Capstone Unit 6 for Human Services Essay Example

Capstone Unit 6 for Human Services Essay Example Capstone Unit 6 for Human Services Essay Capstone Unit 6 for Human Services Essay Associates Capstone for Human Services HN299-01 Surviving in a Domestic Violence Relationship Unit 6 Project Kaplan University May 1, 2011 Sharon Sanders A few days after I have left a message on her phone that I called Teresa appear in my office with a black eye, broken nose, and bandaged hand. She says that she fell and will be fine soon. She apologizes for not calling me back and tells me to not worry about her or the children because they would continue to live with her boyfriend. He is paying the bills now and has promised to buy all of the children new school clothes; they have never had new school clothes before. I was shocked by her appearance and asked her again about the bruises. She now says that she may have fallen accidentally when her boyfriend pushed her, but that it was her fault because she knew better than to anger him. The first thing that comes to my mind after seeing the appearance of my client is that knowing that treating domestic violence victims requires specialized training even though many people believe that short term counseling and advocacy are what is necessary to successfully treat domestic violence victims, many times a long term approach needs to be taken in an effort to work through the abuse and to help victims to not get into future relationships that are abusive. These factors are essential in beginning sessions, most all victims of abuse have experienced emotional trauma as a esult of being in an abusive relationship. Dealing with these issues takes time, and cannot be worked through in just a few sessions. After these issues have been addressed in beginning domestic violence sessions, effective counseling with victims of abuse may take longer than expected. There are three important messages that I need to give to Teresa the first is telling her she is not crazy, the second tha t the domestic violence was not her fault, and finally she is not alone. These messages are essential to the counseling process because the survivor of the relationship believes that the violence was her fault, the abuser often refers to the survivor as crazy and minimizes the violence. Oftentimes, clients may believe that the counselor does not understand their experience because the stories may seem unbelievable. Given this perception, it is important that I demonstrate my own understanding of how it affects each relationship differently. This can be done by reviewing the cycle of violence with Teresa and allowing her to share her experiences. A survivor can become aware of potentially dangerous situations through recognition of how her own behavior can potentially affect a domestic violence episode. In this case, it is especially important for me to be cognizant of the blame and guilt a survivor might perceive when discussing her behavior in the relationship. The final stages of counseling should assist Teresa in supporting her grief process (e. g. perceived loss of the relationship they once knew) as well as intervention/prevention strategies. Allowing Theresa to devise her own safety plan as it pertains to her and her family is part of the empowerment process (The Importance of Cultural Responsiveness When Treating Domestic Violence Survivors). I cannot force Teresa to leave her environment but I can make sure she has a safety plan in place until she is ready to leave. I tell Teresa that I will be here for her and help her anyway I can and I suggest to her that she needs to start to attend group therapy as it will allow her to identify with others and decreases the feeling of isolation. It can also help her to see others in different stages as a means of progress and hope for a future without abuse. Many times group therapy alone is effective with victims of abuse, but other times, clients need that additional individual support. Survivor Therapy focuses on issues of safety, empowerment, validation, strengths, education, alternative, restoring clarity of judgment, understanding oppression, making decisions, and healing the effects of trauma. (Treating the Domestic Violence Victim: Crisis Intervention and Beyond). Being abused by her partner, Teresa may feel confused, afraid, angry and/or trapped. All of these emotions are normal responses to abuse. She may also blame herself for what is happening. But no matter what others might say, I have to keep instilling into her that she is never responsible for her partners abusive actions. Dating abuse is not caused by alcohol or drugs, stress, anger management, or provocation. It is always a choice to be abusive. (Leaving an Abusive Relationship and Taking Your Children). In the face of abuse and assaults, knowing that she is a single mother with six children often confronts two kinds of difficult decisions. First, how will she protect herself and her children from the physical dangers posed by her partner? Second, how will she provide for her children? This second set of social and economic risks are central in each battered woman’s calculation of her children’s safety. If, for example, a woman decides to leave her partner to protect herself and her children, where will she find housing and money to feed her family? Who will take care of the children if she must work and her partner is no longer there (Davies, Lyon, Monti-Catania, 1998)? How will she manage the complex, and for many families enduring relationship with the batterer over time? Creating safety requires that communities also try to eliminate the two sets of risks- physical and material- that children and their mothers face. (Young Children Living with Domestic Violence: The Role of Early Childhood Programs). Once I have discussed with Teresa all her options that are available to her if she wants help I set her up with an appointment to go to Unity House and to access what services there are available to her. Unity House will provide her and her children with a range of comprehensive services. Their Domestic Violence Program is part of a successful collaboration with the Troy Police Department, Police Court, Family Court, Probation and the Department of Social Services. With staff co-located at each of these sites, Unity House helps victims obtain orders of protection, accompanies police on calls and works with DSS to move families to safety. Trained domestic