Analysis of child and family policy emphasizing on children that are affected by domestic violence comparing Domestic Violence on Children in Ireland and Britain

Analysis of child and family policy emphasizing on children that are affected by domestic violence comparing Domestic Violence on Children in Ireland and Britain

Definition and Perspective on Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is defined as any incident associated with controlling, coercing, or threatening behavior, abuse, or violence against people aged above 16 years who are either family members or intimate partners regardless of sexuality or gender.  Domestic violence encompasses several aspects of abuse and is not limited to psychological, sexual, physical, financial or emotional abuse (British Home Office, 2018). It is caused by drug abuse, poverty, or negative attitude towards the victim. Controlling behavior is defined as any act designed to make an individual feel subordinate to the other party. Controlling behavior also includes acts designed to exploit resources for personal gain while at the same time depriving the other party of their need for independence, escape, or resistance (British Home Office, 2018).

Coercive behavior refers to an act or acts that follow a pattern of assault, humiliation, threats, intimidation, and other forms of abuse used to punish, harm, or frighten an individual. Common forms of abuse include physical violence through the use of kicks, punches, and slaps, sexual violence includes rape and forced participation in sexual acts, emotional abuse which includes behaviors such as  stalking, preventing contact with friends and family members, intimidation, ongoing belittlement or humiliation, and economic restrictions including confiscating a partners earning, preventing outside working, controlling behaviors, and restricting access to funds (Ramsay et al., 2012).

Domestic violence remains a global phenomenon affecting both men and women, although the prevalence and impact is higher among women compared to men. (Stöckl et al., 2014) observed that the lifetime prevalence rate of intimate partner violence among women ranged aged 15-24 years and also ranged between 19% and 66% with most countries in the study reporting higher rates above 50%. (The Office of National Statistics 2018) reported that more than 2 million women had been victims of domestic abuse in the year ending March 2018 with women being twice as likely to be abused compared to men. Various studies have revealed the varying rates of domestic violence across various areas in Britain and, more specifically in Ireland.

Impact of Domestic Violence on Children and Family

Domestic violence in children remains a complex and multifaceted area of research. In most societies, it is common for domestic violence to co-occur with other different problems such as intimate partner violence, and therefore the effects of domestic violence do affect not only the children but also family members. The co-occurrence of such stressful problems during childhood is referred to as adverse childhood experiences, a construct linked to traumatic events associated with physical and emotional abuse as well as neglect and household dysfunction (Etherington & Baker, 2018). Adverse childhood experiences have long-lasting effects that affect an individual in later life stages.  The experiences are considered as major stress of psychological distress and have various longitudinal effects on substance misuse, self-harm, interpersonal violence, and poor physical health (Hughes et al., 2017). The toxic trio of substance misuse, domestic violence, and mental health problems increase chances of harm and trauma.

Among young children, exposure to domestic violence, especially in the early phases of childhood, results in poor outcomes. (Hughes et al. 2017) observes that psychosocial development is poor among children exposed to physical abuse or intimate partner violence.  Exposure to domestic violence also results in emotional problems.  For example, Baker and (Cunningham 2009) observe that pre-school children exposed to domestic violence show separation anxiety in the presence of the non-abusing parent which in most cases is their mother (Baker & Cunningham, 2009). Also, pre-school children sensitized to incidences of intimate partner violence show poor posing difficulties (Holt et al., 2008; Stanley et al., 2012).  Furthermore, preschool children exposed to domestic violence show inter-parent conflict in various ways, including high levels of aggressive behaviors, throwing tantrums, sleeping problems, regressive behaviors, engaging in repetitive play, and impaired understanding (Lloyd, 2018). Among children who are past the pre-school age, exposure to domestic violence results are manifested through emotional and behavioral changes and may include aspects such as change in behavior, aggression, anger, hyperactivity, low-self-esteem, concentration difficulties, and depression (Harper et al., 2018).  Among young people, exposure to domestic violence is linked to self-blame, criminal behavior, disaffection with education, eating disorders and poor social networks. Overall, engagement in domestic violence negatively affects families with children and affected partners reporting poor health outcomes.

