Child Abuse Research Proposal: UK

This assignment focuses on developing a research proposal addressing child abuse in the United Kingdom. It outlines ethical considerations and procedures for conducting this sensitive research, including key responsibilities researchers must adhere to. The proposal includes a hypothesis, background information on child abuse in the UK, research aims and objectives, rationale, literature review, methodology plan, and data analysis techniques. The final task summarizes the key outcomes of the research project, highlighting the need for increased awareness and exploration of this critical issue.

Research Proposal:
Child Abuse in UK

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Task 1: Research Proposal ..............................................................................................................1
1.1 Possible Research Specifications.....................................................................................1
1.2 Identification of factors that contribute the process of Research Project Selection ........6
1.3 Literature Review ............................................................................................................7
1.4 Plan Methodology ...........................................................................................................7
Structure of the dissertation....................................................................................................8
1.5 Gantt Chart.......................................................................................................................9
Task 2:............................................................................................................................................10
2.1 Questionnaire..................................................................................................................10
2.2 Research Investigation....................................................................................................10
2.3 Record and relevant data................................................................................................11
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................12
3.1 Research evaluation techniques......................................................................................12
3.2 Analysis and interpretation.............................................................................................14
3.3 Recommendation and Justification ................................................................................16
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................17
Task 4: Presentation ......................................................................................................................17
4.0 Outcomes of Research Proposal ....................................................................................17
4.0 Appendix........................................................................................................................18
Bibliography................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
The multidisciplinary course of Health and Social Care being rooted to the grounds of
Social Sciences helps to provide health professionals the knowledge, understanding and the
competency of effectively planning and managing health services. Contrary to the alternative
disciplinarians, the area of Health and Social Care explores the management principles, the
application of the strategies in the complex environment of health services and in the exploration
of the academics across the field of health in relation to social care. The context provided aims to
develop a research proposal in the area of Health and Social Care. They embrace broad range of
topics of social contexts in relation to the aspects of health. The chosen research proposal chosen
is based on child abuse in UK. As of 2016, the recorded total of children in UK is over 11
million that is children under 18 years of age. The year 2016 recorded there were more than
50,000 children in UK needing protection from harassment and over 70,000 are provided
care(Department for Education, 2016). Of the total number of children in UK, more than half of
children have been taken into care due to child abuse and neglect in England. Even though the
UK government legislations such as the Children Act 2004 and the Children and Young Persons
Act 2008 are established, the need for further research of the various aspects of child abuse in
UK is imperative.
This research proposal therefore, holds the key objective of providing a proposal for
research in the areas pertaining to child abuse and neglect in UK. This is processed with the
divisions of the sections into three tasks. Task 1 focuses on the research proposal extending
information on the research proposal areas pertaining to the field of Health and Social Care. Task
2 provides a research project on the subject of child maltreatment in UK. Lastly, Task 3 provides
a presentation of the key outcomes of the research proposal with summary of different findings.
Task 1: Research Proposal
1.1 Possible Research Specifications
The multidisciplinary course of Health and Social Care aims at exploring and exhausting
the themes in health and social care with grounds rooted to social sciences. Health and Social
Care studies, examines and investigates the topics of social experiences and the understanding of
health and social care. Research in these are has significantly active and the key purpose of the
research is to gain deeper insight into health research (National Academy of Sciences, 2009).
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The possible research specifications in Health and Social Care concern with the areas of research
methods, maltreatment against children and problems of children, social services, inequality,
poverty and social justice, ageism, substance abuse, right to health, mental and physical
disparities, problems of youth, violence and interpersonal against women, and problems and
challenges concerning immigrants (Rodrigo, 2012). Apart from these, other areas of exploration
include living with long term conditions and disability, parenthood and families, death, dying
and bereavement, and reproduction, sexualities and health.
