Monday, January 27, 2020

Reviewing The Challenges Of Domestic Violence Social Work Essay

Reviewing The Challenges Of Domestic Violence Social Work Essay The widespread of hidden challenges living with violence has occurred in the case study. The Australia National Committee on Violence Against Women 1992, coin the term domestic violence as a means to control women which can result in physical, sexual and or psychological harm, enforced social isolation, economic deprivation and or intimidation, and ultimately causes women to live in fear ( Seeley Plunkett, 2002, p.12). It is essential that I as a counsellor not only recognise domestic violence (DV). I need to understand DV in the context of everyday living, if I am to work with clients or this client. DV is considered to be one of the most common forms of assault, as crime data reveals that assault against the person is a significant offence category, and can happen to anyone however, the problem is often unnoticed, excused, or denied (Holmes et al., 2007). Meanwhile, DV traditionally has been viewed as a private matter and thus not defined as a criminal offence, its incidence has b een difficult to quantify, as the occurrence is geographical in all areas of Australia plus all socioeconomically and cultural groups (Seeley Plunkett, 2002). Subsequently the paper has four themes. Social, legal and ethical issues raised. Personally and professionally challenges. An expressed plan for working with this client, in light of the challenges and best practice. A discussion of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Association (PACFA) code of ethics and related legislations including the usefulness of both in relation to the issues in the case study. Social, Legal and Ethical Issues Raised Domestic violence is a matter of considerable concern; it is difficult to predict the escalation of violence in this situation. Yet, the enduring negative effects of social, legal, and ethical issues of DV in this case study, is a serious problem that is affecting not only the mother, but her children. It would be comforting for her to think that her children are not affected by DV; perhaps she considers the children may be too young to perceive, or understand what is happening. This client is unable to respond appropriately to the childrens needs, because of the impact it is having on herself (Seeley Plunkett, 2002). The statement made by the children, express that they are aware of the violence, and are not fooled by their mothers attempt to conceal it. However, the mother present unawareness in her situation, therefore, her marriage conflicts and fights will have a significant effect on how secure her children feel, in turn significantly affecting their future, and emotional adju stments where they may emulate the violence behaviour, and perceive it as been normal (Seeley Plunkett, 2002). Social issues. The social issue of violence in the family home, is one damaging position in family life that knows no boundaries, it addresses all socioeconomic, racial, ethnic, gender and age boundaries. Social learning theory is widely applied to understanding the impact of DV on children it holds that we learn to be aggressive by observing aggression in others, and individuals raised in a society with violent role models will learn aggressive responses (Bandura, 1973). Thus, this clients modelling, along with her husband plays a distinctive role around their children future behaviour as been learned and reinforced in their childhood directly or indirectly and then carried onto their adulthood as a socialized means of coping with conflict resolution (Bandura, 1973). The childrens social problems of feeling isolated, lacking confidence in their own abilities, developing an understanding of not actuality being able to fit in, have trouble trusting because of the violation of the primary keeping with their parents (Davies, Lyon, Monti-Catania, 1998). Following this, the client as a battered women may include social and financial risk that are essential to her in making a decision to leave; perhaps her thoughts are how she will arrange for herself and her children, where will she find housing, money to feed her family (Davies et al., 1998). Society has the tendency to make judgement on female victims, and survivors of DV, regardless of them feeling utter shame about DV, where they are blaming themselves, understanding of society is that women choose to stay and for that reason it is her fault because she could leave if she wanted Geller, 1992 (as cited in Seeley Plunkett, 2002). Social isolation is another factor, which becomes a powerful factor in abuse, and neglect. Victims pull away physically and emotionally from other family member, friends, and communities in whom they live in order to hide the shame of their interactions, and silence themselves to survive (Kurst Swanger Petcosky 2003). This contribution may be a result of the abusers assertion of power and control, by restricting their victims movements and social contacts or by monitoring them carefully. Gelles, 1997 (as cited in Kurst- Swanger Petcosky, 2003) found the difficulty lies in the fact that where privacy is high, the