MY PRACTICE

I was training in the child day center of Antakalnis. This is a governmental institution and it is a subdivision of the social support center of Vilnius.

The aims of my training were to communicate and to work with children (8 – 12 age) came from families of risk (where alcohol, abuse, neglect are used), to study and analyze various documents, statutes.

Firstly, it was difficult to make a contact with children, because they were quite shy. Only after two weeks they started to trust me and my groupmates. Kids became very open and sincerely.

So, I used to help to concentrate their minds during in the time when they were doing their homework, because one of the biggest problem was that they were interested in everything else except their homework.

I also showed them some movies, organized discussions about the appearance, friendship, talked about common themes: smoking, drugs and alcohol. It was useful to me, I had read some literature in case to give them interesting information or facts.

Moreover, I cooperated with the social workers of this day center. I found out new information about social workers statutes, various documents. They gave me important information, which would be useful in my future.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I have proved my aims. In spite of fact that it took many efforts, this training was really interesting. I have expanded my view and knowledge.

SELF - ASSESMENT OF ONLINE LISTENING TO PODCAST

http://www.sja.org.uk/sja/first-aid-advice.aspx

Heart attacks and shock

http://historyonair.com

Byzantine Empire

I have listened two podcasts. The main purpose of this task was to improve my listening skills and to prepare for my listening exam.

The first podcast was about heart attacks: how to recognize it and to help. Another podcast was about Byzantine Empire. Here I found many interesting facts and I had an opportunity to remember the history.

In spite of fact, that podcasts were very interesting, it was rather difficult to understand (it was not so easy to listen native speakers) especially about the Byzantine Empire. I had to listen it three times.

The pronunciation was not so clear in both podcasts. I realized that there is a need to improve my vocabulary, because I had to search the meaning of many words in a dictionary.

There were no interferences, so I did not have to listen absolutely intensely.

In my opinion I should need more listening practice. I can improve my listening skills by listening to various podcasts as often as possible, watching English movies and other English TV programs. It could help to expand my vocabulary margins.

Social Inequality

I am going to write about social equality and inequality.

Firstly, the main inequalities in society are class, gender, race and inequalities in income and wealth. Inequalities are usually represented in one of three patterns:

• Hierarchical inequality. This is the main pattern of inequality in income and wealth.

• Stratification. People are ranked in groups, set at different levels. This model is mainly used in discussions of class and gender.

• Social division. Societies can be seen as almost divided between groups - 'black' and 'white', men and women, rich and poor.

Secondly, Policies for equality. The inequalities which people are concerned with, Rae suggests, can concern

• individuals - the comparison is made, for example, between rich and poor people

• blocs in society - like women, racial minorities, old people or regions

• segments - for example, a distinction confined to children or to women.

Policies for equality can aim at:

• equality of treatment. This is treatment without bias, prejudice or special conditions applying to people

• equal opportunity. This can be the opportunity to compete, or the chance to compete on the same footing as others

• equality of outcome. Policies which are concerned with inequalities of income or health status are generally concerned with removing disadvantage in outcome.

Third issue is redistribution. A measure is redistributive if the people who receive goods or services from a measure are not the same as the people who pay. All welfare provision is, by definition, redistributive in some way.

Redistribution does not have to be from rich to poor. Redistribution is conventionally classified as vertical or horizontal. Vertical redistribution may be progressive (from rich to poor) or regressive (from poor to rich). Horizontal redistribution goes from one kind of group to another - from men to women, households without children to families with children, tenants to owner-occupiers.

Egalitarian redistribution is progressive, but there are many ways to achieve equality, with different effects. There are four strategies:

• maximin, or raising the minimum;
• minimax, or levelling down the best off;
• least difference, reducing the range of inequality at each end; and
• ratio, compressing the range so that everyone is pushed nearer to others.

In Lithuania, The Minister of Social Security and Labour has an overall responsibility to coordinate and implement gender equality issues in all spheres and is hence to function as a Gender Equality Minister. The Division for Labour Market and Equal Opportunities is located within the Ministry of Social Security and Labour. The functions of the Division are to implement the government policies on gender equality within the competence of the ministry and to coordinate activities on gender equality in other fields. Moreover, the Inter-ministerial Commission for Equal

Opportunities for Women and Men, with representatives from all the ministries, has had an overall

responsibility for gender equality to be taken into account in all issue areas.

Lithuania also has an Office of Equal Opportunity Ombudsperson, which is

an independent institution accountable to the Seimas (the Parliament), currently with seven employees. Individuals can appeal if they have been discriminated against, in employment or education, due to their sex. The Office can also initiate investigations. Moreover, the

Ombudsperson supervises the implementation of the Act on Equal Opportunities.

Child Abuse

What Is Abuse?

Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, or a combination of any or all of those. Neglect — when parents or guardians don't take care of the basic needs of the children who depend on them — can also be a form of abuse.

Physical abuse is often the most easily spotted form of abuse. It may be any kind of hitting, shaking, burning, pinching, biting, choking, throwing, beating, and other actions that cause physical injury, leave marks, or produce significant physical pain.
Sexual abuse is any type of sexual contact between an adult and anyone 18 or younger child. If a family member sexually abuses another family member, this is called incest.
Emotional abuse can be difficult to pin down because there may not be physical signs. Emotional abuse happens when yelling and anger go too far or when parents constantly criticize, threaten, or dismiss kids or teens until their self-esteem and feelings of self-worth are damaged. Emotional abuse can hurt and cause damage just as physical abuse does.