The topics of exploration and research specifications in maltreatment against children and
problems of children include impact of maltreatment in the development of child, the prevalence
of neglect and violence against children, the impact and prevalence of racial and ethnic
discrimination on the development of children, intervention strategies and problems of bullying
for children with disabilities. Research specifications in youth, parenthood and families also
include different childhoods, young carers, young masculinities or femininities, child protection,
gender, language brokers and health inequalities in children and young people.
Research specifications pertaining to reproduction, sexualities and health include
pregnancy loss, pre- conception care, contraception and pregnancy plans, sex, relationships and
disability, infant feeding, embodiment and postpartum psychosis.
Pertaining to disability and long term conditions the topics include impact study of
ADHD, neurodiversity, autism, psychological morbidity, depression or other life-
long conditions.
Death and dying include social context of death and dying impact on gender, gender
issues and palliative care, management and professions and neonatal death, miscarriage or
stillbirth.
Research specifications related to ageism include care work, co- housing, later life
themes of home- sharing, meaning of home, domestic space , older people and technology,
services and carer's quality of life, ageing population planning, age- friendly community
development.
Social services, social justice, poverty and inequality
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The research specifications include the risk factor study in terms of health, death case
studies, and assessment of financial stability in health care systems, racial and
ethnic discrimination on minority groups, pension systems.
Rationale for Selection
The rationale for the selection of the research specification of Health and Social Care
requires the advocating of eliminating gap in the literature of the existing study related to the
theme chosen. Next, it should aim at establishing answers of the proposed research questions and
provide contribution to the development in the field for other researchers.
Related to the area of Health and Social Care, the rationale needs to clearly establish the
purpose of the chosen theme study, the association of the relations within the existing theory and
literature and the proposed aims, the statement of the implications of the chosen research study
practice (Celine, Saunders & N.K, n.d).
Research Aim
The research aim is to understand, analyse and evaluate the prevalence, impact outcome and
consequence of the issues related to child abuse in UK on the abused children, those around the
children, the community and the overall society of UK.
Research Objectives
The research aims should include the following:
1) The measurement and assessment of the frequency of child abuse and neglect in the period of
life- long history and the past year in UK, through the random probability sampling of
participants including young adult, children, parents and guardians.
2) The investigation of the risks related factors and the protective factors related to the rates
of child abuse and neglect in UK.
3) The assessment of prevalence and impact of above in UK on the life of children.
4) The exploration of the comparison and measurement of the prevalence of child- abuse and
neglect in UK with large scale studies conducted globally.
5) The exploration of the requirement, needs and limitations of changes in the prevalence of
maltreatment of young adults analyzed over the period of the last decade, in UK.
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6) The formulation of new information and knowledge in the improvement of delivery of
services.
Research Objectives and Aims
Fundamental to the goodwill of the society, the possible research specifications of Health and
Social Care delves into the extensive fields of risk factors and diseases, patterns of care, health
care cost and use for an attempt of an extended triumph in gaining new information and insight.
The research objectives and aims include the following.
1) The analysis and evaluation of the prevalence of the theme and topic of the area chosen within
Health and Social Care.
2) The analysis and evaluation of the impact of the theme and topic of the area chosen within
Health and Social Care.
3) The analysis and evaluation of the consequences of the theme and topic of the area chosen
within Health and Social Care.
4) The assessment of the correlation between the theme of topic chosen and the associated
themes within the respective area of Health and Social Care.
5) The identification of the risk factors of the chosen theme in the topic of Health and Social
Care.
6) The research on prevention strategies and resolving of challenges witnessed in the theme and
topic of the area chosen within Health and Social Care.
Research Questions
The identification of the key research questions within the areas of Health and Social Care help
in providing solutions to the priority research questions (Asiimwe, 2008).
Research questions therefore, act as the fundamental core of any research project, review, stud or
literature. The key research question assessment provides an implication on the further areas of
the research or study impacting the methodology determination, the formulation of the stages of
analysis, inquiry and reports. The development of the research questions in the area of Health
and Social Care firstly follow the traditional questions of research. This includes exploring the
topics of why, how, when, where and what. The prioritizations of the research questions are
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ethical, significant, clear and feasible. It seeks to improve the human condition and the
educational practice within the field.
