Publication Date
2009
Document Type
Masters Thesis
Department
School for Social Work
Keywords
Social workers-Professional ethics, Social work education, Abused women-Services for, Autonomy (Psychology), Family violence, Social work ethics, Ethical dilemmas, Domestic violence, Domestic abuse, Intimate partner violence, Battered women, Mandatory reporting, Cultural compentent practice, Duty to protect, Self-determination, Ethical decision-making, Family violence-Law and legislation
Abstract
Though social workers come in contact with victims of domestic violence in a number of ways, studies indicate that social workers report feeling underprepared by their graduate education to address issues of domestic violence (DV). In an effort to reveal what is preventing social workers from taking a more demonstrative position on this issue, two focus groups comprised of 5 to 8 Master's level social workers were conducted to explore what resources aid in resolving ethical dilemmas, as well as the following ethical issues: upholding a client's right to self-determination, a clinician's duty to warn/duty to protect, mandatory reporting of children witnessing DV, legislation mandating reporting of physical injuries resulting from DV to the police, and honoring cultural values when DV is present. Findings regarding what ethical issues social workers encounter in their work with victims of DV, social workers' understanding of the complexities of DV and the laws and ethics that impact this work, how social workers resolve ethical issues regarding DV, and where they obtain the information to help them resolve these issues are reported. In addition, recommendations for future research and strategies for upholding the core social work value of self-determination when working with women experiencing domestic violence are discussed.
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Wiech, Jennifer F., "How social workers resolve the ethical dilemmas that arise when working with women experiencing domestic violence" (2009). Masters Thesis, Smith College, Northampton, MA.
https://scholarworks.smith.edu/theses/1159
Comments
iii, 84 p. : col. ill. Thesis (M.S.W.)--Smith College School for Social Work, Northampton, Mass., 2009. Includes bibliographical references (p. 69-75)