Why Does It Happen?

If you're one of the thousands of people living in an abusive situation, it can help to understand why some people abuse — and to realize that the violence is not your fault. Sometimes abusers manipulate the people they are abusing by telling them they did something wrong or "asked for it" in some way. But that's not true.
There is no single reason why people abuse others. But some factors seem to make it more likely that a person may become abusive.
Growing up in an abusive family is one factor. Other people become abusive because they're not able to manage their feelings properly. For example, someone who is unable to control anger or can't cope with stressful personal situations (like the loss of a job or marriage problems) may lash out at others inappropriately. Alcohol or drug use also can make it difficult for some people to control their actions.
Certain types of personality disorders or mental illness might also interfere with a person's ability to relate to others in healthy ways or cause people to have problems with aggression or self-control. Of course, not everyone with a personality disorder or mental illness becomes abusive.
Fortunately, abuse can always be corrected. Everyone can learn how to stop.

Negative consequences of child abuse:

• Emotional Effects: Low self-esteem, Depression and anxiety, Eating disorders, Relationship difficulties, Alienation, Personality disorders.

• Physical Effects: Injury, Death, Lifelong health problems, Cognitive difficulties.

• Behavioral Effects: Problems in school and work, Delinquency, Teen pregnancy, Suicide attempts, Criminal or antisocial behavior, Aggressive behavior: spousal and child abuse.

What Should Someone Who's Being Abused Do?

People who are being abused need to get help. Keeping the abuse a secret doesn't protect anyone from being abused — it only makes it more likely that the abuse will continue.
If you or anyone you know is being abused, talk to someone you or your friend can trust — a family member, a trusted teacher, a doctor, or a school or religious youth counselor. Many teachers and counselors have training in how to recognize and report abuse.
Sometimes people who are being abused by someone in their own home need to find a safe place to live temporarily. It is never easy to have to leave home, but it's sometimes necessary to be protected from further abuse. People who need to leave home to stay safe can find local shelters listed in the phone book or they can contact an abuse helpline. Sometimes a person can stay with a relative or friend.
People who are being abused often feel afraid, numb, or lonely. Getting help and support is an important first step toward changing the situation.

Child abuse prevention organizations in Lithuania :

• Children care of rights inspection;

• Children care of rights office (under the government);

• Children hotline;

• Various non-governmental organizations (“Child House”).

Internet Fraud

The term "Internet fraud" refers generally to any type of fraud scheme that uses one or more components of the Internet - such as chat rooms, e-mail, message boards, or Web sites - to present fraudulent solicitations to prospective victims, to conduct fraudulent transactions, or to transmit the proceeds of fraud to financial institutions or to other connected with the scheme.

The internet is a cheap and easy way for fraudsters to con people out of money. This fact sheet tells you about some of the most common types of internet fraud (scams). Read on to find out how to spot internet fraud and what you can do about it.

Phishing

Phishing is where you get emails pretending to come from a genuine company. They often look like they come from your bank. This is a scam to trick you into giving personal information that can be used for fraud. If you get an email and you're asked to type in a password or type in personal details, this is probably a scam as banks never ask you to do this.

To avoid phishing scams, log into your online accounts regularly – the more often you check your accounts, the quicker you'll spot any problems. If you check your bank and credit card statements regularly, you'll spot fraud more quickly.

Identity fraud

Identity fraud is where someone steals your personal details to con you out of money. It can happen when you're not using the internet, for example, if you lose important documents such as your passport or driving license. But if you aren't careful with your personal details when you go online, you could easily become the victim of identity fraud. For example, a fraudster could get hold of your credit card details and use them to buy things over the internet or withdraw money from your account. Or they could get hold of your address and bank details and use them to borrow money.

Lottery scams

Lottery scams are very common on the internet. Even though you may never have entered a lottery, you get an email to say you've won a prize. But then you're told have to send money to claim the prize. Or you're asked to ring a premium rate number which is very expensive. All UK premium rate numbers start with 090. Or you're asked for your bank details so the prize money can be paid in. Don't reply to these emails. Report them to the police if you lose money.

Pyramid schemes

Pyramid schemes (sometimes called affinity schemes) promise you money in return for the number of people you recruit to join the scheme. You'll get an email telling you how much money you'll make. But these claims are misleading. Pyramid schemes are illegal. Report them to the police if you lose money.

If you do buy something online, it's best to pay by credit card. This is because if there's a problem with the product, the credit card company may be responsible as well as the trader. But before you submit your credit card details to an internet website, make sure it's a secure site (look for the padlock icon).

Civil and public law summary

Civil law concerns disputes among citizens within a country and public law concerns disputes between citizens and the state or between one state and another.
The main difference between civil and criminal procedures is that sometimes a private citizen can bring a criminal prosecution against another citizen, but criminal actions are mostly started by the state. Civil action is usually started by individuals.
The party bringing a crimanl action (that is, in most cases, the state) is called the prosecution, but the party bringing a civil action is the palintiff. In both kinds of action the other party is known as the defendant.
Although there are many point of contact between criminal and civil law. If the loser of civil case refuses to comply with the order made against him, for example to pay money to the winner for the action, the procedures for forcing him to comply may result in a criminal proscution.

My future profession

I think the strongest points of my profession are:
- The ability to communicate with various people,
- To contribute with clients and the state,
- To help people disolving their problems,
- To right people oppressed.

Without doubt, I couldn' imagine my profession without travels, missions and other pleasing occupations. :)