degree of social control will be low (p.10). Legal issues. A legal response must be justified when victims are subjected to DV, I have a duty to protect, and warn, and willing to breach client- counsellor confidentiality with the inform consent of this client, especially when the safety of others are at risk. Educating this client with the Family Violence Protection Act 2008 (Vic) (FVPA) will allow her to understand FVPA has aims, and objectives to include that non-violence is a fundamental social value, family violence is a fundamental violation of human rights, and that the justice system treat the views of victims of family violence with respect. (Peirce, 2009, para.7). Thru acknowledging this kind of family violence, and the impact on children through the process beyond physical, sexual violence to emotional, psychological, economic abuse, it may extend beyond the overt of exploitation of power imbalances (Peirce, 2009). FVPA states one must maximise safety for children and adults who have experienced family violence, prevent and reduce family violence to the greatest extent possible; and promote the accountability of perpetrators of family violence for their actions (Violence Protection Act 2008 Vic, s.1).The client will then realise that the aim of the family act objective is to provide an effective and accessible system of family violence intervention orders and family violence safety notices; and creating offences for contraventions of family violence intervention orders and family violence safety notices (Violence Protection Act 2008 Vic, s.2). The client does not seem to think that there is any potential danger, regardless of the black eye present Walker, 1987 (as cited in Seeley Plunkett, 2002) suggest that unless safety is addressed then victims are at risk, and for this reason it would benefit the client to know that I am concerned, this client must also understand that Children and Young Persons Act 1998 Vic, states that a child is at risk if the child has been exposed to domestic violence and if the parent has behaved in such a way that the suffered (children) or is at risk of suffering(s.23). The children are aware, so reinforcing this knowledge will help her to stop concealing DV as an accident. Furthermore the law of Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006(Vic) sets out our freedoms, rights and responsibilities, it has the potential to protect clients in DV situation from injustice which will benefit this client, she has the opportunity to participate in and contribute to society(Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 Vic). In doing so there is accountability for the abuser, protection for her, and the children according to their best interest without discrimination, safety needs must take precedence, as families are entitled to protection. This includes counsellors constraining their ethical duties by safeguarding the victims and reporting concerns. Ethical issues. Counsellors have an ethical responsibility to their clients DV situations, because of the ethical dilemmas it presents and the risk in engaging in unethical practice. I must provide a session, and treatment that is ethically sound which takes into an account of acknowledging complete autonomy for the client best interest, and autonomy for her children, counsellors would benefit from the copious knowledge of, and competence that state laws, and ethical standards present in their relevant organization, and association, for me it would be (PACFA). The ethical dilemma in this situation is one of protecting the client and children, thus having to make a decision to where I might have to break confidentiality. Another ethical concern is that I as the counsellor may not have enough experience to handle the complexity of this situation, regardless of my invaluable experience of the impact DV has had on me. Since supervision is an ongoing requirement for counsellors, I would act on supervision immediately to have my performance monitor in order to provide accountability for practice. Ethically if this was to be my first time in treating a DV victim, I would have difficulty in showing her a non- judgemental posture, as her experience may remind me of my own experience, which could possibly interfere. An Analysis of the Challenges Personally and Professionally Personally I would empathise with this client, showing understanding because I know exactly what the challenges of living with violence feels likes. I as a child grew up witnessing the physical and emotional abuse my parents laid on each other. Thus, those effects had a huge impact on my life which took place when I arrived in Australia, not knowing until now why my actions of been disobedient, and uncertain were virtually negative, to the point where I always felt the need to be rescued by power and authority. For that reason, choosing a man who is an expert at empowering total control of emotional and sexual abuse, allowing me to feel so sad, and not knowing what to do, because in the words of my mothers I have made my bed, now I must (lie) in it, as oppose laying in the problem literally lying, the matter is private. I will personally feel the challenge of