A new analysis approach to social problems: A case study looking at domestic violence

The purpose of this analysis was to define strategies to further decrease male partner assaults. Historical approaches evolved to provide victims with support and reduced the social acceptance of domestic violence. Unfortunately, these approaches are not effective in addressing the men who are assaulting today. A review of the current environment using a problem solving approach (process improvement) is presented. It includes analytic techniques used at a top ten multi-national corporation. This approach results in identifying the strengths and weakness of existing strategies, understanding their impact on options today, and supports the development of recommendations. A social policy process improvement review enables an assessment of the current environment in the United States and aids those in the policy implementation phase of addressing violence against women and girls. The findings suggest that there are now legal and political barriers to implementing potentially effective treatment strategies for mandated male offenders. The current domestic violence paradigm appears to focus on punishing men by sending them to ineffective treatments. Medical personnel who screen for domestic violence do not have evidence based solutions to recommend to women who wish to remain in their relationship. A silo public health structure exists limiting the leverage of available resources for those exposed to the childhood trauma of family violence. In education girls are encouraged to embrace “boy” qualities yet “girl” qualities in boys are dismissed -- resulting in a glass wall between boys and girls. Additionally, human values course material needs inclusion in schools to increase social capital.