Models
In this section I’ve provided models to guide you through abusive relationships for adults and children + what a healthy relationship would look like for adults and children.
The Trauma Recovery Model was useful when I worked with young people who had found themselves in youth offending and the criminal justice system.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: If we can meet the basic needs of people, we can begin working on their deeper needs. If the basic needs aren’t met, people are in a constant state of angst so little work can be accomplished. The following model is accessible from SimplyPsychology.org.
Abuse of Children (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project): This wheel shows ways in which children are abused through domestic violence and breaks down which category the abuse falls under. Please know that some of the abuses will fall under more than one category.
Power and Control Wheel (Duluth): The power and control wheel shows the different types of abusive behaviours that occur in domestic violence relationships. Each section encompasses specific behaviours. Remember that some behaviours will cross over into more than one category.
Childrens Wheels - How Violence Affects Children (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project): This wheel shows how domestic violence affects children and breaks it down into various categories for you to understand exactly how it may impact a child.
Equality Wheel (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project): The Equality Wheel shows what a healthy relationship would look like. People who have experienced abuse often are unable to identify healthy relationships as they have learnt to change their behaviour to suit the abuser.
Nurturing Children (Domestic Abuse Intervention Project): This wheel shows how you can nurture your child. It may seem difficult at the beginning, but if you are consistent, you will see the changes whether it is your own child or a child you are working with.
Muslim Power and Control Wheel (Dr Shareefa AlKhateeb): Dr Shareefa AlKhateeb adapted the Duluth Power and Control Wheel for Muslims using religious behaviours to define how domestic violence presented itself in Muslim families.
Trauma Recovery Model (Trisha Skuse & Tony Matthews): Toward the right side of this model you see the underlying needs that require attention. Inside the triangle you can see how trauma presents itself - you can see the chaos and complexity in managing trauma. On the left side you can see the layers of intervention required to manage the presenting behaviour. It is a complex maze but it can be worked through - being Trauma Informed is ONLY the first step but it's a big step.