Assignment Instructions/ Description
ScenarioYou are conducting an initial family counseling session with the Robertsons. The familyincludes Dan Robertson (the father), Marie Robertson (the mother), and Peter Robertson (the10-year-old son). The family has been referred to you for counseling. Dan is an alcoholic and adrug addict. His substance abuse has contributed to many family problems. You notice in thesession that the only person talking is Dan. You also notice that when you encourage Peter andMarie to speak, they look at Dan prior to responding. Dan often interrupts and speaks for them.Answer the following questions:Can you identify any possible signs of domestic violence from this initial session? Thereare possible signs of domestic violence in this family, yes. I can see just by Dans behavior when Itry to ask Marie and Peter questions that he dominates the family. They are afraid of him forreasons I can’t understand yet. Making a judgement call from one session, I can see there areissues there, but can’t determine the specifics yet. Domestic violence comes in many forms, notjust physical, so there could be some emotional or mental abuse happening in the family. Todetermine physical abuse, I would have to do some further investigating and have moresessions with the family.What subjective and objective measures would you take to identify whether domesticviolence is occurring? Subjective information is information that is based on or influenced bypersonal feelings, tastes, or opinions. Knowing that, measures to identify DV in this scenario wouldbe to separate the family from each other and speak to them individually about things that may ormay not be going on. Just from what I witnessed, I would be interested to hear how Marie honestlyfeels when she is away from Dan. Objective information is information that is not influenced bypersonal feelings or opinions in considering and representing facts. Objective measures taken wouldbe things like having the family fill out a quiz that requires specific answers regarding their homesituation, such as the SOS Conjugal Interactive Questionnaire which is Twenty-five questions toidentify if different forms of intimate partner violence are present in your relationship with yourpartner or ex-partner. This free online tool is designed to 1) explore your situation objectively 2) putwords on your reality 3) help someone take a step back. The tool was created for people living inQuebec; however, it is useful no matter where you live.Describe the prevention methods that you would implement if domestic violence is notoccurring, although you suspect that it could be. If I cannot definitively prove that there isDV occurring, some methods I could use are: Teach safe and healthy relationship skillso Social-emotional learning programs for youtho Healthy relationship programs for couples Engage influential adults and peerso Men and boys as allies in preventiono Bystander empowerment and educationo Family-based programs Disrupt the developmental pathways toward partner violence
o Early childhood home visitationo Preschool enrichment with family engagemento Parenting skill and family relationship programso Treatment for at-risk children, youth and families Create protective environmentso Improve school climate and safetyo Improve organizational policies and workplace climateo Modify the physical and social environments of neighborhoods Strengthen economic supports for familieso Strengthen household financial securityo Strengthen work-family supportsDescribe the interventions that you would implement if you confirm that domesticviolence is occurring. Once I confirm domestic violence is taking place, some interventionsthat I would implement are: Help Marie call a women's shelter or domestic violence hotline for advice. Make the callat a safe time — when the abuser isn't around — or let her know to call from a friend'shouse or other safe location. Advise Marie to pack an emergency bag that includes items she will need when sheleaves, such as extra clothes and keys. Leave the bag in a safe place. Keep importantpersonal papers, money and prescription medications handy so that she can take themwith her on short notice. Have Marie find a safe place to go. Make sure she knows exactly where she will go andhow she will get there.An abuser can use technology to monitor telephone and online communication and to tracklocation. To maintain their privacy, I would also suggest to Marie and her son the following: Use phones cautiously. Your abuser might intercept calls and listen to yourconversations. An abusive partner might use caller ID, check your cellphone or searchyour phone billing records to see your call and texting history. Use your home computer cautiously. Your abuser might use spyware to monitor youremails and the websites you visit. Consider using a computer at work, at the library or ata friend's house to seek help. Turn off GPS devices. Your abuser might use a GPS device on your vehicle or your phoneto pinpoint your location. Frequently change your email password. Choose passwords that would be difficult foryour abuser to guess. Clear your viewing history. Follow your browser's instructions to clear any record of
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