Solutions to the Problem
Currently, domestic violence is a problem that is researched and monitored by various agencies. According to McLaughlin, Banks, Bellamy, Robbins, and Thackray (2014), different social care establishments try to create a system for possible interventions. However, the authors note that these agencies often fail to document their findings as well as some crucial data that can help scholars to research this issue further. For instance, it is hard to collect personal information regarding one’s ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and possible disability of domestic abuse victims due to multiple reasons. However, many approaches to domestic abuse are being implemented right now. McLaughlin et al. (2014) note that adult social care for victims of violence is underdeveloped in comparison to child care services and child protection. Jahanfar, Janssen, Howard, and Dowswell (2013) state that there is not enough sufficient evidence to evaluate all existing practices and establish their effectiveness. Moreover, it is possible that current solutions are not systematized enough for researchers to monitor their success.
The concept of addressing the cases of domestic violence is complicated by the fact that victims of domestic abuse cannot always adequately assess their situation and ask for help. Moreover, many ways of abuse cannot be detected easily. For example, while physical violence is not very hard to notice, such types as emotional and economic abuse often go unnoticed and thus cannot be evaluated in full. Moreover, pregnant women that suffer from domestic violence are also exposed to their child being affected by the same situation. While physical abuse can be stopped, the effects of it often result in mental issues, including anxiety, depression, and postpartum depression. Jahanfar et al. (2013) argue that interventions during one’s pregnancy do not show significant results in treating women’s mental condition. Therefore, the treatment of abuse victims is a complex problem that should be researched further.
Existing Solutions
Law enforcement
There are a number of approaches to the mitigation of the effects of domestic violence that can be outlined. First of all, violence is often treated by law enforcement practices that focus on preventing abuse from happening by distancing the abuser from the affected individuals. This type of solution offers physical protection to the victims. However, it does not assess the mental health and overall well-being of a person that encountered abuse. Moreover, while this solution is necessary to stop the actual domestic abuse from happening, it should not be viewed as the only way to prevent or treat the effects of violence. Furthermore, the problem of domestic violence is often ignored by law enforcement due to its highly private nature and complex emotional response from affected individuals. Therefore, this approach is currently underdeveloped and needs to be improved on the governmental level. For example, new ways of training can be devised to make police forces more knowledgeable on the topic of domestic violence.
Counseling
Another approach to domestic violence prevention and treatment is counseling. This solution also has its drawbacks. First of all, some counselors fail to appropriately address the issue of domestic abuse by approaching it as a family problem. Moreover, the process of counseling can induce conflict and engage in attitudes of victim-blaming. According to Berns (2017), the promotion of counseling as the best practice for treating domestic abuse can be damaging to a victim’s mental health as many counseling techniques focus not on the abuser but the victim. Moreover, these practices can treat women as though they can always change their partner or leave their relationship without any consequences. Thus, this approach needs further improvements.
New Solutions
The problems of the approaches described above are further complicated by the diversity of victims as well as types of abuse. These two solutions often do not address the victim’s data, including one’s age, socioeconomic situation, disability, and ethnicity. These factors can significantly influence the victim’s ability to address the situation. Thus, new and improved solutions should include special techniques for individuals that fall into various categories. For example, pregnant women have multiple complications connected to their ability to communicate their situation. Improved police forces should be instructed to address pregnant women and women with children cautiously and ensure the safety of all people affected by the issue. Simply arresting the perpetrator is not enough.
Counseling services should address women’s mental health regarding their behavior towards the abuser as well as their children. The approach to pregnant women should assess their attitude towards pregnancy and birth and recognize the onset of mental issues as soon as possible. Cattaneo and Goodman (2015) discuss the importance of empowerment for people recovering from domestic violence. This approach does not put the blame on victims and concentrates on active identification and pursuit of goals. Moreover, preventative recognition of violent behaviors is also a viable solution that should be implemented.
Conclusion
Domestic abuse is a complex issue that significantly impacts motherhood. Various treatments of this problem fail to recognize the specific needs of pregnant women and mothers and handle them unsuccessfully. The existing research regarding the issue of abuse during one’s maternity is insufficient. Thus, new solutions to this problem should be devised and implemented. Pregnant women, as well as other victims of domestic violence, can benefit from better counseling practices, educated law enforcement officials, developed child protection services, and advanced treatment of people from different social groups.
References
Berns, N. S. (2017). Framing the victim: Domestic violence, media, and social problems. New York, NY: Routledge.
Cattaneo, L. B., & Goodman, L. A. (2015). What is empowerment anyway? A model for domestic violence practice, research, and evaluation. Psychology of Violence, 5(1), 84.
Jahanfar, S., Janssen, P. A., Howard, L. M., & Dowswell, T. (2013). Interventions for preventing or reducing domestic violence against pregnant women. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 11, CD009414.
McLaughlin, H., Banks, C., Bellamy, C., Robbins, R., & Thackray, D. (2014). Domestic violence, adult social care and MARACs: Implications for practice. Web.