Strategies for Breaking the Cycle of Violence
Domestic and dating violence awareness is part of a broader global campaign to create solutions and interventions to break cycles of domestic violence. In 1977 in the United States, the “Take Back the Night” campaign, as well as the International Women’s Year Conference,shined a light on the issues of domestic violence and the need for more work to be done to eliminate it. In 1978, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence was created to help build shelters and grassroots services for victims, including sharing information and supporting research to help
better understand domestic violence. In 1980, teen dating violence also became a topic of discussion, as abused teens are more likely to enter a marriage where abuse is present. In 1981, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence created Domestic Violence Awareness week to connect advocates working to end domestic violence across the country. In 1989, Congress declared that October would be domestic violence awareness month. The activities across the United States had three common themes:
• Mourning those who have died because of domestic violence • Celebrating those who have survived domestic violence • Connecting those who work to end domestic violence
These efforts encouraged research on domestic violence and its solutions, awareness of domestic violence, and advocacy and legal protections for domestic violence victims. Campaign and coalition efforts also led to the creation of the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence, which helps professionals (police, medical providers, human services staff, and advocates at local, state and federal agencies) in the field. Organizations today are working to bring awareness of dating violence to college campuses, to address issues of abuse and assault in the military, and are in marginalized communities to help empower victims, as well as working toward social and cultural changes needed to stop domestic violence. Activities such as these are also conducted globally.
Social movements around domestic and sexual violence have done a lot to bring change around this issue. Currently, domestic violence in the military has become an important area of
advocacy work. The U.S. military has increased awareness and prevention programs in order to help combat these issues among its ranks. Image: Take Back the Night March. Authored by: Spc. Lauren Wanda. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Soldiers_march_to_ %27Take_Back_the_Night%27_150430-A-DP178-021.jpg. License: CC-0
Services play an important role in breaking the cycles of domestic violence. There are several types of services with different functions for victims. They are accessed by victims in different ways. These are discussed next.
Formal Help-Seeking: Police are often gatekeepers to services. Social services (including victims advocates and child protective services to help families) can become available for victims if police are notified of an incident. Changes in the legal code to increase mandatory arrest reflect the research that victims who know their perpetrator are less like to seek arrest and charges. Most states have mandatory arrest laws, which allow police to make an arrest if there is probable cause for them to do so, thereby taking the weight off the victims’ shoulders (Hamby, Finkelhor, & Turner, 2015).
Hamby, Finkelhor, and Turner (2015) suggested that referral by the police to services can be important. While many services are underfunded, police have opportunities to let victims know about shelters, hotlines, safety planning, and other interventions available in the community that can be helpful. In addition, advocate services become available for victims when they report to the police as well.
Social Services: IPV victims can use a number of services to escape their situations. Shelters are one of the more common services provided for victims and their children, although they tend to be underfunded, which means space for families can be limited. In addition, some shelters have restrictions on who can use them. For example, male IPV victims have limited opportunities for shelter and there may be restrictions imposed on teen sons accompanying their mothers to a shelter. Access to transportation, as well as the ability to pay for it, can be factors that victims need to overcome. Some shelters, and even police agencies, will help coordinate transportation for victims. Victims who need to leave in a hurry might also need clothing, toiletries, and other personal items once they leave their homes.
In addition, victims might need counseling, life skills training, job training, or educational opportunities in order to overcome their victimization. Many domestic violence agencies help victims get the right services.
Cathy Freeman, an athlete and indigenous advocate, meets with survivors to create social change and increased respect for women within indigenous communities. In the United States, 60 percent of American Indian and Alaska Native women will be physically assaulted, and 66 percent say they have been the victims of psychological aggression by a partner in their lifetime, which is higher than almost any other minority group. The majority of the perpetrators were non-natives (97 percent). The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) that passed in 2013, finally allowed tribal courts to try non-natives, giving increased access to protections for Native Women. Image: A meeting with domestic violence survivors. Authored by: Jason Pini/AusAID. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ File:Cathy_Freeman_talks_to_survivors_of_domestic_violence_(10679044746).jpg. License: CC-BY 2.0
Legal Services: Legal services are important in helping IPV victims. Victims need to be able to obtain a restraining order or separation or divorce services, which can be expensive. Some locations offer legal aid to victims to help them with the process. If a victim fled home with their family to escape the perpetrator, legal services can help force the perpetrator to leave the home so that the victim and family can return to it. If the perpetrator was arrested, the victim might need legal advice around pressing charges against the perpetrator as well.
Victim Advocates: According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, advocates offer information about legal and social services, emotional support, and can go to court with victims. Some advocates staff crisis hotlines, run support groups, or provide in-person counseling. In addition, advocates might also make court appearances for the victim in order to help them understand the process and ensure their voice is heard in legal proceedings. Advocates may be directly linked to the criminal justice system or be part of a nonprofit organization that helps victims. Additional duties might include the following:
• Providing information on victimization, crime prevention, legal rights and protections
• Helping victims with safety planning • Helping victims with victim compensation applications • Helping victims submit comments to courts and parole boards • Intervening with creditors, landlords, and employers on behalf of victims • Providing referrals for other services for victims • Helping to arrange funerals • Notifying victims of inmates’ release or escape