Grand Challenge Presentation

Build Healthy Relationships to end violence

Alexis Olivas November 16th 2024Heather F. HarcourtSWK 1010

Historical and Present Day Concerns:Violence in Relatoinships

Early Days (1500's-1970's

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America

The history of violence in the U.S. is a long and complicated one. From the early days of the country, violence has been a part of American society. In the 1500s and 1800s, domestic violence was not only tolerated but was also legally sanctioned. There have always been several challenges in violence prevention efforts. These include the complexity of the problem, with its deep roots in societal factors like poverty and inequality. Additionally, there's a need for more effective and comprehensive prevention strategies that address the diverse forms of violence.

The origins of domestic violence legislation can be found as far back as 753 B.C.

During the 1500s, early American settlers established laws based on old English common-law, which explicitly allowed wife-beating for correctional purposes.

The Massachusetts Puritans were the first to introduce laws against wife-beating in America during the mid 17th century. These laws were part of a broader criminal code rooted in their religious and humanitarian ideals regarding the proper treatment of women and children.

In 1848 a women’s rights movement that grew out of temperance and abolitionist protests held its first convention in Seneca Falls, NY, and formulated the Declaration of Sentiments

The year 1848 witnessed a significant development for women's rights with the first convention held in Seneca Falls, NY. This movement, which emerged from temperance and abolitionist protests, led to the creation of the Declaration of Sentiments.

IIn 1871, Alabama became the first state to rescind the legal right of men to beat their wives.

Baron, S. (2024). A Brief History of Domestic Violence. Nobler.com. https://nobler.com/a-brief-history-of-domestic-violence/‌level

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(Grand Challenges for Social Work, 2020) "

What is violence?Interpersonal violence is a broad term that encompasses any form of violence that occurs between individuals. It includes acts such as child maltreatment, family violence, and gender-based violence. Who it Affects: - Child Maltreatment: This refers to any act or failure to act on the part of a parent or caregiver that results in harm, potential for harm, or threat of harm to a child.- Gender-Based Violence: This refers to any form of violence that is directed at an individual based on their gender. It disproportionately affects women and girls and includes acts such as intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and femicide.

- Family Violence: This refers to any form of violence that occurs within a family or intimate relationship. It can include child abuse, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse.Why is this a social issue?Interpersonal violence is a pressing social justice issue due to its disproportionate impact on marginalized groups. This vulnerability stems from societal power imbalances, making it a critical area of concern within the broader social justice framework.

"Healthy relationships foster emotional resilience and strength. "

Modern Battles Against Violence

Sumner, S. A., Mercy, J. A., Dahlberg, L. L., Hillis, S. D., Klevens, J., & Houry, D. (2015). Violence in the United States. JAMA, 314(5), 478. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.2015.8371‌

The burden of violence: While significant strides have been made in reducing interpersonal violence rates in the US, the problem persists. Despite a decline in homicide rates from a peak in 1980 to 2013, and a similar trend in aggravated assault rates from 1992 to 2012, the annual figures remain alarming. Over 16,000 homicides and 1.6 million nonfatal assault injuries requiring treatment are recorded each year.Challenges to prevention: The article highlights several challenges in violence prevention efforts. These include the complexity of the problem, with its deep roots in societal factors like poverty and inequality. Additionally, there's a need for more effective and comprehensive prevention strategies that address the diverse forms of violence.

Prevention opportunities: Despite the challenges, the article identifies several opportunities for improving violence prevention. These include strengthening community-based programs, promoting healthy relationships, and addressing the root causes of violence. It emphasizes the crucial role of healthcare providers in identifying and assisting victims of violence, as well as in promoting prevention strategies.While progress has been made, a substantial burden remains. By acknowledging the complexities, investing in evidence-based prevention strategies, and engaging healthcare providers as key partners, further reductions in violence rates can be achieved

Social Work Roles and Values

Mezzo-level

Community organizing and education: Social workers engage with communities to raise awareness about interpersonal violence, challenge harmful norms, and promote healthy relationships. They organize prevention programs, facilitate workshops, and train community leaders. Collaboration with schools and organizations: Social workers partner with schools, faith-based organizations, and other community groups to implement violence prevention programs and create support networks for victims. Culturally relevant services: Social workers recognize the diverse experiences of individuals and communities and provide services that are culturally appropriate and responsive. They engage with community leaders and cultural brokers to ensure that services are accessible and effective.

