annotated bibliography of new zealand research into family violence

a case study helps to illustrate the practical application of that framework. There are two partsto the framework: the Index of Sexual Abuse Indicators; and knowledge of women. Theauthor concludes that practitioners need a grounded understanding of the symptoms andbehaviours of the Index, of gender relations, and of how the two are related, to effectively usethe Index.Jim Depree, the author of chapter 19, "Teaming up With Families to Overcome Problems",takes a narrative approach to counselling work with families. A case example is utilised toexplore working with a family where one of the children is acting out through such behaviouras being violent towards her siblings. The context of the family’s problem and how the familycan develop new ways of interacting and understanding themselves is examined.The author of chapter 20, Pie Bowden, discusses Parentline Manawatu’s approach to workingwith mothers who seek help because they are under stress and abusing, or at risk of abusing,their children. This chapter outlines the development of a psychodynamic practice approach.The agency’s value base is explored and is noted to have had a greater influence than itsknowledge base in the early development of agency practice. This chapter also covers thedevelopment of a workplace model for one-to-one work and group work. A theoretical base,and its development for practice, are then discussed. The author concludes that ParentlineManawatu works from interactional and psychodynamic approaches, and that thepsychodynamic approach taken by the service can be hugely beneficial.Murphy, C. (2002). Women coping with psychological abuse: Surviving in the secret world of malepartner power and control. Unpublished master’s thesis, University of Waikato, Hamilton,New Zealand.See: www.nzfvc.org.nz/13113.pubTopic Areas: Intimate partner abuse, Psychological/emotional abuse, Women, Victims/survivors, Pakeha, Cultural factors, Gender, Policy, Social services, Cultural practiceAbstract: This thesis examines the coping strategies Pakeha women use in response to beingpsychologically abused. The sample consisted of 12 Pakeha women who had left their malelive-in partner no less than one year previously. From interviews with these women, theauthor uncovers women’s experiences of the abuse and their versatile responses over time.Using a feminist-grounded theory analysis, findings clearly demonstrate the chief influenceson the beliefs women held and consequently the choices they made. The four main influencesinclude: their partner’s ‘power and control’ tactics; gender socialisation; responses fromfamily, friends, acquaintances and institutions; and popularly understood definitions of whatconstitutes and what causes domestic violence. The myth that leaving an abusive partner isthe way to end abuse is discredited. Several theories show promise for aiding in theunderstanding of women’s complex coping processes. These include feminist theory; Frenchand Raven’s theory of the five bases of power; face-saving entrapment theory; socialconstruction theory; social identity theory; existential theory; relational theory; cognitivesocial learning theory; Belenky and colleague’s theory of women’s ways of knowing,learning and perceiving truth; intergenerational theory of violence; psychoanalytic theory andnarrative theory.The discussion places emphasis on the finding that women lose a sense of themselves as aresult of psychological abuse, but following a number of catalysts for change, they experiencea new-found inner strength which generates a change in beliefs and strategies. In spite ofsocial disapproval, minimal assistance from social institutions and ongoing separation abuseby their ex-partner, these changes reflect the value of self-care, a determination to pursue theirpotential and to shake free from the shackles of gender socialisation.134