Other Research Project Specification
Hypothesis
The research area of child abuse and neglect in UK even though confirms significant
existing research and studies, necessitates further research being conducted. Research on child
abuse and neglect in UK should explore in-depth the unknown and unfamiliar areas of the topic,
to help curb the growing rate of child abuse in UK.
Background
As per NSPCC (2016) victims of child abuse are often hidden from the plain view or
difficult to identify since children may often be too scared, too young or too ashamed to report.
Therefore, as per the 57,345 children registered under the child protection registers in the UK
have been subject of one or more forms of child abuse and neglect in 2016. According to the
estimations, for every child identified as in need of protection from abuse, more 8 are suffering
from it in UK. As Bentley.H et al., (2016) suggests the child deaths from assault or homicide has
observed a decline in long term, where reports of sexual offences against children are have seen
a sharp rise in 2016.
The graph shows the long term decline in records of child deaths in UK due to aussualt or
homicide As Bentley.H et al., (2016).
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The graph shows the sharp increase in records of child sexual abuse in UK as Bentley.H et al.,
(2016).
The recorded child abuse concerns reported to Child line in 2015- 2016, delivered
291,753 counseling sessions to children with respective individual concerns while 9,660
counseling sessions to children concerned about another child (NSPCC, 2016). Of the total
sessions of counseling, 11,253 counseling session related to cyber child abuse related to sexual
abuse, bullying and safety of children. Of the total counseling sessions the reported session of
abuse indicated a number of 26,764 where the nature of child abuse in UK included emotional
abuse, physical abuse, domestic/ partner abuse and neglect, and sexual and online sexual abuse.
While 19,481 counseling sessions reported children and young people reporting suicidal
thoughts. The identified concerns spotted in the counseling sessions included children concerned
related to issues of unhappiness and low self- esteem, family relationships and bullying both
physical and cyber. As per NSPCC (n.d) strong associations were observed between
maltreatment, physical violence and sexual abuse of children. The forms of child abuse also
included poor wellbeing of emotion including acts of self- harm and suicidal thoughts. The
requirement for gender sensitivity is high as the predators reported have showmen a high
proportion of them being males. High level of sexual abuse by peers has also been found through
the research.
1.2 Identification of factors that contribute the process of Research Project Selection
The crucial aspect of focus during the research of child abuse in UK should consider the
ethical considerations related in research with children and young people. The literature of child
abuse and neglect has observed limited analysis on the fundamental ethical and procedural issues
(Bradely, Lindsay, 1987). However, with significant shift of focus on issues pertaining to ethical
research considerations involving children has now, resulted in the formulation of government
legislations and policies that every research requires to abide by. As per the statement of ethics
2015 by the British Society of Criminology (2015) every research should recognize the
responsibility they hold with regards to the minimization of personal harm to the research
participants, should uphold the dignity and autonomy of the research participants, minimize risks
to the participants, strive to protect the rights of the research participants including the aspects of
interests, sensitivity and privacy and lastly, be sympathetic to the constraints. Some of the
potential and key ethical considerations that are required to be followed include the negotiation
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of consent with children and young people, which means the formation of the necessity of
obtaining the informed consent of the children and young people. When faced with challenges,
the gain of consent should be perceived as ongoing process and a step that is required to be
verbally renegotiated one every step of the research. As per the legislature of England and Wales
with regards to the ethical framework, professionals are also obligated to “keep update regarding
extending body of practice knowledge and finding about research or to recommend from the
‘experts’ related to the field” in times when the research decisions involving abused children and
families reach complexity (Harris, 1985). As per National Research Council (1993) the five
issues that necessitate attention in relevance to the ethical issues in child maltreatment research
include the subjects of conversant refusal and deceit, the research of the participants and subjects
to manage different functions, the recruitment of research participants, the consideration of
issues of confidentiality, autonomy and privacy and the debriefing or ‘desensitizing’ the research
participants in times of significant stress or research procedures.
