How do social workers understand and respond to domestic violence?

This article explores three major themes related to domestic violence and social workers. More specifically it investigates a) British social workers’ abilities to recognize incidents of interpersonal violence; b) how much domestic violence training social workers typically receive; and c) and how awareness of organizational policies and practice experiences impact workers’ attitudes about domestic violence.

Based on the study findings, it is suggested that traditional higher education teaching methods of lecture and seminar combined with a service-learning component to course work should be explored. Additionally, local authorities and other health and social care agencies need to take more responsibility for ensuring their employees understand agency policy regarding domestic violence and how to apply it.

This study explores British social workers’ abilities to recognize incidents of interpersonal violence, how much domestic violence training social workers typically receive, and how awareness of organizational policies and practice experiences impact workers’ attitudes about domestic violence. Based on the findings the authors suggest that traditional higher education teaching methods of lecture and seminar combined with a service-learning component to course work should be explored. Additionally, local authorities and other health and social care agencies need to take more responsibility for ensuring their employees understand agency policy regarding domestic violence and how to apply it.

Author(s): Hefferman, Kristin; Blythe, Betty; Nicolson, Paula
Series: International Social Work
Year: 2014
ISSN: 1461-7234
Volume: vol. 57
Pages: p. 688-713