not being able to get upset and perhaps angry, the challenge of understanding her struggle, fear, doubt and not knowing which way to go, especially if she is still in love with her husband and most of all reliving the experience while she is expressing her shattering experience of living with violence. Professionally I may encounter the challenge of getting my client to admit that she is a Battered woman, due to the fact that she seems to be in denial when she states that her black eye is just an accident. Thus fabricating and distorting her reality perhaps to cope, and protect her children from the overpowering reaction to the abuse that she is receiving. Another challenge is her belief about her children not being in any danger, as they are in bed when the fighting occurs. Nonetheless the most significant challenge is the disclosure from one of her children like when you fight and throw things well that tells me they are being exposed to DV in their own home. A Plan for Working with This Client in Light Of the Challenges and Best Practice In light of the challenges, the plan for this client is to provide a complete therapy which seeks wholly to resolve her fundamental challenges of living with violence, for which she is, seeking, help (McLeod, 2009). This must be done by providing a safe and supportive therapeutic relationship, so that she is able to restore her safety, reconnect too herself, reclaims her control and develops self-efficiency. Including metallise her feelings, and allow herself to experiment with new possibilities for understanding those feelings, thoughts and possible actions that she is struggling with. An approach would seek to find out all the details of her descriptions to DV experience, in the hopes of helping her reach a limit to her identity, experiences, and her known capacities of who she is and what she can do about the situation. Bringing forth awareness and consequently facilitating the potential for change out of the chaos. The plan would benefit the client to be link to multiagency resources that are available in the community and would require myself as the counsellor to form links with both statutory and voluntary agencies, so that the client is provided with a supportive network for victims of DV (Saunders, 2008). Herman, 2001 (cited in Saunders, 2008) states the cardinal principal when working with survivors of DA is safety, because no therapeutic work can proceed until internal and external safety is established (p.85). Thus a meticulous risk assessment must be carried out in order to establish whether the client and her children are in any danger, regardless of the fact she states they are not, hence allowing for any potential danger (Saunders, 2008). My desire for best practice is to improve my counselling skills, help myself before I can help others, and continue to recognise the importance of being empathetic and sincere in my behaviour. I intend to treat all clients with compassion and respect. If I am to work with DV victims, my goal is to help them with their personal, social, interpersonal, legal and practical issues that confront their reality. A Discussion of (PACFA) Code of Ethics, The Relevant Legislations and The Usefulness of The Code in Relation To The issues In the Case Study. PACFA has established a self-regulation and self- governing role for the profession as a whole, the code of ethics is a set of guidelines a framework to support and inform us, ultimately it remains the responsibility of the individual. It allows for belief that one has the right combination of attributes, and skills to help, recognise, and respond to any problem as promised (Schofield, Grant, Holmes, Barletta 2006). The PACFA code does not have a DV code of ethics; however the usefulness of the code represents the official statement of the profession about what is expected of counsellors, as we are held accountable for our  actions that breach the code (Bond, 1993). In analysing the case study, I found the framework of taking a systemic approach of the code to be useful, for it has a contribution to support the ethical dilemmas I faced; this was attended to by acknowledging the ethical principles, and ethical decision making to avoid ambiguity. I found that the ethical principles provided me enough information to explain what I had to do to develop an appropriate attempt to address the moral dilemma of DV, by the usefulness of understanding and respecting complete autonomy for the client, which includes expressing the concerns I have on the autonomy of her children. The usefulness of non-maleficence becomes the responsibilities of me to cause no harm to my client, by providing the appropriate, and explained intervention strategies that will avoid the adverse effects of DV (Bond, 1993). Thus, considering my responsibilities by applying beneficence, and justice, as the code expects us to act in a manner that is not discriminating, this client is entitled to a fair treatment, and if I am unable to help I must provide an option made available (PACFA, 2010). The complexity of the issues raised in the case study is a matter of concern, as the client is in denial towards the potential danger she