Advocacy and representation - Essay Example

Running Head: ADVOCACY AND REPRESENTATION Advocacy and Representation of Advocacy and Representation Introduction The Role of Theory in Research on Social Work Practice, to reduce domestic violence during the past decades. This research is based upon the manuscript available to selected persons (e.g., social work doctoral program directors, members of various social work Internet Listservs, etc.), and in due course it appeared in the conference proceedings(Abbott, pp. 83-102, 2001). This advocacy and representation against domestic violence presented it at two international and one national level and, based on these distribution efforts and feedback, revised it. It was seriously reviewed and turned down. It responded to the reviewers' lengthy suggestions and submitted an amendment which was ultimately established for publication. No doubt it based on the development of social work practice guidelines (Augenbraun, M., pp. 143-7, March 2001). Social work education and practice should focus on the latter. This may, or may not, involve theoretically driven research. If theory is legitimately involved, it is great. If it is not, then doctoral students and other researchers should not be forced into pretending that it does. Both approaches are characteristic of science. Both have value. At present, theory-driven research exercises are much more highly valued within academic social work than are theoretical studies evaluating outcomes (Augenbraun, M., pp. 143-7, March 2001). Domestic Violence For lots of women and their families the effects of domestic violence will be disastrous, injure to their physical and psychological well being may be intensely damaging, and on juncture deadly. Domestic violence has been defined as: "A continuum of behaviour ranging from verbal abuse, physical, and sexual assault, to rape and even homicide. The vast majority of such violence, and the most severe and chronic incidents, are perpetrated by men against women and their children." (Department of Health, 2000a: v) As the term 'domestic violence' comprise violence and abuse inside same-sex relationships, violence by women against men and violence and abuse carry out by one family member against another, the spotlight of this research is on violence and abuse by men, against women. It seeks to discover the diversity of factors that collectively build an ever-increasing and severe healthcare necessitate for those being abused inside their intimate relationships. Intimate violence may take many forms, often combining physical, emotional, psychological, sexual and financial abuse. The degree of abuse and violence varies within each partnership, often occurring on a continuum of severity and effect. For some the abuse and violence are periodic with minimal long-term effects. However, countless women are so controlled and inhibited that they are unable to make even the simplest decision or act without permission, responding with complete obedience to every order given and every rule imposed. The violence becomes insidious, permeating every action, every thought and deed until eventually, for some women, suicide remains the only escape. Other women express their self-disgust and powerlessness through alcohol or drug abuse, or self-mutilation, exhibiting signs of severe depression and total dependency on the abuser. Intimate partners may demand and achieve, through physical and emotional violence, complete obedience to every order, using humiliation as an important strategy in obedience training in their women (Barker, R. L. 1995). If we analyse then we come to know that the domestic violence fuels lots of the nation's bitterly contested throughway care cases. It is an underlying issue in the majority parental abduction cases, which happen at an estimated rate of 203,900 per year. In spite of the role of domestic abuse in throughway care cases, in the past, legislators endorse jurisdictional laws to stop forum-shopping and parental abduction with no considering their collision on domestic violence survivors. In latest years, jurisdictional laws such as the Parental Kidnapping Prevention Act and the Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act have begun to integrate protection necessities for fatalities of domestic violence. Moreover, full trust and credit laws, counting provisions in the Violence beside Women Act and the Violence beside Women Act of 2000, have been drafted for the main reason of protecting victims who flee athwart state or tribal lines. This article will review the relevant state and federal laws and demonstrate that courts and family law attorneys may relate these jurisdictional statutes with a sight to defensive domestic violence survivors and children involved in throughway protection cases (Berkson, W. 1969, 157-171). i) Analysis Of Relevant Literature Domestic Violence: Law and Social Work is a three-credit interdisciplinary type lasting many years. Both social work and law researchers are interested and are search jointly by a social work subject and a law subject. The research work may be taken by any advanced social work freelancers in the clinical, administration, or research concentration. This elective is limited to advanced researchers based on the premise that effectual dialogue with a different profession requires researchers to primary have a solid grounding in social work's principles, values, ethics, base knowledge, and skill base. Social work students are confident, but not necessary, to take an interdisciplinary domestic violence advanced field residency to more improve their knowledge and skills in equally domestic violence interference and interdisciplinary