Premium Essay

Domestic Violence and Advocacy

In:

Submitted By malificentstef
Words 920
Pages 4
Specific Populations and the Advocate Role
Stefanie Leafty
BSHS/442
February 17, 2013
Anita Payne

Living in an abusive situation is lonely, scary, and isolating. Many times one senses loss on which way to turn. Family can say things like,” Getting a divorce is a sin in the eyes of Lord. You will be shunned by those who know you.” The abuser may say things like, “I own you.” “You will never survive without me.” “I have all the money where will you go.” Then there is the small voice inside the head of the victim saying things like, “Where will I go? How will I survive? Maybe I am not worthy of being treated better.” A victim is shuffled in so many directions, he or she loves his or her abuser and does not want to see him or her arrested, if social services discovers the situation he or she lives in he or she may lose his or her children. What will happen to him or her if the abuser gets out of jail, will it make things worse? All of these directions and all of these questions need some clearing up, and this is where advocacy comes into play.
Personal Perspective According to Reference.com (2013), “Advocacy is the pursuit of influencing outcomes –including public-policy and resource allocation decisions within political, economic, and social systems and institutions- that directly affect people’s lives” (Advocacy). The role of an advocate is to provide a voice to one unable to because of a crisis. This voice is supposed to be an empowerment tool. Often times this empowerment tool can go wrong. Mandatory arrest was established because of advocates to amplify the law replying to domestic violence. The problem with mandatory arrest is that the choice taken away from the victim. He or she may call the police to help defuse the situation, instead the police show up and have to arrest the abuser. Doing this takes the choice away

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

The Poo Poo Plater

...position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice. Institute for Law and Justice 1018 Duke Street Alexandria, Virginia Phone: 703-684-5300 Fax: 703-739-5533 E-Mail: ilj@ilj.org Lake County, California, Arrest Policies Project A Process Evaluation April 5, 2000 Prepared by Brenda K. Uekert, Ph.D. Prepared for Lake County, California National Institute of Justice Violence Against Women Office Introduction The Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies Program encourages jurisdictions to implement mandatory or pro-arrest policies as an effective domestic violence intervention that is part of a coordinated community response. Congress appropriated funds for the Arrest Program under the Violence Against Women Act (1994). The Program assumes that the arrest of a batterer will leverage the coercive and persuasive power of the criminal justice system to ensure victim safety and manage the behavior of abusive, violent offenders. Ensuring victim safety and offender accountability are the guiding principles underlying the Grants to Encourage Arrest Policies. The Violence Against Women Act directs that the Arrest Program funds be used to • • • • •...

Words: 7104 - Pages: 29

Premium Essay

Domestic Violence

...Running Head: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE Crisis Reaction Paper SW 521 Lisa Moffett Rosie Thomas Domestic Violence Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States continues to be a growing public health concern. Research reveals that 1 in 4 women have experienced domestic violence in her lifetime; 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner yearly and 85% of domestic violence victims are women (Tjaden & Thoennes, 2000). According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a problem that affects millions of Americans. The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual, or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. The violence can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy (http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/index.html). Intimate partner violence affects people all socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, age gender, religion and sexual orientation. The purpose of this paper is to provide a case scenario of a person who has experienced domestic violence. The paper will also discuss the role of the crisis worker, the crisis intervention method appropriate for addressing the needs of the client and the theoretical basis of the intervention. Case Scenario Tina is a 17 year-old African American female referred by the Victim Advocate at a local emergency room. Tina was thrown from her boyfriend’s car during...

Words: 2363 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Family Advocay Program

...Family Advocacy Program The Department of Defense implemented a Family Advocacy Program (FAP) in 1976 to help military members and their families work through problems that many families face while serving in the military. Being in the military can be a stressful job for many and can cause tension within families. Sadly, some people cannot cope well with stress and tend to take it out on their spouses. FAP offers counseling to these families in hopes that they can resolve stress and tension before violence erupts, and in many cases, they offer counseling after the fact to help the victim recover the trauma whether physical or emotional. The Family Advocacy Program reaches men and women in the military alike. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence-no matter age, race, gender, culture, religion, education, marital status or rank in the service (GAO Reports p3). Although domestic violence can affect anyone, women are more likely than men to report cases of abuse. Men are less likely to report because they might feel embarrassed or feel like less of a man, but in truth, it can happen to anyone. Domestic violence in the military not only impacts the victim but it can affect the military mission. A woman who is being abused will not be at her best while doing her job. If there is emotional abuse or physical abuse, the victim is not in their right frame of mind and in most military jobs, attention to detail is very important. If a military member is distracted by problems at...