1.3 Literature Review
The requirement for awareness related to the challenges faced in child abuse has recently
been significantly reviewed. As the Department of Education (2012) states as of early 2011, the
consultation on child abuse related to the ‘belief in witchcraft and spirit possession”. This led to
the development of the Department of Education for better analysis of the principle issues of
child abuse, the effective and stronger coordination development for national and local
awareness, to support the communities that resist child abuse and to develop kills of
practitioners. The literature on child abuse in UK has focused on the areas of the prevalence of
neglect of the abuse, the socio- ecological model development of neglect, the development of
outcomes of neglected children, the risk factors assessment with caregiver neglect, the key issues
for service providers, and levels of intervention techniques. (Watson, 2005)
1.4 Plan Methodology
The methodology of research employed in social research may include case study,
content analysis, focused group interviews, or social survey method (C, T.T, 2011). The
approach used is the qualitative methods and based on it similar approach has been used. The
obtaining of primary data through case study should be employed when an in- depth study is
required with the options of flexibly applying the data collection methods. However the
limitations of case study in social research includes the characteristics that it may be subjective
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to bias, provides little evidence for scientific generalization, phase probability of missing validity
and is time- consuming. In case of content analysis, the key content analysis methods include
word counting analysis, conceptual analysis, evaluation of assertion analysis, or contextual
analysis. The application of content analysis is recommended in the use to test preliminary bias
or hypothesis. The recommended research methodology when conducting research on child
abuse and neglect in UK is the application of social survey method which provides a systematic
collection of data concerning the cultural, demographic and administrative area. The primary
data should also be collected from Questionnaires of Juvenile Victimization and from the
National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence. A cross- sectional comparative research is
crucial in the comparability of the research with those being conducted in other countries
throughout the world at a large scale. Further, ethics, reliability and validity were maintained and
adopted so that research can be carried out in more effective and desired way. It help to minimize
the dissimilarity and inconsistency that are associated with research. Ethical codes associated
with the study are followed so that fruitful outcomes can be gained.
Structure of the dissertation
Proper format of the dissertation is required so that it can be carried out in effective
methods. Moreover, it will assist in gaining more about the aims and objectives of the studies.
Chapter 1 Introduction: It is the first chapter of where basic information about the topic is
provided. Further, it includes aims, objectives and research question that are to be identified and
solved. Here study about Child Abuse in UK has been discussed.
Chapter 2 Literature review: Next chapter is research is LR that is carried out on different
perspectives of the authors who have contributed in the similar researches. In-depth research and
answer to the question are identified in this part. For this themes are made and further evaluation
is done.
Chapter 3 Research methodologies:An important evaluation point of the research where details
about the philosophy, strategies, analysis, collection, methods, tools and techniques used are
mentioned. Data collected in the present research is based on the primary and secondary details.
Chapter 4 Data analysis: In this section of the report information collected through various
source are analysed. Data finding related to topic are done in this part.
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Chapter 5 Conclusion and recommendations: The last section of the report where details
related to the outcomes are mentioned. Moreover, recommendation are provided for the
improvement.
1.5 Gantt Chart
Activity/Week 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Investigation content
Forming aims and objectives
Literature review developed
Methodology designing
Data collection (Primary
methods)
Data Analysis and
Interpretation
Outcomes
Recommendations
Submission for tutor
Modification made through
feedback
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Final Submission
Task 2:
2.1 Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1.) What are the main reason that child abuse has increased in UK?
 Government is not focusing on such areas
 Blind faith of people in witchcraft and other similar things
 No proper rules and regulation are there.
2.) Does Government and NGOs are focusing on these areas?
 Yes
 no
3.) Is society contributing their role in preventing the such cases or not.
