Values and Philosophies

Key values and philosophies

Safety and Well-being as First Priority

Underpinning Values: Immediate protection from harm and danger. A commitment to trauma-informed care. Cultural sensitivity in safety planning. Underpinning Philosophies: A swift and focused response to eliminate immediate threats. Recognition of the profound impact of violence on mental and emotional well-being. Ensuring safety measures align with and respect the cultural diversity of individuals.

Right to Be Free from Violence

Underpinning Values: Recognition of the fundamental human right to live without fear of violence. Equality and non-discrimination. Legal and ethical commitment to preventing harm. Underpinning Philosophies: Advocacy for the universal right to safety and security. Opposition to all forms of violence, regardless of identity or background. Upholding and enforcing laws that protect individuals from violence.

Community Responsibility for Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence and its Unacceptability

Underpinning Values: Collective responsibility for creating a violence-free community. Public awareness campaigns to demonstrate unacceptability. Collaboration with community organizations and leaders. Underpinning Philosophies: Active engagement in community-based prevention efforts. Promoting a culture that rejects domestic violence in all its forms. Fostering partnerships to collectively address the root causes of domestic violence.

Unacceptability Across Groups, Cultures, and Creeds

Underpinning Values: Equality and cultural competence. Recognition of diverse perspectives and experiences. Zero tolerance for discrimination based on group affiliation. Underpinning Philosophies: Rejecting cultural relativism and asserting that violence is universally unacceptable. Ensuring interventions are tailored to respect the unique needs of different cultural groups. Promoting an inclusive and anti-discriminatory approach to addressing domestic violence.

Accountability for Perpetrators and Access to Programs

Underpinning Values: Holding individuals accountable for their actions. Rehabilitation and behavior change programs. Balancing accountability with the safety of family members. Underpinning Philosophies: Advocating for legal consequences for perpetrators while providing pathways for rehabilitation. Belief in the potential for individuals to change and cease violent behaviors. Ensuring that interventions prioritize the safety of victims while addressing the needs of perpetrators.

Responding to Show Commitment to Meeting Needs and Upholding Rights of Clients

Underpinning Values: Person-centered and holistic approach. Upholding human rights and dignity. Accessibility to support services and resources. Underpinning Philosophies: Recognizing the diverse and individualized needs of survivors and tailoring interventions accordingly. Ensuring that the rights of clients are respected and protected throughout the intervention process. Eliminating barriers to access and providing equitable opportunities for support and assistance.

Responding to Empower Those Affected by Domestic Violence

Underpinning Values: Empowerment through information and education. Strengthening self-efficacy and resilience. Advocacy for survivor voices and choices. Underpinning Philosophies: Facilitating informed decision-making and autonomy for survivors. Fostering a sense of agency and self-determination for individuals affected by domestic violence. Elevating the voices of survivors in shaping policies and interventions.

Acknowledging the Recognition of Widespread and Complex Nature of Domestic Violence

Underpinning Values: Understanding the pervasive nature of domestic violence. Continual learning and adaptation. Collaborative approaches to address complexity. Underpinning Philosophies: Acknowledging the interconnected factors contributing to domestic violence. Commitment to staying informed about evolving dynamics and emerging issues related to domestic violence. Encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration to comprehensively address the multifaceted aspects of domestic violence.

Responding to Impact on Physical, Emotional, Social, and Financial Well-being Underpinning Values: Comprehensive and holistic support. Trauma-informed care for emotional healing. Advocacy for financial independence and stability. Underpinning Philosophies: Addressing the multifaceted impact on survivors' well-being, including physical, emotional, social, and financial aspects. Recognizing the trauma experienced by survivors and integrating trauma-informed practices into interventions. Empowering survivors to regain control over their financial circumstances and break free from economic dependency.

Addressing Devastating Effects on Family Members and Social/Economic Costs

Underpinning Values: Recognition of the ripple effect on families. Economic and social empowerment for families affected. Prevention strategies to reduce societal costs. Underpinning Philosophies: Understanding that the impact extends beyond individuals to families and communities. Addressing the social and economic consequences by advocating for policies that support families affected by domestic violence. Investing in preventative measures to reduce the broader social and economic burden associated with domestic violence.

Lets look at these values and philosophies in more detail now:

Safety First

The "Safety First" principle underscores the paramount importance of prioritizing safety when responding to domestic and family violence (DFV) situations within the framework of this unit. This principle mandates that the safety and wellbeing of all individuals involved, including the victim, children, other family members, and the responding workers, take precedence above all else.

