Introduction
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a highly undesirable and traumatic phenomenon experienced in many families. Moreover, many suffering individuals tend to conceal the bitter facts of maltreatment. Although it is impossible to eradicate, the state must still make every possible effort to mitigate this problem. Therefore, distinguishing priorities for preventing IPV represents an urgent task that should be aimed at preventing perpetrating violence and supporting victims.
Definition of Intimate Partner Violence
Domestic violence, including IPV, is a frequent practice that became even more widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Mazza et al. (2020), IPV exists in forms of physical or sexual violence and psychological abuse in a home setting. Women of all ages usually become victims of their partners’ maltreatment, though men can also suffer from this practice. Furthermore, children represent a particular risk group because they often cannot defend themselves and are not properly protected by one of their parents or caregivers.
To emphasize the necessity of identifying priorities for IPV prevention, one should consider the consequences of such a phenomenon. Besides the fear of staying at home with a perpetrator, emotional tension, and psychological discomfort, the victim can develop various mental health disorders and adverse physical health conditions (Mazza et al., 2020). Moreover, there is a certain risk of homicide, especially among women.
Three Priorities for Prevention
In view of the recent COVID-19 experience, the need to address IPV has dramatically increased. Mazza et al. (2020) emphasize the urgent need to seek funding sources for support programs and various counseling services, as well as screening tools to prevent domestic violence. However, there is no mention of raising awareness of the population regarding IPV.
Educating Families to Increase Awareness and Prevention
Therefore, the first priority is the education of families because individuals informed about this phenomenon, its impacts, and ways to seek help can have better chances to protect themselves. It can be a comprehensive public education program that will include theory, group discussions, and screening tools to detect possible perpetrators. Within this framework, the theoretical part encompasses the description of IPV, distinctive behavioral traits of perpetrators, and advice on how to act in threatening situations.
Group discussions will aim at reinforcing learned material and role-playing. Although developing valid and reliable screening tools may take a particular amount of time, it is necessary to detect potentially harmful behaviors early. In the case of identifying persons inclined to violence, one can add an option for this category of people to receive individual psychological and legal consultations. It will be the opportunity to elaborate on traumas leading to destructive traits and learn more about legal punishment for IPV.
Providing Immediate Protection and Support for IPV Victims
The second priority is immediate protection and support for victims of IPV. Although Mazza et al. (2020) stress the need for funding IPV support services, including telephone and remote counseling, it may be ineffective when an individual’s health or life is under threat.Given this, it makes sense to increase the number of emergency shelters in each district. It can allow the victims to escape potential danger as soon as they notice their partner’s suspicious and threatening behaviors.
Moreover, it would help to broaden the coverage of potential victims. Besides such core functions as psychological and medical support, there is a need to add housing services and children’s services in the existing shelters and include them in the new ones. For instance, those who suffered from domestic violence and IPV can apply to be assisted with transitional or permanent housing for individuals or families. The family housing option would be helpful for people with children who do not want to live with an abuser anymore.
Children’s services should aim at support, education, and leisure to ensure a child’s multifaceted care and development. For example, shelters can provide child abuse services or pet therapy in the support domain. As for education, it would be helpful to arrange onsite schooling or provide school referral programs.In terms of leisure, the shelter can organize group activities such as art or music sessions.
Empowering Adolescents to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence
The third priority is strengthening adolescent efforts in preventing IPV violence. Mazza et al. (2020) write that children and adolescents are exposed to violence by their parents. It can compromise mental and physical well-being and become a reason for bullying at school. The unwillingness of adolescents to share their experiences with social workers and medical professionals aggravates the situation.
Moreover, one school psychologist may be insufficient to provide holistic support for many children. It would be useful to organize help-and-support points in schools to allow adolescents to be heard and assisted. This initiative envisages two functions, including educative and supportive. The task of professional psychologists involved in these points will be conducting sessions where students can learn about IPV and domestic violence and necessary actions if they encounter such cases at home. The educational programs should focus on explaining the need to apply for help to relevant services. Within a supportive function, the points must provide psychological counseling for adolescents and the opportunity to be referred to psychological facilities and services outside schools when needed.
Conclusion
To conclude, distinguishing priorities to prevent IPV is pivotal for the protection and well-being of individuals and families. IPV is more common than one can imagine, and its elimination is challenging, but the state must constantly look for approaches to combat this problem. The first crucial area is creating educational programs for families that comprise theory, discussions, and screening tools. The second task is to arrange shelters for victims that would include psychological and healthcare support and provide further access to services such as police, psychiatry facilities, and so on. Finally, there is a need for creating two functional help-and-support points in schools to assist adolescents in coping with IPV occurring at their homes.
References
Mazza, M., Marano, G., Lai, C., Janiri, L., & Sani, G. (2020). Danger in danger: Interpersonal violence during COVID-19 quarantine. Psychiatry Research, 20, pp. 1-3.