Moral outrage! Social work and social welfare (Editorial)

Abstract

I want each and every one of you to have a reason to be outraged. This is precious. When something outrages you, as Nazism did me that is when you become militant, strong and engaged. You join the movement in history, and the great current of history continues to flow only thanks to each and every one of us. (Hessel 2011, 23). As guest editors of this Australasia-Pacific Special Issue, we are inspired by Stephane Hessel's poignant call in Time for Outrage! (2011), which implores us to shirk complacency and indifference and be moved to react to the unbearable things we see around us. Social work/social welfare practitioners are critically placed to bear witness to these injustices and morally obligated to speak out, act up and resist. Infringements of ethical standards such as fairness and respect, violation of rights, the compromising of trust and deeply held beliefs, evoke profoundly felt emotion which can be channelled towards beneficial change. Practitioners often find themselves in situations that confront their integrity as individuals and professionals, and frequently bear witness to the impacts of inequities and injustices on those with whom they work.