Category: Domestic violence

Ways Of Protection Women Or Men From Any Sort Of Domestic Violence

In regard to the effectiveness of dealing with legal and non-legal responses in dealing with domestic violence, there is a varying degree of success in achieving justice for the victims and their families. As stated in the Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007, domestic violence is described as “violence committed against someone with whom the offender has, or has had a domestic relationship” Domestic violence is a serious issue within Australian society and has been for a number of years. Although progress has been made for legal responses, it still does not meet societal expectations when it comes to achieving justice. There is a copious amount of ineffectiveness in regard to not meeting society’s needs and protecting the victims of domestic violence. This remains to be one of the greatest challenges the Australian legal system faces. Due to this, there have been numerous non-legal organisations created to try even out the ineffectiveness.

The legal responsibility of issuing an Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVO), under the Crimes (Domestic Violence) Amendment Act 1983 (NSW) is relatively effective in protecting individuals’ rights. ADVO aim to prohibit a person from stalking, harassing or abusing. According to the article “Violence against women reduced through apprehended violence orders, survey shows” by The Sydney Morning Herald, ’98 per cent of women who experienced physical violence, no longer did after taking out an ADVO’, which was found by the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. ADVOs are effective in how they protect a majority of women from further violence. However, ADVO’s can stop intent. Rachael Young was shot in the head by her partner, Stephen Downey, in front of her six-year-old daughter in 2006. Downey had been sentenced to nine months in jail for breaching his apprehended violence order but was released on a good behavior bond. He killed himself after he killed Rachael. It can be said ADVO’s, court proceedings and government assistance has proved to be largely ineffective when dealing with domestic violence. This is because large amounts of legislation are outdated and therefore not responsive to societies current needs. In such cases, ADVOs are extremely inefficient as a piece of paper will not stop an abuser from beating, threatening or harming their partner and/or kids. Whilst ADVO’s are a somewhat effective legal measure in preventing violence against women/men, its conditions can be easily breached, making the response fairly ineffective in achieving justice. This is evident as seen from March 2008 to March 2011, where more than 100,000 orders were made and 9,000 of those were breached. However, there are still many breaches that are left unreported due to fear, previous poor responses from the police and victims believing they can deal with the situation on their own. This further shows the ineffectiveness of ADVOs as they are believed to give women a sense of protection and security, but even with them, women are still extremely afraid. ADVO’s attempt to achieve justice through being very easily accessible. They require no costs and very minimal time to write up. However, they are not very efficient as the cases of domestic violence victims show their ineffectiveness when it comes to trying to enforce them. If an ADVO is breached, the offender may only spend 2 years and be faced with a $5,500 fine, which is not a strong enough punishment for most offenders. Because of this, societies needs are not fully met and protected.

There are copious amounts of legislation to try to protect women/men from any sort of domestic violence. This legislation includes Crimes Act 1900 (NSW), Crimes (Sexual Assault) Amendment Act 1981 (NSW), Crimes (Personal and Family Violence) Amendment Act 1987 (NSW), Crimes (Domestic Violence) Amendment Act 1993 (NSW), Family Law Reform Act 1995 (Cwlth). In regard to domestic violence, legislations are put in place to legally protect women/men. These legislations ensure that the perpetrator receives a fair punishment for their wrongdoing. This punishment ensures the safety of the victim as well as society. The enforcement of legislation ensures the safety of women/men. It also shows the government recognises the effect of domestic violence on women/men and any child that has been exposed to it. The role of the courts is to achieve guarantee fair and just endings. Although the issue with the current legislation in regard to domestic violence is that it’s clearly not doing enough as many victims are still dying and still too scared to confront their partners and seek help from authorities. The media articles “Family of domestic violence victim Rekiah O’Donnell say more must be done to protect women from abuse” and “Ice addict Nelson Lai guilty over girlfriend’s shooting death” emphasise the ineffectiveness of certain legislations. Rekiah O’Donnell’s family were devastated and shattered when the Supreme Court jury cleared her partner of murdering her. They convicted him of the lesser crime of manslaughter. These legislations are shown to be ineffectual in protecting the rights of the victim, their family and society. He now poses a threat to them all. With evidence of admitting to regularly bashing Ms O’Donnell and threatening to kill her, a harsher penalty should have been applied. This would include imprisonment for a minimum of 15 years.

Due to the majority of legal responses being ineffective when dealing with domestic violence, there has been a large number of non-legal responses created to even out the ineffectiveness. These include foundations, websites, counselling services and shelters. NGO’s such as Hotlines such as “Domestic Violence Line”, Domestic Violence Prevention Centre and White Ribbon Campaign aims to protect victims and make them feel safe and like they have someone/somewhere to go to receive help. However, they still face issues such as women may be too afraid to speak out, especially online. This applies specifically to women who are financially, physically, and socially abused and there are too many small NGOs and not enough that are well-known. This stops women from knowing exactly who to go to. In order to fix this, small NGOs should get together and create one big one that is easily accessible to almost everyone (men or women) and have specially trained workers to help people in these situations. The article “Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service deals with the heartbreak of women on the run” shows the effectiveness of NGOs as they advise women on shelters to go to when they are trying to escape violent relationships. They also provide supplies for them, ranging from phones to nappies for babies. They help deal with the situation effectively to ensure a just outcome that protects the victims’ rights. NGO’s are extremely helpful for victims, but there should be more advertising to make them more well-known to ensure accessibility for many victims in danger or fear of harm. Although now numerous ads are displayed on TV or billboards to advertise helplines. NSW Domestic Violence Line ‘We will listen to you, believe you, and help you is displayed in shopping centers around the NSW region. Another specific ad is ‘Stop it at the start. This campaign is aimed at men and the social attitude of ‘boys will be boys. It shows videos of males saying something degrading or domestic violence-related, to which the female will respond with something that makes the male rethink his comment and the extent a single comment can have on someone. This has helped male family members understand what is and is not appropriate to say and how to see early signs that someone might become an abuser or victim.

The media plays a major role in raising awareness of domestic violence. It shapes the public’s opinions, which is why it is important that they broadcast informative advertisements and reports on domestic violence. However, although the media may do this, it only does so to a small extent. The media should be doing more to raise awareness and show the seriousness of domestic violence. The media is widely accessible to many within Australia which are why it is a good platform to advertise the extent of domestic violence. If it were more publicly shown, perpetrators may rethink their choices if they knew the serious consequences, they could face. The media attempts to recognise the rights of women, particularly those in domestic violence relationships but does nothing to help protect them. It does not portray equality as it is a very bias form of broadcasting domestic violence. They also have no way of enforcing any laws or rights in domestic violence cases, resulting in a very insignificant amount of justice being served for victims of domestic violence as well as meeting the needs of society and the victims. The media is not very efficient and effective in protecting the rights of women in domestic violence relationships, nor raising awareness of this growing issue.

Overall, legal responses are mostly ineffective in dealing with domestic violence as legislation is not up to date and ADVO’s are very hard to enforce. Legal responses do not meet the needs of the victims or societies needs but there is always room to grow to hopefully achieve justice for all victims and their families in the future. Whereas, non-legal responses are able to help victims feel safe and can receive more active help from NGO’s. The legal system has been proven to lag when it comes to achieving justice for victims and protecting each individual’s rights.

The Police Response To Domestic Violence

ABSTRACT

Domestic violence is one of the most frequent forms of violence in which the police themselves must deal constantly. My assignment describes police officers’ experiences, tactics, and changes in policing to deal with different types of domestic violence. Recommendations about the most effective way to train police officers to cope with unexpected situations of integral risk to domestic violence are suggested.

INTRODUCTION

In this essay, I will have the opportunity to assess how social policy responds to the social issues of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a multidimensional problem that worries the perpetrator, the survivor and their families as such indicate that many agencies need to be in connection. Domestic violence prevails in all situations regardless of wealth or poverty in society, religion, ethnicity or geographical position and violent crimes take into consideration an estimate of 15% (Home Office, 2009)

The calculation of the state expenses is about £23 billion per year for domestic violence (Women’s Aid, 2007d). It is not only men who tend to commit domestic abuse, but also some women are violent against men and within same-sex relationships. However, most events are committed by men against women – with a greater threat of abusive repetition and offense of brutality – the soul of this essay will take that into account and how the police respond to the victims of those events.

To acknowledge the situation, in this essay I will explore the origins of domestic violence, considering the situations that gave rise to it and other strategies for change that may be needed to improve

I will explore the changes made in legislation and how this affects the powers of the police and their work. Next, I will explore the criminal justice response such as the Specialized Courts against Domestic Violence and incorporate Domestic Abuse Programs, calculating their effectiveness. Survivors affected by domestic violence may report their incidents to the Police Training Units and can receive support such as housing depending of their circumstance also the support services, child protection, sanctuary schemes, etc.

In addition, the police focus on working strategies to detect future victims of domestic violence. The current importance of response in the criminal justice is pressing the police and, at the same time, may unduly harm black women and other ethnic minority communities who are afraid to deal with the police for lack of confidence.

Historically domestic violence has no concept. Carlson Brown (1994) stated that the reason why male society existed also contributed to the development in which it was reflected in religious texts. It was a principle that man had the responsibility to punish them if he seemed appropriate, because the men believed that the woman and the children were their property.

