Discuss domestic violence intervention model approaches that support the notion they operate under an empowerment model. List the micro and macro levels of focus for these models.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Domestic violence interventions operate under an empowerment model, which addresses the power imbalance observed at both the micro and macro levels. The micro-level approach addresses the needs and problems of individuals, whereas the focus of the macro level is group and institutional changes. Specifically, at the micro level, the focus is on empowering victims in the following ways. Education: Help victims understand the nature of domestic violence; Support groups: Facilitate a help-seeking process and develop support groups in which members could learn from each other’s experiences and expand social support networks; Safety plans: Develop safety planning, for example, where to go in an emergency and develop a list of resources; Shelters: Provide a safe place to stay; Counseling: Provide counseling to reduce fear and self-blaming and address post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); Advocacy: Provide assistance with victims’ rights and meet the needs for their daily life, as well as support court-related needs and services including civil order protection; Financial resources: Achieve financial self-sufficiency. Macro strategies address underlying gender inequalities and discrimination. Such approaches address advocating for equal rights, the end to discrimination, and adequate resources. They also include a stronger police response to domestic violence. Criminal justice responses include mandatory arrest policies, no-drop policies, evidence-based prosecution, vertical prosecution, and allowing evidence to be admitted under exceptions to the hearsay rule.