practice (Brandell, J. R., 2001). No doubt, a social work organisations may earn a specialisation certificate and rewards in social work by completing two interdisciplinary course and seminars (the other interdisciplinary research areas are Social Work and Interdisciplinary Approaches to Child Abuse and Neglect) and an interdisciplinary field position by a specialised field seminar(Beattie, K., 2001). ii) The Complexities of Practice Inter professional is frequently considered to be the authentic collaborative practice involving persons from dissimilar disciplines of professions. The Domestic Violence: Social Work and Law curriculum is conceptualised as a combination of these two ideas and requires that social work experts acquire some knowledge of the law and learn about collaborative practices between lawyers and social workers in the service of client goals. The interdisciplinary aspect involves understanding laws pertaining to domestic violence, legal procedures, and lawyers' roles, rights, and duties in addition to social work practices. The inter-professional aspect of the expertise includes the joint teaching by social work and law faculty and the interaction between the social work expert's researchers in the social NGOs as they learn concerning each other's discipline, about exact content on domestic violence, and about the social service and legal structure about domestic violence. In this common environment, the researchers are taught a joint process that engage dual liability for carrying out agreed-upon actions on behalf of a common client, parallel communication, included practice, joint planning, and several common goals and values for the best curiosity of the client(Beattie, K., 2001). iii) Demonstrating Awareness Social Divisions Domestic Violence Knowledge If we analysed then we come to know that Domestic violence is predictable to be the most frequent kind of violence in Britain though it is notoriously hard to measure and document, since it takes place behind closed doors, often with no witnesses. It is also hard to define. As Scalter (2001) notes, a few behaviour such as kicking and punching, is simply recognisable as violent, but behaviour such as threats, verbal abuse, psychological exploitation and sexual threats are less easy to categorise and may not be recognised by a few men and women as domestic violence. Official statistics tell us that violence by men beside their female partners accounts for a third of all reported violence. Stanko's (2000) survey originate that one event of domestic violence of domestic violence is reported by women to the police each minute in the UK. 70% of reported domestic violence is inflicted by men to women estimated that 1in 4 women experience domestic violence in a few phases in their lives. (Bradley, F., pp. 271-3, 2002). In the past men had the right to beat their wives without any charge and was a common occurrence without the need to report it since women had no power to do anything about it. Feminists pointed out that society has, until fairly recently due to the growth of shelters available from the 1970's, condemned male violence in the home. Both the state and criminal justice system have failed to take the problem seriously, although there are signs that the Labour government and police forces are now willing to condemn and punish such violence. Some feminists believe that as long as men have the capacity to commit such violence, there can never be equality within marriage. The fact still remains that although society frowns upon it now it hasn't really changed since there have been more reported incidents since women are now protected by law so overall there hasn't been a decrease in domestic violence against women but an increase in reporting it. Reading fabric includes literature from books and journal articles outlining theories of domestic violence; the response of social workers to domestic violence over time; the historical roots of tension between professional social workers and lay advocates in the battered women's movement; law statutes related to domestic violence, assault and battery, stalking, child protection, and divorce; and case law of present and historical legal complaints and judicial opinions (Brandon, M. and Lewis, pp. 33-42, 2001). During one session, the class is divided into small mixed groups of social work and law students. Each group is given a different causal theory of domestic violence and is asked to identify the information in a specific case that would be of interest to a social worker or lawyer who used only this particular theoretical perspective, as well as the interventions that might be recommended by this individual. Each group is then asked to share their responses so that the class as a whole has an opportunity to understand the impact of each perspective on assessment and practice (Campbell, J.C., pp. 36-51, 2005). iv) Taking Account Of Service Users' Standpoint And Input Different methods that can be used in obtaining assessment information are also reviewed and demonstrated, including observation, client interviews, standardised client intake forms, and other sources of documentation (i.e., police reports, hospital records). The process of evaluating the level of danger through the use of empirically based lethality risk factors is emphasised. The identification of clients' immediate social service and legal needs versus their more long-term needs is discussed. Similarities and differences are highlighted with regard to the information deemed important and the methodologies used in social work assessment and legal fact investigation. Through this comparative process, students are taught the role that criminal