Support

Relevant

Collaboration

Organizing

Social Work Roles and Values

Micro Level

Direct services to individuals and families: Social workers provide counseling, crisis intervention, safety planning, and support groups to victims of violence. They also work with perpetrators to address the root causes of their behavior and promote accountability. Advocacy and case management: Social workers help victims navigate legal and social systems, access resources, and obtain protection orders. They also advocate for policies and programs that support survivors and prevent violence. Trauma-informed care: Social workers recognize the impact of trauma on individuals and families and provide services that are sensitive to their needs. They create safe and supportive environments that promote healing and recovery

Direct services to individuals and families

Advocacy and case management:

Trauma-informed care

Macro-level

Macro-Level:Policy advocacy and research: Social workers advocate for policies that address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination. They conduct research to identify effective prevention strategies and inform policy decisions. Systems change and reform: Social workers work to improve the response of social service, legal, and healthcare systems to interpersonal violence. They advocate for trauma-informed practices, interagency collaboration, and culturally responsive services. Public awareness campaigns: Social workers engage in public education campaigns to challenge attitudes and beliefs that perpetuate violence. They promote positive social norms, healthy relationships, and gender equality.

Direct Services

Advocacy and resource connection

Prevention, education, policy and systems change

Social Work Response

In essence, social workers are at the forefront of efforts to end domestic violence. They provide essential support to survivors, work to prevent future violence, and advocate for a society where healthy relationships thrive.

Direct services: Social workers provide crucial support to survivors of domestic violence, including individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and safety planning. They help individuals understand the dynamics of abuse, develop coping mechanisms, and build a path toward healing and safety.Advocacy and resource connection: Social workers act as advocates for survivors, helping them navigate complex systems like legal aid, housing assistance, and public benefits. They connect individuals with resources to support their recovery and rebuild their lives.

Prevention and education: Social workers engage in community outreach and education to raise awareness about domestic violence, challenge societal norms that perpetuate abuse, and promote healthy relationship dynamics. This might involve workshops in schools, community centers, or collaboration with other organizations.Policy and systems change: Social workers are actively involved in advocating for policies that protect survivors and hold abusers accountable. They work to improve the responses of legal, healthcare, and social service systems to domestic violence.

These values provide a foundation for social work practice in this area. They guide social workers to approach their work with respect, empathy, and a focus on building healthy relationships as a pathway to ending violence.

Dignity and Worth of the Person:

Social workers uphold the inherent dignity and worth of every individual, creating a space for healing, empowerment, and accountability for both survivors and perpetrators of violence.

Importance of Human Relationships:

Recognizing the vital role of human relationships in well-being, social workers empower individuals to build healthy connections and strengthen their resilience against violence.

An average peer can take several actions to support the social issue of yielding healthy relationships to end violence, aligning with the goals of the "Building Healthy Relationships to End Violence" initiative:Educate Themselves: Learn about the dynamics of healthy relationships versus those that are unhealthy or abusive. Understand the signs of violence, including emotional, physical, and psychological forms. Promote Healthy Relationships: Model respect, equality, and consent in their own relationships. Encourage open communication and conflict resolution skills among their peers. Intervene When Necessary: If they witness or suspect violence or abusive behaviors, they should safely intervene or seek help from a trusted adult or authority figure. Bystander intervention can be crucial in preventing escalation.

Plan Of Action

Fellow Student

Interpersonal violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan. Social workers have a unique opportunity to intervene and promote healthy relationships to end violence. One action social workers can take, regardless of their area of practice, is to educate themselves and others on the dynamics of healthy relationships. This includes increasing awareness of the signs of unhealthy or abusive relationships and promoting positive relationship skills such as respect, equality, and consent. By empowering individuals with knowledge and skills, social workers can contribute to building healthier relationships and reducing violence.

