Dermot Hurley

Children's observations of violence: I. Critical issues in child development and intervention planning

Children are often the unintended or indirect victims of wife abuse as witnesses of this violence in their family. Current research on these children and a conceptual framework to understand how this violence affects their development are outlined. The implications of this research are discussed in terms of several intervention strategies. The importance of primary prevention programs in school systems is stressed.

Children's Observations of Violence: II. Clinical Implications for Children's Mental Health Professionals

This paper discusses the clinical implications of our current knowledge about children exposed to violence. It highlights a number of typical case scenarios in which mental health professionals have responded inadequately to the issue of violence. Alternative strategies for assessing and treating children exposed to violence are offered which have both therapeutic and preventative value. Finally, a family based assessment and treatment approach, which may be appropriate in a number of cases, is suggested.

Trauma Exposure and the Social Work Practicum

In this study, 58 undergraduate and graduate students at 1 Canadian school of social work voluntarily completed a survey at the conclusion of their academic year consisting of open- and closed-ended questions intended to examine their exposure to trauma during the course of their field practice. The authors discovered that the majority of students entered the program having already experienced or been exposed to at least 1 significant traumatic incident. These ranged from verbal and sexual harassment, to having been stalked, to having experienced the death of a child or partner. Likewise, during their field practicum, the majority of these social work students experienced, or were exposed to, at least 1 incident that was emotionally or physically distressing. Although most instances neither occurred on a regular basis, nor had an overwhelming effect, a small number of social work students were exposed to traumatic incidents that were of significance to them. This fact was the result of the actions and beh...