Program evaluation and outcome measures - Research Paper Example

It negatively affects their self-esteem, thereby causing them to become unemployed. Homelessness and homicide are yet other disastrous consequences of this problem. However, in most cases such cases of domestic violence can be averted with appropriate policy intervention. In this regard, these community-wide programs can not only provide shelter to women who have suffered from physical abuse but also help women recover from the negative psychological impact of these abuses. In most cases, the emotional and mental damage done to such women far exceeds the rather short-term physical damage.

To this end, the role of counseling is critical as it helps such women regain a positive attitude towards life. This paper shall entail a discussion and evaluation of programs to combat domestic violence while assessing the role of human services in facilitating the same. Overview of the domestic violence against women Domestic violence has been considered as one of the most persistent problems facing most societies. In most cases, the violence entails not just physical and emotional abuse but also sexual and economic abuse which further reduces the already ‘weak’ status of women in most patriarchal societies. . While human services professionals may not be able to change this natural tilt of power in favor of men, they can, by initiating educational and awareness programs change the thinking of men to a great extent.

Ideally, the focus of most programs must be to restore the emotional wellbeing of the victim, provide adequate safety so that the victim does not fall prey to such violence again as well as alter the social makeup such that justice is favored. This, by no means is an easy process as social values may take years, even centuries to change. Furthermore, the effectiveness of these programs is further undermined by the fact that most women, for fear of being harassed/threatened further, choose to stay quiet on the issue, therefore, not bringing up their concerns to human services professionals.

This reduces the chances of effective intervention as victims and the nature of violence inflicted upon them, remains unidentified. Nevertheless, various programs, at both the public and private level, have been initiated for the purpose of creating awareness amongst the population and show support to encourage women victims to voice their concerns. These intervention programs vary in their attempts to help victims depending on the degree of torture/abuse inflicted upon the victim. Victims who have suffered from a high degree of abuse (such as sexual abuse) are offered immediate safety with shelter homes whereby they can seek refuge from the perpetuator.

Furthermore, the role of health care providers is even more important considering that they are often one of the first individuals to come into contact with the victims of such abuse. Considering that domestic violence comprises of a ‘cycle of abuse’ which keeps recurring, the role