Role of Social Workers in Domestic Violence Intervention

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Literature Review on the Role of Social Workers in Domestic Violence Intervention
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The articles related to the roles of social workers in dealing domestic violence are
important in my research topic. Social workers are professionals who are concerned with well-
being of those in need. They play some vital roles in domestic violence intervention as evidenced
from related literatures. For instance, Hester (2011) argues that social workers ensure that social
justice has been enhanced in families and society at large. She further identifies women and
children as the main victims of domestic violence. Social workers are employed in organizations
that ensure victim’s rights are not violated in any way. Also, they ensure that perpetrators have
been punished severely while working as advocates (Hester, 2011). Furthermore, they take part
in several researches, hence advising organizations regarding some of the initiative programs that
could help victims of domestic violence. In addition, they are participating actively in other
related areas not limited to criminal justice and health care. However, despite the efforts that
have been put in place by social workers, Hester (2011) argues that protection of women and
children has suffered some major setbacks as most of the victims are complaining about injustice
practices in the court of law.
Other than Marianne Hester, Westmarland & Kelly (2012) also argues that social workers
have played some important roles in domestic violence. They argues that social workers have
prevented domestic violence through educational programmes. In these programmes, family
members are educated on some of the important issues not limited to self-control and empathy.
Hence, social workers advise both men and women to put themselves in other people’s shoes
before making any decision or action that may lead to violence (Westmarland & Kelly, 2012).
Furthermore, people are advised to think critically and rationally in order to create a win-win
situation for both parties involved. Apart from families, social workers also advise governmental

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organizations. One of the benefits associated with these educational programmes include helping
family members to be aware of their rights (Westmarland & Kelly, 2012).
Besides, Stanley, Miller, Foster & Thomson (2010), claims that social workers ensure
that abusers have changed their behaviours. Although it is very difficult to change someone’s
behaviour, but some success has been reported in this area. Social workers take part in
rehabilitation programmes by guiding and counselling the offenders. Some of them are employed
at rehabilitation centres while others offer counselling services voluntarily (Stanley et al., 2010).
The offenders are educated on the importance of solving conflicts in a peaceful way, hence
reducing violence. Some of the peaceful ways of solving conflicts include; negotiation and
litigation. Apart from solving conflicts, they are also educated on adverse effects of violence
such as death and emotional harm. The ability to understand human mind is one of the main
factors that has enabled social workers to change offender’s behaviour. Most of them have
studied psychology, hence they understand human mind (Stanley et al., 2010). After a successful
rehabilitation program, perpetrators are allowed to reunite with their families and friends
In addition, Kulkarni, Bell, Hartman & Herman-Smith (2013) argues that social workers
act as mediators in domestic violence. They remain neutral without favoring any party basing on
gender, race or even religion. Hence, all people are given equal chances of defending themselves.
Social professionals listen the views of both parties prior to making any decision. Having
understood some of the reasons that led to violence, they advise each party accordingly. Firstly,
they advise offenders on some of the ways that they could have used to solve conflicts rather
than violence such as negotiation (Kulkarni et al., 2013). Secondly, they advise victims to
forgive their offenders, hence enhancing reconciliation. However, they are some few complex
cases that social professionals may not be able to solve. In such cases, they help victims to seek

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justice in the court of law. They can act as advocates and defend them, hence ensuring that
culprits are punished for their acts.
Apart from mediators, Kennedy, Bybee, Sullivan & Greeson (2010) argues that social
workers also play roles of lobbyists during domestic violence. They argues that children are
vulnerable to adverse effects of domestic violence such as stress. They are affected greatly with
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) as both parents can fail to provide basic needs such as clothing,
food and shelter to them (Øverlien, 2010). Therefore, there is a need to ensure that laws
regarding children have been implemented by the parliament. Social workers arrange meetings
with policy makers, hence ensuring that children are protected. They prepare documents that
explain explicitly why such policies are needed to be implemented. These policies ensure that
parents have provided for their children in case of a divorce. Other than working independently,
social workers are also employed in organizations that advocate for children rights. Besides, they
also form alliances that oppose some of the proposed laws (Kennedy et al., 2010).
Other than acting as lobbyists, McGavock & Spratt (2012) argues that social workers also
play some roles of enablers. There are situations in which victims of violence lose hope, hence
resulting in suicidal thoughts. Social workers ensure that victims have remained cool after
violence by filling them with hope and educating them on the power of positivity. They explain
to them some of the reasons why being alive is the most important thing rather than
concentrating on other things such as properties. They advise them on better stress management
techniques such as relaxation (McGavock & Spratt, 2012). They also advise them on how a
problem can be subdivided into several parts so that it can be solved in an effective way. These
different parts are required to achieve some desirable outcomes depending on the situation. They
aim at achieving a common goal. Furthermore, social workers also play some facilitators’ roles