Domestic Violence - Implementation of Community and Partnership Responses - Report Example

Domestic Violence Professor (Tutor) The Name of the School (University) The City and State Date Domestic Violence Domestic violence is any event or pattern of events of coercive, threatening, or controlling behaviours, abuse, or violence between individuals who are family members or have been intimate irrespective of their sexuality or gender. The UK’s government definition of domestic violence is “any incident or pattern of controlling, coercive, threatening behavior, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality” (Home Office 2013). Such behaviours include numerous type of abuses but are not limited to psychological, financial, physical, emotional, and sexual (Home Office 2013). Research has established that women are more likely to be abused by men that the opposite family (Finley 2013, p. 23). Traditionally, domestic violence has been reserved as a private matter since it happens in private relationships or in closed doors of family (Finley 2013, p. 23). Nonetheless, domestic violence has increasingly become a community issue because its effects and implications go beyond private relationships to the whole community. The following paper aims at discussing the issues of domestic violence in terms of community response and partnerships in the UK. Domestic violence in the UK costs tax payers about 16 billion pounds in terms of healthcare, legal issues, social services, housing, and civil legal services (Koydemir, et al. 2012). Additionally, children and teens who are brought up in violent homes have higher chances of illustrating negative behavioural problems such as poor social skills, anxiety, violence, and depression (Koydemir, et al. 2012). These children and youth are also vulnerable to participate in risky and negative behaviours such as gangs, violence, substance abuse, and sexual assault. Many of the homeless women in the UK and around the world have come across domestic violence in their lives (Koydemir, et al. 2012, p. 255). Domestic violence affects the larger community in many ways including disruption of families, education, increased vulnerability, loss of productivity, and increased health risks. Overall, these effects of domestic violence go to justify why it is not just a private matter, but a community issue that requires people to come together to find solutions. The role of communities and partnerships in relation to domestic violence is based on working to achieve mutual-goals that must be based on common principles in terms of roles and structures. The community is made up of citizens, residents, civic groups, religious institutions, and even social groups. Each group is expected to contribute towards the prevention or management of domestic violence through different roles such as problem-oriented policing (POP). Domestic violence is not generally a public disorder, but a behaviour that is adapted over time (Malik, et al. 2008, p. 933). This means that communities and partnerships are the only viable solution to addressing domestic violence. To begin, law makers and politicians should develop policies to prevent and help victims of domestic violence cope with their situations. Although these laws and policies are effective, they cannot prevent domestic violence from happening, which calls for more engaging and diverse roles (Pennington-Zoellner 2009). Parents are among the main players in domestic violence. They should be able to offer advice to their children in terms of healthy relationships and dealing with intimate relationships. Through simple talk, parents can empower their children with information and awareness on domestic violence, thus reducing the risk of domestic violence in the future. Parents should also endeavour to be good role models by ensuring they illustrate what a good relationship looks like. Teens or peer groups should also be able to develop initiatives that are aimed at developing respect regardless of sexuality or gender. Teens can also volunteer at community-based victim support centres and take part in community awareness programs targeted at preventing domestic violence. Parents and adults can also access help from multi-agency responses such as parenting skills education and marriage guidance counselling. Law makers and non-governmental organizations can also partner to develop evidence-based research in domestic violence. The research includes both prevention and intervention initiatives. In the UK, the community and partnerships have developed numerous initiatives such as advocacy for the end of domestic violence through public events as well as increased education and awareness on domestic violence. Law makers should also offer legal advice and while establishing microfinance projects to boost community economies and ensure that victims can support themselves and their families even after leaving abusive relationships. Residents and organizations also have a role to play in terms of learning and increasing awareness on domestic violence through seminars, support groups, and community-events (Malik, et al. 2008, p. 933). Such awareness should also be offered with resources for victims who may face domestic violence such as counselling, help lines, and what to do if a friend is facing domestic violence. Local authorities should also offer information on resources available to domestic violence victims. Lastly, the community should in unison show support for ending domestic violence by taking action to influence the government through increased advocacy in public events such as community runs or sports events to address the issues as well as its effects on the community (Malik, et al. 2008, p. 933). Despite these roles, the effectiveness of the community role is based on well-laid