and civil statutes play in defining the parameters of a traditional legal fact investigation. The need for both social workers and lawyers to gain an understanding of how issues of race, class, sexual orientation, and age affect the client's experience of domestic violence is addressed. Emphasised throughout is the importance of both social work assessment and legal fact investigation in gaining a holistic understanding of the client situation (Campbell, J.C., pp. 36-51, 2005). Discussion Researchers, educators, and community advocates alike have noted the need for a range of services to address domestic violence. Social work and law have been a focal point for collaboration due to social work's growing involvement in the legal system. The curriculum presented in this article outlines a joint social work and law research process with a specialised focus on domestic violence. This research seeks to give together domestic violence knowledge and skills for working inter efficiently toward client goals. Researchers may also be able to apply much of this content to other interdisciplinary opportunities that may occur in their careers. For instance, a synchronised community response to domestic violence may place social workers in teamwork with medical personnel of police as well as by lawyers. Collaborative skills may also transfer to work with treatment teams in other areas such as child welfare, gerontology, criminal justice, of mental health. Alternately, the model presented here could be adapted for interdisciplinary academic training between social work and other professions such as medicine, nursing, social policy, business, and public health(Carlson, B.E., pp. 249-59, 2000). Interdisciplinary collaboration can pose special challenges, however, which should be noted. Detailed descriptions of potential practice barriers have been reported, but a few are fundamental, and strategies for overcoming them should be integrated into teaching about interdisciplinary practice. One major obstacle to social work and law collaboration is the differing legal and ethical duties regarding confidentiality. Although both professions have moral and legal responsibilities to preserve confidentiality, in many states social workers are required by law to break discretion under sure circumstances (i.e., obligatory child abuse treatment and duty to warn of hurt to self or others) as lawyers are not, due to attorney client advantage protections. In order to counter the mistrust and misunderstanding that these differences can engender, both disciplines must be willing to enter into a dialogue about this issue in the context of each profession's mission. Strategies must be discussed in the course for dealing with these differences in ways that respect each profession's legal and ethical responsibilities. This can be an especially challenging task when attempting to work together as part of a law social work team (Hopayian, K., pp. 506-7, 2003). In mainly countries, women who are older than their husbands are further likely to have suffered domestic violence. No doubt, in five of the nine countries examine, women living in urban households are more likely than rural women to report such violence. Household wealth has a nonlinear and conflicting relationship to spousal abuse. Women whose husbands return home drunk are numerous times other likely than women whose husbands do not come home drunk to practice such violence. A history of domestic violence between one's parents considerably increases the probability of experiencing violence oneself. In all countries where these data are accessible, the last two factors are constantly and positively linked by a woman's probability of skill spousal abuse. The findings show that rates of domestic violence be inclined to be lower amongst couples who share liability for family decisions than among those for which the husband is the solitary decision maker. In each country studied, women who agree that beneath a few circumstances wife-beating is suitable are further likely than those who do not agree to have practiced domestic violence (Hopayian, K., pp. 506-7, 2003). For instance, in Colombia, the pervasiveness of violence reported by women whose husbands recurrently blame them of being treacherous is 76 percent, compared with 34 percent between women whose husbands do not blame them of infidelity. Domestic violence has unfavourable consequences in supplementary areas of women's health and well-being and for the endurance and well-being of children. Conclusion On top of violence against women there exists child abuse. Steve Taylor (1991) has drawn our attention to the difficulty in defining and measuring the height of child abuse, chiefly critical of the research methods used to collect information on the levels of child abuse. Taylor points out that there are based either on official statistics collected by the home office, organisations such as Child Line or from victim surveys (Stephen Moore). He argues that these are flawed due to the authorities being in contact with working class or poor families so any abuse would be uncovered, so Taylor suggests that they may not be representative of abusers in general, who may be just as common in well-to-do families but are therefore less likely to be detected. (Victims of Trafficking, 2000). For many years children where not regarded as reliable witnesses. Some forms of abuse, such as those involving physical injury or neglect may arose more suspicion then sexual or emotional abuse which is extremely difficult to detect from outward signs. Tabloid newspapers may distort statistics by over sensitising society to the 'problem' of child abuse. What counts as child