 Yes
 No
4.) Should new rules related to child protection should be made or not.
 Yes
 No
 Neutral
2.2 Research Investigation
Various techniques are used by the researchers so that they can make investigation on the
mentioned topic. Every research has two type of techniques through which data can be tested
these are qualitative and quantitative technique. For the present acquisition investigator used
qualitative techniques in which themes and charts are collected through the primary information
and interpretation of the data is completed on the base of graphs. Question were asked from the
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local people of UK where child abuse cases were more, for the survey 10 people were selected
and questionnaire was provided to them.
2.3 Record and relevant data
Theme 1: Blind faith has affected the children of UK.
What are the main reason that child abuse has increased in UK? Frequency
 Government is not focusing on such areas 2
 Blind faith of people in witchcraft and other similar things 7
 No proper rules and regulation are there. 1
10
Theme 2: Government and NGO have not effective action on such cases
Does Government and NGOs are focusing on these areas? Frequency
Yes 2
No 8
10
Theme 3: Society are also not focusing on such areas .
Is society contributing their role in preventing the such cases or
not.
Frequency
 Yes 3
 No 7
10
Theme 4: New rules related to child protection can make certain improvements
Should new rules related to child protection should be made or not. Frequency
Yes 7
No 1
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Neutral 2
10
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TASK 3
3.1 Research evaluation techniques
Theme 1: Blind faith has affected the children of UK
Government is not focusing on such areas
Blind faith of people in witchcraft and other similar things
No proper rules and regulation are there.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2
7
1
Column B
Theme 2: Government and NGO have not effective action on such cases
2
8
Yes
No
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Theme 3: Society are also not focusing on such areas .
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
3
7
Column J
Theme 4: New rules related to child protection can make certain improvements
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7
1
2
Yes
No
Neutral
3.2 Analysis and interpretation
Theme 1: Blind faith has affected the children of UK
Interpretation: The above chart shows that more than 7 people have voted for the witchcraft
and other activities to be the major reason for such cases. Further, 2 people believe that child
abuse has increased as government has not taken any major steps. However, 1 person has voted
that as proper rules and regulation are not there so these cases have raised. It can be analysed that
People of UK have very belief in rituals which had created impact on the children. Such
activities must be abolished.
Theme 2: Government and NGO have not effective action on such cases
Interpretation: From the data gained it can be analysed that 8 people have voted that
government and NGO are not focusing on such issues and thus such cases have increased. As the
other study it was found that every year, 150000 children are affected by the child abuse in UK.
Only 2 people voted that they are focused on these areas
Theme 3: Society are also not focusing on such areas .
Interpretation: Aforementioned chart show that 7 people have voted that society does not
contribute in preventing such cases while 3 people are in support to it that such cases are raised
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in society. Form this it can be analysed that people in this century are also not opposing such
cases. They must be aware about such cases.
Theme 4: New rules related to child protection can make certain improvements
Interpretation:7 people have voted that new rules and regulation must be made in these area
where 1 people voted for no. There was also neutral answer where 2 people have voted. It can be
analysed that government and NGO should make progress in this areas, such cases and their
practise should be banned or abolished from the country.
The key findings stressed on the requirement for more research on the topic of child
abuse and neglect in UK. Child abuse victims may often be unrecognised in the plain sight;
therefore the requirement for the assessment of maltreatment with accuracy is as difficult as it is
needed. Rates of severe maltreatment are significantly high as the age group increases. There
were various data collected and screener question done for the different group, type and gender.
Information related to various maltreatment and victimization of different age groups were and
rate of the cases will be evaluated in the research. Moreover, impact of various conditions on the
children and there actual conditions were mentioned in the research proposal. For this purpose
data analysis strategies is used so that accurate data collection can be taken. There is also use of
technology in the process.
After examine the case study it can be analysed that in UK the main reason for the child
abuse is witchcraft and spirit possession. Such activities must be banned and government and
NGO must overlook to such issues. More steps must be taken by NSPCC under this field.