Feminism has grown over the past ten years and ideology has been challenged. The existence of contraceptives as a pill in 1960 gave women the free choice and self-esteem of the option in case of their reproduction, therefore, in other parts of their lives. In addition, only physical abuse was considered domestic violence and only in 1980 did the government begin to take in account sexual abuse as domestic violence.

Despite this, revaluation of marital rape was not considered a crime until 1991 in England and Wales (Rape Crisis, 2008). Currently, the explanation for domestic violence is amplified. The government interprets any occurrence related to misconduct of abuse or violence as psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults in intimate relationships, partners or family, without gender or sexuality (Home Office, 2009).The term ‘domestic violence’ in many countries mentions marital violence, but the word may also include child abuse or elder abuse, or abuse to any member of a family within a household. The mode of abuse can be austere ‘battering’ and spreading through various forms of violence, such as threatening and dominating additional control behaviour.

The survey did a superb study of several citizens based on IPV frequency, intimate partner violence and most notably the World Health Organization (WHO) established the multi-country study for more than 24,000 women in 10 countries on women’s health and domestic violence in which they collected IPV data demonstrating various cultural, geographic and urban / rural sites.

The study established that IPV is not a single country issue but, above all, it is a comprehensive issue in all countries.

• 13-61% reported having experienced physical violence by a partner;
• 4-49% reported experiencing severe physical violence by a partner;
• 6-59% reported that the partner abused them at certain times of their lives
• 20-75% reported having previously experienced abuse of their partners’ emotional acts during the time they were together. (WHO, 2010)

The Refuge protects women, advocating on their behalf promoting and enforcing progressive legislation.

They suggest to other agencies in the best way and debates to have more awareness about DV by stimulating education, training, and research. DV should be taken in account: 80% of women were victims of various types of abuse, including physical, sexual, financial and emotional violence. 55% of shelter-priority women were strangled by their partner and 55% received death threats (Refuge, 2014).

Michelle’s former partner attacked her with a crowbar that she remained in a coma for thirteen weeks, but the children watched the scene.'(Refuge, 2014, page 6) Another case is ‘Ayla,’ who suffered many years of abuse and suffered a serious risk of violence but managed to flee with her daughter and report to the police. Her husband was arrested, and Ayla took counselling in Kurdish to help her manage her depression and increase her confidence. In the hiding place, where she was placed, she had some black marks on her face and right ear. Later, it came to be confirmed by hospital examinations that she was deaf in the right ear due to ill-treatment for several years. (refuge, 2014 page 6)

For weeks, even months, the shelter functions as a shelter for women and children who are victims of domestic violence. In fact, in every three residents, two are traumatized children who need help from specialized people. (Women’s Aid, n.d.) In all shelters, we can find workers who give specialized support to children traumatized by domestic violence.

HMIC has found that emergency room 999, the police officer who answers the victim’s call, is generally aware of domestic abuse and determines cases according to their reporting methods. They confirm that, in most cases, an officer responds as quickly as possible or within an hour. New strategies to help high-risk victims include a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference ‘MARAC’ involves social workers, service management for children, police and parole officers and police officers as well as drug workers and alcohol. They also involve housing authorities, mental health authorities, physicians, GP staff, and domestic abuse specialists. The idea arose in Cardiff after the death of a child whose diagnostic detected domestic violence ‘’DV’’ as result of his death. As a result, there are 288 MARACS throughout England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Guernsey and Scotland where they meet once a month normally (Home office,2013).

The probability that some of the factors derived from men committing violence against the partner (s) are most often derived at young age; low level of schooling; witnessed or suffered violence when they were children; use of drugs and alcohol, personality problems; history of ill-treatment. The main role of the police is to defend people from crime and avoid disorder, but domestic abuse for causing so much damage is part of a considerable number of crimes in general 15.7 billion per year is an estimate in the society budgets (Walby,S. (2009).

Police, as part of a social institution, is forced to deal with incidents of domestic violence. Providing vital help and support to victims of domestic violence as well as helping them make decisions regarding domestic violence resources (Corcoran, Stephenson, Perryman & Allen, 2001). Glanz & Spiegel, 1996). The police have a great responsibility in the prosecution process, as well as providing support and services to the victims of a community. In the UK, young people aged 10 to 24 gave details about the abuse of domestic violence they experienced during childhood. (Radford L., Corral S, Bradley C et al. (2011)

Thus, as guardians of the criminal justice system, the Police Service plays a very important role in the initial situations in which domestic abuse occurs. It is the first point of contact when an incident occurs, as there may be alternatives to rectify and improve situations in which many women suffer primarily because they are victims of domestic violence. In addition, information around the world related to police responses to domestic violence, police practice is paramount. (Berk & Loseke, 1981;Buzawa, Austin, 1993; Worden & Pollitz,1984). Some local research reports have shown great dissatisfaction with the way the police respond to victims of domestic violence (Pretorius1987, Van der Hoven 1989).

International studies (Corcoran et al 2001, Finkelhor,1988; Gelles & Strauss, 1999) indicated that interference in domestic violence is a very difficult and controversial process, since the victim may have doubts beyond the normal scope of the law Sometimes imposes various approaches and strategies of involvement by police officers, for example, other external support as social workers. Some studies describe and analyse the police explanations of their practices in attending to domestic violence occurrences and the response.

According to Sinden and Stephens (1999), knowledge about police practices is essential for understanding the response to domestic violence events. Subsequently, the purpose of the trial is to see the actions of police officers involved in cases of various forms of domestic violence. The way that police confront the occurrence, their action, and the issue response.

According to (Radford L., Corral S, Bradley C et al. (2011), the Home Office instructed HMIC in September 2013 organized a screening to verify how police respond to domestic violence.

• A description of the effectiveness of how the police approach victims of domestic violence, focusing on the consequences and risks of victims, and assisting them adequately.
• Recognize instructions and be aware of how police report domestic violence and abuse.
• Set up advice on these findings when you consider the current practice together. (Home Office,2004)

To answer the questions, HMIC collected data from the archives of the 43 forces funded by the Ministry of Interior. They had a conversation with 70 victims of domestic abuse who were part of central groups throughout England and Wales (and several victims were interviewed in particular). More than 500 victims were interviewed online, plus 200 who worked with victims of domestic abuse, were also surveyed to check the level of efficiency in dealing with domestic.

All police forces in England and Wales were examined by HMIC, senior and operational leaders, and held focus groups with the front-line staff and partners. HMIC made visits to police stations (which were not notified) to analyse the reality of the officer’s effectiveness in diligence action. Another measure initiated by the government to reduce domestic violence abuses is the Integrated Domestic Abuse Program (IDAP). (Home Office, 2004). This program requires a lot of effort, dedication and above all training of the team as well as a strong control. (Home Office, 2004).

Legislation is one of the most important means of addressing the problem of domestic violence. The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act of 2004 was established to address the issue of domestic violence in different ways.In 2006 another government response was to create Specialized Domestic Violence Courts (SDVC), the SDVC program of the greatest protection for DV survivors and summon the attackers to be questioned and accountable in various interventions.

However, when the partner is the parent of their children, the victim generally does not want to incriminate the (Women’s Aid, 2007a). The purpose of the act was to provide more protection to RV survivors, enabling the police and the courts to act against criminals. (Home Office, 2008a). Enhancing police powers was to make the common attack an offense to harassment, which could allow the survivor a period of reflection to help him decide whether to proceed with the prosecution or not.

Some of the methods used in SDVCs involve specially trained judges for domestic violence cases with rapid access to Independent Domestic Violence Counsellors (IDVAs) for providing specialist support (Women’s Aid, 2008a) Thirty percent of domestic violence begins during pregnancy and ‘domestic violence is one of the causes of abortion, the victim loses the baby or even dies when giving birth to a child’ (Woman’s Aid, 2005b). Another measure taken by the government is how to identify victims who are at risk and provide specialized training of midwives and other health identities that support and encourage pregnant women who experience domestic violence. The victim should report the problem, which is difficult because of the way the perpetrator controls the victim (Jeanjot et al., 2008).

Main results

The general response of the police to victims of domestic abuse is insufficient. This is independent of significant progress in service over 10 years, in the commitment and dedication of many efficient and essential police officers in many forces, there are many weaknesses in the service provided to victims of domestic violence.

There are many policies that demonstrate weakness and victims are at constant risk because some of them are terrible, which makes the victim undecided and at unnecessary risk. Domestic abuse is a priority. Almost all police commissioners acknowledged it as a crime and identified domestic abuses as an urgent issue in criminal strategies.

The reality is that determined intent does not bring the results that people expect. The police to combat domestic abuse does not see that it is as important as dealing with serious organized crime, such as gangs, terrorism and so on.

Organizational issues to combat domestic abuse well is essentially important. It is a complex and delicate subject. Two environments of domestic abuse are not the same, and some victims have been harmed by lack of communication for a few years or for a few decades. Some tools also resources, training and partnerships in place are relevant for the police to develop their work well and get better result.

