Domestic Violence Program Proposal Essay

Astounding statistics reported by the Childrens Defense Fund, An estimated 3 to 4 zillion women in the joined nations be battered each year by their partners, In homes where domestic emphasis occurs, nestlingren atomic number 18 seriously mistreat or neglected at a rate 1500% higher than the national average in the general population, Between 2. 3 and 10 million peasantren ar witnesses to family emphasis, Based on an estimate of 2 baby birdren per household, in 55% of violent homes, at least 3. 3 million children in the U. S. are at bump of witnessing domestic fury each year, (Retrieved, 10/12/2011, http//cdf. hildrensdefense. org). interior(prenominal) violence is a crime that affects every member of the family, including children. Many times children remain the soundless victims that are handle both physically and psychologically. Family violence earns an environment where children live in constant fear and confusion. They are psychologically torn between the disgrac eful parent and the parent who is subject to the abuse. They are affected in ways that make it hard to establish nurturing bonds with either parent. Each year an estimated 3. million children are exposed to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members, (American Psychological Association, Violence and the Family Report of the APA Presidential Task Force on Violence and the Family,1996). concord to a recent national survey, only about hotshot quarter of domestic violence is reported to the police, making it difficult to accurately estimate the number of substantial victims. The children in families where domestic violence occurs are exposed to violence in various ways and the effects usually manifest themselves much like that of an ab apply or neglected child.Because they may be direct witnesses to the abuse, many suffer irreversible emotional damage. They may also be in harms way themselves, have their lives disrupted by moving or being separated from par ents, be used by the batterer to manipulate or gain manoeuvre over the victim, and they themselves are much likely to be abused. According to a 2006 UNICEF World Report on Violence Against Children, Exposure to domestic violence is far-flung internationally and it is associated with other forms of child maltreatment. Children can be direct witnesses to domestic violence they may see abusive incidents or hear iolence.Children are usually considered secondary victims because they are witness to the violence. This can be harmful psychologically and emotionally. According to a study published in 2003, Over 15 million children in the U. S. lived in families where intimate partner violence had occurred at least once in the past year, and s thus far million children live in families in which severe partner violence occurred, Whitfield, Anda, Dube, & Felittle (2003), Violent Childhood Experiences and the Risk of sexual Partner Violence in Adults Assessment in a Large wellness Maintenanc e Organization.In a 2007 study in the U. S. 38% of incidents of intimate partner violence which involve female victims, children under age 12 were residents of the household, Catalano & Shannan (2007), Intimate Partner Violence in the United States. Children can be displaced by the domestic violence when they seek shelter along with their abused parent. While statistics are not available globally, many shelters take in children as well as their abused parent.According to a study of domestic violence shelters and function in the U. S. in a single day in 2008, 16,458 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or transitional accommodate facility, while an additional 6,430 children sought services at a non-residential program. From The National Network to End Domestic Violence, (2009). Domestic Violence Counts 2008 A 24-hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. These children see no way out of their situation. They withdraw and become fearful. Depression, aggre ssion and suicide occur in higher instances with the children who are not go to to and left to cope without intervention.In establish to help in a proactive capacity as well as, be a catalyst that pull up stakes spur on legislature and rights for children in a domestic violence situation, illuminated Pathways is a program that will be implemented in prescribe to backup children who live with violence and ensure a better tomorrow. Though it is said that children are resilient, it is imperative for them to be given an opportunity to thrive. Opportunities that allow for the child to create healthy bonds with adult, secure activities with peers, and gain a voice for themselves in a secure and protective environment will be provided.It is the purpose of Lighted Pathways to help the child that was either a witness, or a victim of abuse themselves to, gain extended support through various activities, create immutable bonds with supportive individuals much(prenominal) as, Big Brothe r/ Sisters and a familial type unit, extend educational opportunities, introduce the child to community resources and opportunities otherwise unavailable to them, create a peer connection, and obtain free or affordable, long-term counseling.Lighted Pathways is set to create all of these programs utilizing resources from the, U. S.Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services Bureau (FYSB). Funds will also be rendered from the community, stakeholders, donations, and local funding and volunteerism. It is Lighted Pathways intention to assist the children victims and advocate for them in order to help them overcome, break free of the cycle of violence, and gain positive tools in order to be successful in their future endeavors. Lighted Pathways focuses on the in all child and the development in a multitudnal approach.The initiative will utilize advocates, psychologists, law enforcement agencies, both adult an d juvenile, educators, child specialists and community leaders to assist in a preventative, proactive program as well as, help better adjust those children who are victims. Field Overview and Current Trends In 1994, the National Council of Juvenile and Family tap Judges published a Model Code on Domestic and Family Violence. The code was not designed to be used universally, but rather one that should be adapted from state to state.Developed with an advisory committee composed of leaders in the domestic violence field from all over the United States including judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, matrimonial lawyers, battered womens advocates, medical and health care professionals, law enforcement personnel, educators and others, it has helped to create stronger laws and enforceable legislation. The introduction to the code states Family violence is a impose on _or_ oppress that needs righting in every state in this country. The key is community commitment to recognize, address and prevent such violence.Effective and enabling legislation is the cornerstone, (Retrieved, 10/12/2011 http//stopvaw. org). Because violence against women is one of the predominant factors of children as witnesses to IPV or intimate partner violence or domestic violence, the organizations code has been conjunctively