In practical terms, adhering to the Safety First principle involves several key actions:

• Risk Assessment: Before taking any further steps, it's imperative to conduct a thorough risk assessment to evaluate the level of danger and potential harm to all parties involved. This assessment should consider factors such as the severity of the violence, the presence of weapons, history of escalation, and any immediate threats to safety.
• Immediate Protection: If there is an imminent risk to anyone's safety, swift action must be taken to ensure their protection. This may involve contacting emergency services, facilitating a safe exit from the situation, or implementing safety plans as appropriate.
• Empowerment and Choice: Recognizing that individuals affected by DFV have the right to make informed decisions about their safety, workers should empower them to exercise autonomy and choice. This may include offering information about available support services, discussing safety options, and respecting their decisions without judgment or pressure.
• Child-Centred Approach: When children are involved in DFV situations, their safety and well-being must be prioritized. This includes considering the potential long-term impacts of exposure to violence and trauma on children's development and providing appropriate support and intervention tailored to their needs.
• Self-Care: Acknowledging the emotional toll that responding to DFV incidents can take on workers, prioritizing self-care is essential. This may involve accessing supervision, debriefing sessions, and support networks to process experiences, manage stress, and prevent burnout.

Watch

Here is a video that displays the safety first model, with the case worker bringing police with her to a home visit.

The National Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children 2010–2022 includes this statement of principle:
Sustainable change must be built on community participation by men and women taking responsibility for the problems and solutions. Council of Australian Governments

This means that resources are provided to raise community and public awareness. Additionally, education and programs are developed and designed to change attitudes and provide community-based services and resources to support people affected by domestic and family violence and to keep them safe.

Violence Is Always Unacceptable

This principle means that cultural, social and religious practices, beliefs and traditions cannot be used to justify domestic and family violence or abuse.

For example, if your belief or tradition says that a husband is allowed to ‘discipline’ his wife using violence, this is not acceptable. If your culture endorses practices such as genital mutilation, this is not acceptable. If your social group allows women to be discriminated against, this is not acceptable. Rape is still rape, whether it occurs within a marriage or not. Financial abuse is still financial abuse, whether or not your tradition says only men should take responsibility for managing a family’s finances and that only men should have the right to work outside the home.

Perpetrators and Responsibility

Another key principle is that perpetrators are responsible for their acts of domestic and family violence, not the people subjected to it. The idea that perpetrators of domestic and family violence somehow cannot help becoming violent is not true.

This principle is particularly important when we think of the common belief that people affected by domestic violence are somehow responsible for what happens to them. Many people who experience this kind of violence believe it is their own actions or failures that provoke the violence and they are somehow ‘asking for it’. Nobody asks to be subjected to violence and abuse. This belief undermines the person’s self-respect and belief in their rights and personal value. It produces feelings of shame and guilt and creates a signficant barrier to seeking help or leaving the relationship.

Holistic Approaches

A holistic approach means that you address all aspects of the person’s being or situation, including mental and physical health, and social, cultural and spiritual aspects. It also means avoiding ‘blaming the victim’ and seeing domestic and family violence as a political, economic, public and community issue instead of a strictly personal issue. Holistic approaches to community services focus on more than the immediate, identified problem or issue and seek to integrate services that support the person to thrive in all areas of life.

Complexities

Situations where domestic and family violence occurs are complex. There is rarely a single factor that produces violent behaviour, and rarely just a single issue is involved. As we discussed in topic 1, domestic and family violence can have a host of significant effects on a person’s physical and mental health, emotional well-being, self-esteem, relationships, economic and social status, and cultural links. Experiencing ongoing or repeated domestic and family violence can be compared to the impact of complex trauma. In the case of children, exposure to domestic and family violence can have lifelong impacts on their development and all aspects of their well-being. It can lead to mental illness, self-harm and suicide, economic hardship, loss of education, drug and alcohol abuse and engagement with the criminal justice system.

Factors that contribute to domestic and family violence are also complex and include economic, cultural and social factors, gender roles, generational trauma, drug and alcohol abuse and many other factors. The immediate focus for intervention is safety, but for the long term, interventions need to address multiple, complex issues and factors, including child protection and parenting issues, physical and mental health issues, drug and alcohol abuse, housing and homelessness, employment and financial issues, legal actions and generational and other complex traumas.

Some issues that may arise when working with various community groups:

Cultural Groups within Local Community

Issues arising when working with cultural groups include cultural norms dictating attitudes towards gender roles and family dynamics. Additionally, barriers to seeking help may arise due to stigma surrounding domestic violence within certain cultures. Language barriers can also hinder access to support services, preventing individuals from understanding their options and seeking help. For example, a woman from a culturally conservative background may face pressure from her family to remain in an abusive relationship to avoid bringing shame upon the family.