Conclusions and recommendations

Domestic violence is a multidimensional problem that worries and shocks our society. Women who have survived domestic violence are more concerned about security for themselves and their children and decisions to contact the police, whether to file complaints, and whether to continue their involvement with the criminal justice system. Women should contact the police immediately to avoid violence and receive long-term police support. The victims expected the prosecution and the judicial process to punish and restrict the behaviour of the perpetrators, but the outcome was not always what they expected. As mentioned above the support was needed to help women get involved with the criminal justice system, and possibly the accusations to the perpetrators were dropped. Criminal justice in England is increasing with changes that result in practice and begin to take in account the experiences and concerns of women. This was mainly ostensive to the police. Women saw the police more than ever before as a positive and helpful entity, where they faced ‘lower-level’ violence. However, where the courts were involved the survivors, female victim / felt abandoned and unhappy, therefore, the long time and emotional ‘speculation’ vital for the women to follow, was not repeated in the findings for the perpetrators. It gives the impression of a greater need for positive interference and multiple agencies with usual male perpetrators since the criminal justice system is less likely to work in such cases. Data collected on domestic abuse needs to be consistent, comparable, accessible and accurate so that it can be used to monitor progress. This requires the Home Office to develop national data standards in relation to domestic abuse data. The data should be collected by police forces and provided to the Home Office, for example as part of the annual data return.

In addition, the views of victims are a key factor in monitoring evidence of police efficiency. The Ministry of the Interior must ensure that the responses of victims of domestic abuse are always firmly involved in national monitoring measures

References

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Rape & Domestic Violence Service In Australia

Rape & Domestic Violence Service Australia is a non-government and non-profit human service organization. R&DVSA currently employs qualified psychologist, social workers and counselling professionals Rape & Domestic Violence Services Australia was originally established as Sydney Rape Crisis Centre with funding from the Whitlam government in 1974, and celebrated its 40th Anniversary on 28 October 2014. (Rape-dvservices.org.au, 2019). Domestic violence and sexual assault can bring significant negative influences on both mental health and physical harm to victims, and they can be the major factors affecting women’s health, lead to anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. In addition, sexual abuse can result in a long-term impact for children development and children’s mental health, children who have impacted by family violence or sexual assault can have a higher risk of anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, relation problems, and alcohol or drug misuse (Headtohealth.gov.au, 2019). The fields of practice of R&DVSA are domestic assistance, family violence, mental health, sexual abuse, and children protection.

Purpose, goals and objectives of the organization.

The vision of R&DVSA organization is to full stop the sexual assault and domestic violence. this organization offers special counselling for those groups of people who have been impacted by sexual abuse or domestic violence. they provide clinical consultation, monitoring and different types of trauma management to those people. They believe that individual or group education, training and information provision could result a better outcome which could reduce the rate of sexual abuse or domestic violence rate in Australian community by the organization work through with all the stakeholders. “The field of Human Services is a broadly defined one, uniquely approaching the objective of meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations.” (Nationalhumanservices.org, 2019) Based on the definition from National Human Service, the purpose of human service is making a difference in people’s lives which means improve the quality of human’s lifestyles. Human service not only provide service directly but also, they could do coordination between the professionals and agencies to improve accessibility.

Client groups

R&DVSA focus on and provide service for the groups who have impacted by sexual abuse or domestic violence. Based on the report from NEW SOUTH WALES RECORDED CRIME STATISTICS 2013, it shows indecent assault, act of indecency and other sexual offences trended upwards 7.8%.(Goh and Holmes, 2013) Refer to Trend and patterns in domestic violence assaults: 2001 to 2010, it illustrates that most of the victims are female and more than half of the victims have not reported to police. Sexual assault could inhibit children’s development, the children who have an impact by sexual assault during their childhood could lead some difficulties in their social and interpersonal life such us serious depression, anxiety or conduct disorder. Hence, the target client groups for R&DVSA are those people who have an impact by those traumas currently and before.

Context and methods of practice utilized

R&DVSA is feminist, holistic and empowering in its approach which focuses on upholding the rights of all woman to have equitable life in society. Additionally, this organization is committed to protecting children away from violence and the right of all people free from violence in their lives. The fields of this organization include; domestic assistance, family violence, mental health and sexual abuse

The core service and main methods this organization will provide include both counselling and online access:

Firstly, the social worker in this organization will seek for the information from the people around the victims such as their family and friends that could assist in understanding the victim’s background information and what have they experienced. Then they will make a plan and list some strategies for helping. The most important thing is to encourage the victim’s supporters such as their family and friends to manage their emotions, bring the positive attitude to those victims.

Secondly, R&DVSA provide all types of counselling to those people whose lives have been impacted by the sexual assault which include telephone and online counselling, community based counselling service and face to face counselling.

Moreover, R&DVSA accepts online access, counsellors are free and available for one to one counselling for helping. In addition, online access can provide not only the contact detail for police and policy about sexual assault or domestic violence, but also the information about the work of R&DVSA.

The most important thing when work with domestic violence survivors is empowering to clients, rather than use power over them, this is because they have usually had experience of being dis-empowered by the abuse they experienced.

The nature of the organization’s auspice and funding arrangement

R&DVSA is supported by individuals, community groups, corporations and government agencies. The major funding bodies include: Australian Government Department of Social Service which focuses on providing funding and support for those who have impacted by sexual abuse and NSW HEALTH offers telephone and online counselling for rape crisis.

The limitations and strengths of the organization

The government provides uncertain funding for those human organization which inhibit the development of the organization. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis: “Many nonprofit organizations that provide human services to low- and moderate-income (LMI) clients are in a period of programmatic stasis due to uncertainty around government funding. Most of these organizations rely on a mix of federal, state, and local government grants for at least a portion of their income, but legislative budget wringing in response to the Great Recession has created unpredictability that is hampering their efforts to improve or expand their services.” (Wascalus, 2013), unpredictability could be a limitation for R&DVSA. In addition, another limitation could be the low reporting rate. Based on the data posted on the New.com.au, it shows violence against women in NSW is under-reported with only 44%, and it was under 33% in 2013 (Burke, 2019).

Most the women are afraid to report or they have no choice for their lives, thus, those human services could not help them anymore. Since 2009, R&DVSA has been a QIC Accredited Organization. QPI offers dedicated team support, they meet all the standards that could provide professional knowledge and self-assessment task (QIP – Quality Innovation Performance Limited, 2019). Hence, it could be the strengths of R&DVSA.

The role of social work

The definition of social work from AASW is “The social work profession facilitates social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.” (Aasw.asn.au, 2013)

In all situation, the social worker will focus on improving the well-being of humans and reduce the phenomenon of social discrimination, social inequality and social injustice.

The social worker as a counsellor in this organization will ask to provide a service that is client-centred, non-judgmental, feminist, supportive and responsive. The core service will include medium and long term on-going counselling for clients who ah experienced sexual abuse or domestic violence. This position will demand the highest level in trust of professionalism and ethical behavior. The major challenge for this position include hard to maintain the supportive relationship with clients and difficult to get positive outcomes, all the process should be patient and careful. The core purpose for social worker in R&DVSA is to improve the women and children life equality which helps them away from sexual assault and domestic violence, keep their both mental and physical safety and provide treatment for those victims who have already impacted by domestic violence and sexual abuse.

The workers’ own idea about the profession of social work

The significance of social worker to many of people may represent that work with the weak or poor and provide basic needs and support for them. However, the real meaning of social worker could be defined as assessing all the situations and find solutions with public welfare, counselling or something else. Becoming a social worker may not have a high level of wages or power. Nevertheless, social worker, could join into the social movement and be critical to this society. Also, they could be a part of social contributor, use their passion to change human’s life. Social workers can offer and advocate awareness of injustice based on their specialized knowledge and work with individuals, groups or families to provide positive changes for their lives.

Future directions

The profession of social work stands at the nexus of immense opportunities and incredible challenges. The social worker becomes one of the fastest profession in current society. The most serious issue in current society is the gap between the population rise and economic inequality, hence, the demand for social service organization will rise (Holmes, Mintz and Coffey, 2018). However, most the human service organization still rely on the funding from the government, which means the level of those organizations development will depend on the government policies.

In my personal view, with the development of society, it will lead to s rising for inequality and social injustice, which will increase the demand for the social worker. According to the Department of Employment figures, the demand for social worker will rise by 22.5% by 2022. (Headtohealth.gov.au, 2019)

However, social worker as a profession will not get a high level of salaries and they will need to do more than others at the same time. In addition, those human service organization still rely on the funding from the government, which means it is still hard for them to develop independently. In addition, human service organizations should try to reduce their limitations such as the small influence of the organization and low reporting rate for domestic violence. However, social worker as a profession may face some barriers. According to McHaelen’ s idea, she stated the most significant challenge for social work is doing more work with fewer resources. The responsibilities for social worker continue growing, yet, the number of social work does not rise. In addition, based on the Wilcox’s idea, she illustrated that as a social worker is hard, because they interact with pains usually, and they need to keep people free and vibrant as their jot purpose, hence, they have few or no time to take care about themselves.

In conclusion, this report introduces the mission, core service and practice methods of human service organization R&DVSA and social work as a profession, also the report states some personal view about social work future and barriers may face for development.