Coping strategies in children exposed to domestic violence include both emotional and mental disengagement. Some common methods include listening to music and positioning away from any form of violence. In other cases, children may engage in hazardous efforts involving use of alcohol as well as mood-altering substances. Also, when such children get older, more focus is placed on preventing or intervening in any form of abuse or providing some form of emotional and practical support to the affected parties (Moffitt et al., 2013). In other cases, anger tends to be directed at the abusers for their engagement in violence or in some cases, to the non-abusive party for their perceived failure to protect the child and their inability to return or go back to the returning abuser. In other cases, children who are exposed to different forms of domestic violence tend to adopt care taking roles for the remaining sibling and parents (Holt et al., 2008). Although such a move can empower the child by providing some sense of control over their environment, overreliance on a child may cost over parentification, and the child may lose essential aspects related to their childhood and may increase chances of severe emotional distress.

Development of Child and Family Policy on Domestic Violence in Ireland

Children First is one of the policies formulated by Ireland to protect children from the adverse effects of domestic violence. The approach combines the Children First Act 2015 and the National Guidance for Protection and Welfare of Children 2017 with the sole purpose of providing the required changes regarding legislation of facts (Buckley & Burns, 2015).  The current policy aids in identifying incidences in which children are exposed to domestic violence and how such issues can be reported to the existing authorities.

Ireland’s policy relating to family issues was formulated by the state in consultation with the Catholic Church, and as a consequence most of the issues addressed dealt with the views of the two bodies. Nonetheless, the state remained reluctant to intervene in family issues until recent ties when the views relating to the privacy of the family was changed. The results were manifested in the constitution of 1937 where form of policy addressed issues relating to the family or social policy (Buckley & Burns, 2015). Social services providers argued that even after the abuser exits the scene, there was an increased probability that domestic abuse will still occur in the mind of the children. State interventions were also limited during the same period, and the use of social services was in dealing with issues relating to domestic violence and its overall effects on family members (Buckley & Burns, 2015).  Voluntary services played a key role in dealing with such issues without being confined under any regulation. In rural areas, the application of such interventions was not effective as most communities were dominated by male figures, and therefore children and women became the victims of domestic violence. The policy that had been previously formulated only focused on the protection of the family and failed in dealing with vulnerable populations such as women and children during times of hardship.

The formulation of the Children First Act 2015 was the first step in addressing issues relating to child abuse. It is important to note that this was the first comprehensive policy that addressed issues relating to child abuse in society and at the same time offered measures that could alleviate the situation.  The act provides for some statutory obligations to different professionals to provide specific services to children who have been victims of any form of abuse. Through the act, professional bodies are supported to raise awareness on issues relating to neglect and child abuse. Also, professionals are supposed to report any issues related to child abuse to the relevant authorities to minimize any adverse outcomes. Other essential obligations that reduce the effect of domestic violence and its adverse effects in children enshrined in the act include child safeguarding arrangements which are to be provided by specific organizations and cooperation between child protection services, family members, and other agencies (Tusla, 2015). Overall the Child First Act 2015 serves to protect the children’s rights and in the process reduce some of the negative aspects mentioned in the previous section.  The act also provides for counseling services for adults who may have experienced some form of abuse while growing up.

Development of Child and Family Policy on Domestic Violence in Britain

One of the best documents to rely on when looking at Development of Child and Family Policy on Domestic Violence is Policy on children in the UK 2018 Act. It outlines laws to prevent behaviors that can harm the children and outline necessary actions to protect children. Organizations are also assigned the duties they should play to keep children safe.  Every child has a right to basic needs such as food, shelter, clothing, water, and healthcare. Parents, state actors and organizations should ensure children have such needs.  Every child has a right to receive decent education. Parents and the state should ensure this right is upheld.  According to the Act, UK government had the responsibility of providing primary or basic education to every child. Lastly, the Act revolved that every child has the right to have everything he needs for a better life.  This means children should be exempted from forced labor, military activities, and abuse.

There are other several different acts that have been implemented by the government regarding the protection of children’s rights and, more so among children who are victims of child abuse. The laws include 1968 Social Work Act, Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, Children Act 1989, Protection of Children Act 1999, and Children Act 2004. Although most of the laws have been formulated regarding child rights, very few consider children to be victims of domestic violence, and as a result more efforts are currently placed on identifying children as victims of abuse.

Contemporary Child and Family Policy in Domestic Violence in Ireland

Various policies have been enacted in Ireland regarding the management of domestic violence. In Ireland, various units have been set up to deal with women and children who are victims of domestic violence. The Department of Health and Children provides health services and raises public awareness on issues relating to effects of child abuse due to domestic violence. Stop centers have been developed to provide information relating to the advice and available options regarding women and children who are victims of abuse.  Also, Ireland and other countries signed the Istanbul Convention on domestic violence, which focused on providing a safe environment for children who had been victims of any form of domestic violence (Peroni, 2016). Also, the Domestic Violence Bill published in 2015 introduced several new aspects. First, it offered adequate protection of children who have been in any form of intimate relationship without necessary being legally minded.