Words: 1312 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Grant Proposal

...Mission Statement Women in Distress’s mission statement is to stop domestic violence abuse for everyone through intervention, education, and advocacy. Executive Summary Women in Distress was founded in 1974 by Edee Greene. It was the first 4 bedroom homeless shelter for women in Broward County, FL. One day a woman came to the shelter because she had nowhere to go and was turned away because she had her children and the shelter did not accept children. The next day the victim was murder by her husband in front of her children. This tragedy allowed Edee and 4 other women to see the need for a bigger shelter that would support women and their children. They put their money together to purchase a 54 bed shelter for women and children of domestic violence. Over the years Women in Distress has grown in services that are provided. In 1995 they increased their visibility by opening a center in Ft Lauderdale, FL known as the Jim and Jan Moran Family Center. This center provided counseling session, mentor session and was easy accessible for clients, advocates, and court officials. Today Women in Distress is located in Deerfield Beach, FL on a 6.2 acre land where they provide all their services and have a 132 bed shelter for women and children. Women and Distress main population served is domestic violence victims. They provide services to women and their children up to age 16, young adults up to age 17, men, caregivers, gays and lesbians. Services are free of charge and victims can...

Words: 2188 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Characteristics of Human Service Organizations

...of Central Florida is a local nonprofit organization that seeks to eradicate domestic violence through education and advocacy. They are the only state certified domestic violence center in Orange County, Florida. They provide a safe haven for survivors and promise a better future through educational programs and dedication (Harbor House, 2011). This paper will discuss this organization, as well as its vision and mission. The paper will also address how the organization is governed and staffed, their key stakeholders, and how they influence the organization. It will also discuss the community collaborations, marketing, and public relations strategies employed. Finally, the paper will discuss how Harbor House of Central Florida demonstrates the valuing of diversity, as well as the environmental trends they are facing and how they handle them. The vision and mission of the Harbor House of Central Florida is to “eliminate domestic violence by providing safety, shelter, counseling, education, advocacy and justice (Harbor House, 2011)”. They do this through their five main programs; emergency shelter, children’s services, community outreach, legal advocacy services, and educating the community and professionals. They provide counseling services for the women and children who utilize their services every year. Understanding that cases of domestic violence can occur at any time, the Harbor House Legal Advocacy staff is authorized to grant injunctions 24 hours a day through their emergency...

Words: 1221 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Advocacy Interview

...Advocacy Interview Katie Wilson BSHS-441 May 11, 2014 Joe Compton Name of agency or organization and title of the interviewee. His name is Chris Owens, Director of the Office for Women in the Dept of Community Services & Revitalization * Describe the advocacy role this individual plays within the agency. * * Founded in 1991, Office for Women (OFW) uses policy and advocacy to improve the status * of women in the Louisville Metro area. Office for Women works to ensure women have access to the resources and information necessary for self-sufficiency and self-determination. Therefore, OFW focuses on issues related to violence against women, women’s physical and mental health, social and economic well-being, and community engagement. * Describe the populations served by this agency. * * Women in the Louisville Metro area/Jefferson County, KY with specific focus on women in poverty, immigrant/refugee/limited English speaking women and victims of dating & intimate partner violence. * Describe an advocacy model or template that is used with each population. Is the advocate speaking on behalf of the client or assisting the client in speaking for himself or herself? * * OFW follows a model of empowerment where persons are not blamed but provided information and tools for making decisions and changes. * * OFW does not advocate for specific clients receiving direct services. For example: OFW’s only direct...

Words: 1054 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Familyhood

...PSYCHOEUCATIONAL AND SUPPORTIVE APPROACHES TO CHILDREN WITNESSING FAMILY VIOLENCE Introduction Exposure to domestic violence, which can lead to significant health and developmental problems, is a common occurrence for many children. There is an ongoing need to develop and evaluate effective interventions for children exposed to domestic violence and disseminate information about best practices to domestic violence advocacy programs and other service providers Part A. Psycho educational or supportive approaches Safety first The first and the most key intervention for children is to address the issues of safety for the family. This usually involves working with the victim of violence to discuss the options he/she might consider to increase safety. Legal advocacy and domestic violence service agencies are good resources for addressing the challenges of safety. The first step toward helping the child is seeing that the abused parent is safe; another essential step is in assisting older children and adolescents in planning for their safety. Helping children and teens to develop specific strategies for keeping safe gives them a sense of control so that they feel less vulnerable. Counseling services There are a wide variety of counseling and mental health interventions available to families affected by domestic violence. Usually, families need more than therapy; they need case management and advocacy to assist the victim of violence in navigating the legal system, and in obtaining the resources...