Reference list

1. Headtohealth.gov.au. (2019). Supporting yourself – Domestic violence. [online] Available at: https://headtohealth.gov.au/supporting-yourself/domestic-violence [Accessed 10 Apr. 2019].
2. Rape-dvservices.org.au. (2019). Our History – Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia. [online] Available at: https://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/About-Us/Our-History [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
3. Nationalhumanservices.org. (2019). What is Human Services?. [online] Available at: https://www.nationalhumanservices.org/what-is-human-services [Accessed 8 Apr. 2019].
4. Goh, D. and Holmes, J. (2013). NEW SOUTH WALES RECORDED CRIME STATISTICS. [report] NSW Recorded Crime Statistics.
5. Wascalus, J. (2013). Human service organizations ‘tread water’ in face of funding uncertainty | Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. [online] Minneapolisfed.org. Available at: https://www.minneapolisfed.org/publications/community-dividend/human-service-organizations-tread-water-in-face-of-funding-uncertainty [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
6. Burke, L. (2019). Reporting rates of violent assault against women are worryingly low. [online] NewsComAu. Available at: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/reporting-rates-of-violent-assault-against-women-are-worryingly-low/news-story/c156c37bdc8447c99645473a21939eb3 [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
7. QIP – Quality Innovation Performance Limited. (2019). What is Accreditation? | QIP – Quality Innovation Performance Limited. [online] Available at: https://www.qip.com.au/what-is-accreditation/ [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
8. Aasw.asn.au. (2013). What is Social work – AASW – Australian Association of Social Workers. [online] Available at: https://www.aasw.asn.au/information-for-the-community/what-is-social-work [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
9. Holmes, J., Mintz, J. and Coffey, D. (2018). ENVISIONING THE FUTURE OF SOCIAL WORK. [online] Cswe.org. Available at: https://www.cswe.org/About-CSWE/Governance/Board-of-Directors/2018-19-Strategic-Planning-Process/CSWE-FTF-Four-Futures-for-Social-Work-FINAL-2.aspx [Accessed 9 Apr. 2019].
10. Aasw.asn.au. (2017). Social workers are in demand – SMH – AASW – Australian Association of Social Workers. [online] Available at: https://www.aasw.asn.au/news-media/2017/social-workers-are-in-demand [Accessed 10 Apr. 2019].

The Connection Between The Media And Domestic Violence

The term ‘frame’ comes from Goffman (1974) to describe how people identify, interpret, understand, and label their experiences. This is similar to how a photographer decides to frame a shot. They can tell a particular story about a scenic landscape by focusing on, say, a flower. A lot of information will be left outside that frame. Another photographer may instead take pictures of a mountain range or the sky. Each picture involves making a decision to focus on some things while leaving other details out. When it comes to domestic violence, there are millions of stories to tell; each unique in their own way. Any victim, abuser, or spectator who is going to tell their story will say only a tiny part of the whole landscape. Media chooses to frame social problems in ways that complement their needs for a larger audience or for pleasing a particular market. Whether the focus is on entertainment or politics, social problems are shaped in ways that will help sell magazines, television shows, movies, or newspapers.

Media portrayal of IPV plays an important role in shaping public views about the issue, including beliefs about what causes it, who is responsible, and emotional responses. Things like context, wording, sources, and presentation style of information can change a reader’s interpretation and opinions of the story. The medical community had declared IPV as a public health problem over 20 years ago but current news coverage still continues to portray it as an individual issue, overlooking factors that contribute to the pervasiveness and public tolerance of IPV. Episodic framing is a type of presentation in which social issues are depicted ”as limited to events only and not placed in a broader interpretation or context” (De Vreese, 2005, p. 56). Given that news coverage of IPV is almost exclusively presented using episodic frames, it is unsurprising that public perceptions of IPV as a personal problem involving only the perpetrator and the victim view, while important contextual factors are understated or ignored. Research shows that media that encourages an individual’s perspective can increase victim-blaming, misconceptions, and a decrease in feelings of personal and societal responsibility for providing help or engaging in efforts to reduce or prevent IPV. By presenting a more accurate and complete portrayal of IPV, news media outlets have the potential to promote increased public support and involvement in prevention efforts other prosocial helping behaviors.

As technology plays an increasingly central role in our everyday lives, its role in intimate partner violence (IPV) is also increasing. Technology is a common way abusers use to exert control over their victims, this includes physical and virtual stalking. They can gain access to location services, cameras, social networks, and spyware. Survivors and legal professionals need to collect digital evidence to prove IPV in court so they can get legal orders of protection. This is made difficult with the pace of technology change and by the fact that evidence collection can mess with a victim’s privacy needs. An example of this is the case of OJ Simpson. He was accused of stabbing his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, as well as Ron Goldman when they were found outside of his home. This case changed how a lot of people thought about domestic violence and murder. Nicole had called the police on OJ several times, and appeared with bruises and a cut lip and told officers she feared for her life. The abuse before her death was a wakeup call for women across the country. Domestic violence organizations saw an increase in awareness and reporting ‘as women from all walks of life realized they were in danger,’ said Rona Solomon, deputy director of the Center Against Domestic Violence. The growing awareness was important to getting the Violence Against Women Act passed through Congress in 1994. In 1996, Congress passed a law that prevented domestic batterers from purchasing guns and at least 250,000 purchases were denied because of active restraining orders. Another example is in late 2014, released security footage from a casino in Atlantic City casino showed an athlete hitting his then-fiancé in the face, rendering her unconscious. The woman in the video married the athlete and was criticized for staying in an abusive relationship. As part of the discussion, the hashtag #WhyIStayed trended nationally on Twitter. But within a matter of weeks, people had moved on.

In one of her books, Diane Shoos who is an associate professor of visual studies at Michigan Technological University examines portrayals of abusive relationships in Hollywood that reinforces who and what we believe about domestic violence. She found that even though these films intend to condemn abuse and empower women, they ignore the complexities and consequences of violent relationships. Shoos examines six films—Gaslight (1944), Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), What’s Love Got To Do With It (1993), Dolores Claiborne (1995), Enough (2002) and Safe Haven (2013). While she thinks each contains positive elements, ‘there are certain characterizations and narrative patterns in these films that have become so established and ingrained that we seem to be stuck with them, inside and outside the theater.’ Shoos notes that the majority of Hollywood films about domestic violence center on women with the resources to escape. This reinforces the idea that it’s relatively easy for a woman to leave an abusive relationship, she just has to decide to do so. Shoos ends her book with a similar plea for more representations and also for critical viewing. ‘Media literacy is not just watching a bunch of stuff. We’re not all media literate because we binge-watch,’ Shoos says. ‘Media literacy is taking a look at what’s happening on screen and analyzing it on multiple levels. Let’s understand how narrative and cinematic techniques are being used, which characters are given a voice and which characters are not, where there are mixed messages and contradictions. And how does this overlap with other discussions we’re having in the world? To say representation matters is not an new observation. But it matters especially in the case of domestic violence.’

However, while there has been a shift in the way this issue is discussed and a definite push to have it taken more seriously, there are still far too many stories going untold. And as communicators, those in the media need to play a greater role in ensuring honest, healthy discussions around domestic violence take place – sharing our stories, however difficult that may be, is a key component to ultimately stirring debate and helping evoke change. Violence Free Minnesota was founded in 1978 and it’s a statewide coalition of over 90 member programs that work together to end relationship abuse, create safety, and achieve social justice for all. They represent victims and survivors of relationship abuse and member programs; challenge systems and institutions; promote social change; and support, educate, and connect member programs.

References

1. National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
2. Advocates are available to help individuals who are Deaf and hard of hearing at 1-800-787-3224 (TTY) or by chat.

Combating Domestic Violence: Strategies for Prevention and Legal Measures

Domestic Violence Realities and Legal Measures in North Carolina

According to Truman and Morgan (2014), Domestic violence is also referred to as family violence. They defined domestic violence as a situation in which a person abuses the other either in marriage or in another relationship. It can either be heterosexual or between spouses. It does not only involve spouses but also children, the elderly, and parents. North Carolina is a state found in the United States. South Carolina and Georgia are bordering North Carolina to the south. The latter has 100 counties. English and Spanish are the languages spoken there (Truman & Morgan, 2014).

To start with, in North Carolina, the ineffectual person by law must be your parents, your lover/spouse, your child, or your family establishment, including attendants and servants, either current or former. Domestic violence involves; injuring someone’s body intentionally, rape, and exposing the victim of domestic violence to an inevitable situation that threatens him/her. Assassination through domestic violence in North Carolina took place in the year 2013 when two people used to die per week. Domestic perpetration was a very serious case, and it was carried out by men. The country had to come up with a system used to treat domestic violence abusers. (Starsoneck & Ake, 2018).

In the year 2014, lesbians in North Carolina wanted to be freed to marry each other, but the laws of the state were against this. It is only in this country where the laws of the state do not defend lesbianism. (Ake,2018). The country has a department that deals with justice, and it revealed that one hundred and fifty thousand Carolinians managed to survive domestic violence, which took place in the year 2014. The court protects citizens from domestic violence. The court has a chapter commonly known as ‘50B’, which, when violated by an abuser, he/she is exposed to a penalty.

Bringing Domestic Violence to an End

Mangum (2016) argued that domestic violence can be brought to an end in two ways: through court orders and through social justice, which is achieved when the community and families are uplifted;

1. Stopping violence in families
2. Eradicating poverty
3. Providing houses/homes for individuals
4. Enabling each and every citizen to become financially stable
5. Stabilizing the economy of a country
6. Good health facilities
7. Providing job opportunities to the youths
8. Improvement of the technology
9. Promoting justice in society
10. Provision of a conducive environment for the people

Domestic violence based on gender includes sexual onslaught (sexual onfall), sexual relations between close relatives, filicide (the murder of an infant), and abortion. Our societies have customs and beliefs that should be adhered to in order to do away with vices among members of the society. When a child is exposed to domestic violence when still young, he/she will still be affected both emotionally, physically, and mentally when he/she has grown up. Therefore, the community should seek help from the court and leaders legally elected by citizens in order to eradicate domestic violence perpetrators (Mangum, 2016).

