Domestic violence and social work interventions in families with children

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the entry-point of social workers (engagement) into domestic violence (DV) issues and how social work interventions can be timely and effective in cases of domestic violence involving children in Latvia, Lithuania, and Slovakia. A mixed-methods research design was employed to investigate social workers' (SW) involvement and engagement process with families with children in cases of domestic violence. Eighteen social work professionals were selected using maximum variation and expert purposive sampling, and two offices (Police Department and State Social Municipal) were selected from each of the three countries studied using stratified random sampling technique. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected through in-depth interviews conducted face-to-face and online via Zoom. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis while the quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. The results indicated a steady increase in reported incidents of DV, especially against women, a disturbing trend of partner-perpetrated homicides of women, and an increase in child victims of all types of family violence in all three countries. The study revealed insufficient support and attention to child victims of DV. The study highlighted themes that explained social workers' involvement and engagement with DV-affected families, factors contributing to DV, government policies and support, the impact of cultural factors, and challenges interfering with social work interventions aimed at addressing DV in families with children. It revealed that social workers are introduced to families experiencing domestic violence when the victim voluntarily requests assistance, which may occur through referrals from third parties, such as various organizations, or when mandated by law to undertake rehabilitation. The study found that social workers' engagement with DV-affected families is hindered by insufficient government policies and resources, social stereotypes and harmful myths, victims' motivation and resources, and insufficient competencies among social workers including multidisciplinary collaboration among social work professionals. The impact of the study is for professionals (SW) and policymakers to consider children in families that report violence as victims and the mothers or women in such families as caregivers on whom the child's well-being is dependent. The study concluded that social workers and victims would benefit from improved government policies and support. The study recommends social work interventions informed by the principles of crisis intervention, critical social work, and ecological systems approach for families with children experiencing domestic violence.