Importance of Domestic Violence Policy & Resource Awareness

Research suggests that survivors of domestic violence often stay in violent situations because of the fear of leaving being stronger than the fear of staying. Knowing this, it was important to me to create an artifact that would limit the barriers to resource accessibility and policy knowledge for this population. Survivors can often be fearful to seek out support or assistance in these vulnerable situations, so creating a policy fact sheet that could be readily available and precise to crucial points was also important in order to alleviate further barriers. The larger aim and impact was also to address the difficulties in access to policy education that is related in order to help prevent further incidents and create a culture where aggression and control of intimate partners can be mitigated. The more survivors know concerning access to appropriated funds and family/individualized safety rights, the more able they may be to act autonomously and seek support.

Goals/Objectives of Work

The goal of this artifact was to identify critical policies that can be influential to survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence. Other goals were to limit accessibility to appropriations and resources that can be impactful to individuals and family systems. The objective of this artifact was to spread awareness of the rights survivors, families and those affected by have in these situations, but also to spread awareness concerning the barriers that may be further impending on these individuals and families.

Tasks Completed & Impact of Project

I chose this issue to highlight the effects domestic violence may have on family systems and individuals affected by DV. When researching this topic further again, a report suggested that children who have witnessed domestic violence often experience long-term physical and psychological effects. They are at an increased risk for PTSD, anxiety and depression. Additionally, survivors of abuse face ongoing and challenging affects after enduring physical, mental and emotional abuse that can last a lifetime. Further knowledge concerning individual and family policy rights can better enable those to seek additional information that can serve positive impacts on attitudes to violence. The looming and unprecedented fear that accompanies survivors during these vulnerable situations should be validated. Furthermore, my professional and personal interest inspired me to create an artifact that could be impactful in limiting the barriers to available resources and supports. This was exemplified by creating a fact sheet that could be to the point of critical elements, educational to aspects of power and control, and that included additional sources for each agenda.

Lessons Learned

I learned that although seeking help, support, or assistance may seem like an easy task to do, survivors of domestic violence are much more concerned for their immediate needs and safety. Their ability to reach out is limited under a lens of power and control. Many survivors are enduring several forms of abuse that may include a variation of economics, coercion, intimidation, emotion, isolation, blame, use of children, and male privilege. Additionally, the dynamics involved in these situations may not always be easily able to identify, and may take several attempts before momentum can be established enough to continue through with supports. However, limiting any barriers to accessible knowledge concerning family and individual rights can be impactful to these client systems as many fear they are limited in options. I also learned that there is much need for further advocacy concerning survivor rights, as some policy is especially contingent on government appropriations and the lack of employment safeguards.

Skills, Competencies &/or Capacities Learned

• Identify and use knowledge of MO State and Federal Policy that can be impactful to survivors and family systems of DV & IPV
• Use knowledge concerning the Power and Control Wheel to advocate for survivors of DV/IPV
• Research and apply knowledge of long-term effects of DV/IPV on diverse populations
• Use knowledge of the effects of violence, historical trauma and discrimination on client and client systems to guide policy fact sheet formulation
• Contribute to the theoretical knowledge base of the social work profession through practice-based research
• Identify and use of policy to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services