Plan of Action

Social worker

Plan of action

Personal

My personal action plan to address the issue of violence and promote healthy relationships is grounded in the principles of the "Building Healthy Relationships to End Violence" initiative. It is informed by my growing understanding of the dynamics of healthy and unhealthy relationships, the importance of bystander intervention, and the need for ongoing self-education.My social work major is providing me with the knowledge, values, and skills necessary to effectively address this issue. I am learning about:The Dynamics of Violence: My coursework is helping me understand the complex dynamics of violence, including its causes, consequences, and the various forms it can take.Intervention Strategies: I am learning about evidence-based intervention strategies to prevent violence and support survivors.Advocacy and Policy Change: My program is teaching me how to advocate for policy change and systems reform to address the root causes of violence.Ethical and Culturally Responsive Practice: I am learning how to practice ethically and in a culturally responsive manner, ensuring that my work is inclusive and equitable.I believe that my social work education is empowering me to make a meaningful contribution to building healthier relationships and ending violence.

Educating Myself: I am actively learning about the complexities of interpersonal violence, including its causes, consequences, and the various forms it can take. I am also learning about the dynamics of healthy relationships, emphasizing respect, equality, and consent.

Modeling Healthy Behaviors: In my own relationships, I strive to model respect, open communication, and healthy conflict resolution. I believe that by embodying these principles, I can inspire those around me to do the same.

Bystander Intervention: When I witness situations that could potentially escalate to violence or abuse, I try to safely intervene or seek help from a trusted person or authority figure. I believe that bystander intervention is crucial in preventing violence.

Deeper Understanding: I want to deepen my understanding of the root causes of violence, including systemic factors like poverty, inequality, and discrimination. This will enable me to better address the issue at its core.

Skill Development: I plan to further develop my skills in conflict resolution, communication, and bystander intervention. These skills will equip me to better promote healthy relationships and prevent violence.

Community Engagement: I hope to become more involved in community-based initiatives that promote healthy relationships and address violence. This could involve volunteering at a local organization, participating in awareness campaigns, or advocating for policy change.

This hotline provides confidential support, information, and resources to victims of domestic violence, as well as to friends and family members who are concerned about someone they know.

Their website offers a wealth of information on healthy relationships, violence prevention, and intervention strategies.

Resources

For you

The National Domestic Violence Hotline:

800-799-7233

Futures Without Violence:

(415) 678-5500

An, S. (n.d.). Social work implications of the family violence option. University of Houston. https://uh-ir.tdl.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a41910ae-451f-445b-9507-fe7ab3a09e56/content

Domestic Violence Timeline. (n.d.). Www.pacwrc.pitt.edu; The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center. https://www.pacwrc.pitt.edu/Curriculum/310DomesticViolenceIssuesAnIntroductionforChildWelfareProfessionals/Handouts/HO3DomesticViolenceTimeline.pdf

Futures Without Violence. (2019). Futures Without Violence. Futures without Violence. https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/‌

Futures Without Violence. (2019). Futures Without Violence. Futures without Violence. https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/‌

references

bibliography/publications

National Domestic Violence Hotline. (2018). The National Domestic Violence Hotline. The National Domestic Violence Hotline. https://www.thehotline.org/‌

National Association of Social Workers. (2021). NASW Code of Ethics. National Association of Social Workers. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English‌

author, T. U. W. (2023, March 21). Social Workers Are Critical in the Fight Against Domestic Violence. Touro University WorldWide. https://www.tuw.edu/school-news/domestic-violence-social-worker/‌

Baron, S. (2024). A Brief History of Domestic Violence. Nobler.com. https://nobler.com/a-brief-history-of-domestic-violence/‌

The Issue. (n.d.). https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/BHR-One-Pager-FINAL.pdf

Grand Challenges for Social Work. (2020, January 2). Grandchallengesforsocialwork.org. https://grandchallengesforsocialwork.org/build-healthy-relationships/‌

Domestic Violence Timeline. (n.d.). Www.pacwrc.pitt.edu; The Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center. https://www.pacwrc.pitt.edu/Curriculum/310DomesticViolenceIssuesAnIntroductionforChildWelfareProfessionals/Handouts/HO3DomesticViolenceTimeline.pdf‌

In the 1900s, attitudes toward domestic violence began to change. The first family court was created in 1911, and in 1919, women were given the right to vote. The civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s also helped to raise awareness of domestic violence. In the 1970s, the battered women's movement began to emerge. This movement helped to change public attitudes toward domestic violence and led to the creation of shelters and other services for victims of abuse.In the 1980s and 1990s, several laws were passed to protect victims of domestic violence. These laws made it easier for victims to get restraining orders and increased penalties for abusers.