Children need protection in every corner of the world. Different countries have come up with various policies that house children rights and ways of protecting them from abuse. The United Nations has also well documented children rights that member countries should adhere to. These ensure the children are protected from child labor, corporal punishment, being used as fighters, and suicide bombers. Development and documentation child policies in Ireland were godsend for it brought about several positive effects. First, it ensured parents and other individuals who handle children such as teachers know how they are expected to treat them. This has minimized cases of child abuse in homes and schools (Hayes, 2012).  Teachers are no longer caning children massively in schools as these amounts to corporal punishment which is denounced by the child policies. People have been educated on how to handle children and ensure they grow in moral ways without mental disturbances as pinpointed in the psychoanalytic theory.

The state has also assumed different roles to ensure children are protected, especially in places of work. Ireland acknowledges that in some cases children above 16 years might be forced to work especially if they are orphans or have sickly parents (Hayes, 2012). In such incidences, the children are offered first-hand training to equip them with necessary skills needed in their place of work. This also ensures they do not get unnecessary injuries. The children can thus generate funds to their troubled families without getting abused, mistreated, or injured. Child policies have attracted the attention of charity organizations and governmental institution tasked with child management. As a result, children homes and orphanages have been created to house endangered children who lack sponsors and parents to take care of them. Such places have ensured that many children access balanced diet, go to school, and have descent clothing. These products are donated by the government and well-wishers.

Contemporary Child and Family Policy in Domestic Violence in Britain

In Britain, Family and welfare service programs have been developed to protect children who are abused (Crowley, 2019). Social workers and other professionals are allowed to step in and assist children who are victims of abuse. However, there are numerous gaps in the country that need to be addressed. The issues include establishing a dedicated family court that deals with child abuse and domestic violence effects and establishing a national system of child contact centers to facilitate post-separation contacts with children who are victims of domestic abuse.

The implementation of the current child policies revolving around the effects of domestic abuse has significantly raised awareness and education levels relating to domestic violence in Britain. A 2014 European wide study on domestic abuse in Ireland reported high levels of public awareness relating to the available assistance in victims of domestic abuse in the country (European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, 2014). By extension, various social agencies have been developed to deal with issues relating to child abuse. Social work agencies have been created to enforce the implemented policies to reduce incidences of child abuse among children. In extreme cases, children have been rescued from various homes and placed into protection services to receive proper care and treatment. Despite much investment on money and efforts in fighting child abuse in British, one major issue limiting the success of the child policies is the limited number of children or victims of child abuse who come out to report such issues.

Initially, domestic violence had been localized within most home settings, and such incidences were rarely reported.  However, the situation is gradually improving, and availability of child policies has ensured that children are protected, and parents know their rights (Crowley, 2019). The policies have spelt out punishments to be offered to those who abuse children, hence lowering cases of abuse. Britain has been vocal in outlining specific prevention mechanisms aimed at reducing child abuse.  The measures range from educating children on the need to speak out to established professional and social agencies. Other measures include helping children to understand the impact of conflict, building skills to communicate effectively, and identifying new methods of avoiding conflict through role-play, feedback, and modeling, improving the quality of parenting, and developing problem-solving and coping strategies to help in the handling stress.

Conclusion

Domestic violence incidences across the globe remain substantially high, with children and women being the major victims of abuse.  Domestic violence has both physical and psychological effects on children. Some common physical effects include changes in sleeping patterns and increase in the levels of aggression. Common psychological effects include depression and anxiety as a result of increased levels of trauma. The development of child protection policies and laws relating to child abuse in Ireland and entire Britain has been developed over the years. Previous laws focused on dealing with domestic violence from a family approach and in the process failed to address the needs of the victims affected by domestic violence.  One of the predominant features of the law is the Child First Act of 2015 which seeks to protect children against any form of abuse. The law establishes various agencies that are tasked to professionally deal with all issues relating to children. There is need to develop more policies that address any existing gap relating to children’s rights especially within the domestic violence context. Some common issues that require adequate attention include establishing family courts that address issues relating to domestic violence. Also, there is a need to increase public awareness on issues relating to domestic violence especially considering the private manner in which intimate partner violence occurs within the family setting.

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