The things needed by a woman fleeing from domestic abuse Essay Example for Free

The things needed by a woman fleeing from domestic abuse Essay There are many things that one can do to support a woman who is attempting to flee from domestic violence. According to the Domestic Violence Victims Bill of Rights (Andrew Cuomo, 2008). The first critical thing that a survivor of domestic violence needs is assistance to get both her and any children to safety. Safety means to a shelter, or location where one’s partner will not look. Safety also means that the survivor of domestic violence will need legal assistance. Second, they will need legal and law enforcement assistance in obtaining Temporary Restraining Orders, and personal belongings. According to Strong DeVault and Sayad (2001), one fo the most critical things that can be provided for women fleeing from domestic abuse would be emotional and psychological support. This can be provided in any number of ways including, counseling, support groups, and family support networks. 4. 2. Discuss some of the general recommendations that family violence experts make for preventing family violence. Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001) make several suggestions that can be seen as effective in preventing situations in which family violence might occur. The first solution that is suggested by the experts is that society seeks to reduce societal problems such as, poverty, unemployment, low wages and other factors that contribute to situations of extreme stress within the family. The second suggestion made by Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001) is that both husbands and wives in a family need equal opportunities to achieve educational and career goals. The third key aspect of preventing family violence according to the experts is to educate men and women about family planning and birth control in order to avoid unplanned or unwanted pregnancy. The final method suggested by Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001) is to ensure that parents, specifically young parents are educated about parenting as well as about disciplinary methods that are non-violent in nature in order to break the multi-generational cycle of violence that is common to many families. Strong, DeVault, Sayad (2001) suggest that the daycare system be reformed and that preventative programs be developed to stop family violence before it becomes a problem for families. Finally, it is suggest that families receive assistance in developing social support networks in order to end social isolation that may be common in violent family situations. These suggests from the experts are only general however they can guide agencies and therapists who deal with family violence in creating policies and programs to deal with family violence. 4. 3. What is Divorce Mediation and what is its primary goal? Divorce mediation is primarily a means of resolving marital disputes resulting form divorce such as, property division and child custody, without involving the courts, or lawyers. This reduces the stress on the divorcing couple and allows them to settle without the hostility and arguing over these issues that is typically seen in divorce pursued through the court systems. Strong, DeVault, and Sayad (2001) argue that, this is critical for ensuring that the best possible results are obtained for the family in terms of child custody, visitation and child support. Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001) suggest that divorce medication can have a powerful influence on how well parents get along after a divorce and therefore how well children adjust to a situation of divorce. This means that family members are less likely to have problems if mediation rather than courts and lawyers are utilized in order to avoid hostilities. In fact, avoidance of hostility between divorcing family members is the primary goal of divorce mediation. 4. 4 Based on the work of Visher and Visher, discuss three structural characteristics that make the stepfamily different from the traditional first-marriage family? There are three main ways in which stepfamilies differ structurally from traditional nuclear families. According to Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001), one major way lies in the fact that one for both parents in a stepfamily may have differing custody arrangements for their children including, sole custody, joint custody, legal custody, physical custody or no custody of their children. Thus children that are brought into the marriage may spend differing amounts of time within the stepfamily and have differing rates of adjustment to living within a stepfamily. Second, the number of parents in the family differs from the traditional two parent family because a child may have a biological mother and father and anywhere from 1-4 stepmothers and stepfathers. This can create conflicts, as the child will have to face different rules and expectations with each family. Finally, Strong, DeVault and Sayad (2001) state that, stepfamilies are larger, and often have more complicated family system than traditional families. References James, Paula (1997) The Divorce Mediation Handbook: Everything You Need To Know. Jossey-Bass, New York, 240 Office of the New York State Attorney General (2008) Domestic Violence Victims Bill Of Rights Retrieved, August 11, 2008, from, http://www. oag. state. ny. us/family/domestic_violence. html Strong, Bryan, DeVault, Christine, and Sayad, Barbara, W (2001) The Marriage and Family Experience 9thEd, Wadsworth/Thomson Publishing, New York,