and her children may be at risk. This was acknowledge by her minimizin g the impact of her partners actions by which she falsified, and distorted the reality of the abuse indicating it is an Accident, perhaps because she is afraid of the abuser and the steps to recovery. Consequently the usefulness of fidelity establishes the client- counsellor relationship which is based on duty to help her feel empowered. I found the information on legislations pertaining to this case study useful to help solve DV from a legal perspective, the government interventions and laws, statutes regulatory policy and governmental mandates. I have found that they serve to establish rules of conducts for individuals and organizations, regardless of the fact that counsellors are unable to mandate DV first hand for battered victims. The usefulness of the orders of protection in victoria is implemented to make civil-legal remedies for the victims and their spouses, as the term and conditions are personalized to suit the victims environment and includes a presumption in favour of a request to remove the perpetrator from the home (FVPA s 82). Abused women, for that reason, need counsellors, psychologist, social workers, nurses, physicians, and lawyers who can assist them to manage resources and who can explain the difficulties they will come across as they try to free themselves from violent relationships (Roberts, 2 002). In conclusion, I have understood that DV is an issue that is clearly seen as a destructive element to the victims and their families that are subjected to abuse. Thus, listening to those who ask for help, is understood by encompassing key professional values related to DV and resolving ethical dilemmas by providing safety, protection, being nonjudgmental, self-determined, confidential and most of all maintaining the clients agenda.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

The Xerox Company Essay

They help many businesses to be able to function and communicate. Xerox is a family business. The CEO’s brother and husband both work for the company. However the fact that Xerox is a family business has in no way affected the CEO’s ability to make business or personal decisions. The company’s best interest is always her top priority. The ability to keep her personal and business life separate is a unique characteristic that all successful management staff posses. After watching the Xerox video and thinking about the characteristics for managerial decisions, made me have no envy for the CEO’s position. The typical characteristics of managerial decisions are lack of structure, uncertainty of risk, as well as conflict. In fact, the way the CEO obtained her position was full of uncertainty and I am sure there was conflict as well. The way the former CEO was forced out of office seemed to show a lack of structure with no contingency plan. There was a past scare of bankruptcy that may have future investors and employees questioning the structure of the company. The new CEO has made several positive moves for the company but is still forced to eliminate jobs to reduce costs. The CEO of Xerox is much like many other CEO’s of other large corporations, humble, down to earth and they value their company as well as their employees. They understand that each one of their decisions will affect the rest of the company and those who keep it running. Unfortunately as the CEO she was faced with having no other positive alterative to correcting the deficit other than eliminating positions. The CEO understood that to ensure the future of Xerox was protected that she must make changes immediately. She measured the risks and the consequences and felt that it was in the best interest of the company to merge. In the end Xerox was faced with a grim future and tough choices. The CEO showed her skills in the decision making process while remaining equal and ethical to all interested parties. We all learned that in a management roll, especially the role of a CEO is faced with nasty ugly decisions. Every choice that person makes can make or break another person’s life. Choices are not always easy nor do they always come with an immediate positive solution. This CEO was Xerox’s last chance to remain a successful company in the future. The company took a huge risk for a sinking company and it paid off!. Risk assessment at it’s finest.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Why Should People Travel

