Jennifer Bush has been hospitalized more than 200 times, undergone 40 operations and has accumulated $3 million in medical expenses. Jennifer has been placed under state care and her mother, Kathy Bush, jailed for allegedly causing her illnesses, known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, a rare form of child abuse in which an adult intentionally makes a child ill in order to get attention. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

QUESTION

Jennifer Bush has been hospitalized more than 200 times,
undergone 40 operations and has accumulated $3 million in
medical expenses. Jennifer has been placed under state care
and her mother, Kathy Bush, jailed for allegedly causing her
illnesses, known as Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy, a rare
form of child abuse in which an adult intentionally makes a
child ill in order to get attention. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

There are primarily two ways to deal with parents who abuse their children—punishment and treatment. The most frequently used intervention is treatment. The primary goal of Child Protectiive Services is to intervene into the family, providing support and services (parenting education and anger management) to prevent the removal of the child from the home. The second, less frequently used method is to prosecute the parents in criminal court. The assignment gives you an opportunity to explore a nagging question about what to do with parents that abuse their children and what to do about partners and others who abuse family members.

They typical response to beating and battering of children is to engage the family in treatment and services to prevent placing the child in foster care. For contrast, it is interesting to note that the typical response to partner abuse is arrest. Chalk (1997) offers this explanation for the differing responses to child abuse:

Those who are opposed to criminal action believe that it hurts the family, that the criminal justice system is insensitive to families’ and children’s needs, and that district attorneys and police officers focus more on prosecution than on referrals for treatment and services. Those who favor criminal prosecution believe that it is an effective way to enforce the laws, deter future abuse, discourage unacceptable behavior, and coerce individuals into treatment (p. 168).

Now that you have studied the nature and consequences of family violence, do you think treatment or punishment is the better means of dealing with offenders? Why? Does it matter what kind of abuse we are talking about? Does the seriousness of the abuse make a difference? Why? Is treatment or punishment appropriate for stalking and date rape?

ANSWER

Exploring Approaches to Addressing Family Violence: Treatment vs. Punishment

Introduction

Family violence is a deeply concerning issue that demands effective intervention to protect the well-being of individuals involved. When it comes to dealing with offenders, there are two primary approaches: treatment and punishment. This essay aims to examine the merits of each approach in addressing different forms of abuse within families, considering the nature and consequences of family violence.

Treatment Approach

The treatment approach focuses on providing support and services to both the offender and the victim with the goal of preventing further harm and promoting family stability. This approach is often favored in cases of child abuse, where the primary aim is to maintain the child in their home while ensuring their safety. Treatment interventions may include parenting education, therapy, and anger management programs.

 Benefits of the Treatment Approach

 Family Preservation: Treatment programs strive to maintain family unity whenever possible, recognizing the importance of familial relationships in a child’s development.

Rehabilitation: By addressing the underlying causes of abusive behavior, treatment interventions offer the potential for long-term change, reducing the likelihood of future incidents (Fisher et al., 2017).

Supportive Services: Providing families with necessary resources and education empowers them to overcome challenges and break the cycle of abuse.

Punishment Approach

The punishment approach advocates for criminal prosecution, aiming to enforce the law, deter future abuse, and hold offenders accountable for their actions. This approach is typically employed in cases of partner abuse, where the focus is on ensuring the safety and protection of the victim.

Advantages of the Punishment Approach:

 Law Enforcement: Criminal prosecution sends a strong message that abusive behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated in society.

 Deterrence: The threat of legal consequences may deter potential offenders and discourage reoffending among those who have previously engaged in abusive behavior.

Victim Empowerment: Legal action can provide victims with a sense of justice and validation, promoting their healing and recovery.

Considering the Nature and Severity of Abuse

The nature and severity of the abuse must be taken into account when deciding between treatment and punishment. While both approaches have their merits, the seriousness of the abuse can influence the appropriate course of action.

 Treatment vs. Punishment for Different Forms of Abuse:

Child Abuse: Treatment-oriented interventions are often preferred, aiming to address underlying issues and preserve the family unit whenever possible. However, severe cases involving life-threatening harm to the child may necessitate removal from the home and criminal prosecution (Dobash, 2004).

Partner Abuse: Due to the immediate danger faced by victims and the cycle of power and control in abusive relationships, criminal prosecution is frequently pursued to ensure the safety of the victim and discourage future abuse.

Treatment or Punishment for Stalking and Date Rape

Stalking and date rape are grave offenses that warrant serious consideration. In these cases, a combination of treatment and punishment may be appropriate.

Treatment and Punishment for Stalking

Stalking interventions should include legal consequences to protect victims, along with therapeutic interventions targeting the offender’s behaviors, attitudes, and underlying issues such as obsession or entitlement.

 Treatment and Punishment for Date Rape

Date rape should be treated as a criminal act, with the offenders held accountable through legal proceedings. Concurrently, treatment programs addressing issues such as consent, healthy relationships, and empathy can aid in rehabilitation (Hicks-Hudson et al., 1998).

Conclusion

When addressing family violence, both treatment and punishment approaches have their place, depending on the specific circumstances. Treatment emphasizes family preservation and rehabilitation, while punishment seeks to deter and hold offenders accountable. The severity and nature of the abuse should guide the choice of intervention. Striking a balance between these approaches ensures the safety of victims, promotes offender accountability, and offers opportunities for rehabilitation and prevention of future harm.

References

Dobash, R. P. (2004). Women’s Violence to Men in Intimate Relationships: Working on a Puzzle. British Journal of Criminology, 44(3), 324–349. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azh026 

Fisher, D. J., Carpenter, J. R., Morris, T. P., Freeman, S. C., & Tierney, J. F. (2017). Meta-analytical methods to identify who benefits most from treatments: daft, deluded, or deft approach?. bmj, 356.https://www.bmj.com/content/356/bmj.j573.long 

Hicks-Hudson, P. (1998). Every Move You Make, I’ll Be Watching You Stalking: An Overview. Women’s LJ, 2, 1.https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/woljal2&section=5