Domestic Violence Trauma Research Articles

The Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Study of Tehmina Durrani’s “My Feudal Lord”

The present paper is based on Tehmina Durrani’s novel, “My Feudal Lord”. The paper aims at studying various institutions like feudalism, patriarchy, religion and cultural mechanism which, according to the novelist, is the root cause of suppression, exploitation and subjugation of women in Pakistani society. The novel is a struggle by a woman towards the assertion of her identity. The present paper proposes to dismantle the existing female identity of submissive, meek, docile, weak, and passive to strong, active, speaking, and courageous as the novelist does.The main intention of the study is to emphasize the problems of women in the male dominated society and also to upgrade the condition of women. Women endures lot of physical and mental cruelties during the whole of their life in the male dominated society. Each and every woman should learn to challenge the disagreeable conceptions which have been considered as truths. Women should not tolerate violence, exploitation and subordination as part of their destiny. They should raise a voice against all kinds of suppression.

Childhood Trauma of Domestic Violence and Violence in Further Intimate Relationship

This study examines associations between childhood trauma of domestic violence (DV) with the involvement in intimate relationships violence (IRV), both as perpetrators and victims. The research was conducted in two studies focusing on the relationship between childhood trauma with, 1) aggression of DV perpetrators; and 2) violence experienced by victims of IRV. Study 1 was conducted on 62 male DV perpetrators in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, while the second study on 21 female non-direct DV victims. All samples were measured by using traumatic antecedents questionnaire (TAQ; Van der Kolk, Perry & Herman, 1991) and conflict tactics scales (CTS; Straus et al., 1996). The data is processed by using correlation and regression analyses with SPSS 18. Study 1 provides empirical evidence of long-term negative effects of childhood trauma on male perpetrators. Study 2 did not find a significant relation between traumatic experiences as a victim of DV with violence experienced in their current intimate relationships, but further study should consider this relationship can occur indirectly. It is hoped that this research could serve as a beginning of the development of a longitudinal study on the effects of DV on human psychophysics. Keywords: childhood trauma, domestic violence, intimate relationship, perpetrator, victim

Expressive Arts Therapy for Mother–Child Relationship (EAT-MCR): A novel model for domestic violence survivors in Chinese culture

Domestic violence not only harms spousal relationships but also damages parent–child interactions. In the Chinese culture, tension between abused mothers and their children is likely to arise because of indirect and hierarchical communication customs. Therefore, an expressive arts-based model (EAT-MCR) was adapted for the Chinese culture to help improve mother–child relationships and to help victims cope with the trauma of domestic violence. Based on concepts derived from group and trauma therapies, this model prepares clients for personal transformation within a safe network formed by the participants, including family groups and a team of professionals. In this four-step model, we initiate clients by helping them find strengths from their positive mother–child interactions, guide them to explore the traumatic aspects of domestic violence, and then transform their perceptions to create a new family outlook that can be shared by mothers and their children. Finally, we conclude with a ceremony to fully integrate the transformed phase and interactive life skills. Detailed cultural considerations are discussed and illustrated by examples utilizing artistic creation and psychodrama techniques.

Responding to the Individual Trauma of Domestic Violence: Challenges for Mental Health Professionals

SUMMARY A clear link exists between domestic violence and mental health problems for women. Depression, trauma symptoms, and suicide attempts are issues that seriously undermine the emotional well-being of women who have been subjected to violence and abuse from their partner or ex-partner. This paper draws on a research project that highlighted the mental health issues for women using domestic violence services and raised a number of pertinent problems for policy and practice in this area. Bringing services for survivors into the mainstream of service provision within the health and mental health arena may bring problems if a model of individualized service provision is not enhanced by the involvement of professionals and their organizations in the social movement to support survivors and skills that enhance social support. Ideas put forward by Judith Herman (1992) are used to explore this argument.