Why should people travel? This Is the story of a woman, who traveled the world to find that the best place Is home. However, the Journeys took her across continents over Saracens. This story began when a little girl was sitting on her porch watching the pedestrians fleeting by. When suddenly a huge noise jolted her out of her day dreaming, and all she saw was a metal bird flying overheard. The noise made her shudder and she ran into the house screaming for her Dad.Running into his arms, with no words to express she stood holding on to his legs, While her dad was trying to question her about her Irrational fear. With sputtering words, she explained how a huge metal bird had flown over the house and the noise thundered the foundations of the house. Her dad let out a loud laughter noticing the innocence of his daughter. But it was actually just one of the airplanes from the nearby Air Force base conducting its drill.So he lifted her up in her arms, took her to the porch and pointed out to the airplane in the distance as it faded into the blue sky leaving a trail of white clouds. That was my first experience that initiated my need to fly and watch the world from up above. As I grew elder, the need to have a closer look at the world Imbibed In me a curiosity to travel. The world is a beautiful place, when looking at it with an unbiased view because one gets to see it in a pure way. One that has not been tainted with blood, pain and violent that once seen cannot be unseen.Here is what we have known over the ages, the world is made up of seven continents divided by Saracens. Every continent has its own set of cultures, traditions, nature, people and countries. Over the course of this essay, I am going to explain my perspective on world travel, while mentioning the tatty of countries that I had the opportunity to tread on. My first experience of traveling was when I was 9 years old. I went on a trip with my parent's to Malaysia. A country known for its tropical forests and its beautiful cities, it had always been the destination to visit.My experiences in Malaysia, though a little fudged in memory, have certain portions that cannot be erased. One of the most fascinating aspects was the culture of the people. It was a mixture of Influences by Muslim and Buddhist religions. It had colorful people on the streets, girls with flowers In their hair and askers In the streets selling their wares. The trip also Included a travel to Singapore. I was fascinated by the buildings and the zoological gardens that adorned the small city of Singapore.My perspective on this trip changed entirely about the people of South East Asia. Their kindness is something I got to experience on this trip. All through my teens I had the opportunity to visit the US a couple of times. Although I had lived In the US, this was a visit that would remind me about the beauty of Florida. I got to enjoy an enthralling experience, In the parks of Disney and universal Studios. My visit to the Sea World will remind me Shams the killer whale, this gave me awareness into the world inside the ocean, a subject that has fascinated me to this day.This trip showed me that a person can enjoy life even if one has to go to work every day. When I landed in Los Angels, the first thing I saw was the HOLLYWOOD sign. One that has been etched In my memory, the sign exudes movie royalty and puts a sparkle In my eye. The best part was the shopping In malls the size the lights and nice. The Sin City has the most fabulous energy that even though a person who don not gamble or drink will love. The next trip was a travel to the Middle East countries of Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Egypt.Apart from the usual beauty of the land, the streets were littered with coffee and hookah shops. The shops were overcrowded with people every evening, gossiping about the day and laughter just filled the air. The people were hospitable which showed me the necessity of people in my life. The next trip I went to was Europe. It was a fascinating continent with historical buildings and beautiful rivers. I had the opportunity to visit the countries of France, Switzerland and Italy. The trip involved us getting in from one country to another, traveling on the train.The breathtaking scenery and the throngs of people in historical places were overwhelming. The people were perfectly dressed, while following to certain unwritten codes, which showed the value of discipline. Now that I am back in the US, I have learned to appreciate the beauty and character of people from different countries. Over the past year, I had the opportunity to travel through almost most of the states. The visit helped me to see the vast length and breadth of this country and its beauty. It is people who are made of a mixture of people from different cultures.No specific group can claim this country to be theirs, because the diversity of the people is what makes the country. One of the most important factors that travel i s necessary is because it opens one's eyes to the beautiful world. As a student, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of Americans, who because of their nonexistent travel had no idea about the countries of the world. This ignorance caused them to Judge people from other countries, and basing their opinion on news articles or television programs.I wondered how people did not know the culture and the location of Saudi Arabia. In most people minds, Saudi Arabia is a desert somewhere in the middle of the world, where people rode on camels sleep in tents, and had oil. Another factor about travel is, we live in cloistered communities and do not understand other communities that are based on centuries long traditions. This makes our mind narrow and does not give us a positive opinion about other people. Although the world has become a smaller place due to the advent of internet, the world is still a much better place in reality.

