Domestic Violence and Children in a Multi-Cultural Context

Domestic Violence and Children in a Multi-Cultural Context

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

www.yoursocialworker.com

This presentation discusses domestic violence and impact on children. The content of this presentation may trigger distress. Please do what is necessary to take care of your needs during this presentation in the event of distress.

Please take care of yourself


What are the impacts of domestic violence on children using a developmental framework and what cultural factors influence those impacts?

Domestic Violence and Children

Ages and Stages

Culture

Piagetian Theory and our Role as Helpers

Hostile, abusive or neglectful behaviour targeted at the child directly by parent or adult in the home


Domestic Violence Defined from a Child Perspective

Child’s direct exposure to acts of violence between adults in the home as in the case of seeing, hearing or smelling abusive behaviour

Child’s indirect exposure to acts of violence as when seeing bruises, broken objects, distressed parent, blood or other evidence in the aftermath

Seeing it Hearing it Being awakened by it Being injured by it Being ripped from mother's arms Having toys broken Being born prematurely Being hit while in mom's arms Being thrown

Physical injury Death Fright Being traumatized by it Sleep disturbances Eating disturbances Being colicky or sick Insecurity because of being

cared for by a traumatized mom Not responsive or cuddly


0 – 1 year old

Ways of Being Drawn In Effects of Abuse

Source: http://www.familyrefugecenter.com/effecton.html

Seeing it Hearing it Trying to stop altercation Becoming abused themselves Being used as a physical

weapon against the victim Being interrogated by perpetrator

about victims activities Being held hostage by

perpetrator

Acting out violently Withdrawal Trouble with other kids Delayed toileting Eating problems Nervous, jumpy Sleep problems Insecurity, fear and Depression


2 – 4 Year Olds



Seeing & hearing it Picking 1 parent to defend Physically intervening Calling the police Running to neighbors for help Being used as a spy against

Mom Forced to participate in attack on

Mom Being physically or sexually

abused to control Mom Being restricted from contact

with others

Fear & insecurity Low self esteem Withdrawal/depression Running away Early drug/alcohol use School problems Bedwetting Sexual activity Becoming caretaker of adults Being embarrassed by one's

family


5 – 12 Year Olds



Killing/trying to kill perpetrator Trying to stop the abuse Hitting parent or siblings Becoming physically abused Being used as a spy Being used as a confidante Being coerced by perpetrator to

be abusive to mom

School problems Social problems Sexual activity Shamed & embarrassed Truancy Super-achiever at school Tendency to get serious

relationships too early to escape home

Depression Suicide Alcohol/drug use Confusion about gender roles


Teen Boys and Girls



Learning that males are violent Learning to disrespect women Using violence in his own

relationships Confusion or insecurity about

being a man Attacking parents or siblings

Learning that male violence is normal

Learning that women don't get respect

Accepting violence in her own relationships

Embarrassed about being female Becoming pregnant


Gender Specific Effects

Effects Specific to Boys Effects Specific to Girls


Thinking constantly about the traumatic event.

Having nightmares.

Avoiding places, people, or activities that re-mind them of the event.

Losing interest in doing things that they liked before.

Feeling alone, empty, sad, anxious, or uncaring.

Becoming irritable, angry, and easily startled.


Domestic violence has an impact on children

Behavioral, social, and emotional problems◦ higher levels of aggression, anger, hostility,

oppositional behavior, and disobedience; fear, anxiety, withdrawal, and depression; poor peer, sibling, and social relationships; low self-esteem.

When children are exposed to domestic violence, it shows…


Cognitive and attitudinal problems◦ lower cognitive functioning, poor school performance,

lack of conflict resolution skills, limited problem-solving skills, acceptance of violent behaviors and attitudes, belief in rigid gender stereotypes and male privilege.

It hurts them…


Long-term problems◦ higher levels of adult depression and trauma

symptoms, increased tolerance for and use of violence in adult relationships

…and can last a lifetime.


Difficulty with trust Difficulty forming relationships Mental health issues -

anxiety/depression/PTSD Shame, Embarrassment Desensitization to violence and abuse which

may result in an inability in both victim and perpetrator to assess risk.

Impact of Exposure On Child Come Adult


Culture: The system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through (social) learning.(Italics mine)

http://www.umanitoba.ca/faculties/arts/anthropology/courses/122/module1/culture.html

Culture?


Culture in a Multi-Cultural Context

Family

ImmediateCommunity

LargerCommunity


…shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviours, and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another…

Children move through cultural contexts with age…

Family

ImmediateCommunity

LargerCommunity


Infants and toddlersPreschoolersSchool age Adolescence

Patriarchally organized families Isolation, Fear of racism, (I’m already different

enough) Language barriers, Uncertain immigration status, Pressures to keep the marriage going Children as chattel View of “Authorities”

Cultural Factors as Intervening Variables in Domestic Violence for Adults (and by extension, children)

Schema, Assimilation and Accommodation: According to Piagetian Thinking…


A schema is the basic building block of intelligence and serves as a representation of an aspect of the world;

When new information that challenges a schema is encountered, the person goes through a process of disequilibrium (cognitive dissonance) until the challenge to the schema is resolved.

The disequilibrium is resolved through the processes of assimilation and accommodation.


Schema:Dog = 4 legs

TailFloppy ears

furry

New experience:Dog licks and barks

disequilibrium

New schema:Dog = 4 legs

TailFloppy ears

FurryLicks

Barks

Assimilation



Schema:Dog = 4 legs

TailEars

FurryLicks

Barks

New experience:

Animal meows!

disequilibrium

New SchemaCAT! = 4 legs

TailEars

FurryLicks

BarksMeows

Accommodation

Meow


Domestic Violence and Disequilibrium…

Resolution?(Depends upon experience)

Assimilation:I get bullied – I'm not safe anywhere; I am not of value…

Accommodation:Someone intervenes and keeps me safe – Violence is unacceptable and I am of value…


We are here to help keep people safe and to resolve the disequilibrium:

◦ Violence is unacceptable regardless of culture.

◦ Everyone has the right to safety and security of the person.

◦ Conflict resolution is a skill that can be taught/learned.

◦ Resolving dysfunctional cognitive schema in favour of functional

cognitive schema.

Role of Helpers?


Intervening on behalf of children subject to domestic violence with due consideration to cultural variables.

[Session I–Thursday November 22: 2:45-4:15 pm]

Gary Direnfeld, MSW, RSW

Diverse Voices – Family Violence ConferenceNEXT:


Domestic Violence and Children in a Multi-Cultural Context

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