violence counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide crisis intervention, information and referrals to victims of domestic violence and stalking. (In both English and Spanish) as she may feel more comfortable in talking with someone who speaks her language and might be able to understand her better. There are many options and services available and Unity House can help her find the ones that are right for her and her children. Case Management Services works with victims of domestic violence to assess their needs and provide safety planning based on an individuals need. The level of service is diverse and intensive and may include: living skills training, obtaining and maintaining housing, utilities and employment, financial literacy, legal assistance, coordinating with the Department of Social Services, Mental Health Services, health care providers and other community resources. With these services available to her it may help to alleviate some of the stress she might be feeling in leaving the environment that she is now in The Unity House Domestic Violence Law Project provides free legal consultation and representation to victims of domestic violence. The Law Project staff (comprised of a full-time attorney and legal assistant) is experienced in resolving the often-complicated legal challenges faced by victims of domestic violence who are seeking civil legal relief. The Law Project staff provides assistance in preparing legal documents, court accompaniment, safety planning and emotional support in addition to direct representation. Legal services include: assistance in obtaining orders of protection, custody, child support, divorce and other family court related matter Unity House operates the only licensed Domestic Violence Shelter in Rensselaer County. The Domestic Violence Shelter is available to victims of domestic violence and their children who no longer have a safe place to stay free from violence. The 18-bed shelter provides safe refuge in a confidential location. After going over what Unity House has to offer her I also remind her again that no abused woman has control over their partners violence, but women can and do find ways to reduce their risk of harm. Safety planning as mentioned earlier is a tool to help her to identify options, evaluate those options, and come up with a plan to reduce her risk when faced with the threat of harm or with actual harm. Theres no right or wrong way to develop a safety plan. Use what applies. She can change it or add to it to reflect on her particular situation. Make it her own plan, then review it regularly and make changes as needed. I tell her that she may want to write down her safety plan, or she may not. If she thinks it would be safe to have a written safety plan and it would be helpful to her, than by all means do it. But if there is a chance her abuser might find it, maybe it is better to just think it all through and not write it down. Do what you think is the safest thing for her. Unity House). Telling Teresa that by her realizing that she is being abused is the first step. Thinking about what to do, however, takes time and help to identify a plan for one’s life. If a problem seems too big, break it down into small chunks and deal with it one little chunk at a time. If you need help, ask for it. Change is always difficult, even if its what she wants and a change is for the better. T he adjustments she must make not only to her daily life, but her way of thinking are so huge she may be left feeling overwhelmed. (I’m Out Now What? Even though she will be going to Unity House for help my agency works with them and I will be checking in periodically on how she is doing. That the counselors there will set up appointments for her and work with her in her progress in leaving this relationship. They will help her to get her own apartment for her and her children, offer her job training so she can get a job, as well as set up daycare for her children once she does start work. As these are her three major things that she is most concerned with once she leaves her boyfriend’s apartment. I also remind her in doing this she is also helping her children because nobody has a right to make the children stay. They did not agree to this abusive relationship. They have a right to be happy in their own home. Do not take away their rights. I also tell her that in the eyes of the law, a person allowing their children to suffer abuse is every bit as guilty as their abuser. There have been many cases of child abuse where the abused person has gone to jail for not leaving the abusive relationship. Leaving is the only cure for the abusive relationship. Prior to her leaving my office I tell Teresa nothing else matters as much as leaving this abusive relationship behind her and the children. Not location, not money, not circumstances, not anything should stop you. Just get out! Lives may depend on it. Even if she doesn’t feel the abusive person will take her life, remember they already have. Every person has the right to a safe and happy existence, free of fear and psychological damage. (Leaving an Abusive Relationship). I also tell her that it will take time to get herself together after leaving this man but I want her to go to Unity House as soon as she can and will follow up with her within two weeks to make sure she is gaining ground on leaving her abuser. That she will need to take baby steps in doing this and there are people out there in her same situation that can help her to do the right thing for both herself and her children. References Cohen, E. and Knitzer, J. Series Paper #3 Young Children Living with Domestic Violence: The Role of Early Childhood Program Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. ccev. org Duque, Jennifer LCPC Treating the Domestic Violence Victim: Crisis Intervention and Beyond- Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. uic. edu/orgs/convening/IC-27 Jayne, H. , 2001, 2002 I’m Out Now What? Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. leavingabuse. com Vargas L. A. The Importance of Cultural Responsiveness When Treating Domestic Violence Survivor Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. counselingoutfitt ers. com/Vargas. htm References Mom’s leaving an Abusive Relationship Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. helpforsinglemother. net Unity House Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. unityhouseny. com