Moving Forward to Resilient, Moving Forward to Resilient, Resourceful, Violence-Free LivesResourceful, Violence-Free Lives

Prasanna Gettu Ph.D Criminology International Foundation for Crime Prevention and Victim Care (PCVC)

The Asian Network of Women’s Shelters Conference, 2013, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Shelters for DV SurvivorsShelters for DV SurvivorsMove out of violent

capacity/situation Explore or assume new identities Support groups- freedom and

empowerment Protection/Restraining orders

Transition to shelter life can Transition to shelter life can be critical… be critical… 2-3 weeks to adjust to the fact she is

not going home (of the perpetrator) Accepts reality and begins to grieve Ready to use her energy to start

planning her future Decision to go back - she misses her

home, is afraid of the abuser’s threats or scared of independent living

DEPENDS ON A POSITIVE TRANSITION TO THE SHELTER

The transition… The transition… Lives strictly

governed by the abuser

No freedom Decisions to be

followed not taken

Freedom from being ‘controlled’

Her own ‘power’ over various resources

Make decisions independent of the abuser

Regaining herself

Key to empowering… Key to empowering… Shelter clients identify power

blocks and develop strategies to overcome those difficulties◦ Breaker- learned helplessness disables

them to identify the power blocks by themselves educate to

communicate and manage conflicts,, counseling, principles of equality, provide resources, opportunities, etc.

Can these realistically promote empowerment ?

A tested model for A tested model for shelter… shelter…

Why focus on coping? Why focus on coping? The individual counters the stress

and meets the day to day demands by coping physically, socially, and cognitively

Coping styles vary according to individuals, families, and cultures

(Andrews, 1990)

Psycho-social coping model Psycho-social coping model

Dussich, 1982

Coping style Coping style Positive/

appropriate coping ◦ being positive ◦ engage in

constructive problem solving

◦ task-focused behaviour

◦ accept help

Negative/inappropriate coping◦ deny the problem

exists◦ blame oneself or

others ◦ cope alone◦ use drugs, alcohol◦ being aggressive

Coping is highly individualistic & is mostly learned

Conditions that Conditions that decreasedecrease vulnerability:vulnerability:

use of resourcefulness (skills/strength/intelligence)

self-delivered reassurances (self encouragement)

positive thinking (learned optimism logical analysis)

rational action (reality oriented) regulate negative emotions (self control) positive appraisal (honest assessment) problem solving

(prioritization/optimism/persistence) diminished vulnerability (awareness/

empowerment)

Opposite conditions increase vulnerability.

Process..Process..Guided to constantly identify the

presence of these resources and take those ‘worthwhile’ to build their vision. ◦inadequate resources lead to

vulnerability and disability to move forward

◦adequate resources result in resiliency, safety and a strong self

Model for Empowerment Model for Empowerment

Success of a shelter Success of a shelter program program … in empowering women to move forward with their own skills and strengths rather than be dependent on what government, non government agencies or policies have to offer.