Practice 31: Working With Survivors Of Sexual Abuse And Trau

Practice31working With Survivors Of Sexual Abuse And Trauma The Cas

Practice 31 Working With Survivors of Sexual Abuse and Trauma: The Case of Brenna Brenna is an 18-year-old, heterosexual, African American female. She is pregnant, residing in a homeless shelter, and has no income source. Brenna was raised by her biological mother in a one-bedroom apartment in an urban neighborhood. When Brenna was 15 years old, her mother began dating a new man. This man sexually assaulted Brenna while they were home alone one evening.

She immediately disclosed the sexual assault to her mother who called her a liar and told her to move out. Brenna then lived in a variety of situations, sometimes residing with friends for short periods and sometimes living in a youth shelter. During this period she attended high school intermittently but did not graduate. After her 18th birthday, Brenna moved in with her boyfriend, Cameron. Also living in the household were Cameron’s mother, his 16-year-old sister, and a 7-year-old brother.

Shortly after moving in with Cameron, Brenna became pregnant with his child. Prior to the pregnancy, Cameron would often abuse her physically, verbally, and emotionally. When Brenna announced the pregnancy, Cameron became even more violent, accused her of sleeping with other men, and denied paternity of the baby. When Brenna was 4 months pregnant, Cameron attempted to strangle her, so Brenna moved to a shelter. Although the shelter was willing to house Brenna and her newborn temporarily, their policy required Brenna to secure new living arrangements prior to giving birth.

I was assigned to be Brenna’s social work case manager at this shelter. Brenna and I worked together to set manageable goals during her stay at the shelter and also developed a plan for ongoing mental health support. Utilizing individual case management sessions, I worked with Brenna to prioritize goals regarding financial stability, permanent housing, and medical care. Brenna had difficulty reading and writing, so we worked together to complete the applications for Medicaid; General Assistance; the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and a local subsidized apartment complex. Brenna often became frustrated throughout this process, struggling to locate all required documents as a result of her frequent moves and changes in residency.

I advocated for Brenna to receive medical care at the local hospital’s prenatal clinic while waiting for Medicaid approval, utilizing her completed Medicaid application to support the request. The hospital also agreed to enroll Brenna in prenatal support and education groups that met on a weekly basis. Difficulty with reading and writing made it challenging to apply for jobs to list on her application for General Assistance, so I gathered information for Brenna on available educational and self-help centers in the community. She enrolled in a group at a local agency that provided free General Educational Development (GED) training, and she was able to enhance her reading skills during her stay at the shelter.

By attending a group at the agency, Brenna met several single mothers in the area and built a new support network in the community. Throughout this process, Brenna struggled with feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, loneliness, and powerlessness. I worked with her to validate and process these feelings and assisted her in contacting a local therapist with experience working with survivors of dating abuse and domestic violence. Although she was initially hesitant to engage in a therapeutic relationship, I assisted Brenna in making an informed decision to do so. She attended weekly therapy sessions throughout the duration of her stay at the shelter.

Brenna’s resiliency, self-sufficiency, and dedication to providing a healthy life for her unborn child gave her the motivation to set difficult goals, and she used her time at the shelter to attain them. One month prior to giving birth, Brenna’s housing application was accepted and she moved into a small two-bedroom apartment. Working with Social Services, she was granted a voucher and was able to furnish her apartment. I accompanied Brenna to the supermarket and assisted her in planning a monthly food budget with her SNAP and WIC funds. Through work with her therapist, Brenna cut off all contact with Cameron, choosing to raise her child on her own.

She said she felt like a new person when she established a new phone number and address without informing Cameron, and when she left the shelter, although nervous, she expressed a sense of confidence in her ability to move forward with her new baby.

Paper For Above instruction

This case study of Brenna exemplifies the complex challenges faced by survivors of sexual abuse and the multifaceted approach required in social work intervention. Brenna’s journey highlights not only her resilience but also the profound impact of trauma, social isolation, and systemic barriers on her ability to establish stability and pursue future goals. This paper aims to analyze the key intervention strategies employed, the theoretical frameworks guiding practice, and the implications for social justice and policy advocacy in supporting survivors like Brenna.

Initially, the social work intervention centered on building trust and providing validation through active listening and empathetic engagement. Given Brenna’s difficulty with literacy and her unstable living conditions, tailored assistance in applying for essential services such as Medicaid, housing, and nutrition programs was vital. Utilizing a strengths-based approach, I helped Brenna recognize her resilience and her motivation to create a better future for her child. This approach aligns with asset-based community development theories, which emphasize empowerment by focusing on an individual’s strengths and potential (Kretzmann & McKnight, 1993). Such strategies helped Brenna regain a sense of agency, critical in trauma recovery.

Knowledge of local systems, including social assistance programs and healthcare resources, formed the backbone of the intervention, enabling me to advocate effectively on her behalf. Advocacy efforts aimed at securing prenatal care and mental health services were crucial, considering her past trauma and current mental health needs. By facilitating access to prenatal support groups and therapy, the intervention addressed both her immediate health needs and underlying emotional challenges, including feelings of inadequacy and powerlessness.

The application of systems theory was fundamental in guiding practice. This theory emphasizes understanding individuals within their various social systems—family, community, and institutional structures (Bronfenbrenner, 1979). Brenna’s circumstances—homelessness, social isolation, past abuse, and systemic barriers—necessitated a holistic approach that not only addressed her individual needs but also navigated intersecting systems influencing her life. For example, advocacy for her to access subsidized housing and assistance programs addressed structural barriers while supporting her emotional resilience.

Brenna’s strengths included her resilience, determination, and desire to provide a stable environment for her child. Her engagement in community support groups demonstrated her proactive stance toward building social networks and accessing resources. Conversely, her challenges—social isolation, low literacy, past trauma, and systemic hurdles—were significant but manageable through targeted interventions and resource linkages.

The goals established focused on securing medical care, stable housing, financial assistance, and mental health support. These goals reflect the importance of holistic support in trauma recovery and social reintegration. Policy considerations, such as restrictions due to documentation requirements and limitations in social services, impact access to resources. Advocating for policy adjustments to ease access for marginalized populations, including survivors of abuse with literacy challenges, is essential for social justice (Piven & Cloward, 1971).

Legal and ethical issues involved maintaining client confidentiality, informed consent, and respecting Brenna’s autonomy, especially regarding decisions about her relationship with Cameron. Ethical practice demanded boundaries be maintained, ensuring Brenna’s safety and well-being while empowering her to make informed choices. Addressing systemic barriers requires advocacy, but always within ethical frameworks of respect and beneficence.

Reflecting on Brenna’s case underscores the importance of adopting trauma-informed care, rooted in understanding the pervasive impact of trauma and emphasizing safety, empowerment, and collaboration (SAMHSA, 2014). It also highlights the necessity of persistent advocacy to improve systemic barriers and increase accessibility of services for vulnerable populations.

In conclusion, working with survivors like Brenna demands a comprehensive, strength-based, and systems-oriented approach that addresses individual needs and systemic barriers. Through empathy, advocacy, and informed intervention, social workers can empower survivors to rebuild their lives, foster resilience, and promote social justice in the face of systemic inadequacies.

References

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