used to make the youngest victims voices heard. Recently, the human rights advocacy groups Rights for Change and Aim for Human Rights have issued a step-by-step handbook for conducting research on violence against women.The manual provides users with a human rights background from which to view violence against women, explains how gather and analyze information about violence against women, and then describes how to use the reports to affect change in the stadium researched. This research is also being used as a cross reference and manual to guide for children. Domestic violence is a devastating affable problem which has lasting impacts on every segment of the populat ion. Each age group, race, ethnicity and class is touched by domestic violence, and many times it goes hidden and unseen.Up until recently, the community and resources have been directed primarily targeted toward adult victims of abuse however, increased attention is now being focused on the children who witness domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for exposure to domestic violence, (Carlson, 2000). These findings translate into approximately 3. 3 to 10 million children who witness the abuse of a parent or adult caregiver each year, (Carlson, 1984 Straus and Gelles, 1990).Further research indicates that those children which are exposed to domestic violence are at an increased risk of being abused or neglected themselves. A majority of studies reveal there are adult and child victims in 30 to 60 percent of families experiencing domestic violence, (Appel and Holden, 1998 Edleson, 1999 Jaffe and Wolfe, 1990). Th is has previously led Social Workers to believe that taking the child from the parental home is necessary, but cautiousness should be given to this action, as new inter-agency research suggests that children are manifesting other problems when displaced. Since children respond differently to domestic violence, professionals are cautioned against assuming that witnessing domestic violence constitutes child maltreatment or child protective services intervention, (Aron & Olson, 1997 Beeman, Hagemeister & Edelson, 1999 Carter & Schechter, 1997 Findlater & Kelly, 1999 Spears, 200 Whitney and Davis, 1999).Various States are creating legislation that better defines child neglect and includes children who witness domestic violence. Expanding the healthy definition of child altreatment, however, may not always be the most effective method to address the needs of these children. Communities can better serve families by allocating resources that build partnerships between service providers, child protective services, and the array of informal and formal systems that offer a continuum of services based upon the level of risk present, (Carter and Schechter, 1997 Edleson, 1999 Spears, 2000). National, State and local initiatives are promoting a more cross agency awareness.With this a collective and more uniformed definition and intolerance of abuse is being coordinated. promising practices in this cross agency approach has included placing child protective service workers, child advocates and police officers in a supportive service arena. proactive initiatives such as school awareness programs have been created, cross system protocols and training has also been more available for professionals. Integrated services and resources has become the gear up foundation to help the adult victims as well as the children who suffer domestic violence.A shared goal and collaboration working in a proactive way to prevent violence and the subsequent repercussions is necessary. Problem s Faced by Victims Children who live with domestic violence face increased risks the risk of exposure to traumatic events, the risk of neglect, the risk of being directly abused, and the risk of losing one or both of their parents. All of these may lead to negative outcomes for children and may affect their well-being, safety, and stability, (Carlson, 2000 Edleson, 1999 Rossman, 2001).According to research, childhood problems associated with exposure to domestic violence fall into three primary categories Behavioral, social and emotional, cognitive and attitudinal, and long term. Each of these categories have a plethora of subcategories such as aggression, anger, withdrawal, self-esteem, bonding, poor peer relations, poor school performance, lack of conflict resolution, no social skills, in adults the symptoms manifest in depression, aggression, suicide, drug and alcohol abuse, and even a cycle of abuse and becoming an abuser.Childrens risk levels and reactions to domestic violence exist on a continuum where some children demonstrate enormous resiliency while others show signs of significant maladaptive adjustment, (Carlson, 2000 Edleson, 1999 Hughes, Graham-Bermann & Gruber, 2001). Assessment of factors that affect the child regarding domestic violence is dependent upon the type of violence, exposure, the coping skills of the child, age, gender and whether or not the child suffered physical or sexual abuse, as well.The scars from Domestic violence tend to last far into adulthood. Adults carry to suffer the consequences of a violent childhood, and fraternity has to pick up the pieces. The cycle states that they are more likely to commit suicide, abuse drugs or alcohol, be unemployed, or commit violence against their own partners. And with this, their children continue the cycle with a new generation of victims and witnesses. Because the child is usually not included unless he or she has been physically inflicted by domestic violence, the problem continues.I t is a challenge to demonstrate the need to address the effects on children witnessing domestic violence and begin to establish effective solutions. It is important for advocacy groups and programs to support and rise up the child and gives them a multidimensional, therapeutic program that addresses the whole child, not just the physical or the emotional. Conclusion Domestic violence is the single most patronage cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 (Family Violence Prevention Fund Domestic Violence Fact Sheet, www. endabuse. rg. ) Domestic violence shatters the lives of its victims and diminishes the quality of biography for everyone in the community. It is the leading cause of homelessness for women and families. It also can be incredibly traumatic for children who witness it. Focusing on the victimization of the child and the impact it has on their lives both presently and long-term helps to create a more positive outcome for those involved. Intervention and p roactive programs such as Lighted Pathways are a start to assist in the rebuilding of the childs psyche.A child who has a support group and a unit that is stable and nurturing is more likely to flourish and thrive. Success depends on volunteerism, funding and community support. It is also imperative that education, advocacy and legislative progress is made for these youngest victims. The dilemma of domestic violence is still an epidemic that seems to be swept under the rug and the youngest victims tend to have the most silent of voices. Lighted Pathways intentions and purpose is to give voice to these victims, support their needs, and strengthen their lives.