Both modules are in Victim Assistance Training Online, in the Core Competencies and Skills section. Upon completion, you will receive a certificate for each course you have taken. Download the certificate from the OVC TTAC website and upload it to the submission link to earn full credit. Each training completion is worth 25 points.

 You are now working as a therapist in a mental health clinic. A mother, Michelle, comes to you concerned about her 12 year-old son named James.  She describes James as being aggressive towards her which includes screaming in her face, throwing objects when he is upset and on two occasions, he pushed her down to the ground.  While you are conducting the intake, Michelle tells you that she left James’ father, Michael, after years of domestic violence which resulted in his arrests and current incarceration.  When you inquire about what behaviors James may have witnessed between his parents, Michelle is clear that James viewed many occasions when his Father punched her, blocked her from leaving the house and at one point, James intervened in the abuse resulting in him receiving a black eye from his Father.  Despite these examples, Michelle articulates to you that she does not understand from where James has learned these aggressive behaviors and would like assistance and support to intervene with him “before he becomes just like his father.”  How do you explain to Michelle the impact of Michael’s behaviors on James?  What further questions would you like to ask Michelle?  What techniques would you utilize to engage James? 

 Imagine you are having a conversation with a friend who makes one of two comments:

“I just don’t understand why women stay in an abusive relationship.” OR “I don’t understand why someone would not report being sexually assaulted/raped.”

Select one scenario and discuss how you would explain the victim/survivor experience to this friend based on what you have learned in this unit in order to help your friend better understand the dynamics which occur after an individual has been victimized. Your answer may include a discussion of the symptoms of trauma, lack of social support, beliefs/stereotypes of victims, the criminal justice system, child welfare involvement, etc

 As you read in chapter 11, you will note the disparities in health outcomes based on one’s social class, race, gender, neighborhood, occupation, and age, just to name a few factors.

Choose one health issue that is you see is somehow impacted by race, class, or gender. 

Research it from a sociological perspective (keep in mind, there may be individual factors that contribute to the issue, BUT our goal here is to look at the social perspective.)  

For example, why are working class Americans more likely to experience morbid obesity than upper middle class Americans? Is it about cultural food preferences? Cultrual beliefs about nutrition and food quality?  A cultural tendency to use inexpensive ingredients in processed foods? Food availability influenced by wealth? 

Or, why are African Americans more likely to have cardiovascular diseases?

Why are Black women three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts?

Why is the mental illness rate disproportionately higher in the Asian American community in the United States?

While some of the factors that may explain the health issues may be due to biological / genetic factors, the point of this assignment is to examine the sociological factors that may contribute to these differences. You should do some research to examine this issue, and develop a discussion post.

Post an initial 250 word response by Thursday and three total responses to other student posts (Sunday).