NCJ Number
54647
Date Published
1978
Length
19 pages
Annotation
PROCEDURES FOR TRAINING SOCIAL WORKERS AND SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS FOR DEALING WITH VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES ARE DESCRIBED, AND THE DYNAMICS INVOLVED IN DEALING WITH ACTUAL OR POTENTIAL VIOLENCE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
IT IS NOTED THAT SOCIAL WORKERS, UNLIKE THE POLICE, HAVE NEITHER THE AUTHORITY NOR TEMPERAMENT FOR DEALING WITH VIOLENCE. ADDITIONALLY, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE IN SUCH A WAY THAT THE SITUATION IMPROVES AND POSITIVE VALUES DEVELOP. THE NATURAL TENDENCY OF SOCIAL WORKERS ENCOUNTERING VIOLENCE IS BELIEVED TO BE EITHER PANIC OR A DETACHMENT THAT INHIBITS THE SOCIAL WORKER FROM RELATING TO THE CLIENTS' PROBLEMS. TRAINING SOCIAL WORKERS TO DEAL WITH VIOLENCE SHOULD INCLUDE HELPING THEM TO ACCEPT THE FEAR WITHIN THEMSELVES STIMULATED BY ACTUAL OR ANTICIPATED VIOLENCE WITHIN A CLIENT'S FAMILY. THIS INCLUDES RECOGNIZING THE FEAR-INDUCED MENTAL PROCESSES OF FANTASIES OF DANGER AND TRAGIC OUTCOMES. ACCEPTANCE OF ONE'S FEELINGS PREVENTS DETACHMENT AND PROVIDES CONTROLS FOR PANIC. COURAGE, THE ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT FOR FACING AND DEALING WITH VIOLENT SITUATIONS, IS CONSIDERED TO BE THAT ELUSIVE PERSONALITY CHARACTERISTIC THAT ENABLES A PERSON TO ACT IN THE FACE OF FEAR WITH SKILL AND EFFECTIVENESS. THE PROCESS OF ACCEPTING ONE'S OWN FEAR IN THE FACE OF VIOLENCE IS BELIEVED BEST DONE IN SITUATIONS OF ROLE PLAY OR IN GROUP SESSIONS WITH PEERS WHERE FIELD WORK EXPERIENCES ARE ANALYZED. SKILLS FOR DEALING WITH PARTICULAR TYPES OF SITUATIONS CAN ALSO BE CULTIVATED THROUGH DESIGNED ROLE PLAYS AND ANALYSIS OF ACTUAL SITUATIONS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT SOCIAL SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS SHOULD PROVIDE A STRUCTURE OF PEER SUPPORT UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF TRAINED PERSONNEL WHEREBY INDIVIDUAL SOCIAL WORKERS CAN DEAL WITH FEELINGS AND DEVELOP APPROACHES ASSOCIATED WITH SITUATIONS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. SPECIFIC SUGGESTIONS FOR HANDLING FAMILY VIOLENCE ARE OFFERED. A BRIEF LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED. (RCB)