Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Responding to the individual trauma of domestic violence: challenges for mental health professionals
Other Titles:	Social Work in Mental Health
Authors:	Humphreys, Catherine
Keywords:	Health;Counselling;Mental health;Advocacy
Year:	2009
Publisher:	Routledge
Citation:	7 (1-3), 2009
Notes:	General Overview: This paper discusses the challenges mental health professionals in the United Kingdom face when responding to the mental health issues of women who have experienced domestic violence. Results: The research found that women’s experiences of health and medical services were extremely varied. The author outlines significant, recurring problems that survivors of domestic violence face in the medical health system. These include: a lack of respect; a lack of willingness to take domestic violence seriously; and in some extreme cases overt victim-blaming from mental health professionals. Survivors suggested ways in which mental health professionals could assist women’s recovery though: lifting the blame; helping them to name the abuse; maintaining a non-judgemental approach; and offering time, support and information. Discussion: Humphreys places these results within the current context of the health system. She argues that support for domestic violence survivors is no longer the domain of women’s services; rather it has been mainstreamed and professionalised. She argues that an individualised model of health service provision needs to be enhanced by the involvement of professionals and their organisations in the social movement to support domestic violence survivors. Humphrey’s uses the work of Judith Herman to extrapolate on the importance of maintaining a feminist analysis of domestic violence. She suggests that the needs outlined by the clients will only be fulfilled if this analysis is maintained.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/16679
ISSN:	1533-2993
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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