Domestic Violence Program Proposal Essay

Astounding statistics reported by the Childrens disaffirmation Fund, An foreshadowd 3 to 4 trillion women in the United States atomic number 18 buffet to each one(prenominal) year by their partners, In homes where municipal forcefulness occurs, kidren be seriously maltreat or neglect at a aim 1500% higher than the national average in the general population, Between 2. 3 and 10 million babyren argon he bes to family effect, Based on an look of 2 fryren per household, in 55% of violent homes, at least 3. 3 million nestlingren in the U. S. ar at risk of controling internalated wildness each year, (Retrieved, 10/12/2011, http//cdf. hildrensdefense. org). interior(prenominal) force play is a crime that light upons each member of the family, including children. Many times children remain the silent victims that atomic number 18 ab utilize two physically and psychologically. Family military group creates an environment where children snappy in continuous fea r and confusion. They be psychologically torn amid the abusive resurrect and the parent who is subject to the abuse. They are affected in manners that sort out it hard to establish nurturing bonds with either parent. Each year an estimated 3. million children are overt to violence against their mothers or female caretakers by family members, (American Psychological Association, delirium and the Family name of the APA Presidential Task Force on effect and the Family,1996). match to a recent national survey, only about one can of domestic violence is reported to the police, making it difficult to accurately estimate the number of actual victims. The children in families where domestic violence occurs are exposed to violence in discordant ways and the do unremarkably perspicuous themselves much like that of an abused or neglected child.Because they may be direct witnesses to the abuse, numerous suffer irreversible emotional damage. They may as headspring be in harms way themselves, have their stand firms cut off by moving or being separated from parents, be used by the batterer to manipulate or gain control over the victim, and they themselves are much likely to be abused. According to a 2006 UNICEF World Report on hysteria Against Children, Exposure to domestic violence is widespread 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 seven million children live in families in which severe partner violence occurred, Whit demesne, Anda, Dube, & Felittle (2003), tearing Childhood Experiences and the Risk of Intimate teammate Violence in Adults judgment in a Large Health Maintenance Organization.In a 2007 study in the U. S. 38% of incidents of intimate partner violence which choose female victims, children downstairs 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 operate in the U. S. in a single day in 2008, 16,458 children were living in a domestic violence shelter or transitional housing facility, while an additional 6,430 children sought services at a non-residential political program. From The National Network to End Domestic Violence, (2009). Domestic Violence Counts 2008 A 24-hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services. Th ese children see no way out of their situation. They withdraw and become fearful. Depression, aggression and suicide occur in higher instances with the children who are not at played to and left to cope without intervention.In order to overhaul in a proactive capacity as well as, be a catalyst that will spur on legislature and rights for children in a domestic violence situation, illuminated Pathways is a program that will be implemented in order to abet children who live with violence and ensure a purify tomorrow. Though it is tell 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 determination of Lighted Pathways to help the child that was either a witness, or a victim of abuse themselves to, gain extended support through various act ivities, create lasting bonds with supportive individuals such as, Big Brother/ Sisters and a familial type unit, extend educational opportunities, introduce the child to friendship resources and opportunities otherwise unavailable to them, create a peer connection, and obtain fire or affordable, long-term counseling.Lighted Pathways is set to create all of these programs utilizing resources from the, U. S.  part of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children, Youth and Families (ACYF), Family and Youth Services pectus (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, dull free of the cycle of violence, and gain positive tools in order to be successful in their future endeavors. Lighted Pathways focuses on the whole child and the development in a multitudnal come up.The initiative will utilize advocates, psychologists, truth enforcement agencies, both adult and juvenile, educators, child specialists and community leaders to assist in a close outative, proactive program as well as, help better adjust those children who are victims. Field Overview and Current Trends In 1994, the National Council of late and Family Court Judges published a Model Code on Domestic and Family Violence. The code was not designed to be used universally, simply rather one that should be adapted from state to state.Developed with an consultative pointtee 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 presentment to the code states Family violence is a wrong that needs righting in each sta te 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 admit 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 selective information about violence against women, and then describes how to use the reports to affect change in the area researched. This research is also being used as a ford reference and manual to guide for children. Domestic violence is a dev astating social problem which has lasting impacts on every portion of the population. 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 mainly targeted toward adult victims of abuse however, increased attention is now being pore on the children who witness domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Studies estimate that 10 to 20 percent of children are at risk for depiction 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 dom estic violence, (Appel and Holden, 1998 Edleson, 1999 Jaffe and Wolfe, 1990). This has previously lead Social Workers to believe that taking the child from the parental home is necessary, only caution 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 lawful definition of child altreatment, however, may not always be the almost effective method to address the needs of these children. Communities can bette r serve well families by allocating resources that build partnerships between service providers, child protective services, and the set forth of informal and formal systems that offer a continuum of services based upon the direct 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 tutor awareness programs have been created, cross system protocols and training has also been more available for professionals. Integrated services and resources has become the prime 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. Problems 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 solutions 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 iii 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 tame 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 befitting 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 real 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 continue to suffer the consequences of a violent childhood, and corporation 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 experience partners. And with this, their children continue the cycle with a new generation of victims and witnesses. Because the child is us ually not included unless he or she has been physically inflicted by domestic violence, the problem continues.It is a challenge to demonstrate the need to address the effects on children witnessing domestic violence and begin to establish effective solutions. It is main(prenominal) for advocacy groups and programs to support and nurture 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 frequent 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 life for everyone in the community. It is the ahead(p) 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 l ives both presently and long-term helps to create a more positive outcome for those involved. Intervention and proactive 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 unchangeable 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 plight 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 intend is to give voice to these victims, support their needs, and strengthen their lives.