Words: 1690 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Site-Report Cognitive Behavioral Interventions

...Interventions October is domestic violence awareness month; there is no need for a distinct month to be conscious of the frequency of domestic violence. Domestic violence is rampant across the nation. In this paper the subject to identify is the use of cognitive-behavioral practices within the setting of a woman’s shelter; known as “Turning Point.” The shelter mission is to provide programs and resources that enable victims/survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault to regain control of their lives (Turning Point, Inc., n.d.). Population Domestic and sexual violence is a global issue that does not discriminate culturally, socio-economically, race, gender, or age. Turning Point offers programs, shelter, and means for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. A domestic and sexual violence situation occurs when the abuser and the victim have an association, contrasting a stranger attack. Nearly 25% of surveyed women and 7.6% of surveyed men said that they were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabitating partner, or date at some time in their lifetime. According to these estimates 1.5 million women are raped or physically assaulted by an intimate partner (US Department of Justice, 2000). Programs and Interventions Turning Point provides programs that address the origin of domestic violence and sexual assault. Turning Point offer...

Words: 1505 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Domestic Violence Report

...The local program that I am reporting on is DAWN (Domestic Abuse Women’s Network). Their mission: Is to end domestic violence by empowering women, survivors, and fostering communities where abuse is not tolerated. Their vision: DAWN is working to create a community that has not tolerance for domestic violence. They have very high values of: 1: Services to clients above all else, where programs are offered and resources that empower clients. 2: Commitment to excellence 3: Respect and value each person’s cultural identity 4: Educate and advocate to foster communities that do not tolerate violence 5: Careful and judicious use of funds and all other assets. In 2010 Dawn served a total of 16,235 clients. Some of the services provided were: The 203 women and families that received help from DAWN’s House, which is the confidential emergency shelter that they offer. The Safe Nights Housing program (hotels and motels vouchers) helped 203 women and their families. They have 137 support groups Legal Advocacy helped 836 women, men and teens. Transition to Permanent Housing program helped 38 women. They also gave $34,520 in direct rent and utility assistance to 29 households (84 clients). 194 were referred to their mental health services. DAWN receives funding from community donations, Corporate Donations, Charitable donations from employers and their employees as well as fundraising. This agency offers training programs for thoughts who wish to get training to help with...

Words: 353 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Starbucks

... AJS 565 Dr. Duane Benton October 11, 2013 One of the most known programs today is the Anna Marie’s Alliance, which is a program that provides 24-hour emergency safe shelter for female victims of domestic violence and their children, to ensure their safety is and not compromised by domestic abuse. Anna Marie was a local Minnesota woman who was forced to raise four children as a single parent. Throughout the lives of her children, Anna Marie taught them the importance of community outreach and connection. Many problems could arise from these situations because women who want to desperately to seek shelter would find it more difficult and emotionally draining to find a safe place in which they could believe they can escape their current situation. Describe the overall program and the team’s goals According to the article, Domestic Violence by Furlow (2010), "Domestic violence is a neglected epidemic in the United States that affects millions of children and adults and leads to a sizable proportion of emergency department visits. Another set of authors, Eisenstat and Bancroft indicate that "Domestic abuse, or battering, is a pattern of psychological, economic, and sexual coercion of one partner in a relationship by the other that is punctuated by physical assaults or credible threats of bodily harm. Battering can be seen as a set of learned, controlling behaviors...

Words: 1036 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Homeless and the Advocate Role Paper

...change his or her life for the better. Define Advocacy According to "Wisconsin Clearinghouse for Prevention Resources" (n.d.), “advocacy occurs when someone does an act of pleading for support or recommending. It represents the strategies devised or actions taken and solutions proposed to persuade decision-making at the state and local level to form a positive change for people and their environment” (What is Advocacy). Advocacy also means a person who fights for the rights and needs of individuals who cannot fight for him or herself. In addition, may speak in behalf; assist with any complex situations involving medical needs, homeless needs, victims of domestic violence, or disabled individuals, and families in crisis. Moreover, serve as an educator of resources, skills, discipline of a child; serve as a counselor, or therapist Specific Population: Homeless According to "Atlanta Children’s Shelter" (n.d.), “homelessness affects various people from the he man on the street corner, to the woman with a shopping cart holding all her worldly possessions, and the family or single parent with small children who recently have been evicted, or are victims of domestic abuse.” The homeless population is interesting to me. The city of Atlanta has a large amount of homeless people and many of them are families with children. Many individuals in Atlanta are homeless because of financial and economic problems, drug addictions, domestic violence, and etc. As a result of these problems individuals...

