Domestic Violence Prevention - Essay Example

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION SECTION 1. Discuss the patterns of domestic violence in men versus women; stereotypes, and the implications for treatment. Many research studies have been conducted with a view to understanding the trends of domestic violence between men and women. Majority of these research studies have concluded that domestic violence is perpetrated primarily by men over their female counterparts. However, researchers have observed that women are also very close to becoming as physically violent as men, especially in hetero relationships (Hirchel, Hutchison, & Shaw, 2009). Even though these trends explicate the reason for the consequences of terminating relationships, there are strong indications the females in many partnerships are less willing to disclose gender violence perpetrated against them. Furthermore, women are more likely to minimize the severity of domestic violence. While there fails to offer a solitary womens activist methodology aggressive behavior at home, numerous specialists have concentrated on the force uneven characters that encourage and propagate savagery against ladies. It is clear that these imbalances are more prevalent at the society level in many patriarchal societies in which structural factors hinder equal participation of both genders in social and political systems. From a historical perspective, domestic violence has often been perceived and portrayed by the society as an issue that affects the minority groups predominantly. This explains why many African-American women as other women of color remain very much aware of the stereotypes that underlie gender-based violence. As a result of the racial/ethnic/class dimension that domestic violence takes in many cases, most victims are often reluctant to disclose or report their violent or abusive relationships. This is because they view the reporting as an opportunity for the authorities or the public to use the information in reinforcing negative stereotypes against the minority groups. 2. Discuss the various types of addictions and the interplay with domestic violence, anger management, the outcomes of mandated treatment, and how substance misuse and D.V. impacts children’s lives. Evidence from numerous research studies indicates that women encounter more negative impacts of domestic violence than their male counterparts. The effects here include psychological/emotional implications like fear, insult, anger, depression, stress, diminished self-esteem, and anxiety attacks. Other effects may include sleeping issues, shame, and post-traumatic stress. When it comes to domestic violence directed towards the men, research indicates that most women who assault men are often the victims of some persistent abuse (Hirchel, Hutchison, & Shaw, 2009). Therefore, the use of violence is just a means of trying to escape or stop the abuse against them. Even though both genders result to violence with an aim of achieving some control, females try to secure some short-term control over an immediate scenario while men tend to gain widespread authority over the long-term. 3. Examine the results of trauma, the development of PTSD, learned helplessness and the perpetration of inter-generational trauma. Talk about the dimensional approach to diagnosis formation as it applies to trauma and the importance of clinicians protecting themselves against vicarious trauma. It is plausible that PTSD is often the most widely recognized effect of trauma. However, for some complex reasons, the effect of trauma is usually perceived in terms of symptoms of the resultant psychological and emotional disorders. It is noteworthy that anti-social disorder, where anger is externalized as aggression, is mostly diagnosed in men than women with significant histories of trauma. For women with such histories, borderline personality disorder is the most common diagnosis. This can be characterized by internalization of anger. Research studies have indicated that trauma resulting from domestic violence tends to reverberate from one generation to the other one. Furthermore, experiencing interpersonal abuse has significant risks as it increases a person’s chances of encountering mental health issues, homelessness, problems with substance abuse, and consequently, increased interpersonal violence. For women, domestic violence is the mot common precursor to substance abuse (Hirchel, Hutchison, & Shaw, 2009). 4. Review the Choice Model and how it can be utilized to promote acceptance, forgiveness and love. How does this apply to building healthy and resilient families? The choice model is based on the need to give the victims a chance to repair the harm, receive apology, healing, reparation, and empowerment. When it comes to domestic violence, there is a need to give the victims a chance to give their story and participate actively in the process of promoting forgiveness, acceptance, and reconciliation. The whole process is aimed at giving the offender an opportunity to seek forgiveness and demonstrate an acknowledgment that the violent tendencies have done significant harm to social harmony. At the same time, the process gives the victim an opportunity to overcome resentment and develop into a more virtuous person. Several research studies indicate that women victims of domestic violence do not seek reparation as a means of legal intervention, but as a way of exposing the offender, and seek protection for their children. This can be viewed as a way of seeking external validation of their quest to stop violence and reiterate their right to live a violence-free life. It is plausible that most victims are not always willing to speak openly about their experiences in an environment of domestic violence. However, the Choice model gives such individuals an opportunity to re-assert their control over experiences that challenge their sense of autonomy and identity. On the other hand, the offenders are given a chance to re-think their behavior and make a commitment to solving their indifferences in an amicable manner. This way, rage, and hatred are replaced by an environment of love and forgiveness, and the result is a healthy and resilient family. SECTION 2: 1. Why, according to Anderson and Aviles, do physicians in obstetrics and gynecology need to be particularly aware of domestic violence, its presentations, and its consequences? It is clear that domestic violence is the most common cause of many psychological, emotional, physiological and physical problems that affect women. Given that the health implications of domestic violence may be extensive in some cases, there is a need for physicians remain aware of the diverse results and signs of domestic violence on women. For instance, research studies have demonstrated that pregnancy can trigger new incidences of domestic violence o even an entrenchment of an already prevailing problem. When physicians in obstetrics and gynecology get a precise understanding of the major presentations of domestic violence. It becomes easier for them to determine the duration of the abuse and the risk factors that the violence poses to the woman and the children. Given that most women are often reluctant to report instances of violence against them, well-educated physicians can detect early signs of domestic violence and initiate prompt intervention measures before the situation gets out of hand. 2. What additional issues do Latina women face when they are victims of domestic violence? Why might these issues make it more difficult for these women to seek or receive