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Domestic Violence: Demonstrable Effects to the Children and Family. Lori Allen, MSPH & Carol Campbell Edwards, LCSW. Summarize dynamics and common impacts on family members Review approaches to screening
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Domestic Violence: Demonstrable Effects to the Children and Family Lori Allen, MSPH & Carol Campbell Edwards, LCSW
Summarize dynamics and common impacts on family members • Review approaches to screening • Identify interventions that assist survivors in providing safety for themselves and children. • Identify and develop strategies to partner with the survivor and community to hold batterers accountable. Objectives
STOP identifying domestic violence by solely looking at the physical abuse! Assess the family for WHO has the power and control.
Domestic violence is a pattern of coercive, controllingbehaviors designed to exert power and controlover a person in an intimate relationship through the use of intimidation, threats, physical or psychological harm, and/or harassment.
DV Statistics 15.5 million U.S. children live in families in which partner violence occurred at least once in the past year, and 7 million children live in families in which severe partner violence occurred. 2010-2011, Florida's certified DV centers provided 477,489 nights of emergency shelter to 15,789 survivors of DV and their children.
SEXUAL ABUSE • Forcing the victim to have unprotected sex • Bruised or bitten genitals or breasts • Forced abortions • Forced pregnancy, prohibiting use of contraception • Forcing acts against the victim’s will • Coercing the victim to perform sex acts through drugs, threats, or force. • Hurting the victim during sex, including the use of objects or weapons
Emotional and Psychological Abuse • Threats of harm to the victim, children, or pets • Isolation • Extreme jealousy or possessiveness • Withholding basic needs • Intimidation, degradation, and humiliation • Dictating rules of behavior for the victim
Strong sense of self-confidence and ego Attitude of ownership over partner/children Uses male privilege or social status Engages in serial abuse (multiple victims) Minimization of the abuse Disregard of legal consequences
The Batterer will likely: • Blame the victim • Deny the reports of abuse • Attempt to collude with male responders, or charm female responders • Focus on a need to have the children with him • Attempt to focus on victim behaviors that could be seen as “problems”
Fear is the dominant motivation for their actions May be victims of childhood abuse Often develop chronic physical and mental health issues Minimize or hide the abuse May be unaware of resources
Guiding Principles: The safety of abused children often is linked to the safety of the adult victims. Perpetrators of domestic violence who abuse their partner also emotionally or psychologically harm their children. It is important to understand potential effects of domestic violence to children beyond those that are physical in nature. Supportive, noncoercive, and empowering interventions that promote the safety of victims and their children should be incorporated in child protection efforts.
Assessment Factors that Influence the Impact of Domestic Violence on Children • Nature of the violence • Coping strategies and skills • Age of the child • Elapsed time since exposure • Gender • Presence of child physical or sexual abuse
Characteristics of Exposed Children: • Anxiety and fear • Aggression • Poor performance in school • Substance abuse • Regression of skills • Lack of learning behaviors • Slower development • Delinquent behaviors • High propensity to be victims (girls) or abusers (boys) • Suicide • Teen pregnancy • Sleep disorders • Eating disorders • Flat affect and depression
Methods of Abuse by the Batterer that Affect Children…. Verbal Abuse Isolation Physical Abuse Sexual violence Threats of harm Economic Abuse
In many instances, victims of domestic violence pursue aid, education, and legal options, but the dynamics of the relationship may prevent a victim from following through. This does not indicate that they do not want to escape or that they are unconcerned about the situation.
3 Categories of Childhood ProblemsAssociated with Exposure to DV • Behavioral, social, and emotional problems • Cognitive and attitudinal problems • Long-term problems
Ensuring Safety—Partnering With The Survivor • It is important to remember that the survivor engages in behaviors to stay safe. • Our view of the situation is not the total picture – the victim understands the risks better than we do. • The survivor’s goal of safety may conflict with the investigator/case manger’s goal of helping her leave or securing services.
Leaving means leaving all of it… She leaves the abuse, but she also leaves her home, her stability, her marriage, the father of her kids. She also leaves all the intimate, beautiful moments of the relationship which is all she has ever known. Remember these are families, they have special memories that are only theirs. Loss is a powerful thing, she will mourn it even if it wasn’t healthy.
Topics To Consider • How survivor may get help in an emergency • How survivor may get help if leaving is not an option • How to keep pets and children safe • Discuss transportation • Anticipate batterer’s response to actions taken • Asking about access to communication lines • Make a list of safe people to contact • Establish a code word or sign • Memorize important telephone numbers • Keep change or a charged cell phone available • Always ask about what she would do if her partner were to become violent.
Maximize Positive Outcomes • Validate the survivor's feelings and be sensitive to the obstacles she may be facing • Affirm the perpetrator’s behavior is criminal – don’t blame the victim for behaviors she cannot control • Uphold victim confidentiality • Empower the victim to make significant decisions and solve problems. • Provide referrals that will help the victim in the short and long term. • Collaborate with advocacy programs and services that can ease the transition
