Capstone Unit 6 for Human Services
Associates Capstone for Human Services
HN299-01
Surviving in a Domestic Violence Relationship
Unit 6 Project
Kaplan University
May 1, 2011
Sharon Sanders
A few days after I have left a message on her phone that I called Teresa appear in my office with a black eye, broken nose, and bandaged hand. She says that she fell and will be fine soon. She apologizes for not calling me back and tells me to not worry about her or the children because they would continue to live with her boyfriend. He is paying the bills now and has promised to buy all of the children new school clothes; they have never had new school clothes before. I was shocked by her appearance and asked her again about the bruises. She now says that she may have fallen accidentally when her boyfriend pushed her, but that it was her fault because she knew better than to anger him.
The first thing that comes to my mind after seeing the appearance of my client is that knowing that treating domestic violence victims requires specialized training even though many people believe that short term counseling and advocacy are what is necessary to successfully treat domestic violence victims, many times a long term approach needs to be taken in an effort to work through the abuse and to help victims to not get into future relationships that are abusive. These factors are essential in beginning sessions, most all victims of abuse have experienced emotional trauma as a result of being in an abusive relationship. Dealing with these issues takes time, and cannot be worked through in just a few sessions. After these issues have been
HN299-01
Surviving in a Domestic Violence Relationship
Unit 6 Project
Kaplan University
May 1, 2011
Sharon Sanders
A few days after I have left a message on her phone that I called Teresa appear in my office with a black eye, broken nose, and bandaged hand. She says that she fell and will be fine soon. She apologizes for not calling me back and tells me to not worry about her or the children because they would continue to live with her boyfriend. He is paying the bills now and has promised to buy all of the children new school clothes; they have never had new school clothes before. I was shocked by her appearance and asked her again about the bruises. She now says that she may have fallen accidentally when her boyfriend pushed her, but that it was her fault because she knew better than to anger him.
The first thing that comes to my mind after seeing the appearance of my client is that knowing that treating domestic violence victims requires specialized training even though many people believe that short term counseling and advocacy are what is necessary to successfully treat domestic violence victims, many times a long term approach needs to be taken in an effort to work through the abuse and to help victims to not get into future relationships that are abusive. These factors are essential in beginning sessions, most all victims of abuse have experienced emotional trauma as a result of being in an abusive relationship. Dealing with these issues takes time, and cannot be worked through in just a few sessions. After these issues have been
References: Mom’s leaving an Abusive Relationship Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www. helpforsinglemother.net Unity House Retrieved May 1, 2011 from www.unityhouseny.com