The grab of the arm, a shove in the back, or even a smack across the face may seem like a minor incident of dispute between two people; however no arguments should ever result in a physical altercation. But unfortunately it happens, causing the eruption of violence that often results in domestic abuse of battered women. While the abuser usually says that it will never happen again, it usually does, victimization by domestic violence is usually not a single event. If a woman is abused once, her risk of further abuse is high, and this abuse often becomes not only more frequent over time, but more severe (Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, n.d.).
Even when the women experience this violence for the first time, she stays with this person because she believes him when he says he loves her and won’t do it again. The traumatizing violence frequently leaves the bruises of destruction, but what becomes of the psychological damages that have deeply penetrated within? These are all a part of the four stages of Battered Women Syndrome (BWS). As the events of violence continue, the emotionally scarred women go through a period of denial, guilt, enlightenment, and finally responsibility (Mama’s Health, 2013).
In the final step of responsibility, these women must now look for help for their children’s’ sake as well as for their own safety. The author identifies the problem as women in need and because of their psychological state of abuse, it must be understood that as the advocate acknowledging their possible needs; emergency medical help, psychological therapy, continued education, and/or safe housing.
Once the needs have been established, the author’s goal would be to immediately suggest the removal from the domestic violence environment, some clients may choose to stay for various reasons such as; religious beliefs, the threats of their spouse/boyfriend/partner, cultural backgrounds, or just afraid to be without this person. Consequently realizing the client may not want to pursue this action, as the advocate, the responsibility is to successfully work with the client, although the goals may not be the same. But as the advocate trying to provide assistance for the client in this situation, the author would present the following goals for the client as a safety plan;
1. Provide emergency medical assistance for any visual damages, including broken bones that may have been sustained during altercation.
2. Suggest a temporary battered woman’s shelter that would take her and her children out of immediate danger, with the assistance from local authorities, if needed.
3. Determine if client has or does have a history of drugs or alcohol abuse that may require additional resources.
4. As a result of the domestic violence for any period of extended time, the author’s goal will include therapy sessions for her, and possible sessions for her children since they have also been affected by the violence.
5. Often times when these women stay in these situations it’s because they feel that they can’t do any better, or because financially dependent on their abuser. Advocate will also include in the goals the abilities and resources to pursue their continuing education to achieve a certification or degree that will help provide self-financial support.
6. The ultimate strategic goal of the advocate’s role is to help the client to maintain a healthy, safe environment for herself and her children; physically, mentally, and emotionally.
In closing, the author has determined that battered women’s syndrome is more than a problem, it is a disease. It is a disease that approximately 1.3 million women a year are physically abused by their intimate partners (National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 2007).
Resources:
Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence. n.d. “National Statistics”. Retrieved March 1, 2013 from http://www.domesticpeace.com/ed_nationalstats.html
Mama’s Health. (2013). “Battered Women’s Syndrome”. Retrieved March 2, 2013 from http://www.mamashealth.com/abuse/bwomensyndrome.asp
National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. (2007). “Domestic Violence”. Retrieved March 2, 2013 from http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf
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