/library/oar/handle/123456789/346 2026-11-06T08:14:08Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/150700 Title: Can you hear me? The blossom project : the provision of counselling services in schools (Annual Report 2025–2026) Abstract: This report provides an evaluation of the school-based counselling and psychosocial support provided by the Blossom Counselling Service across 15 state primary, middle, and secondary schools in Malta during the 2025–2026 scholastic year. Administered under The Malta Trust Foundation, the project deployed a team of 15 practitioners supporting a total of 1,019 beneficiaries (including 929 students). Utilizing a mixed-methods research framework combining quantitative secondary administrative data with qualitative practitioner focus group feedback, the study explores student socio-demographic profiles, referral pathways, clinical presentations, and underlying systemic stressors. The findings indicate that therapeutic demand is highest in upper primary and lower middle school years (ages 8–12), with emotional distress (such as anxiety and emotional dysregulation) and behavioural/socialization difficulties driving the majority of referrals. The report demonstrates that classroom disruptions and academic struggles frequently mirror complex domestic instability, attachment traumas, socio-economic precarity, and unaddressed neurodevelopmental conditions (primarily ADHD and ASD). Despite significant operational, environmental, and inter-agency challenges, clinical improvement was documented in 51.02% of managed cases. The report outlines evidence-based recommendations for service optimization, trauma-informed school environments, sensory spaces, and policy reforms across social protection and educational frameworks. 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/150431 Title: A criminological exploration of surveillance : practices in the British monarchy Abstract: This dissertation shall investigate the roles of surveillance in shaping the authority, the legitimacy, and also the public perception of the British monarchy. The methodology of this dissertation is purely desk-based. Therefore, the study analyses historical records, media coverage, academic literature, and digital content. This is done to examine how observation acts as both a constraint and a resource for monarchical power. The research will explore surveillance multidirectionally, from institutional monitoring to public scrutiny and lateral digital observation. It will also situate these dynamics within both criminological and sociological frameworks. These include Foucault’s (1977) disciplinary and power, Mathiesen’s (1997) synopticon, Garland’s (2001) culture of control, and also theories of elite deviance. Focusing on historical contexts such as the surveillance of Mary, Queen of Scots, by Elizabeth I, will provide more context for contemporary practices, highlight continuity, and the evolution of strategies of visibility, secrecy, and risk management. The findings show that surveillance is essential for the monarchy. This is because it regulates behaviour, produces legitimacy, and shapes social hierarchies. In this digital era, participatory surveillance and algorithmic media continue to complicate these dynamics, creating opportunities for engagement while also exposing the institution to heightened scrutiny. This study contributes to understanding how surveillance functions as both a mechanism of power in elite institutions and also illuminates the relationship between observation, secrecy, and authority in both historical and contemporary contexts. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/149460 Title: Women’s recovery from abusive relationships : a critical review of existing literature Abstract: Domestic violence (DV) is a widespread social issue with long-term psychological, social, and structural consequences. While existing research has extensively examined the causes and dynamics of abuse, less attention has been paid to the process of recovery from abusive relationships. This study aims to critically examine the ways in which women recover from abusive intimate relationships, with a particular focus on the dynamics of abuse, barriers to leaving, and factors that shape recovery. The research adopts a qualitative desk-based approach, drawing on secondary data from peer-reviewed journal articles, academic books, and authoritative references. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring patterns and key themes across the literature. The analysis is guided by two theoretical frameworks: Coercive Control Theory and Posttraumatic Development Theory, which provide insights into both the mechanisms of abuse and the processes of recovery. Findings demonstrate that abusive relationships are maintained through mechanisms such as coercive control, trauma bonding, and emotional dependency, which contribute to the entrapment of women. Leaving these relationships is often a complex and gradual process influenced by structural, social, and psychological barriers, including financial dependence, fear of retaliation, and limited institutional support. Furthermore, recovery is shown to be non-linear, involving both ongoing challenges and opportunities for resilience and personal growth. Access to support systems, including social networks and professional services, is recognised as a key factor in facilitating recovery. This study highlights the importance of understanding recovery as a multifaceted and ongoing process rather than a single event. It contributes to the existing literature by incorporating different perspectives on abuse and recovery. It also highlights the need for more comprehensive support systems and future research that addresses the diverse experiences of victims. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z /library/oar/handle/123456789/149459 Title: The history, evolution and motivations of terrorism Abstract: This research study examines the historical development of terrorism and the motivations driving terrorist groups across time. It seeks to answer how terrorism has evolved from antiquity to the present, what political, social, psychological, and economic factors motivate individuals or groups to engage in terrorism, and which criminological theories are most relevant to explaining terrorist behaviours. A qualitative research design was adopted, integrating historical analysis, thematic content analysis, and comparative case studies. The study reviews secondary sources and assesses for contrasting groups, the Sicarii, the Irish Republican Army (IRA), Al-Qaeda, and the Islamic State (ISIS) to capture shifts in ideology, organisational structure, and tactics. The findings reveal that terrorism is a dynamic phenomenon. Early groups like the Sicarii fused religious zealotry with nationalist aspirations and used targeted assassinations to destabilise Roman rule. The IRA linked nationalist grievances and sectarian discrimination with a dual strategy of guerrilla violence and political negotiation. Al-Qaeda globalised jihad through a decentralised network that exploited internet communications for propaganda and recruitment. ISIS combined apocalyptic ideology with proto-state governance, employing extreme violence and hybrid warfare while providing limited services. The results underscore that no single factor explains radicalisation; rather, political injustice, socio-economic marginalisation, perceived humiliation, and identity-based grievances converge with peer networks and charismatic leadership to justify violence. Criminology theories of strain, social disorganisation, and social learning illuminate why individuals turn to terrorism and why groups endure. Description: B.A. (Hons) Criminology(Melit.) 2026-01-01T00:00:00Z