but this essay will also build on the main findings of Dobash and Dobashs groundbreaking research (1979) which helped to identify DV as a separate topic for investigation. Many responses have been developed to meet the needs of victims. This essay will focus on the Refuge model and the newer MARAC inter-agency support structure. For illustrative purposes, case histories will be cited where appropriate. Finally, as modernisation of services has attracted criticism and reductions in funding have put pressure on servi ce provision, the impact of these changes will be considered. Domestic violence is defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those age 16 or over who are, or who have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality (Home Office, 2013). The Crown Prosecution Service states that one in four women in England and Wales will be a victim of DV during her lifetime (CPS, 2015). International statistics suggest that one in three (one billion women) have suffered DV (Heise et al, 1999). UK police receive one phone call every minute of every day (Womens Aid, 2014) and the British Crime Survey estimated that 12.9 million DV incidents are perpetrated against women over a one year period. At the same time, DV against men accounts for a further 2.5 million incidents (Walby and Allen, 2004). It must be acknowledged that female victims can on occasions be the aggressor. However, the lev el of violence inflicted by men is generally more extreme (Hester, 2009). Repeat victimisation is also more common in DV cases than in any other type of violent crime. The impact on victims is long-lasting. Besides physical injuries, women face increased incidence of depression and suicidal ideation. Psychosomatic disorders are commonplace and there is greater risk of unplanned pregnancy, HIV or STIs (World Health Organisation, 2002). Finally, they run an increased risk of being killed: every week, two women in the UK are murdered by their current or former partner (CPS, 2015). The World Health Organisation estimates that 40-70% of murdered women are killed by their current or former partner (WHO, 2002). Children are also victims. Womens Aid (2015) notes that mothers shield their children to the best of their ability, and may defer seeking help in the belief that the family should stay together. However, 90% of DV incidents are witnessed by children who may also be victims of abuse at the hands of the same perpetrator (Department of Health, 2005). DV has not always been viewed seriously. Early feminists identified violence towards women as a form of patriarchy, arguing that the power relationships inherent in patriarchal society were reflected in male domination of the domestic sphere (Millett, 1970). In 1971, Erin Pizzey opened the first UK Womens Refuge in West London. At that time, DV was rarely spoken of openly but the volume of women and children seeking help forced the issue onto the political agenda. In 1975, the first Government Select Committee was created to investigate DV. They recommended a minimum of one family refuge place per 10,000 people. The following year (1976) the Domestic Violence and Matrimonial Proceedings Act was enacted, offering civil protection orders (injunctions) for those at risk of abuse. The Housing Act (Homeless Persons) 1977 acknowledged that women and children at risk of violence were effectively homeless and had th e right to state-funded temporary accommodation (Isaac, 2014). Domestic violence costs the taxpayer money:  £3.1 billion in 2004 (Department of Health, 2005). However, the cost to the victims is immeasurable. A ground-breaking study of women in a Glasgow refuge confirmed that most abuse goes unreported. Male sexual jealousy was the usual source of conflict. Most women believed the abuse would stop after marriage, suggesting that warning signs were there at an early stage (Dobash and Dobash, 1979). This is supported by a recent SafeLives survey, which found that victims stayed in abusive relationships for around three years during which time they could be assaulted up to fifty times. On average, they saw five professionals in the final year before accessing specialised help (Topping, 2015). Refuge (2014) noted that women using their services had suffered for an average of five years before escaping. The opening of the first Refuge marked a sea-change in service provision . Refuge is now one of the best-known charities involved in the sector, with a network of safe houses across fifteen local authorities. Their experience, garnered over four decades, gives them a credible voice and their three-pronged approach à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" provision, protection and prevention à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" has spawned a range of services. Refuge protects women by advocating on their behalf for services, and lobbying for implementation of progressive legislation. They advise other agencies on best practice and campaign to raise awareness of DV by promoting education, training and research. DV should never be taken lightly: 80% of victims suffer multiple types of abuse, including physical, sexual, financial and emotional violence. 55% of women accessing Refuges had been strangled or choked by their partner and 55% had received threats to kill (Refuge, 2014): Michelle was in a coma for thirteen weeks after being savagely attacked by her ex-partner. He hit her with a cro wbar thirteen times. Her children witnessed the assault.   (Refuge, 2014, p 6) Most Refuge residents were denied access to economic resources, including bank accounts or welfare payments. Sometimes debts had been accrued in their name, and they may have been prevented from accessing education or employment. Empowering women to regain financial independence with workshops on budgeting skills and preparation for work courses are key components of the Refuge programme (Refuge, 2014). Activities are organised locally with input from refuge residents, and often reflect the ethnicity of the client group: the Hackney Refuge celebrates Eid and Diwali festivals with the exchange of gifts and special food prepared by the residents. Refuges are sensitive to the cultural needs of minorities, including victims of human trafficking and those with insecure residential status. Special services are staffed by refuge workers (who speak a total of 28 different languages) from the same cul tural background (Refuge, 2014). Ayla suffered years of abuse at the hands of her husband and his relatives before fleeing with her daughter and contacting police. Her husband was arrested; Ayla was referred to the Refuge because of the serious risk of honour-based violence. Her Key Worker introduced her to a local service which provided counselling in Kurdish to help her manage her depression and build up her confidence. She notes: Ayla .. continued to receive death threats from her extended family for leaving her husband. When she arrived at the Refuge, she had some bruising to her face and her right ear. She could not hear in this ear . She was sent for various tests at the local hospital [and] was found to be profoundly deaf in her right ear due to the physical violence she had suffered over the years. (Refuge, 2014, p6) A Refuge is home to the women and children for