Author: Peter Sidebotham
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The challenge and complexities of physical abuse
The latest issue of Child Abuse Review has just been published, with a special focus on child physical abuse. On the background of high media interest in child abuse, there is some research evidence that rates of more severe physical abuse may actually have decreased. This suggests that, perhaps, our societies are becoming less tolerant…
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Go simply with your possessions
Judas, the Betrayer. Not your usual subject for a series of reflections. But perhaps Judas wasn’t so dissimilar to the rest of us. Was he just an enthusiastic radical, looking for something new, longing for justice and liberation? Tomorrow starts the second week in Lent. As we spend this week journeying with Judas, Let’s…
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Ash Wednesday: Go simply in belief and faith
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. In the first week of our Lent meditations, we journey with the Apostle Thomas. Doubting Thomas. Honest Thomas. The apostle who wasn’t afraid to express his doubts, his uncertainties, the dilemmas of belief. Over this week we will explore some of our own doubts and questions, and live…
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Go simply with yourself
Tomorrow begins the third week in Lent. During this week we will journey with Mary Magdalene: Mary, the one afflicted by seven demons; Mary, the one set free; Mary, the one whose name Jesus spoke – tenderly, lovingly. We are invited to simply be ourselves, not needing an exciting lifestyle, busy schedules, comfort foods,…
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Child abuse in fact and fiction: Seminar notes from ethics and children’s literature event, Warwick University, 2015
All children, except one, grow up. So said JM Barrie in the opening words of Peter Pan. Only it isn’t true. The reality is that far too many children never get the opportunity to grow up; or have to grow up before their time; or find…
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February 10th
‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ David’s words boomed down the church. David’s words? Jesus’ words? ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ His powerful voice seemed to fill every corner of the building, rising to the medieval doom painting above us, echoing round the massive stone pillars, projecting up to the towering spire…
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Go Simply: Reflections for Lent
A series of Lenten reflections to attend to our doing and being, the active and contemplative Traditionally, there are 40 days of Lent, from Ash Wednesday to Holy Saturday (not counting the Sundays of Lent), which means February 18 to April 4 in 2015. Starting from Ash Wednesday, 18th February, we…
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Living in the Gap (A Poem for Helen)
We are living in the gap between the way things are and the way they will be. We are living in the gap between starving children and MTV, living in the gap between military budgets and illiteracy. We are living in the gap between the world that’s…
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Publications: 2014
Sidebotham, P. (2014) What did you do at work today, Daddy? Child Abuse Review. 23(5): 307-310 Garstang, J., Griffiths, F., Sidebotham, P. (2014). “What do bereaved parents want from professionals after the sudden death of their child: a systematic review of the literature.” BMC Pediatr 14: 269. Hunter, L., Sidebotham, P., Appleton R., Dunkley C.…
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Learning to live
Welcome to my new, updated website: Vacare Deo – learning to live in the unforced rhythms of grace. The past three years have been an incredible journey for me – a journey of upheaval, discovery, challenges and joys. I have struggled, and continue to struggle, with grief at the loss of my wonderful wife, Helen;…