help? In addition to the many problems that affect women from minority groups under the weight of domestic violence, Latina women face the additional problems of isolation, language barriers, uncertain legal status, and limited wage jobs (Tanya & Aviles, 2006). These conditions exacerbate the dire conditions under which women from minority groups live in the hands of over-domineering males. Due to poor financial backgrounds and the uncertainty of legal status, especially for the immigrants, it becomes extremely hard for the women to seek legal or medical intervention. Due to these hardships, most of the Latina women often end up accepting domestic violence as a way of life. Even in instances where legal help comes their way, it is regrettable that the offender serves as the sole interpreter in court proceedings (Tanya & Aviles, 2006). By that leading to a conflict of interest in court and a clinical dilemma in seeking medical intervention. It is clear that these women do not only deal with the usual stress associated with domestic violence. However, they also deal with the stigma that accompanies race and its negative implications on the access and availability of culturally sensitive social services (Anderson & Aviles, 2006). 3. Based on the study by Fantuzzo, Fusco, Mohr, and Perry, how often are children present during domestic violence events? What is the average profile of these children and these particular domestic violence events (arrests, substance abuse, etc.)? According to the research study by (Fantuzzo et al. 1997), almost fifty percent of all proven cases of domestic violence had children at their center. In fact, domestic violence was found to be more prevalent in households that had children. The results indicated that where the couple involved in domestic violence were married, children were very likely to be present during the violent incidents. History of previous abuse and arrest of the offender during the time of the incident were also related to a greater likelihood of children being present. The study also noted that minority children who are often exposed to domestic violence often live in areas with high poverty levels. Additionally, in violent households where children are present, substance abuse has been shown to be prevalent in more than one-third of the cases. These results indicate that households, where children find themselves at the center of domestic violence, are likely to have other risk factors. These include things such as substance abuse, poverty, low educational standards on the part of the caregiver, and single-parent households. 4. What are the four reality therapy questions do therapists ask domestic violence survivors? Why is each question, and the survivor’s subsequent response, important to his or her self-forgiveness process? When working through the process of self-forgiveness with survivors of domestic violence, therapists often rely on four fundamental questions that guide the process. These include the following: What do you want? What are you doing to achieve what you want? How will you know whether whatever you are doing is working? What will you do once you get what you want? These questions provide therapists with a succinct framework to assist victims of domestic violence. For instance, by understanding what the survivor wants, the therapist can give voice to the desires of the victim (Jacinto, Kirven, & Turnage, 2001). It is only after the victim indicates their unsatisfied wants that the therapist can offer opportunities to lessen the pain resulting from the violent episodes. By asking what the survivor is doing to get what they want, the therapist gets to understand the efforts that the survivor has utilized to achieve their goals. It is only after understanding these efforts that the survivor can be helped to achieve their unfulfilled needs and facilitate their recovery towards full self-forgiveness. By assessing whether whatever the survivor is doing is right, the therapist gets a chance to highlight some critical aspects that the survivor may have ignored during the reconciliation process. For instance, the therapist could enlighten the survivor on the importance of effective communication in the relationship. Finally, by asking what the survivor will do once they attain their goals, the question gives the survivors an opportunity to visualize the satisfactory results. Therefore, this offers a milieu through which the survivors can review the goal achievement process (Jacinto, Kirven, & Turnage, 2001). 5. What are some of the reoccurring misconceptions regarding same-sex domestic violence? Why do you think these misconceptions exist? There are many re-occurring misconceptions pertaining to same-sex domestic violence. These include the following; Majority of domestic violence instances are understandable for men because males are more susceptible to violence than females. Furthermore, women are not violent in nature and hence, lesbian domestic violence is rare (Tesch, Bekerian, English, & Harrington, 2010). Aggressive behavior at home is more extreme in hetero connections than in same-sex connections. This misconception results from the believe that same-sex couples tend to be evenly matched in terms of physical features while men in heterosexual relationships are often stronger than their female partners (Tesch, Bekerian, English, & Harrington, 2010). The perpetrator is always the man. This misconception results from the belief that men are characteristically more forceful and over-domineering. On the other hand, women are perceived as naturally submissive. SECTION 3: 1. Discuss at least one issue addressed during the workshop that has altered your perspective on the topic. Why? From a historical and developmental perspective, it is clear that domestic violence is often perpetrated by men against their female partners. This may be because masculinity has always been discerned as the flight from the feminine, the repudiation of femininity. Even in cases where men find themselves at the receiving end of domestic violence. Research studies have indicated that men who feel assaulted at any period in their lifetime suffer a great degrading loss of masculine identity at the hands of their perpetrators. On the other hand, women suffer more than simply a loss of feminine identity. Thus, the best approach when solving domestic violence should be geared towards the need for self-forgiveness with a focus on restoring an individual’s relationship with the self. Thus, efforts should be aimed at providing the victims with an avenue through which reconcile with themselves and the people who offended them. Even as the victims navigate the four questions that guide reality therapy, the focus should remain on the need for self-forgiveness that can heal the previous wounds. References Diverse Faces of Domestic Violence2006The ABNF Journal, 129-132. Hirchel, D., Hutchison, I., & Shaw, M., (2009). The Interrelationship Between Substance Abuse and the Likelihood of Arrest, Conviction, and Re-offending in Cases of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Family Violence, 25 (2); 81-90. Jacinto, G., Kirven, J., & Turnage, B., (2001). Reality Therapy, Domestic Violence Survivors, and Self-Forgiveness. International Journal of Reality Therapy, 22 (2); 24-27. Tanya, A., & Aviles, A., (2006). Diverse Faces of Domestic Violence. The ABNF Journal, 129-132. Tesch, B., Bekerian, D., English, P., & Harrington, E., (2010). Same-sex Domestic Violence: Why Victims are more at Risk. International Journal of Police Sceince & Management, 12 (4); 526-535. Read More