weeks, months or longer. Two out of every three residents are children, traumatised and needing spe cialist support. Children who witness domestic violence suffer emotional abuse. The effects include anxiety, depression, insomnia, nightmares, bedwetting, truanting, aggression, social isolation and loss of self-esteem. Older children may begin using alcohol or drugs, may develop eating disorders or resort to self-harm. (Womens Aid, n.d.) Specially trained Child Support Workers are in every Refuge. Once life-threatening injuries are dealt with, other needs are assessed. Refuge staff are adept at organising multi-agency interventions, including support for alcohol and drug misuse or mental health issues. Finding a safe permanent home is not easy but women are supported at every stage. On leaving the Refuge, women can access community-based outreach networks providing continued support for their individual needs. Services are currently being stretched to breaking point as funding is slashed. Home Secretary Theresa May has refused to ring-fence budgets for womens refuges, and pub lic policy has changed to offering protection orders to victims and supporting them to remain in their local community. Erin Pizzey, founder of the UK Refuge movement, thinks this is a retrograde step: My therapeutic model included long-term shared accommodation for vulnerable mothers and children. That is still needed. (Laville, 2014). The impact of budget cuts is significant. During 2014, refuges received 20,736 referrals. Of these, 31% around 6,800 women à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" had to be turned away (Refuge, 2014). New support structures for high-risk victims include MARAC à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference which brings together social workers, childrens services managers, police and probation officers, drug and alcohol workers, housing officers, mental health officials, medical practitioners, GP link workers, and specialist domestic violence service managers. The concept originated in Cardiff following the deaths of a toddler and an unborn child as a re sult of DV. There are 288 MARACS across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and Scotland, and they usually meet monthly (Tickle, 2014). DV victims deemed at particularly high risk of suffering traumatic or life-threatening events have their cases referred to their local MARAC. Only fifteen out of every thousand cases are men. Panel members contribute their knowledge of each case: rapid decisions are made and actions follow (Tickle, 2014). In one instance a man had made serious threats towards his partners unborn child; child protection social workers were immediately assigned to the case. The victim was unaware of her partners previous convictions for battery. Under the Domestic Violence Disclosure Scheme (Clares Law) it was decided to inform her of his previous history (Tickle, 2014). It is not apparent from these measures just how safe the victim would be, or how confident she would feel, while awaiting more permanent arrangements. Despite MARACs attempts to create a safety net around potential victims, the number of fatalities linked to DV has not decreased. Links between MARACs and multi-agency hubs based in local authority areas are being enhanced to facilitate earlier identification of cases, particularly those involving children. The risk to a child in an abusive household may be higher than the risk to the adult, and many of these children remain unknown to childrens services. However, the multi-agency approach has its critics. Hague (1998) acknowledges the potential benefits of the policy but cautions against over-optimism, arguing that they exclude the main stakeholders à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" the victims à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" as contributors, and can provide a smokescreen to disguise inaction. She also predicted the marginalisation of the refuge movement (Hague, 1998). Preparing an abuse victim to leave home and find a place of safety takes time. Tickle (2014) notes: Becoming safer and staying safe are long-term, hard-won goals.    There are many barriers to ending a relationship with an abusive partner, including shame, guilt, lack of support, and financial dependence. Safety is a real concern, and with good reason. Women are considered to be at the greatest risk of homicide at the point of separation or after leaving a violent partner (Refuge, 2015). However, the links between DV services and the Justice system have been considerably strengthened in recent years. Independent Domestic Violence Advocates (IDVAs) are specialist refuge staff based in police stations, hospitals etc, working with high risk women and supporting them through the criminal and civil justice systems. During 2013 à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" 2014, IDVAs supported 2,642 new women and 2,918 children, including helping 1,024 women through the criminal justice system. 95% of women who wanted to make an official complaint were empowered to do so, and 58% of cases which went to court resulted in a guilty verdict (Refuge, 2014, p 11). Conclusion This essay has shown the extent and nature of DV in the UK and the efforts made to provide support for victims. Services have progressed enormously and DV is no longer treated lightly. Police prosecute when they have the evidence to do so, courts have the power to remove abusers from the family home, and women are becoming more aware of the services available to them. Despite this, women are still at risk. Education and public awareness have roles to play in reducing the incidence of DV. In a multi-cultural society such as the UK, it is also essential that women facing particular challenges because of their ethnicity or cultural heritage have the confidence to come forward and lead by example from within their communities. The Refuge model has operated successfully for decades but it has limitations. Their literature rightly highlights their work with women and children, but it does not clarify what happens to adolescent sons. It seems doubtful that they can be accommodated w ithin a Refuge, even though they are presumably as emotionally damaged as their sisters or younger brothers. The Refuge is probably the safest option for women, but that protection may carry a price they are not prepared to pay. It also seems doubtful that abused women would feel completely safe in their family home with just a court order between them and a clenched fist. The MARAC concept has huge potential and it is encouraging to see cooperation between agencies. However, notwithstanding budgetary pressures, when there is an immediate danger to a woman and her children, it would surely more prudent to arrange safe accommodation rather than to rely on care in the community. Nevertheless, women do move on from domestic abuse and the stories of survivors are truly inspiring. Bibliography Crown Prosecution Service (2015). Domestic Violence. Available at https://www.cps.gov.uk/Publications/equality/domestic_violence.html Accessed 18th June 2015. Department of Health, 2002. Womens Mental Health: Into the Mainstream: Strategic deelopmen o mental health care for women. 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