Other Solutions to Domestic Violence in North Carolina

The following are the steps to be followed when one is victimized by domestic violence;

a) One should immediately go to a safe environment and call 911. When one cannot get a safe place, he/she should just go to a public place and call that number. The police officer will help the person charged with the criminal.

b) Filing of the criminal charges. It is done by the police. The officer will help you file probation in court.

c) The arrest of the abuser; the abuser might be released on bond, or the judge can deny him the bond. If released on bond, his case will be filed, and a date will be set for his case to be heard by the court (Ake, 2018).

According to Starsoneck & Ake (2018), in court, there’s a Hearing of the case; if the abuser had been involved in any criminal activity before, then he/she would be jailed for many years. Petitioning involves appearing before the clerk and filing the petition. One has to be authorized by the clerk on the date on which he/she has to appear before the magistrate. The judge announces protective orders and renews them when need be. Moreover, there’s the filing of complaints; this involves financial issues and matters concerning properties. Some judges prefer such cases to be heard by different courts. If a judge makes a decision, then it will be a temporary one. Those from rich families can hire a lawyer to represent them in court.

Law Orders in North Carolina Aimed At Eradicating Domestic Violence

According to Sangvai (2016), the court in North Carolina formed a constitution that was used to make rulings for domestic violence, and when one violates the order, the penalty is appreciated. Rulings are made in accordance with section 50 of the Constitution. These include the following: So long as you are a Carolinian, you are capable of being protected by the Constitution. Hearing of the case should take place within ten days from the day in which the incident took place. Assistance in an emergency, when one’s life is at risk, for example, domestic violence, which can easily lead to death or suffering. (Sangvai, 2016).

To add on, when spouses present their case in court in order to be divorced, one of the spouses can be ordered to support the child until the child reaches an age that supports himself/herself. There’s also a section of the Constitution that orders one to submit the firearm. Firearms are licensed and issued to people in North Carolina under certain circumstances. The Constitution of North Carolina states that it’s unlawful to own a firearm that is not licensed, fail to report anyone who owns a firearm, and provide false information pertaining to the ownership of firearms (Mangum, 2016).

Prosecution of Domestic Violence Perpetrators

According to Mangum (2016), when a domestic violence perpetrator is found guilty, he/she should not be capable of dropping charges whenever he/she is arrested. This will create fear among the perpetrators. One will have to remain in custody for long. In addition, judges should not be too lenient when announcing a verdict. Prosecutors should be handled in a manner that others can’t attempt to indulge themselves in domestic violence activities. The court should come up with a policy that prevents perpetrators of domestic violence from accessing job opportunities in the country (Mangum, 2016).

The politicians of North Carolina should also be part and parcel of domestic violence. They should push the government to amend laws that safeguard the lives of its citizens. Perpetrators should not be allowed to use lawyers to defend them in court. They should just defend themselves with no assistance. Domestic violence prosecutors should be sentenced to death. For example, rapists should be sentenced for the whole of their lives. They should not be allowed to get back to society since they might train others or others might emulate their example (Starsoneck & Ake, 2018).

In conclusion, the way domestic violence is viewed today cannot be compared with the way it used to be viewed and handled many years back. Matters pertaining to domestic violence used to be handled at home. It used to be private, but the police officers, together with the government, brought changes. The pro-arrest policy has made the work of police officers easy. Thereafter, investigations are done. Mandatory prosecution should be viewed as an open-minded policy. This will help reduce domestic violence. Nowadays, a few countries in the world are still facing domestic violence (Mangum, 2016).

References:

1. Ake, G. (2016). Domestic Violence and Families: Trauma-Focused Treatment Options. North Carolina Medical Journal, 77(6), 399-400. Doi: 10.18043/Ncm.77.6.399
2. Starsoneck, L., & Ake, G. (2018). Reconsidering Our Domestic Violence System. North Carolina Medical Journal, 79(2), 127-129. Doi: 10.18043/Ncm.79.2.127.
3. Sangvai, D. (2016). Pivoting To Value-Based Care in North Carolina. North Carolina Medical Journal, 77(4), 254-256. Doi: 10.18043/Ncm.77.4.254
4. Mangum, D. (2016). Intimate Partner Violence Prevention Programs in North Carolina. North Carolina Medical Journal, 77(6), 398-401. Doi: 10.18043/Ncm.77.6.398

The Cycle of Domestic Violence: Unveiling its Roots and Societal Impact

Learned Violence: Childhood Observations and Imitation

True violence has poisoned many friends and families around the globe for years. There isn’t a day that goes by that doesn’t highlight a news story about some kind of act of random violence. Every day, reports of fatal shootings, thefts of government buildings and innocent households, and drug exchanges have gone bad, all resulting in death. Violence comes in many forms, such as Sexual Violence, Verbal and Emotional violence, Physical violence, and psychological violence. All such categories have their own real definition. Where does it come from? How has something so negative in the world stuck around for so long?

Violence is a learned behavior. Captured by the young eyes of every child and carried onto adult life. In psychological terms, violence lands under the Nurture aspect of the nature vs. nurture theory developed by psychologist Francis Galton in 1869. The study of human behavior has been in question for centuries. Psychologists have conducted endless case studies and experiments with people of various ages, especially young children, to study the roots of violence. Children make good subjects for these studies because of the stage of human development they are in.

One important study done by Psychologist Albert Bandura in the 1960s was done to study the social behaviors of children by observation and imitation. The study had a male or female adult physically harm a blow-up clown doll that would react back up to its upright position after being knocked down. The adults would use hammers and their fists and verbally abuse the doll while children ages 4-6 watched. There were a number of results that were caused by the experiment. Kendra Cherry’s article posted in 2018 says, “Children exposed to the violent model tended to imitate the exact behavior they had observed when the adult was no longer present.” Bandura’s observations support the theory that the way a child is raised determines the way the child performs aggressive behavior.

Inter-Generational Impact: The Inherited Legacy of Domestic Violence

One of the most common unfortunate forms of violence is domestic violence. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, domestic violence is defined as the inflicting of physical injury by one family or household member on another, as well as a repeated or habitual pattern of such behavior. Domestic violence is a violent cycle that is carried down throughout members of a household. Children witnessing such violence are more likely to continue the pattern in adulthood later in life.

Domestic violence is a trait passed down from family member to family member. In the eyes of a young child, the abuse can be viewed as a way to control the stability they seek in life. In an article written by Leigh Kellner about alarming domestic violence statistics for the year 2018, “Approximately 5 million children are exposed to domestic violence every year. Children exposed are more likely to attempt suicide, abuse drugs and alcohol, run away from home, engage in teenage prostitution, and commit sexual assault crimes.”

Some of the most notorious criminals in American history have a background of a type of violence. For example, American serial killer, rapist, burglar, kidnapper, and necrophile Ted Bundy, has proven to be a perfect example of child neglect that led to his future behaviors. Bundy was responsible for the death of 36 young women. Ted Bundy was exposed in a household full of lies about who his real parents were. He was more exposed to domestic violence.

Tracing Violent Origins: Bundy’s Childhood Influence

“Bundy was also around domestic violence; it is believed that his mother’s boyfriend beat her around him, and he used to listen to it and possibly was a witness to it. This taught him from an early age that it was okay to hurt women if they did not please you.” (Edwards, 2018). It is believed that from witnessing and learning that It was okay to hurt women if they did not fulfill the standards he acquired, it would be okay to punish them. Bundy used his charms to lure women into his life, resulting in the gruesome deaths of many young women.

There will never be a unanimous answer from the public that violence is for sure a learned behavior. Human development is a tricky subject, A subject that has been studied for many years before our time and will continue to be studied for centuries after us. The evidence produced from experimentation with humans and animals makes it clear that violence is the most telling and most explainable reason why it is a never-ending crime in the world.

References:

1. Cherry, K. (2018). Observational Learning and How It Works. Verywell Mind. Retrieved from: https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-observational-learning-2795236
2. Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Domestic Violence Definition. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/domestic%20violence
3. Kellner, L. (2018). Alarming domestic violence statistics 2018. Injury Claim Coach. Retrieved from: https://www.injuryclaimcoach.com/domestic-violence-statistics.html
4. Edwards, R. (2018). The Ted Bundy Tapes: Who is Ted Bundy’s mother? Radio Times. Retrieved from: https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/documentaries/ted-bundy-tapes-netflix-mother/

Understanding Domestic Violence: Unveiling Patterns, Barriers, and Solutions

Understanding Domestic Violence Dynamics

For many years, cases of domestic violence and intimate partner abuse have made headlines. Typically, however, the ones that make it public are the ones where the victim has already lost their lives in the hands of their abuser. According to The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), “Domestic Violence accounts for 15% of all violent crime in the United States. (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2015) Or, we could take a different approach and look at it this way: According to The National Domestic Violence Hotline, “Nearly 3 in 10 women have experienced rape, physical violence and/or stalking by a partner and report a related impact on their functioning.”