Religious Groups within Local Community

Challenges may arise when working with religious groups due to conflicts between religious beliefs and secular laws. Pressure from religious institutions to maintain family unity can also impact individuals' decisions to seek help. Additionally, there may be reluctance to seek assistance due to fears of judgment or ostracism from the religious community. For instance, a woman from a religious community emphasizing marital submission may feel compelled to endure abuse to fulfill her religious duty to maintain family unity.

Language Groups within Local Community

Language barriers present significant challenges, impeding effective communication with service providers and limiting access to information about available resources. This can hinder individuals from understanding their legal rights and options for safety. For example, a migrant woman may struggle to access domestic violence services due to language barriers, preventing her from seeking help or understanding her legal rights.

Sexual Identity Groups within Local Community

LGBTQ+ individuals may encounter discrimination and lack of understanding when seeking help from mainstream services. Concerns about homophobia, transphobia, and heteronormative assumptions can lead to reluctance in accessing support services. For instance, a bisexual person experiencing abuse may face stereotypes or disbelief about their sexual orientation, creating additional barriers in accessing support services.

Age Groups within Local Community

Issues related to age groups include generational differences in attitudes towards domestic violence and barriers to accessing support due to age-related vulnerabilities. Older adults may face challenges in recognizing and reporting abuse, leading to underreporting and continued victimization. For example, an elderly person experiencing abuse from a caregiver may fear retaliation if they report the abuse, contributing to underreporting and continued victimization.

Disability Groups within Local Community

Individuals with disabilities face barriers to accessing support services, challenges in communicating their needs and experiences, and increased vulnerability to abuse. Dependency on caregivers or lack of accessible resources can exacerbate these challenges. For instance, a person with a physical disability may experience increased vulnerability to abuse from a caregiver who controls their access to essential care and support.

Individuals, families, the community, and society all play critical roles in minimizing or preventing domestic violence. Individuals affected by domestic violence have the right to safety and access to support services without discrimination. Their responsibilities include prioritizing their safety, seeking assistance when needed, and respecting the rights and autonomy of others. Families have a responsibility to support each other and seek help from appropriate channels to break the cycle of abuse. The community and society have a responsibility to raise awareness about domestic violence, provide accessible support services, and advocate for policies and legislation that address the root causes of domestic violence. These rights and responsibilities align with ethical principles of respect, equality, and autonomy, as well as Australian laws such as the Domestic Violence Protection Orders Act 2006 and various state-based legislation providing legal protections for victims of domestic violence.

A common element in most relationships where domestic and family violence occurs is an imbalance of power between the perpetrator and the person subjected to violence and abuse. This means that working to empower and support the rights of people affected by domestic and family violence is a key strategy. Empowerment means working in ways that support clients to take control over their own lives. This includes making choices and decisions about what they want to do, what services they want to accept, and what their goals are. The experience of domestic and family violence is essentially disempowering and involves loss of control and being dominated by the perpetrator. Supporting clients to regain control by respecting rights, showing empathy and support, offering opportunities to make choices and decisions, and focusing on the person’s strengths and capacities rather than on weaknesses or deficits helps to rebuild confidence, self-esteem, resilience, and capacity.

We touched on the potential impact of workers’ own values and attitudes on their clients In the context of domestic and family violence, workers’ own values and attitudes are particularly significant, as a worker can inadvertently increase a client’s negative perceptions of themselves and their situation by conveying negative attitudes and values that reinforce a client’s feelings of powerlessness.

A support worker's personal values and attitudes can significantly influence how they perceive victims and survivors of domestic violence, impacting the quality of support they offer. For instance, a support worker who values empathy and understanding may approach a survivor's story with compassion, recognizing the complexity of their experiences and providing non-judgmental support. Conversely, a worker with preconceived notions or negative attitudes towards victims of domestic violence may inadvertently convey scepticism or blame, undermining the survivor's willingness to seek help or disclose their experiences.

Additionally, workers prioritising respect and dignity are more likely to treat survivors with dignity, respecting their autonomy and choices, while those lacking in these values may unintentionally disrespect survivors' experiences or decisions. For example, survivors may feel empowered to seek support if they encounter a worker who believes in their right to self-determination and supports them in making their own choices.

Conversely, encountering a worker with a paternalistic attitude may leave the survivor feeling disempowered or invalidated. Moreover, workers who are culturally sensitive and aware of their biases can better support survivors from diverse backgrounds, acknowledging and respecting their cultural differences and needs. By reflecting on their own values and attitudes and striving for continuous self-improvement, support workers can ensure they provide survivors with the empathetic, respectful, and culturally competent support they deserve.