Evaluation Techniques
The key evaluation techniques include the conduction of socio- metric techniques and
psychological tests after the collection of the qualitative and quantitative data. The data which
are collected were evaluated on the basis of different types of abuse which those children were
getting. Further, for the evaluation different tools and techniques were used. Different data was
analysed through software so that study can be made effectively.
3.3 Recommendation and Justification
The recommendations propose the focus on research of measures and techniques to help
understand the accurate amount of child abuse victims in UK. The second proposed
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recommendation is the research on areas of national awareness methods on clearing the
misconceptions related to child abuse. There are different NGOs and various other organization
which can help to provide the protection to those children. Moreover, evaluation through the
previous data and by making people aware about the issues it can be minimized. Further,
justification can be provided from the above study. There is increase in such cases as reported by
the NSPCC. Moreover, government and other NGO's are taking steps for child protection and are
making progress to stop such cases. Further, improvement can be made by making society aware
about such situations and implementing strict rules and regulation in the system. It is
recommended that NSPCC must focus on the areas and should minimize such cases.
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Conclusion
The research proposal established suggested the proposal on the area of child abuse in
UK in the subject of Health and Social Care. As crimes can prove to be difficult to measure, the
need for more research in the field is substantial. To understand more about the research proposal
techniques, the context was divided into three tasks. Task 1 provided the possible research
proposal concerning the field of Health and Social Care. Task 2 focused on the formation of a
research project on the topic of child abuse in UK. Task 3 was the presentation showcasing the
outcomes of the research project. It also provides the key findings. Through Task 1, the key
conclusion formed included that Health and Social Care is a multi disciplinary course with the
offer of a lot of varied research options. Each of the research topic found in Health and Social
Care is in the context of helping the society’s health. Task 1 is concluded with the specifications
of the research objectives, the rationale for selecting, and the research questions.
Task 2 was the research project which developed the research outline for child abuse in
UK. A discussion on the ethical considerations and procedures when conducting the research on
the topic was provided. As every researcher is entitled to responsibilities that are ethical in
nature, the key factors that contribute to the responsibilities were identified. Next, the research
project specification was provided. This included the hypothesis, background on child abuse in
UK, the clear mention of the research aim and research objectives, the rationale, the literature
review, the plan methodology and lastly, the data analysis focusing on the evaluation techniques.
The findings of Task 1 and Task 2 were summarized in Task 3. To conclude, child abuse in UK
requires the due exploration in the field of research as the root causes of the issue are yet to be
resolved.
Task 4: Presentation
4.0 Outcomes of Research Proposal
The key outcomes of the research project included the review of the background on child
abuse in UK, the literature review on the subject so far and the areas of the tropic less explored.
This indicated that awareness related to child abuse in UK at a national as well as local presence
is significantly required.
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4.0 Appendix
Bibliography
Harris J (1985) Child abuse and neglect: ethical issues. , J Med Ethics, 11(3)
National Academy of Sciences (2009) Beyond the HIPAA Privacy Rule: Enhancing Privacy,
Improving Health Through Research , National Academic Press
National Research Council (1993) Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect , Behavioral and
Social Sciences- Children, Youth and Families, ISBN: 978-0-309-04889-7
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Rodrgio (2012) Health and Social Care Dissertation Topics [online] Available at:
https://writepass.com/journal/2012/10/health-and-social-care-dissertation-topics/
Accessed at: April 14 2017
Watson (2005) Child neglect, Centre for Parenting & Research, ISBN 0 7310 4384 7
British Soceity of Criminology (2015) Statement of Ethics 2015 [online] Available at:
http://www.britsoccrim.org/ethics/ Accessed at: April 14 2017
C. M, TY.T S.N (2011) SOCIAL RESEARCH METHODS [online] Available at:
http://www.universityofcalicut.info/SDE/Social_Research_Methods_on25Feb2016.pdf
Accessed at: April 14 2017.
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