Domestic violence
It is immeasurable to most people that the individual they are dating or in crazy in love with has the potential to harm them. More often friends and family are very keen to caution the victim and notify them their current relationship with the abuser ‘is not right.' However, the sad news is that the victims take longer to realize they are in danger until have been damaged to a great extent. Research has estimated that in more than 60% of the relationships today there is some form of abuse (Anderberg, Rainer, Wadsworth, & Wilson, 2016). Further statistic have noted approximately 80-95% of the domestic violence survivors are women, 5.5 million women are abused every year in the US, domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to many women (Anderberg, Rainer, Wadsworth, & Wilson, 2016). Moreover, women are more likely to be attacked by a person they know and in an intimate relationship with than a stranger. Domestic violence should never happen to anybody, however, because it does and when it does there is need to have a domestic survivors group so that the victims can be helped to get back on their feet and continue with life.
Domestic violence survivors group
A local survivor’s support group offers victims an opportunity to discuss their nasty experiences with other people who have experienced the same and got to understand more concerning the issue (Truman & Morgan, 2015). Moreover, it is said a problem shared is a problem half solved. Therefore, when the survivors can interact with the victims who have just left an abusive relationship, they not only share their experiences but also are in a position to guide them on how to better cope with life after victimization (Gillum, Sullivan, & Bybee, 2006). The support group formulated will be facilitated by professional who is engaged in a community organization that is the social workers. The fundamental role of the facilitator is to organize and set up the group for the sessions and also ensure that every individual in the support group gets an opportunity to share their experience for maximum benefit. Therefore, it means that the support groups are run by the participants themselves who have had domestic violence experiences (Gillum, Sullivan, & Bybee, 2006). Moreover, the facilitator will also provide guiding and counseling sessions for those who just left abusive relationships to set them up for the society once again. Professional talks and seminars will also be conducted monthly. Given that the support group is for people who have experienced violence it will be run through community health centers, and the sessions will be done twice a month.
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Concerns to address among domestic violence victims
First, the total cost of domestic violence is significant for the victims, perpetrator, friends and family, government, communities and the private sector. The high costs are associated with: premature mortality, provision of health services, impact on employment and productivity, replacing damaged goods and victim compensation. Second, domestic violence victims are associated with a broad range of health issues, with women between 15-45 years with the highest likelihood to be victimized by their partners (Skinner, Hester, & Malos, 2013). Third, domestic violence is considered as one of the most common factors that contribute to homelessness among many children and women. This is a result of them escaping violence from their homes. Fourth, there has been an association between domestic violence and child mistreatment in many communities. The children who are victims of domestic violence are often neglected which translates to a broad range of adverse physical, emotional and psychological consequences (Skinner, Hester, & Malos, 2013). Finally, there are cultural concerns that may limit individuals from accessing the help they need as they feel alienated, marginalized or powerless. Research has proved some victims feel they do not deserve the help that is offered to them because they are to blame for the misfortune that is happening to them (Clark et al ., 2014).
Details to consider for composition of the domestic violence survivor group
The consideration for the survivor group will give priority to the women as women are the ones who are majorly abused in relationships. The second cluster will comprise the marginalized people who the society has let go and feel do not significantly contribute to the development and advancement of the community. Third, the children who are being brought up in abusive marriages, given that they have suffered a lot of emotional torches, it is vital to give them a chance to change their life path (Sokoloff, & Dupont, 2005). Finally, the victims who have been sent to jail for committing domestic violence to their partners. There is need to offer the perpetrators hope after the confession of their crimes and willingness to reform back into the society.
Skills and professional roles for social worker
Key facilitator competencies are crucial for every social worker. First, there is a need for the social worker to have accurate and current knowledge of domestic violence and the kind of impact it has both on the victims and society (Truman, & Morgan, 2015). The social worker needs to have experience of working with domestic violence survivors, expertise in the provision of emotional and practical support, experience in planning and facilitating group work and planning and conducting risk assessments (Nichols, 2014). Third, some of the skills needed to the social work include: use of primary information technology, ability to handle issues like anger, ability to apply anti-discriminatory practice, ability to challenge participants. Excellent group management skills, active listening skill, good communication skills and ability to understand professional boundaries and facilitator limitation within the group. Finally, the social worker needs to have the right education, qualification to handle such a team through training.
The primary role of the social worker is to promote the necessary principles of empowerment and also self-help within the group members and also ensure the team works in not only a constructive way but also as a cohesive unit (Nichols, 2014). Therefore, the facilitator has key responsibilities like organizing the group, supporting the participants, ensuring safety, offering diversity and fair access to all the members and providing there is confidentiality in the group.
Potential dynamics considered in running a domestic violence survivor group
Significant knowledge to be aware of is that the victims abused in this relationship may have gone through sexual assaults, battering and have various trauma experiences throughout their life (Sherman, & Harris, 2015). People from marginalized communities like women of color, poor, lesbians, bisexual and transgender are likely to be more abused and given they have other underlying issues. It is vital that the social worker can not only help the deal with domestic violence but also the cause of the issues that make them more vulnerable to domestic violence. Many of the victims of domestic violence struggle to maintain contact with their children and struggle to give them a healthy childhood relationship (Sherman, & Harris, 2015). In summary, a victim of domestic violence is increasing in many communities today, and it is upon the society to identify means and ways to ensure the number is deceased s as to provide a stable community in the future.
References
Anderberg, D., Rainer, H., Wadsworth, J., & Wilson, T. (2016). Unemployment and domestic violence: theory and evidence. The Economic Journal , 126 (597), 1947-1979.
Clark, C. J., Lewis-Dmello, A., Anders, D., Parsons, A., Nguyen-Feng, V., Henn, L., & Emerson, D. (2014). Trauma-sensitive yoga as an adjunct mental health treatment in group therapy for survivors of domestic violence: A feasibility study. Complementary therapies in clinical practice , 20 (3), 152-158.
Gillum, T. L., Sullivan, C. M., & Bybee, D. I. (2006). The importance of spirituality in the lives of domestic violence survivors. Violence Against Women , 12 (3), 240-250.
Nichols, A. J. (2014). No-drop prosecution in domestic violence cases: Survivor-defined and social change approaches to victim advocacy. Journal of interpersonal violence , 29 (11), 2114-2142.
Sherman, L. W., & Harris, H. M. (2015). Increased death rates of domestic violence victims from arresting vs. warning suspects in the Milwaukee Domestic Violence Experiment (MilDVE). Journal of experimental criminology , 11 (1), 1-20.
Skinner, T., Hester, M., & Malos, E. (Eds.). (2013). Researching gender violence . Routledge.
Sokoloff, N. J., & Dupont, I. (2005). Domestic violence at the intersections of race, class, and gender: Challenges and contributions to understanding violence against marginalized women in diverse communities. Violence against women , 11 (1), 38-64.
Truman, J. L., & Morgan, R. E. (2015). Nonfatal domestic violence, 2003-2012. Journal of Current Issues in Crime, Law & Law Enforcement , 8 (4).