frameworks of engagement and taking action. The decline in commitment and engagement can be detrimental in terms of preventing domestic violence especially where partnerships and community interventions fail to cooperate. Clear and flexible community and partnership models should be adopted in order to ensure the fulfilment of every role in preventing and tackling domestic violence. Examples of these models include the problem-oriented policing model as well as the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP). The idea of domestic violence is characterized by high vulnerability. Vulnerability in domestic violence is based on personal/social aspects as well as people’s ability to cope with challenges in life. The main element of a community is the family, which is consisted of intimate relationships that involve children parents, and the extended family. In the UK, women and children are the most vulnerable in domestic violence. The British Crime Survey in Koydemir, et al. (2012, p. 24) detailed that 11% of women aged above 16 years reported receiving frightening threats from their family or intimate partners compared to only 1% reported by men aged 16 years and above. Again, the same survey reported that 32% of women experienced domestic violence several times compared to 11% of men. Again, the number of women supported for domestic violence in the UK refugee population has increased to about 50% (Anitha 2008, p. 155). The same case applies to support for children aged below five years. The same statistics continue to illustrate the same trend. For example, in Dagenham and Barking the total cost of healthcare for domestic violence is about 5 million pounds per annum (Anitha 2008). The main concern for vulnerability towards women is the ability to realize and act towards domestic violence. Many men take up control of relationships by inflicting fear or using force. Most women consider themselves as inferior to their partners, thus do not realize or do not think of acting in the case of domestic violence incidents. Again, children who witness or are involved in domestic violence tend to illustrate behaviroal and emotional disorders as diverse as self-blame, aggression, anxiety, social withdrawal, substance abuse, and violence (Phipps & Smith 2012, p. 56). Additionally, witnessing domestic violence can also in the UK be considered as a form of ‘child abuse’. Research has also established that children or teens who witness their parents being involved in or being victims of domestic violence are more probable to illustrate such abuse to their future partners than children brought by non-violent parents or guardians (Williamson & Abrahams 2014, p. 133). Children of the male gender are considered the most vulnerable in illustrating such behaviours in future. In addition, domestic violence also affects the learning and development of children based on financial, emotional, and behaviroal influences. Domestic violence also tends to develop numerous emotional, behaviroal, and financial issues among women and men (Koydemir, et al. 2012, p. 66). Women who have undergone domestic violence may turn to substance abuse such as alcoholism. Moreover, most of the homeless and economically disadvantaged women have undergone domestic violence (Koydemir, et al. 2012). Health is also an issue for abused women in families and relationships based on the high cost of health services (Koydemir, et al. 2012, p. 68). These facts go to evidence the high vulnerability of domestic violence in the community. Even if not a public issues or popular concern, the idea of domestic violence can easily disrupt diverse elements of the community resulting in adverse community effects. The high vulnerability of women, men, and children in the community to domestic violence illustrates the need to increase prevention and intervention initiatives through community partnerships. In future, the cost of healthcare for domestic violence cases is expected to increase as well as spending on social and legal services. In recent years, domestic violence has received increased responses from the community and partnerships. The response involves a diverse network of community groups, families, the criminal justice system, government agencies, and faith-based groups among many more. Nonetheless, the main model used in most of the response is through the community coordinated response to domestic violence (CCRM) framework (Shorey, et al. 2014, p. 366). The model was developed as a map for helping local survivors design their interventions in preventing and addressing domestic violence. The CCRM is based on increased calls for coordination to ensure that the issues of domestic violence are tackled effectively. In the local levels, local authorities have developed Domestic Violence Forums and Task Groups (Shorey, et al. 2014, p. 366). The main aims of these forums and task groups is to promote awareness, safeguard victims and survivors, as well as prevent increased domestic abuse cases. Through the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership (CDRP) communities and partnerships are also holding abusers and perpetrators accountable for their actions (Malik, et al. 2008, p. 56). In one example, police officers are offering probation advice or opinions on abusers who have been prosecuted to avoid the risk of re-offending (Bouffard & Muftić 2007, p. 76). Agencies under the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference are coming together to share information and develop coordinated safety plans that prove to be effective and efficient. Children and victims of domestic violence also get help from the Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs) (Button & Lee 2014, p. 12). Faith groups are also involved in the repose to domestic violence through funding