Editorial
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JACPR-01-2017-0267 |
| Published date | 10 April 2017 |
| Date | 10 April 2017 |
| Pages | 81-82 |
| Author | Jane L. Ireland,Robert J. Cramer |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology,Aggression, conflict & peace,Sociology,Gender studies,Gender violence,Political sociology, policy & social change,Social conflicts,War/peace |
Jane L. Ireland and Robert J. Cramer
We commence this edition with an invited paper by David DeMatteo, Suraji Wagage, and
Jaymes Fairfax-Columbo on cyberstalking. Their paper considers the role of law and public
opinion in this rap idly evolving area of study . One of the most interesting f indings represents the
difference between public opinion and the legal concept of cyberstalking; public opinion does
not support the (legal) suggestion that cyberstalking should be considered alongside more
general stalking. This reflects a move in the literature more generally that considers cybercrime
distinct in many wa ys from contact off ending. Indeed, it p arallels consid erably with the
cyberbullying li terature, which some would argue is s imply another te rm for cyberstalk ing.
What DeMatteo and c olleagues present, however, i s an interesting outline of curr ent opinion in
this area of work. The term “cyber action”is also used on occasion and this appears a far less
emotive term to use than stalking. The lack of alignment between legal and public opinion
provides a marked indication that this is perhaps the next area to focus on.
This is then followed by another novel paper on “negging”by Ruth Tully, Kathleen Green, and
Zoe Kukan. This relatively new concept has evolved academically over recent years, moving from
what was once described as courting-like behaviours to more advanced and explicit
manipulation that could precede abusive intimate relationships. What is particularly useful about
the contribution of the current paper is its focus on the range of different forms of “negging”;
it moves readers from considering it purely as a dichotomous concept to one that has a range of
variations. Questions that are unanswered are the role of men as potential victims of this
behaviour and the existence of such behaviours in communities such as LGBTI. The paper does
focus on women as victims, which is perhaps characteristic of the majority of research
addressing abuse in interpersonal relationships. It is, nevertheless, thought provoking and aims
to encourage future research into this important and novel area of study.
Continuing with the concept of victims and capturing men specifically, the edition moves to
exploring a surprisingly under-researched area, namely that of male rape victims. It is surprising
as there has been research for some time on this topic but it is sporadic in nature and limited in
scope. The current paper offered by Aliraza Javaid makes a valuable contribution by examining
the role of the voluntary sector in responding to the needs of victims. It is useful since the
research has applied value and is not just an academic exercise focussing on the nature and
extent of the abuse; rather it provides an in-depth qualitative analysis of the areas that are
perhaps neglected and highlights a set of training needs for providing agencies. Findings
regarding some discrimination in relation to age and a failure of some services to allow victims to
choose the sex of their therapist are perhaps among the most startling results. A need to review
this area more broadly across services is certainly indicated.
Expanding further on the importance of service development is the paper by Patrick Rockett,
Susan K. Fan, Rocky Dwyer and Tommy Foy on the management of workplace bullying through an
examination of a human resource management perspective. The authors adopt a multiple-case
study approach to examine management understanding of bullying, including an analysis of policies
and procedures. It demonstrates the importance of well-informed leadership, further highlighting not
just the effect on victims but also organisational impacts, whic h include cost implications. The cost in
termsofhumancapitalisclear,asistheneedtomanageworkplacebullyingasaspecificformof
occupational stress. Addressing the social system is identified as important, with the harvesting of
positive relationships between workers a key aspect. As an area of study, workplace incivility has
seen significant development in academic interest over the past decade. The next application
arguably should represent an increased focus on how positive social systems can impact.
DOI 10.1108/JACPR-01-2017-0267 VOL. 9 NO. 2 2017, pp.81-82, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1759-6599
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JOURNAL OF AGGRESSION, CONFLICTAND PEACE RESEARCH
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Editorial
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