(National Domestic Violence Hotline, 2018) Sometimes, it becomes hard to look at these numbers and begin to paint the big picture in our heads. Starting with the total number of women that account for our population, then we move on to a smaller population of only the ones closely related to us. This includes mothers, sisters, aunts, cousins, grandmothers, and nieces, and everyone around us becomes part of that chance of being victims of domestic violence. Simply starting off by being a woman.

This is important to note because in cases where women experience Domestic Violence (DV) or Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), they make themselves believe that the abuse they are withstanding does not constitute either IPV or DV. Domestic violence has been around for years, but it wasn’t until the term was redefined. According to The United States Department of Justice, “The term domestic violence includes felony or misdemeanor crimes of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as spouse or intimate partner, by a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction receiving grant monies, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws of jurisdiction.”

(The United States Department of Justice, 2018) Even with such a detailed definition provided to us, we still to this day see domestic violence as an act between two people involved in a relationship only at the moment of the abuse. In the cases that will be presented, the use of Von Hentig’s typology of victims will help us understand how two cases, Jennifer Kershaw’s and Maria Escamilla’s, fall under the categories Hentig believed in making these victims suitable and vulnerable for abuse.

Following the characterization of these women as suitable victims, we see through the Routine Activities Theory how the role of the guardian, the second component of the theory, influences the cases. Although getting past the stage of believing it will be considered a case if reported, there are many other underlying barriers that make it difficult to break the silence of these victims and save their lives. A common issue we face with this crime is how it is not even considered a severe crime, as we will see in our first case.

Examining Victim Dynamics and Legal Challenges

Our criminal justice system is lacking the knowledge of how severe of a crime this is and how important it is to make the change. Women are easily seen as vulnerable to victimization through Von Hentig’s typology of victims due to the fact that these women have their partners take on the role of an interested “offender,” themselves as the “potential target,” and the lack of family and friends as “guardians,” all components of Routine Activities Theory, in accordance to the cases of Jennifer Kershaw and Maria Escamilla.

In 2003, Jennifer Kershaw was lying in an Ohio hospital bed with “a broken cheekbone, a swollen eye, and cuts and bruises,” all while denying pressing charges against her husband, Jerry Bailey. (Bever, 2016) She was a first-grade teacher who began to fear her husband when his behavior got extremely violent. It wasn’t until August 2013 that she lay in the hospital telling herself that was enough. (Becker, 2016) Jennifer, a 36-year-old female, falls under Von Hentig’s (1948) typology of victims, looking at how personal factors influence risk factors for victimization.

She fell for the lies of “change,” something we typically hear in cases such as this one. Her fear was triggered even more when he began “throwing things and breaking houseware, among other behaviors.” (Becker, 2016) What she didn’t realize was that he fell under what Routine Activities Theory would categorize a person interested in engaging in a criminal act, otherwise known as the offender, and the first component of this theory helps us understand the likelihood of a criminal act.

Secondly, the theory states that a potential victim/target must be present. Noticeably, we see how Jennifer saw herself in a situation similar to all battered women’s understanding of the incident; having pointed out the first two components of the theory, I think it is important to point out how important the third component of a “guardian” is in this case. Many times, this is taken away at the start of the relationship. In Kershaw’s case, besides the fact that he had taken her keys and cell phone that would enable her communication, she was also ashamed to go to her family and friends since all she wanted to do at the time was protect her husband. (Bever, 2016)

There was no guardian there for Jennifer to prevent contact with her abuser. So, Jennifer finally decided that was enough; she went to the police. Her husband was found guilty of misdemeanor domestic violence and “was sentenced to 180 days in jail- 178 of which were suspended-and two years’ probation.” (Bever, 2016) According to J.Ford, ET AL.,  “Case Outcomes In Domestic Violence Court: Influence of Judges,” previous research shows that judges were less likely than other professionals to have received training in the area of familial violence and more likely than other professionals, except for police, to view spousal abuse as grounds for divorce rather than as a criminal offense. (Crowley, et al., 1990)

Survivors’ Stories of Courage and Advocacy

Surprisingly, when Kershaw decided to take on a civil suit against her ex-husband in 2014, she found herself with an answer not common in domestic violence cases. She stood before a judge in Franklin County, Ohio, when it was announced her award for compensatory damages of $1,580,000, following a total of $20 million for punitive damages. (Price, 2016) Similar to Jennifer’s case, the case of Maria Escamilla brought about awareness of the issues two years prior that for so long had silenced the voices of the women hiding in the shadows of their abusive relationships.

In 2011, Maria Escamilla was faced with what would be the attack that would change her entire life. March 2011, her boyfriend at the time, Jose Arreola, assaulted her with his hands, a lamp, a knife, and an unknown object. He tortured her for five hours, leaving her with stab wounds and cuts to her head, mouth, leg, hand, breasts, and sexual organs. He punctured one of her lungs, her eyes were swollen shut, and she had extensive facial fractures that required permanent plates and screws in her face. She was also raped and sodomized. (Emily, 2016)

To say the very least, this woman has been an honorary example of a resilient survivor. After a Dallas County jury awarded what people said to be the “largest ever financial award for a domestic violence victim” of $40.5 million and Jose Arreola was sentenced to 28 years in prison with a $5,000 fine for Escamilla’s attack, Escamilla is a current advocate for domestic violence victims. (Owens, 2013) Gruesome is trying to describe the torture Escamilla went through, not to mention her personal factors that also tie her to Von Hentig’s typology of victims.

Different from Jennifer’s case, we now see a young female of a minority background. It is important to note that the more categories that these victims fit, the more likely it is for them to become victims in the first place. As described in Jennifer’s case, the partners took the role of the offenders. Jose Arreola can be seen, as defined in Routine Activities theory, as the “offender.” It seemed that the two had been in an argument following a night out as they made their way back home when, all of a sudden, Arreola turned violent and began to beat her. (Owens, 2013)

What would, of course, make the second component of this theory would be Maria Escamilla and how, after several previous violent attacks, she stayed in the relationship with the belief that he was going to change, therefore making her the “target.” Third, Escamilla did not have anyone who would be there to protect her from the attack; she seemed to have little to no contact with family members, and the only friends she had were mutual with Arreola. This made the lack of a “guardian” for her almost cost her her life in an article published by Sonia M.

Empowering Change through Support, Awareness, and Advocacy

Frias and Maria Carolina Agoff, Between Support and Vulnerability: Examining Family Support Among Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Mexico, the security and trust family interactions provide are what have shaped the concept of familism, a central trait of Mexican and Mexican-American culture and families. (Frias & Agoff, 2015) In many cases, minority women are faced with this abuse, and their family is not there. Even though Escamilla did not have to face the fear of an immigration status, I think it is important to note that many of the times when women are in fear of legal
consequences, they are less likely to report their abuse.

According to the study conducted by Reina & Lohman in 2015, Latinas explained how institutional and structural barriers were the main challenges they faced as they tried to seek help from formal institutions. (Reina & Lohman, 2015) As I previously mentioned, women are easily seen as easy targets for victimization through Von Hentig’s typology of victims due to the fact that these women have their partners take on the role of an interested “offender,” themselves as the “potential target” and the lack of family and friends as “guardians,” all components of Routine Activities Theory, in accordance to the cases of Jennifer Kershaw and Maria Escamilla.

Surprisingly, many of the victims, like Jennifer and Maria, know who their offender is and still struggle to report their abuse. In a New York Times article, Women’s Lives, Cut Short, a diagram is shown to represent all the murdered women in 2015. The same diagram illustrates 1,694 women killed by men, and 1,604 of those females were killed by someone they knew. (The New York Times, 2015) Currently, what we see is a growing number of programs and organizations that are working to build opportunities for these victims to reach out for help.

Included is Community Beyond Violence (CBV), which works towards building healthy relationships and providing healing services to victims. Another is No More, an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault by increasing awareness, inspiring action, and fueling culture change. (No More, 2013) Even though it does seem like we are moving forward towards better assisting these victims, I propose there be a program whose main objective is to provide training to judges and officials of our criminal justice system that deal specifically with domestic violence cases.

Training that involves any official that wants to emphasize their education in domestic violence cases, as well as working towards earning a certification. A suggested name for the program is “Silence Breakers,” which program would be dedicated to advocating for these victims as well as providing to getting officials certified to take on a domestic case. People really need to realize how important this crime is, especially when we see it happening across all backgrounds. Domestic violence is a prevalent issue that constitutes many of the issues already on the legislature’s agenda, such as guns.

532 women in 2015 were killed by an intimate partner with a gun. (The New York Times, 2015) It should not be pushed to the side when cases like these are becoming more and more common in our news. One victim breaking the silence at a time goes a long way. Domestic violence and IPV cannot be the leading cause of death in the future years of our new generations. By the looks of it, the silence is evidence of the possibility. Together, if each person took on the role of voicing for one victim, there would be no room for the abusers to fight back.

