Einat Peled

Ending the cycle of violence : community responses to children of battered women

PART ONE: LIVING IN A VIOLENT CULTURE Introduction - Einat Peled, Peter G Jaffe and Jeffrey L Edleson Learning to be Violent - Myriam Miedzian PART TWO: SHELTERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS Assessment Following Violence-Witnessing Trauma - William Arroyo and Spencer Eth Individual Psychotherapy for the Traumatized Children of Abused Women - Louise Silvern, Jane Karyl and Toby Y Landis Process and Outcome in Small Groups for Children of Battered Women - Einat Peled and Jeffrey L Edleson Empowering Battered Women as Mothers - Joan Bilinkoff Parenting Groups for Men Who Batter - David J Mathews Advocacy for Children of Battered Women - Honore M Hughes and Michele Marshall PART THREE: CHILD PROTECTION AND THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM How Abused Women Can Use the Law To Help Protect Their Children - Joan Zorza Child Protection Services for Children of Battered Women - Carole Echlin and Larry Marshall Practice and Controversy Doing More Harm Than Good? Some Cautions on Visitation Centers - Martha McMahon and Ellen Pence PART FOUR: PREVENTION AND EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES Teach Your Children Well - Denise Gamache and Sarah Snapp Elementary Schools and Violence Prevention Violence Prevention Programs in Secondary (High) Schools - Marlies Sudermann, Peter G Jaffe and Elaine Hastings Strategies To Address Violence in the Lives of High Risk Youth - David A Wolfe et al Aboriginal Canadian Children Who Witness and Live with Violence - Claudette Dumont-Smith Conclusion - Einat Peled, Peter G Jaffe and Jeffrey L Edleson

The Ethics of Qualitative Social Work Research

A study cannot be a good study unless proper ethical standards have been maintained. This article examines ethical thinking and practice in qualitative social work research. A review of a randomly selected sample of articles published in social work journals in the past decade was conducted, centered around four main issues: (a) prevention of harm; (b) empowerment-related aspects of the research process; (c) research-related benefits for participants and others; and (d) researchers’ technical competence. Our findings suggest that, as a general trend, ethical considerations are marginal in most phases of the studies that are reported in our journals. This raises questions as to the meaning of ‘proper ethical standards’ in qualitative social work research and as to the extent research ethics are regarded as important by researchers and journal editors in our field.

The Fathering of Violent Men Constriction and Yearning

The study presented in this research note aims to expand our understanding of the experience of fathering for men who are violent toward their partners. The naturalistic qualitative methodology applied was shaped by phenomenological, feminist, and interpretative interactionist influences. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 abusive men identified through domestic violence intervention centers. The findings describe the drama of fathering for abusive men, centered on an inner dialogue between an experienced constriction and a yearning for a closer, deeper connection with their children. The discussion focuses on the meaning of fathering for abusive men, and possible applications for intervention are proposed.

The Mothering Perceptions of Women Abused by Their Partner

This study examined how abused women perceived their mothering. Findings reveal the women’s continuous struggle to function as good mothers in the face of the violence. Their main struggle—to create a buffer between “the children’s world” and the “violent world”—was directed at preventing the abuse from affecting their functioning as mothers, restraining and “fixing” their partner’s violence, and shielding their children from it. Although the women felt that they have succeeded in this task, they also referred to their children’s exposure to violence. The discussion centers on the split evident in the women’s narratives between their mothering and their experience of violence.

Multiple perspectives on groupwork with children of battered women

As this century ends there continues to be little public attention devoted to child witnesses of woman abuse and few social programs exist to meet their needs. This article presents the findings of a qualitative evaluation of a group program for children of battered women. Interviews were conducted with 16 mothers, 5 fathers, 9 group leaders, and 30 children who participated in 8 groups. Data also included observations of one complete group process (10 groups and 3 family sessions). Both intended and unintended results are presented and recommendations for practice are discussed.

Advocacy for Battered Women: A National Survey

The literature defining advocacy for battered women is almost nonexistent and there is no systematic research on its parameters. This article reports the results of a national survey of 379 advocacy services in the United States. Findings on organizational context, definitions of advocacy, client issues and concerns, advocate activities, and advocate interactions with other social systems are presented. Possible explanations of an apparent emphasis on individual over system change are discussed.

The Battered Women's Movement Response to Children of Battered Women: A Critical Analysis

An evaluation of societal responses to children of battered women in the last two decades reveals significant developments in professional awareness of the problem, knowledge about difficulties experienced by children, and services provided to children. Yet, current priorities and ideologies held by many in the battered womens movement (BWM) seem to interfere with attaining the goal of providing all children of battered women with the protection and support they need. This article critically analyzes the response of the BWM to children of battered women and outlines recommendations for change. Three major issues are examined: the perception of children as “secondary” victims, woman battering and child abuse, and battering men as fathers. It is hoped that the analysis offered will stimulate constructive discussion leading to an expansion and improvement of services to child witnesses of domestic violence.

Intervention with Children of Battered Women: A Review of Current Literature

Abstract Significant changes in societal response to the plight of children of battered women has taken place in the past 15 years. Still, many of these children are not getting the professional support they need. The focus of this paper is a review of the literature on intervention with children of battered women. The goals of the review are (a) to inform the reader about current modes of intervention with and for children of battered women and, (b) to identify gaps and shortcomings in the present state of intervention which may point at directions for future improvement. The paper starts with a presentation of recent research findings on major difficulties experienced by child witnesses in different phases of the violence. It then proceeds to examine current modes of intervention with and for children of battered women within five arenas: police, battered womens shelters, child protection services, community intervention programs, and visitation centers. An assessment of the current state of intervention with children of battered women concludes.

Children who witness women battering: Concerns and dilemmas in the construction of a social problem

Abstract The paper addresses major concerns and dilemmas involved in the process of constructing the phenomenon of children who witness woman battering as a social problem. Three main, interrelated aspects of this processdefinition, legislation and intervention — are discussed. We conclude with proposed implications for policymakers in this domain.

Predicting Children's Domestic Violence Service Participation and Completion:

This study was conducted at a large Midwestern domestic violence agency. It identified (a) the agencys potential child client population, (b) the agencys actual child client population, and (c) factors that enhance the likelihood of a childs participation in and completion of the agencys childrens program. The study sample included 194 children exposed to domestic violence associated with battered women and battering men. Analysis were performed on vanables associated with childrens participation in or completion of the program. Less than one third of the potential child client population used available services. A childs participation in services was closely associated with whether the child was living with his or her mother and the level of services provided to the mother. A childs completion of the program was associated with the level of services provided to that childs mother and father as well as with the childs age.