Domestic violence and abuse against women in the family home is a widely reported incidence across the globe. Those who fall victim to it suffer silently and fear reporting such cases following threats from their abusers (Ferguson, 2009). Violence against women in the family home usually results in child abuse, and in some instances, death. According to recent statistics, every year between 133 million and 275 million children across the globe suffer following domestic violence (Helfrich, 2014). About 176 million of these children reside with mothers who also suffer violence from their partners. Abuse and violence against children, if done repetitively, can result in cognitive, social, and emotional restrictions, combined with gastrointestinal issues, stunted development, language delay, allergies, and stress (Ferguson, 2009). From what has been observed historically, domestic violence and abuse usually takes place amongst all economic and social classes.
There are different types of abuse, for instance psychological abuse which constitutes isolation, control, and insults; sexual abuse which constitutes forced sexual acts or withholding of sex; fiscal abuse which constitutes withholding finances, not allowing a spouse to work, or managing bank accounts; and physical abuse which constitutes slapping, strangling, hitting, punching, intimidation, driving recklessly, and kicking (Helfrich, 2014). This paper will take a closer look at the state of Massachusetts, focusing on available community resources for children and women who are victims of abuse and violence in or around Springfield. It will also assess the level of services present, identifying what can be changed and what can remain the same. A conclusion will then be provided at the end.
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Discussion
Any assault, including domestic assault, is considered a crime in the state of Massachusetts. Victims of domestic violence and abuse are free to receive restraining orders at any given time, with the inclusion of weekends, holidays, and nights (Ferguson, 2009). According to studies conducted in Springfield in relation to violence and abuse against women and children, a majority of women stay in unhealthy relationships for various reasons. Some of these reasons are a lack of employment, children, and housing (Helfrich, 2014). Some women also feel quite helpless and have not place to go or do not have fiscal resources. In addition to offering secure, emergency shelters, Springfield have a number of domestic violence programs as well as advocates who can partner with the victims to live a life that is free from assault or abuse. It also has a few community resources where women and children who have suffered domestic violence can find shelter. Some of these community resources are discussed below.
Domestic Violence Support Groups in Springfield, Massachusetts
Women and children in need of assistance following domestic violence or abuse can approach domestic violence support groups present in this particular region. The experts provide confidential support for spousal abuse or for couples and individuals in an abusive relationship (Ferguson, 2009). The incorporate domestic violence support groups as well as domestic violence therapists who carry out domestic violence psychotherapy. These support groups can also assist children who are victims of abuse, provide support to battered women and referrals to shelters across Springfield (Helfrich, 2014). Support groups help identify the signs of domestic abuse, the distinctions of passive aggressive actions, and the distinctions between males and females as victims of domestic violence.
Springfield Support Groups and Group Therapy
Group therapy available for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse takes various forms. The groups are usually referred to, and interchangeably, as Springfield counseling groups, Springfield mutual support groups or stress coping groups, mental health groups, peer support groups, or workshops (Ferguson, 2009). They are also managed by an expert group therapist, group psychologist, or group counselor, generally concentrating on a particular problem or client profile (Helfrich, 2014). Women, children, or men who are victims of domestic abuse are advised to first see if the group’s issue focus is parallel to their needs, prior to joining a Springfield support group or group therapy.
The YWCA of Western Massachusetts
This is among the 300 local Associations in America and for about 150 years, the organization has served Springfield area (Ferguson, 2009). Its guiding principle has been to provide support services, shelter, and instruments for self sufficiency for girls and women in the community. The YWCA not only offers job training to individuals aged between 16 years and 21 years who are not in school, but also provide a safe haven for children and women in crisis (Helfrich, 2014). As part of its mission, the organization aims at empowering women and getting rid of racism, creating chances for women’s development, leadership, and authority to achieve justice, liberty, dignity, and peace for all individuals (Ferguson, 2009). The YWCA started out by providing boarding houses for young working class women. Today, this particular service is still the core of what the organization does.
Womanshelter/Companeras
This is a community-based program in Springfield, MA aimed at preventing and reducing domestic violence (Helfrich, 2014). Having been established in 1980 as a grassroots collective, this organization has provided shelter to over 3,000 children and women, and is committed to supporting, empowering, and helping those who have fallen victim to abuse and battering (Ferguson, 2009). Womenshelter/Companeras’ main philosophy is founded on the comprehension that survivors and victims of domestic violence deserve respect and are capable of making their own choices. Being a private NGO, the organization together with all its interactions are safeguarded under Massachusetts law, MG. 233, 20K (Helfrich, 2014). It also believes that domestic abuse and violence can be committed against women, children, and men of any given ethnicity, educational background, sexual orientation, economic status, or race (Ferguson, 2009). That is why Womenshelter/Companeras offers bilingual and bicultural services.
Brief Evaluation
Looking at the community resources available for children and women who are victims of abuse and violence in or around Springfield, MA, the only thing that I would change would be language because it should not be presumed that all who reside in this region are fluent in the English language. As already indicated, some women may be in an abusive relationship where she is not allowed to work, thus may know little of the English language. If such women were to come across these community program websites, they may not understand how best to maneuver so as to get the necessary information. Therefore, by incorporating other common languages such as Spanish, French, Swahili, and Arab, these websites will have catered to any woman from any ethnicity, in need of assistance (Helfrich, 2014). It will also ease the process of translation for women who have friends who are bilingual or multilingual. On the other hand, I would keep everything else the same because the websites provide all the information a woman in an abusive relationship might need.
Conclusion
The Springfield community in Massachusetts has made an effort to educate its women and children on the consequences of domestic violence and abuse. It has also ensured that information on how to get assistance and where to get shelter in emergency situations is available on the Internet. A number of places to ask for assistance and/or support for men, children, and women in or around the Springfield community are available, and the community members are constantly encouraged to report any cases of domestic violence and abuse against women, men, and children.
References
Ferguson, C.J. (2009). Violent crime: Clinical and social implications . Thousand Oaks, C.A.: SAGE.
Helfrich, C. (2014). Domestic abuse across the lifespan: The role of occupational therapy . New York: Routledge.