abuse changes over time and varies between culture e.g. child prostitution was an inevitable social evil in Victorian England, whereas today, the smacking of children in Scotland is actually a criminal act. Response rates to victims are very poor. (Mildred Daley Pagelow, 2000). Although there are child protection agencies, like the NSPCC, just like the domestic violence against women it has happened and still happens, although there more things can be done, but due to lack of reporting it will continue to go on untreated, and now children are or can be abused by women which is seen much worse than if it were a man. However due to this gradual change children are granted the benefit of the doubt and therefore more power is given to them within the family. Economic change has been drastic in the last century due legal and social changes. Traditionally women ultimately depended on their husbands for social, emotional and economical support. Even if the women were unhappy in their marriages they no choice but to stay in the relationship for the sake of their family and children, as men would gain fully custody in a divorce. All the same divorce was a luxury unaffordable to the majority. There has been a great change in the economy, as women have achieved power not only in the workforce but at home in the domestic life women can afford to leave their husbands were prior it would have been impossible. There are granted more freedom, opinion and discussion making contributions. Due to social and legal changes, women could pursue a career without discrimination. (Thyer, B. A. 2001, 9-25). However due to recent findings women still earn 17.2% less than men even though we have an equal pay act this inequality still exists and will continue to. Also employers are not allowed to discriminate against the genders but there are easy ways around that then openly judging against employing a man rather that a woman even if there are laws against it. (Turner, F. J. 2001, pp. 1-12). Some feminist sociologists have concluded that women's participation in the labour market is clearly limited by their domestic responsibilities. Because of these responsibilities very few women have continuous full time careers. (Mildred Daley Pagelow, 2000). Power is kept within class statues, mainly applying to the upper class who keep themselves well acquainted between each other creating a sense of social closure and exclusivity being very conventional and customary having a right wing approach to society. Overall we can establish the idea that power really depends on which aspect of society you take into consideration, usually it has changed, but just as much as it has the drawbacks have also augmented for instance equality for women have amplified but the patriarchal society will constantly control and have control on all the areas over. In dissimilar ethnicities and social statuses customary views still really remain and stay untouched for some time to come. (Thyer, B. A. 2000). Reference Abbott, P. and Williamson, E., 'Women, Health and Domestic Violence', Journal of Gender Studies, 8(1), pp. 83-102, 2001. Augenbraun, M., Wilson, T.E. and Allister, L., 'Domestic Violence reported by Women attending a Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic', American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association, 28(3), pp. 143-7, March 2001. Barker, R. L. (1995). The social work dictionary (3rd Ed.). Washington, DC: NASW Press. Berkson, W. (1969). Testability in the social sciences. Philosophy in the Social Sciences, 19, 157-171. Brandell, J. R. (Ed.) (2001). Theory and practice in clinical social work. New York: Free Press. Beattie, K., 'Risk Domestic Violence and Probation Practice'. In Kemshall, H., Pritchard, J. (Eds), Good Practice in Risk Assessment and Risk Management 2, Chapter 17. Jessica Kingsley Publications, London 2001. Bradley, F., Smith, M., Long J. and O'Dowd, T., 'Reported Frequency of Domestic Violence: Cross Sectional Survey of Women attending General Practice', British Medical Journal, 324(7332), pp. 271-3, 2 February 2002. Brandon, M. and Lewis, A., 'Significant Harm and Children's Experiences of Domestic Violence', Child and Family Social Work, 1, pp. 33-42, 2001. Campbell, J.C., 'Nursing Assessments for Risk of Homicide with Battered Women', Advances in Nursing Science, 8(4), pp. 36-51, 2005. Carlson, B.E., 'Adolescent Observers of Marital Violence', Journal of Family Violence, 7, pp. 249-59, 2000. Hopayian, K., Horrocks, G., Garner, P. and Levitt, A., 'Battered Women presenting in General Practice', Journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners, 33, pp. 506-7, 2003. Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106 386, 114 Stat. 1464 (2000) (codified as amended in scattered sections of 8, 16, 18, 20, 28, and 42 U.S.C.). The Violence against Women Act of 2000, signed into law on October 28, 2000, reauthorised many of the original programs created by the Violence against Women Act of 2004 and strengthened the federal law. Mildred Daley Pagelow, Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Their Consequences for Custody and Visitation Agreements, 7 Mediation Q. 348 (2000). Thyer, B. A. (2000). Introductory principles of social work research. In B. A. Thyer (Ed.), Handbook of social work research methods (pp. 1-24). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. Thyer, B. A. (2001). What is the role of theory in research on social work practice Journal of Social Work Education, 37, 9-25. Turner, F. J. (2001). Theory in social work practice. In F. J. Turner (Ed.), Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches (second edition, pp. 1-12). New York: Free Press. Read More