Abstract
Domestic violence has become a rampant problem in the United Kingdom. Women and girls are facing this problem on a daily basis. This problem revolves around abuse of women at home by their spouses. In 2012 about 1.2 million of women suffered domestic violence. These women are sexually abused, and others are stalked. These problems affect the women who are threatened if they speak in public. The crimes become hidden and the women suffer in silence (Hague et al). Research conducted by the national British Crime Survey in 2001 suggests that one in five women that accounts for 21 % and 10 % of men have experienced domestic violence incident. However, there are actions taken by the government in conjunction with other organizations to help curb the problem of domestic violence. Women’s Aid is one of the organizations that use interagency approach to domestic violence. The organization aims at opening more projects near to the communities to help reduce the rate of domestic violence in UK. Interagency approach to domestic violence is becoming popular in UK. Organizations form partnerships and develop plans to help women suffering from domestic violence (Hague, 1996).
Executive summary
Women’s Aid and other refuges have been in the front line providing services and campaigning against domestic violence. The organization aims at reaching a large number of women suffering from domestic violence. Domestic violence is our major concern and we believe that the organization will help curb the problem. This is through the use of the available resources we have to attend to the victims. The organization has a team that work together to ensure effective services. The team consists of different professionals who possess excellent skills in their area of study. There are medical doctors, social workers, administrators and managers who work towards using the available resources to deliver effective services. The organizations also form networks with other organizations dealing with domestic violence. This aims at reducing the high instances of domestic violence in the country. The organization also partner with the communities who are aware of the domestic crisis happening in the community. They are provided with a help line and can report any case of domestic violence at a free cost. The organization uses campaign and forums as a strategy of creating awareness in the community. This helps reach many women who might be suffering silently with this problem (Hanmer, 2000).
Objectives
- To understand the use of interagency approach to domestic Violence
- To evaluate the extent of domestic violence in UK
- To evaluate interventions to Domestic violence
Literature review
Domestic violence can be physical, psychological, emotional, sexual or financial. This is an action that can be committed by an intimate partner or ex-partner. Domestic violence has become a major concern in the society today. Campaign against domestic violence has been on the increase and is included in the Britain Legislation. By the 20th century, the problem had increased and the silence was killing most women. Women are abused at their homes by their partners and their former partners. After these campaigns, women and their children who experiences domestic violence come to the centers set up to help them (Browne, 2013). Before the formation of agencies, women facing domestic violence could not find help from any person. They were not the responsibility of the social services department and the only help they got was concerning keeping the family together. The women were not considered homeless because they were believed to have home with their husbands. The police were not helpful, the assault was considered as minor and a family problem. The woman in this incident is seen to be a bother to the police and only wasting the police time. Women’s Aid helps women faced with domestic violence. The organization uses interagency approach that has faced a number of challenges. In another instance, the interagency initiatives are currently supported by organizations. The agencies organize forums to help create awareness of the problem. Some of the organizations include, police department, women’s aids and local agencies, social services or housing departments, victim support, and voluntary agencies among others. Women’s Aid is a national Charity working towards ending domestic violence against women and children. The agency supports more than 500 domestic and sexual violence services across the UK (Hague & Malos, 1997).
Findings
The organization uses different strategies to help curb the problem. This includes team working, multidisciplinary working, community engagement and community development. The agency helps 250000 women and children every year. The agency develops policies and work in partnerships with national and local agency to fight against domestic violence. The organization uses different interventions to help women and children affected by problem. This is through enforcing laws that help protect women abused by their partners. The agency works towards prevention of the problem. This is through campaigns and organizing education programs. These programs are offered to women who have been abused and those who have not been abused. The men who abuse their women are reached through campaigns and this helps preventing further incidents of domestic violence. The agency also provides provision intervention. They provide services to the women and children affected by domestic violence. For instance the agency has a national Domestic Violence Help line. The agency has a 24 hours system where staff responds to calls made by those abused at home. The agency partners with communities who report incidents and help those women suffering have the courage to speak out.
The agency has different strengths and weaknesses in its operation. The women’s Aid agency has power to change. It has been able to operate since in the 1970s. The agency has an excellent team of professionals who have been able to offer effective services to the clients. The agency has also been able to gather resources in form of fundraising that help support the women suffering from domestic violence. Through the resources, the organization has been able to organize education forums and campaigns that help create awareness of the problem. Poor coordination with other agencies has been a major problem. There are political challenges within the agencies that cause poor response to the problem.
Conclusion
Domestic violence is a major problem in UK. Women are greatly affected by the problem than their men counterparts. The women are sexually abused, battered and denied their right to live a happy life. This problem has existed for a long time with women suffering in silence. Efforts have been put in place to help reduce the incidences of domestic violence in UK. Agencies together with the government have partnered to eliminate this problem. This is through policy changes, campaigns and forums that help create awareness of the problem. Women’s Aid agency has intervened to help curb the problem through protection, prevention and provision of services.
References
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