References:

1. National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2015). Domestic Violence Facts. Retrieved from https://ncadv.org/statistics
2. National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2018). Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/resources/statistics/
3. The United States Department of Justice. (2018). Definition of Domestic Violence. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/ovw/domestic-violence
4. Bever, L. (2016). Ohio woman’s $20 million lawsuit shows how smartwatches can record evidence of domestic abuse. The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/14/ohio-womans-20-million-lawsuit-shows-how-smartwatches-can-record-evidence-of-domestic-abuse/
5. Becker, L. (2016). Domestic Violence Victim Speaks Out Against Abuse. WDTN. Retrieved from https://www.wdtn.com/news/domestic-violence-victim-speaks-out-against-abuse/
6. J. Ford, ET AL. (1990). Case Outcomes In Domestic Violence Court: Influence of Judges. Crowley, J., Fromm Reed, R., & Chanmugam, A. (Eds.), Proceedings of the National Symposium on Family Issues (Vol. 2, pp. 204-220). Springer.
7. Price, M. (2016). Woman who sued ex-husband in landmark case says court’s decision changed her life. ABC6. Retrieved from https://abc6onyourside.com/news/local/woman-who-sued-ex-husband-in-landmark-case-says-courts-decision-changed-her-life
8. Emily, A. (2016). Court documents reveal gruesome details in case of woman stabbed, beaten, raped. WFAA. Retrieved from https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/dallas-county/court-documents-reveal-gruesome-details-in-case-of-woman-stabbed-beaten-raped/287-348129617
9. Owens, D. (2013). Dallas County jury awards $40.5 million to woman beaten, raped. The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved from https://www.dallasnews.com/news/crime/2013/08/23/dallas-county-jury-awards-405-million-to-woman-beaten-raped/
10. Frias, S. M., & Agoff, M. C. (2015). Between Support and Vulnerability: Examining Family Support Among Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Mexico. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(17), 3087-3107.
11. Reina, A. S., & Lohman, B. J. (2015). “It wasn’t worth my pride”: Domestic violence, Latinas, and help-seeking. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 30(17), 2946-2965.
12. The New York Times. (2015). Women’s Lives, Cut Short: A Diagram. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/08/06/us/womens-lives-cut-short-a-database.html
13. No More. (2013). About No More. Retrieved from https://nomore.org/about/

Combating Campus Domestic Violence: Understanding Intimate Partner Abuse

Karlie’s Tragic Tale: A Campus Unveiled

College freshman Karlie Hall had a bright future ahead of her – part of the rugby team and gay-straight alliance club, she also did volunteer work at an animal shelter. She was described by her teachers as “hard-working” and had a part-time job to help pay for college. Karlie was a caring, down-to-earth girl who had future plans in finance, and those around her admired her kindness.

In 2015, after being seen with a black eye and requesting Millersville University to relinquish her boyfriend’s rights on campus, Karlie was found strangled in her dorm room. The people in her life weren’t surprised, though, as she had been showing signs of experiencing abuse prior to her death. Nothing was ever reported to the authorities, and Millersville University denied her request for protection.

While half of college students know a college friend who has experienced dating abuse, only eight percent see dating abuse as a major problem on their campus. Along with that, college-aged women (between 16 and 24) have the highest per capita rate of intimate partner violence. In 2017 alone, 60% of victims were killed by either a current or former intimate partner. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, making now a critical time to learn the warning signs and how you can help if you suspect a friend or loved one is being abused.

What does intimate partner violence look like?

Most people become acquainted with what domestic violence looks like through movies and TV shows – depictions of women concealing black eyes and other stereotypes. While physical violence such as hitting, choking, and slapping are typical of intimate partner violence, there are less obvious ways someone may abuse their partner. For instance:

• Controlling who they hang out with
• Constantly checking in to see where they are
• Not allowing a partner to do things
• Going through a partner’s phone without permission
• Coercing or blackmailing them

Another less obvious type of abuse that is especially prevalent with college students is digital abuse. Along with physical and verbal, digital abuse is more prevalent in today’s society due to the everyday use of technology. College students, while constantly connected to the internet, are at a high risk for digital abuse, such as:

• Controlling who they can’t and can be friends with on social media
• Sending negative and threatening messages
• Pressuring someone into sending explicit videos/pictures
• Stealing passwords

According to a study by Knowledge Works, 1 in 3 (36 percent) dating college students has given a dating partner their computer, email, or social network passwords, and these students are more likely to experience digital dating abuse. The lack of privacy and trust creates a blurred line between caring and abusive — not allowing a partner to go hang out with friends because you can’t go along and protect them.

When looking at domestic violence, signs to watch out for are:

• Accusing their partner of having an affair
• Telling them what they can and cannot wear
• Yelling and throwing things
• Threatening to kill a partner or someone close to them

What contributes to intimate partner violence during college?

Victims of domestic violence are never to blame for the actions of their partner. Oftentimes, an undiagnosed mental illness, such as PTSD and depression, along with drug and alcohol abuse, is the cause of domestic violence. Along with mental illness, there are other factors that contribute to domestic violence, such as stress and financial reasons.

Students are under immense amounts of stress. From tests and homework to trying to find a job and balancing their relationships and family, it is a stressful point in life and can be a lot to handle. Sixty-one percent of college students are seeking counseling services related to anxiety, depression, stress, and relationship issues, but this also doesn’t mean that someone with a mental illness is automatically a perpetrator. A study also found that enrolling in college was often seen as a threat to partners who then sometimes used psychological violence in return.

Stress, anxiety, and anger management aren’t the only things that cause domestic violence. Along with ignorance and mental illness, there is also dependency. A recent study shows female students are often financially dependent on partners while in college, which can put them at risk for economic abuse.

Who is at risk?

Those who are abused have no say in what happens to them and can hold many risk factors that play into domestic violence. Unemployment, drug and alcohol abuse and a belief in strict gender roles can lead to abusive behavior. Many abusers have violent-related trauma in their history, creating a vicious cycle of abuse.

Even though there is more emphasis on heterosexual relationships, those who are in same-sex, non-binary/gender non-conforming relationships are at higher risk of domestic violence. According to the CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS), lesbian women and gay men reported levels of intimate partner violence and sexual violence equal to or higher than those of heterosexuals.

Along with LGBTQ+ victims, African American victims are more likely to experience physical intimate partner violence compared to those who do not identify as Black/African American. The treatment and stigma of the LGBTQ+ community and minorities create more risk for those individuals, especially those attending college.

Why it continues

Students who are victims of domestic violence and sexual assault are often afraid to speak out against their abuser — the fear of retaliation, the overwhelming sense of being lonely at college without anyone from home, and social status all play into not speaking out. Along with those who are abused, others who know of abuse are hesitant to report it, with 60 percent of people saying they don’t feel it’s appropriate to get involved.

Victims of abuse find it hard to gain freedom within their relationship, not just mentally but physically as well. During a survey done by Urban Health, an interviewee who had gained employment while in college communicated how her increased independence, “having a job and being out in public,” triggered physical violence and led to her dropping out of college. Regardless of any situation, forcing someone to jeopardize their future/career is abuse and should always be taken seriously.

Mental illnesses that go untreated are prevalent in abusive relationships, including suicide and death. Knowledge of mental illnesses within the relationship is important to treat and care for, especially due to threats of suicide and self-harm being the number one reason college students stay in an abusive relationship.

If you or someone you know has thoughts of suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

How to prevent it

Intimate partner violence, while prevalent, is preventable. College is a stressful time for students, especially with massive workloads and trying to balance a social life, but that doesn’t justify abusive or violent behavior within a relationship. Understanding domestic violence and what it includes helps us better understand how to prevent it. In some cases, the person doesn’t even know they’re being abused because there is no violence involved.

Physical, mental, and digital abuse are indicative of an abusive relationship, and understanding what each individual can do to help is important in ending domestic violence. Abusers often attack their victims at their place of work or other public spaces, with severe injury or death to the victim occurring. Whether behind closed doors or in public, abusive behavior is sometimes ignored by the people around them, making it even more important for people to know how to help.

What bystanders can do: If you suspect violent or abusive behavior, try and scope out the situation. Does the victim look uncomfortable? Do they have any visible wounds? Try to make contact with the victim and see if they need help or try to offer them resources. In an immediate danger situation, call 911. Without directly intervening in the situation, calling 911 is an easy and effective way to help. While strange noises or potential red flags can be easily swept under the rug, a potential life could be saved by dialing just three numbers.

What friends and family can do: According to Knowledge Works, 52 percent of college women report knowing a friend who has experienced violent and abusive dating behaviors, including physical, sexual, digital, verbal, or controlling abuse. Sixty percent also believe that it will hurt their relationship with the victim to intervene. It is always more beneficial to seek help to end the abuse, no matter what the situation is. Being aware of what domestic violence is and the correct resources to seek help is crucial, along with providing support and being a safety net.

What colleges can do: In 2013, the United States Congress established an act requiring all federally funded universities to provide primary prevention for sexual violence and awareness training to all incoming students and employees. Honoring this program will give students the education they need to understand domestic and sexual violence, along with campus events (Take Back the Night, Denim Day, etc.) that add more awareness on college campuses, creating a stronger fight against domestic violence.

Resources

If someone is being abused or in a violent situation, telling someone could save their life. Talking to a police officer, a trusted professor, a nurse, or even a friend can get someone the help that they need to leave their partner and keep it from happening to others. Campuses are full of resources — some have a women’s center or even a designated safe place for students to utilize in times of stress. Managing stress and mental health while changing the way society views domestic violence can be the start of ending violence between partners.