Friday, January 3, 2020

The Battle of Concepcion of the Texas Revolution

The Battle of Concepcià ³n was the first major armed conflict of the Texas Revolution. It took place on October 28, 1835, on the grounds of Concepcià ³n Mission outside of San Antonio. Rebel Texans, led by James Fannin and Jim Bowie, fought off a vicious assault by the Mexican Army and drove them back into San Antonio. The victory was a huge one for the morale of the Texans and led to the subsequent capture of the town of San Antonio. War Breaks out in Texas Tensions had been simmering in Mexican Texas for some time, as Anglo settlers (the most famous of whom was Stephen F. Austin) repeatedly demanded more rights and independence from the Mexican government, which was in a chaotic state of disarray barely a decade after gaining independence from Spain. On October 2, 1835, rebellious Texans opened fire on Mexican forces in the town of Gonzales. The Battle of Gonzales, as it came to be known, marked the beginning of Texas armed struggle for Independence. Texans March on San Antonio San Antonio de Bà ©xar was the most important town in all of Texas, a vital strategic point coveted by both sides in the conflict. When war broke out, Stephen F. Austin was named head of the rebel army: he marched on the city in the hopes of putting a quick end to the fighting. The ragged rebel â€Å"army† arrived at San Antonio in late October  1835: they were heavily outnumbered by Mexican forces in and around the city but were well-armed with lethal long rifles and ready for a fight. Prelude to the Battle of Concepcion With the rebels camped outside the city, Jim Bowies connections proved vital. A one-time resident of San Antonio, he knew the city and still had many friends there. He smuggled a message to some of them, and dozens of Mexican residents of San Antonio (many of whom were every bit as passionate about independence as the Anglo Texans) surreptitiously left the town and joined the rebels. On October 27, Fannin and Bowie, disobeying orders from Austin, took some 90 men and dug in on the grounds of the Concepcià ³n Mission outside of town. The Mexicans Attack On the morning of October 28, the rebellious Texans got a nasty surprise: the Mexican army had seen that they had divided their forces and decided to take the offensive. The Texans were pinned against the river and several companies of Mexican infantry were advancing on them. The Mexicans had even brought cannons with them, loaded with lethal grapeshot. The Texans Turn the Tide Inspired by Bowie, who kept cool under fire, the Texans stayed low and waited for the Mexican infantry to advance. When they did, the rebels deliberately picked them off with their lethal long rifles. The riflemen were so skilled that they were even able to shoot the artillerymen manning the cannons: according to survivors, they even shot down a gunner who held a lighted match in his hand, ready to fire the cannon. The Texans drove off three charges: after the final charge, the Mexicans lost their spirit and broke: the Texans gave chase. They even captured the cannons and turned them on the fleeing Mexicans. Aftermath of the Battle of Concepcià ³n The Mexicans fled back into San Antonio, where the Texans dared not chase them. The final tally: some 60 dead Mexican soldiers to only one dead Texan, killed by a Mexican musket ball. It was a heady victory for the Texans and seemed to confirm what they suspected about the Mexican soldiers: they were poorly armed and trained and didnt really want to be fighting for Texas. The rebellious Texans remained camped outside of San Antonio for several weeks. They attacked a foraging party of Mexican soldiers on November 26, believing it to be a relief column loaded with silver: in reality, the soldiers were only collecting grass for the horses in the besieged city. This became known as the Grass Fight. Although the nominal commander of the irregular forces, Edward Burleson, wanted to retreat to the east (thus following the orders that had been sent from General Sam Houston), many of the men wanted to fight. Led by settler Ben Milam, these Texans attacked San Antonio on December 5: by December 9 the Mexican forces in the city had surrendered and San Antonio belonged to the rebels. They would lose it again at the disastrous Battle of the Alamo in March. The Battle of Concepcià ³n represented everything the rebellious Texans were doing right†¦and wrong. They were brave men, fighting under solid leadership, using their best weapons — arms and accuracy — to best effect. But they were also unpaid volunteer troops with no chain of command or discipline, who had disobeyed a direct order (a wise one, as it turned out) to keep clear of San Antonio for the time being. The relatively painless victory gave the Texans a great morale boost, but also increased their sense of invulnerability: many of the same men would later die at the Alamo, believing they could hold off the entire Mexican army indefinitely. For the Mexicans, the Battle of Concepcià ³n showed their weaknesses: their troops were not very skilled in war and broke easily. It also proved to them that the Texans were dead serious about independence, something that had perhaps been unclear before. Not long after, President/General Antonio Là ³pez de Santa Anna would arrive in Texas at the head of a massive army: it was now clear that the most important advantage the Mexicans possessed was that of sheer numbers. Sources Brands, H.W. Lone Star Nation: The Epic Story of the Battle for Texas Independence. New York: Anchor Books, 2004. Henderson, Timothy J. A Glorious Defeat: Mexico and its War with the United States.New York: Hill and Wang, 2007.