Making practice inclusive in gender-based violence work
International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare
ISSN: 2056-4902
Article publication date: 19 September 2016
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a case for reflective practice with an intersectional focus in supporting practitioners working with gender-based violence (GBV). It is argued that GBV increases women’s experiences of social exclusion requiring support systems that are inclusive and alert to intersecting forms of oppression. Some challenges to inclusive practice are identified and some supportive practices are suggested.
Design/methodology/approach
Reflective practice examples are drawn from UK-based advocacy and therapeutic work involving women experiencing GBV.
Findings
Three critical challenges to inclusivity are identified: poor knowledge of intersectionality, misuse of power and over-reliance on the scope of empathy.
Research limitations/implications
These themes are drawn from case examples gained from work-based practice with services in London and the southeast of England. The findings have limited scope but could be used to stimulate further research.
Practical implications
If health and social care services are to achieve a more inclusive response to women who experience GBV then reflective practice needs to shift the focus to a broader inquiry into women’s experiences. Whilst reflective practice cannot overturn the power invested in the health and social care sector it can help individual practitioners to respond to the inequalities they observe.
Social implications
It is argued that providing a regular reflective space is an effective mechanism for fostering inclusive practice responses to women experiencing GBV.
Originality/value
Intersectionality, power and empathy are identified as central themes for improving practitioner responses to GBV. How these themes apply to interactions between practitioners and abused women is demonstrated through examples from reflective practice sessions.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank Dr Kim Robinson for their rich discussions as they tried to unite their experiences from this field of work. This paper and Kim’s paper (see references) carry the flavour of those discussions. Dr Robinson is a Lecturer in Social Work at Deakin University, Melbourne, Australia. She has worked in the public health and social care sector in Australia and the UK with refugees and asylum seekers, women experiencing violence and in East Timor with refugee torture and trauma survivors. Kim taught in Mental Health, Social Care and Social Work at the University of Kent. She completed her PhD on the topic of frontline health and social workers in NGOs/voluntary sector in Australia and the UK working with refugees and asylum seekers.
Citation
Martin, S.P. (2016), "Making practice inclusive in gender-based violence work", International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare, Vol. 9 No. 3, pp. 174-184. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHRH-09-2015-0029
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2016, Emerald Group Publishing Limited