The time spent calling an organization could be the time it takes to help someone stop being abused, suicidal, or in a bad situation. The resources available on campuses vary, but most can be found at the on-campus wellness center. Other resources outside of campus life include:

• The National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
• National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI): 1-800-950-NAMI
• RAINN: 800-656-HOPE
• The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
• Trans Lifeline: US: 877-565-8860 / Canada: 877-330-6366

Don’t hesitate to reach out. Whether you’re a friend, family member, or even a bystander, it’s on you to be the voice for those who cannot. Victims are never to blame for any situation they are put in, making it harder for them to come forward with their stories. No matter what the situation may be, each person deserves to live a life of freedom and safety, away from the constraints of their partner or anyone else.

References:

1. Cronin, S. (2018). Dating violence in college: Exploring the context of college relationships. Violence and Gender, 5(4), 253-259.
2. Smith, S. G., Zhang, X., Basile, K. C., Merrick, M. T., Wang, J., Kresnow, M., & Chen, J. (2018). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS): 2015 Data Brief. National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
3. Knowledge Works. (n.d.). Digital dating abuse. Retrieved from https://www.loveisrespect.org/dating-basics/dating-abuse-statistics/
4. Kaukinen, C. (2004). The status of women, intimate partner violence, and community differences in police notification. Criminal Justice Policy Review, 15(3), 267-296.
5. Luthra, R., Gidycz, C. A., & Bartoszek, M. (2019). A contextual examination of dating violence. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(12), 2484-2505.
6. Peters, M. E., Golding, J. M., & Bradford, S. (2019). An investigation of gender, race, and intimate partner violence among college students. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 34(12), 2506-2525.
7. United States Congress. (2013). The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013. Public Law 113-4.
8. Urban Health. (n.d.). Breaking barriers: Domestic violence and college education. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org/policy-centers/justice-policy-center/projects/domestic-violence-and-college-education
9. National Domestic Violence Hotline. (n.d.). Get help. Retrieved from https://www.thehotline.org/help/
10. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. (n.d.). About the lifeline. Retrieved from https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/about/
11. National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI). (n.d.). Helpline. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/NAMI-HelpLine
12. RAINN. (n.d.). National Sexual Assault Hotline. Retrieved from https://www.rainn.org/about-national-sexual-assault-telephone-hotline
13. The Trevor Project. (n.d.). Get help now. Retrieved from https://www.thetrevorproject.org/get-help-now/
14. Trans Lifeline. (n.d.). Our services. Retrieved from https://www.translifeline.org/hotline

Unraveling Domestic Violence: Control, Impact, and Societal Response

Cycle of Abuse: Forms, Impact, and Gender Dynamics

Domestic violence has one purpose and one purpose only: to dominate the victim through control. The North Carolina General Statute 50B-1 states the definition of domestic violence as “attempting to cause bodily injury or placing a victim or a member of the victim’s family in fear of serious bodily injury or continued harassment resulting in significant emotional distress (Chapter 50B Domestic Violence). Domestic violence has several forms of control and abuse.

This can include physical, economic, verbal, and emotional. Domestic violence stems from a simple argument to violence that can result in homicide. This is a continuous cycle that can escalate quickly. As you will read, this topic hits many homes and many families and affects more than just the victim. This topic is very personal and the reason why this subject was chosen.  Victims feel the effect of the consequences of this violence for several days, weeks, or even years.

They become overwhelmed with fear and distrust of others, which can change their ability to be productive and emotionally able to live properly. Many of these forms of domestic violence can also lead to psychological distress, including severe depression and other anti-social disorders. This violence can attack any race, religion, background, or profession, and there is no age preference or preferred sexual orientation. Most victims are women, although men have also been victims.

Women are victims of the most physically violent outcomes, and men are more victims of emotional and psychological abuse. This subject is the reason for pursuing more education to eradicate violence or at least open more awareness. Domestic violence does not just occur once and done. If an incident occurs once, in time, there will be another occurrence. One in every four women will experience some type of violence at least once in one relationship in their lifetime.

Consequences and Complex Phases of Domestic Violence

More than three million children will be witness to domestic violence each year. These numbers are startling. Through study and research, it was found that children who experience violence in their homes are more apt to feel the repercussions and may show a change in behavior and emotional patterns through their actions. Domestic violence is a choice, but it is also a social issue that affects not only the households of its victims but also the community, public health services, the criminal justice system, and economic stress for all.

Domestic violence can also account for family homelessness in large cities (Bograd and Yllo). Often, more women are killed by their abusers while attempting to leave. On average. A woman who experiences abuse will leave seven
times before she makes the decision to never return. Many women fear the consequences of leaving more than the violence to stay. It has also been reported that more than four thousand women a year are killed by their abusers; nearly seventy-five percent of those are murdered after they have left (Bograd, Strengthening Domestic Violence Theories: Intersections of Race, Class, Sexual Orientation, and Gender).

The Phases of Domestic Violence There are phases of domestic violence that many people may not know. Each phase, or cycle, has a degree of severity and occurrence. The Tension-building phase is described as the victim trying to reduce the abuser’s anger by catering to his/her needs to not entice a reaction to cause an incident. The Acute-battering phase is described as the Jekyll and Hyde phase. With this phase, the abusers are often unpredictable yet can change from raging violence to becoming pleasant and gentle and vice versa.

The Calm “Honeymoon” phase is often the phase that changes the victim’s mindset on whether to stay or leave. During this phase, the abuser often begs for forgiveness, promising never to hurt her again if she does not leave. He becomes very charming and even begins to convince herself that the abuser has changed (Benokraitis).

Evolution of Domestic Violence: From Historical Permissiveness to Modern Advocacy

The History of Domestic Violence and the Change It Has Caused Since the dawn of time and the change of the ages, the abuse of women has occurred. Some laws have legally allowed such an act, while others have seen the outcome and the seriousness of such incidents and vowed to change. In 753 B.C. in Rome, a husband was given the right to physically discipline his wife. This law is called “The Law of Chastisement”. The saying “The Rule of Thumb” allowed the husband to beat his wife with a switch or rod no greater than the base of his right thumb.

In the Middle Ages (900-1300), the husband was given permission to “beat her for correction….”. In the late 1500s, it was legal for a husband to kill his wife in Russia for disciplinary purposes. However, women were also fighting back by burying their husbands alive with only their heads above ground and left for dead. In 1824, Bradley v. State2 Miss (Walker) 156(1824), the Mississippi Supreme Court allows “moderate chastisement in cases of emergency……” History has a way of revealing itself, and in 1867, a man was acquitted for giving his wife three licks with a switch.

The NC Appellate Court ruled, claiming there should be no interference of the court within a family environment. Hence, after many laws, rights, and legal chastising of women, the Battered Women’s Movement was organized in the 1970s, changing how many laws were seen and changed. This movement led to advocacy, the clemency of victims who killed their abusers, and the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. Through all this change, women are still being victims. However, they are learning to fight back.

Many women are now getting into self-defense classes, taking classes to help them and finding alternatives to help when they do choose to leave. There are so many resources available to help women get back on their feet and away from their abuser’, especially for those who have children. Women would often blame themselves, and some still do. Women are supposed to be caregivers and maternal nurtures, giving the feeling of embarrassment and guilt even stronger for being abused. Some women may even feel they deserve some type of discipline due to what they did, said, or did not do as was expected.

Exploring Theoretical Frameworks: Post-Structural Analysis of Domestic Violence

Theories Suggested of Domestic Violence Several theories fall into play with domestic violence. Choosing one or the other can be somewhat pivotal, as they each play a certain part. The one theory that would most describe this dilemma could play a major part in Post-Structural theory. Using this approach is much more satisfying and can show more evidence that this is not only a family household issue but also a social society dilemma. Such an approach to domestic violence opens an opportunity to view how power may be exercised and deployed differently from a traditional feminist perspective of patriarchal top-down forms of power.

People are absorbed by social connections and power. They watch society behave through television, communication with others, social media, and word of mouth. They negotiate their tactics and often do not account for the consequences. Men exercise violence in domestic abuse as a form of patriarchy, and women only resort to violence as a form of self-defense. This theory could be argued by many, as we all have our own thoughts and ideas about domestic violence and the cause and effect (Swan).

References:

1. North Carolina General Statute 50B-1.
2. Bograd, M., & Yllo, K. (Eds.). (2018). Strengthening Domestic Violence Theories: Intersections of Race, Class, Sexual Orientation, and Gender.
3. Benokraitis, N. V. (2018). Marriages & Families: Changes, Choices, and Constraints (9th ed.).
4. Swan, S. C. (2019). Partner Violence: Societal Causes and Consequences.

Summary of plot – provide enough detail that a reader who has never seen the fil

Summary of plot – provide enough detail that a reader who has never seen the film will understand the story line, but be concise and limit the desсrіption to a few paragraphs (limit to one page).
Identify and describe the type(s) of domestic violence in the film. Identify the victim and the abuser, specifying the relationship that exists between the two.
List and evaluate the symptoms the character is demonstrating using your Learning Resources and other sources.
Explain the domestic violence in the film from a systems perspective, drawing upon theories discussed in class, in your Learning Resources, and other sources
Identify any pivotal moments in the film where intervention made or might have made a difference for your character
Addresses all three of the following criteria in a clear, comprehensive fashion:
1. Identifies a strategy for helping the character, grounded in research and theory mentioned in course materials
2. Develops a comprehensive treatment plan
3. Identifies real resources that could help the character and describes how these resources would be helpful
Correct use of in-text citations and references in APA-7 format.