DCS Mentoring Program Mental and Physical Abuse Component for Ages 7-17
Over the past few decades the problems of family violence and domestic abuse have been brought to the forefront of our consciousness. The reality is domestic violence occurs in families of all races, cultures, and socio-economic levels. Recognizing early warning signs is critical in the reduction of domestic violence. Part of the problem is domestic violence encompasses many different types of abuse:
At DCS Mentoring Program, we try to use a holistic approach when mentoring our young men. We delve into each Mentee’s life in search of finding out if their living environment is a healthy one. On the topic of Abuse, there are three areas of abuse we concentrate on. They are Physical, Sexual and Mental (Cyber Bullying) abuse.
Physical abuse includes slapping, hitting, punching, shoving, kicking, choking, pushing, grabbing, pulling hair, depriving of food, light and/or water, and many other ways of physically harming another person. Sometimes physical abuse involves being hit with a weapon or an object, or even left alone in dangerous places or tied up and left for periods of time.
Sexual abuse is when a partner is forced to participate in sexual situations against his or her will. This can include sexual intercourse when the partner is not fully conscious, has not given consent, or is afraid to say no. This might also include sexual situations in which one partner coerces the other to engage in sexual activities that are not mutually agreed upon.
Cyber Bullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior. Sometimes it even leads to death and or suicide.
Professionals agree that domestic violence is very complex and can take many different forms. Abusers can include spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends, same-sex partners, roommates and friends. It may appear that the obvious and simple solution to this problem is that a domestic violence survivor should just leave the abuser and the abusive relationship. But where does that leave our children caught up in the crossfire of such relationships?
At DCS Mentoring Program we approach this very sensitive subject matter in a variety of ways.
In extreme cases, we report findings to law enforcement for further investigation. We are upfront with our parents before the program begins and they are informed that investigating abuse in their son’s life is a part of our overall curriculum. As a guide to our Mental and Physical Abuse component we use the Domestic Violence Survival Workbook below as well as other sources.
