Social work response and the experience of emotional and psychological abuse on battered women

Abstract

What are the effects of emotional and psychological abuse on battered women and how are social workers responding? The method used in the study for both subjects, being the emotionally abused women and the social workers working in domestic violence situations, was that of a qualitative nature, in which data was gathered through an open-ended interview. This type of interviewing gives the opportunity to the participants to elaborate as much as they wish on their experience, thus avoiding any possible renewed trauma. Data collection for the interviews held with the women was done through thematic analysis. The following themes were depicted: (1) emotional abuse - a scar that never fades away, (2) becoming depressed, (3) losing self-esteem, (4) inability to be themselves and live their lives, (5) feelings of insanity, (6) fear, anger and pain, (7) finding ways and means to cope, (8) women's views on help from social worker. As for social workers data was collected according to the responses given by them. The responses were grouped in three categories namely: (1) the social worker's ways of doing social work in domestic violence situations, (2) the obstacles encountered by the social workers in this field and finally, (3) recommendations from a social workers' point of view. From the results obtained one could observe that emotional abuse leaves long lasting effects on the women, which at times becomes difficult to deal with. Moreover, these victims of emotional abuse with the help and support of the social worker can improve and better their lives according to their needs. Social worker intervenes with victims of domestic violence by empowering the woman involved to challenge unjust treatment by her abuser, advocate the woman's needs according to the case, supporting the woman in her decisions even if it means going back to her abusive partner and so forth. Finally, as a concluding chapter I suggested various proposals to better the lives of the victim involved.