and advocacy. Different faith groups including inter-religion groups have come up together to pray and offer support for ending and preventing domestic abuse. Nonetheless, these responses have been met with numerous challenges and weaknesses. One of the main challenges and weaknesses of these interventions is the increased lack of consistency in funding for domestic violence (Shorey, et al. 2014). The UK government has increasingly cut funding for domestic violence in the recent past. Lack of resources is also a major challenge as funds increasingly get cut in the upper levels where local authorities are unable to support the rising need for addressing domestic violence. According to about a hundred women and a hundred children were turned away in refugee communities around the UK for the lack of resources. The trend in reducing resources illustrates the lack of coordination or commitment in preventing domestic violence. The main weaknesses of community and partnership responses are the lack of leadership. Not many male leaders are open or illustrate increased commitment towards addressing domestic violence (Pence & Shepard 1999, p. 44). This has created a rather slow awareness among communities where culture and diversity continue to serve as obstacles towards effective outcomes. Coordination is also proving ineffective where much time is spent developing strategies while not taking action. Lack of strategic information sharing is also a challenge. Monitoring and reporting on coordinated initiatives is also weakening the responses towards domestic violence (Salazar, et al. 2007, p.632). Much of the challenges are based on lack of good and effective working relationships. Overall, the community and partnerships response continues to face numerous challenges. Nonetheless, the rising commitment among community members and organization creates an opportunity of empowering community-based initiatives. Leaders in the UK should seek the opportunity to change the public and cultural perception of domestic violence. Agency response also requires increased improvement. The history of agency response has been failed by police such as in the Maria Stubbing’s case where police did not do enough to protect a vulnerable woman from her abuser. In conclusion, based on the identified challenges, numerous measures can be taken to improve implementation of community and partnership responses. The first improvement should focus on developing a coordinate information sharing centre where all agencies and communities can acquire information easily. A starting point for these improvements can be linked to the current Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub or MASH. The MASH operates as a single point of contact and clearing house for significant interventions and intelligence work. This model has the ability to address the main issues related to domestic violence. Moreover, schools should be used in implementing preventive programs that dwell on increasing awareness and knowledge on domestic violence. The government should also be persuaded to increase support for domestic violence through community based advocacy. Additionally, coordination should be developed through a flexible and efficient model that ensures cost-effectiveness as well as intervention effectiveness. Leadership should also be considered in terms of creating visions and principles that can ensure continuity and commitment in terms of the response. References Anitha, S 2008, 'Neither safety nor justice: the UK government response to domestic violence against immigrant women', Journal of Social Welfare & Family Law, vol. 30, no. 3, pp. 189-202. Bouffard, J, & Muftić, L 2007, 'An Examination of the Outcomes of Various Components of a Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence by Male Offenders', Journal of Family Violence, vol. 22, no. 6, pp. 353-366. Button, M, & Lee, J 2014, 'Policing Domestic Violence: Learning from the British Experience', International Journal of Contents, vol. 10, no. 1, p. 12. Finley, LL 2013, Encyclopedia of Domestic Violence and Abuse, ABC-CLIO, Santa Barbara, California. Home Office, (2013). Domestic violence and abuse - Detailed guidance - GOV.UK. [online] Gov.uk. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/domestic-violence-and-abuse [Accessed 8 Dec. 2014]. Koydemir, S, Bray, D, & Essau, CA 2012, Domestic Violence in the United Kingdom: Prevalence, Impact, and Correlates, ABC-CLIO, LLC. Malik, NM, Ward, K, & Janczewski, C 2008, 'Coordinated community response to family violence: the role of domestic violence service organizations', Journal of Interpersonal Violence, no. 7, p. 933. Pence, E, & Shepard, M 1999, Coordinating Community Response to Domestic Violence : Lessons From Duluth and Beyond, Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, Calif. Pennington-Zoellner, K 2009, 'Expanding ‘Community’ in the Community Response to Intimate Partner Violence', Journal of Family Violence, vol. 24, no. 8, pp. 539-545. Phipps, A, & Smith, G 2012, 'Violence against women students in the UK: time to take action', Gender & Education, vol. 24, no. 4, pp. 357-373. Salazar, L, Emshoff, J, Baker, C, & Crowley, T 2007, 'Examining the Behavior of a System: An Outcome Evaluation of a Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence', Journal of Family Violence, vol. 22, no. 7, pp. 631-641. Shorey, RC, Tirone, V, & Stuart, GL 2014, 'Coordinated community response components for victims of intimate partner violence: A review of the literature', Aggression & Violent Behavior, vol. 19, no. 4, pp. 363-371. Williamson, E, & Abrahams, H 2014, 'A Review of the Provision of Intervention Programs for Female Victims and Survivors of Domestic Abuse in the United Kingdom', Affilia: Journal of Women & Social Work, vol. 29, no. 2, p. 178. Read More