Words: 531 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Mental Health

...Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence. You will learn about the services provided this crisis intervention human service delivery system. As you continue to read further, you will have a better understanding of the general characteristics and skills needed to effectively deliver mental health and crisis intervention services. Lastly, after you finish reading this paper, you will have a clear understanding of the differences in the characteristics, skills, and actions needed by an agent of the government as well as those skills needed by social workers or practitioners in mental health. Connecticut Coalition against Domestic Violence (CCADV) is the state’s leading voice for victims of domestic violence and those agencies that serve them. CCADV is a membership organization, founded in 1978, that consists of Connecticut’s 18 domestic violence service agencies that provide critical support to victims including counseling, support groups, emergency shelter, court advocacy, safety planning, and lethality assessment, among other services. CCADV works closely with state membership to understand and respond to the on-going needs of domestic violence victims and their families. CCADV also works to change social conditions through policy, advocacy, public awareness and community education. The organization advocates at a national and state level to create and implement strategic policies that will improve Connecticut’s response to domestic violence. Some of the key changes that...

Words: 1175 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Domestic Violence

...Domestic Violence amongst African American Women Domestic violence occurs in an estimated 4 million intimate relationships each year in the United States. Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behavior in which a person uses coercion, deception, harassment, humiliation, manipulation, and/or force to establish or maintain power and control over his or her intimate partner. Economic, emotional, psychological, physical, sexual, and verbal tactics are used by perpetrators to control and obtain power over their partners. Domestic violence crosses ethnic, racial, age, national origin, sexual orientation, religious, and socioeconomic lines. The majority of victims of domestic violence in heterosexual relationships are women. One out of every three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by an intimate partner during adulthood. African Americans experience domestic violence at a high rate in comparison to their numerical representation in the population. Although domestic and sexual violence occurs in all socioeconomic classes, socioeconomic disadvantages do increase the risk of the incidence of violent crimes. In intimate partner violence cases of spousal assault, power balance is an important risk factor. Among domestic violence cases, husbands who have (or feel that they have) less power than their wives are more physically abusive toward them, because of the perceived lack of power in other areas of their lives. Although there are different sociological theories...

Words: 1524 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Victims with Disabilities

...Victims with Disabilities Victims of crime can experience many problems, financial, emotional, physical, and psychological trauma to name a few. When Victims suffer from disabilities the problems driving from being a victim become extreme. For the purpose of this paper I will be focusing on victims of crime with disabilities., namely the case of Mr. Krochmaluk the Union Beach, N.J. man with learning disabilities who was enticed to a party by a group of people he thought were his friends only to be tormented for hours. Why people commit crimes against people with disabilities and the need to educate people suffering from disabilities and their care givers on their rights and the laws as victims or family member/care givers of said victims. The case of Eric Krochmaluk takes place in New Jersey and according to the article may be the first time a bias-crime law was pragmatic to a case concerning a victim with disabilities/mental retardation “According to their confessions, the group used promises of "meeting a pretty girl" to lure Eric Krochmaluk, who was 23 years of age, to a party on January 30, 1999. Over the next three hours, they stripped him, then forced him to wear women's clothing, kiss his tormentors' feet, and drink urine. They also tied Krochmaluk to a lawn chair, burned him with cigarettes, shaved his head against his wishes, choked him, whipped him, and beat him shower curtain rods, a toilet brush and a string of beads. Finally, they abandoned the young man in...

Words: 2591 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Finding Freedom from Domestic Abuse

...Finding freedom from domestic abuse Shelly Rede ENG/147 November 17, 20014 Alexandra Zuffoletti Finding freedom from domestic abuse “Victims had to find a way to “connect the dots” and make their lives come together which was difficult. “ (Javaherian, Krabacher, Andriacco, &German, 2007) Despite the difficulties those who have suffered domestic abuse can find recovery. Traversing the system to reach the goal of freedom from the abuse is both arduous and rewarding. It also takes that person coming to the understanding the only way to live is to leave. In order to get out of an abusive relationship, individuals must understand what domestic abuse is, have access to resources and support that can help, and be strong. Understanding the components of domestic abuse and being able to recognize the signs is an important first step. Domestic abuse by most definitions is abuse that happens to individuals in an intimate and or personal relationship, such as spouses, boyfriend/girlfriend, and same-sex couples. “Intimate partner violence does not discriminate. It has no boundaries.” ‘said Annell Lough a family advocate at The Center for Women and Families and survivor of intimate partner violence.” (“Taking its toll,”2014, para. 4) Abusers will use many different tactics to gain control over their victims. Some of these tactics are bullying, isolation, financial control, coercion, threats, physical assault, and using the children if children are present in the relationship....

Words: 801 - Pages: 4