Victims of domestic abuse

Questions1

Individuals undergoing domestic maltreatment hide the fact under a cover of circumstances. Whether the injury is physical or emotional, most victims stick to their situations. Moreover, threats form the perpetrator  of the abuse demoralizes the victims. Hence, it is necessary to address the following ways of reducing their plight.

In my opinion, Linda should admit the fact that she is in an abusive relationship. The realization will ease off the burden and take away the need to blame herself. An emergency number helps her respond anytime the husband threatens her or her child. Most governments have specific institutions that handle domestic abuse. When a victim calls these institutions, officers use geographic programming systems to locate the victim. Linda is responsible for ensuring her safety .First, she can decide to divorce her husband and get help from social workers before she can fully recover from trauma caused by the abuse (Sanderson, 2008). Her husband abuses both Linda and her son. This relationship is not healthy and can result in psychological damage in the long term. Therefore, relocating with her child will help to calm down the situation as she looks into other ways to fend for her child. Even if the child will end up at a care center, it is better than being in an abusive family. Assurance of confidentially can ease her situation as it will prevent her husband from further abuse. Linda can try to reach out to her extended family members for financial support. Family members can offer emotional support to her, provide shelter and food (Sanderson, 2008).  

An example of a real-life story

Roia Atmar lives in Western Australia. She established an institution, which caters to women escaping from abusive relationships. Roia was once a victim of domestic abuse. One-day her husband poured turpentine on her and set her whole body on fire. She suffered severe injuries from the burns from the incident. Hence, that incident opened her mind, and for the first time, she realized that she should leave before it was too late for her. After leaving the abusive relationship, she established the institution to accommodate other women (Sanderson, 2008). 

Question 2

Linda's husband falls under the differential association category (CRJ4OO1 W4 readings). This theory stipulates that when a perpetrator commits domestic violence, the underlying reasons for his action may be presently there in the situation or they may exist in his experiences. There is a connection between a perpetrator's past and his present actions. The theory explains clearly, a reason for him abusing his child and wife. In addition, everyone around him knows he is ill tempered. Any deviant behavior acquired or learned consciously or subconsciously affects the future of an individual. Peers are some of the groups that facilitate the spread of criminal act according to differential theory. At the tender age between adolescence and adulthood, children can acquire various behavior. Counseling of young adults helps to guide young people through a journey of life (CRJ4OO1 W4 readings).

 

Question 3

Linda cannot take the blame for not initiating any step or legal actions against her husband. First, domestic violence victims generally become weary and emotionally drained due to their situation. Most of them have low self-esteem inflicted on them by their abusive partners. More so, Linda depends on her husband entirely for her upkeep and that of her son. She cannot risk breaking her family. She has no options left. Therefore, it is unfair to lay all the blame on her. All she needs is support form family or neighbors who witnessed her husband beating and abusing her senselessly and take an action whether Linda likes it or not. Linda's situation is needs immediate attention from local authorities or her neighbors. The neighbors can decide to take necessary lawful action against Linda's abusive husband and offer support to the wife. People typically think that if they were in the victim’s shoes, in this context, Linda, they would leave at the first signs of abuse. What they fail to acknowledge is that moving is a process and cannot occur at the push of a button (Hague, Harvey, & Willis, 2012). Emotional reasons manipulate the victim's mind. The victim of abuse usually thinks the abuser will change with time but that never occurs. Attachment to the abuser can be another reason for staying. A relationship built on emotional connection between two people can have adverse effects when it becomes abusive. Linda may not have necessary skills to earn her decent leaving. This lack of required skills can make her husband acquire custody of the child as soon as Linda files for divorce. On the other hand, the perpetrator of the crimes can be the only source of support .Consequently; if Linda leaves, she will be socially isolated (Hague, Harvey, & Willis, 2012). he factors mentioned above can hinder her from taking any necessary actions against her husband. Despite these factors, the primary solution for her problem still lies with her taking the first step of recognizing the abusive relationship is not fruitful to her and the son.

 

 

 

References

CRJ4OO1 W4 readings

Sanderson, C. (2008). Counselling Survivors of Domestic Abuse. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Hague, G., Harvey, A., & Willis, K. (2012). Understanding adult survivors of domestic violence in childhood: Still forgotten, still hurting. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.