Victim and Adult Protective Services Essay

Submitted By Max-Salata
Words: 1428
Pages: 6
Open Document
Discussion
One of the more challenging career paths to choose in life is that of an Adult Protective Services Investigator. This is a career that is not for the faint at heart, or for those that cannot handle extreme and dangerous situations. An Adult Protective Services Investigator helps those that cannot help themselves, it is their job to investigate any situation that might arise on the job. An investigator is responsible for helping abused and neglected adults 18 and older that have a mental handicap, or that cannot physically take care of themselves (Wold, 2011). These victims are being neglected, both physically and mentally abused, and being exploited by those that they trust to care for them. These victims could be abused in several different ways, in several different places, and by several different people. It is the job of an investigator to determine what is happening to the victims, figure out a program to help the victims in need, prepare detailed narrative reports that will be presented in court, and to ensure the overall well-being of the victim (DOJ, 2012). Also, the threat of danger is always present while on the job, and this adds to the stress and strain that’s already happening. There is so much that an investigator has to try and accomplish that sometimes, the stress of trying to help everyone they can, becomes too much for someone to handle.
This stress leads to what is now being called compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue describes the symptoms that are experienced by social workers, physicians, nurses, and emergency personnel who work with clients experiencing trauma from assault, maltreatment, and disaster. Compassion fatigue is related to the emotional, cognitive, and physiological consequences of working with survivors of traumatic events, such as natural, or man-made disasters, abuse, or neglect (Bergal, 2007). This condition known as compassion fatigue, can cause depression, irritation, aggression, trouble concentrating, and it can lead to burnout of the job, which can lead to poor and unsatisfactory work, and that could cost a victim their life. Being on the front-line of trying to stop the abuse and neglect of others, can have a troubling and costly effect to an investigators mental and physical well-being. The role of an Adult Protective Services Investigator is to protect their victims, but they need to protect their own lives as well, otherwise, they’ll be unable to help anyone. Whether or not an investigator believes they need help to relieve stress or not, there are people and programs that are designed to combat and eliminate compassion fatigue.
While compassion fatigue is a major form of stress that an investigator can succumb to, there is also another form of stress called secondary traumatic stress. Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) natural behaviors and emotions resulting from knowledge about a traumatic event experienced by another and stress resulting from helping (Bruner, 2010). This type of stress, while not experienced by an investigator personally, it can have a lasting, and damaging effect to their overall well-being. An investigator is reliving the horrendous treatment that a victim has gone through every time they start an investigation, or reread the facts of the case. The investigator is reliving the treatment of the victim through the investigation, and this can ultimately cause problems down the road. However, much like with compassion fatigue, there are programs and treatments designed specifically for this type of stress.
Treatment Options
An Adult Protective Services Investigator may work alone on an investigation, and they may feel as if no one is there to help them when they are in need, but what they may not know is that there are support programs designed for their well-being. There several options and programs available for Adult Protective Service Investigators that are designed to help them relieve and eliminate compassion fatigue,
Show More

Related Documents: Victim and Adult Protective Services Essay

Elder Abuse Case Study

most states it is call the, “Adult Protective Services (APS) is the principle public agency responsible for investigating the situation occurring in the community”, this is an important program because we need a program that will investigate and try come up with ways to stop elder abuse(Roberto,2016). This program have to encourage the elder who have be abuse to come forward they can’t do any investigation in less they have consent of the elder who have been the victim to some type of abuse, but their…

Words 220 - Pages 1

Student: Medicine and Adult Protective Services Essay

The Sadness in Geriatric Care The common denominator among those who choose to practice in the field of geriatric medicine is an underlying compassion and concern for seniors that transcends all other factors. Adult and elder abuse is widespread, and a very serious issue. As a healthcare professional, it is my commitment to a person’s welfare to assist and report those being abused and neglected. I strive to promote public awareness, and serve as an advocate for the elderly. This issue is…

Words 1275 - Pages 6

Elder Abuse Case Study

Association, 2018). There has also been a substantial increase in reported elder abuse cases state-wide. In recent years, there were 44,367 incidents reported to the New York State Adult Protective Services which was an increase of more than 77 percent since 1997 (New York State Office of Children and Family Services, 2018). However, in order to continue to address the issue of elder abuse, we must first look at its' roots. The emergence of elder abuse as a social issue occurred in the late 1970's…

Words 400 - Pages 2

Adult Protective Services Case Summary

SUMMARY: On Friday, 10/14/2017, at approximately 1000 hours, Daly City Police responded to 845 Gellert Boulevard of the report of a possible elder abuse of Antonio Aragon via an Adult Protective Services (APS) referral from First National Bank. Upon talking with Aragon it did not appear he was the victim of a crime. APS was notified and scheduled a home visit with Aragon to make an assessment for a conservatorship. This case is for documentation only. INVESTIGATION: On Monday, 07/03/2017, at…

Words 444 - Pages 2

Domestic Violence Epidemic Summary Essay

which is physically pressuring sexual acts with the victim. Third, emotional and psychological violence, this may include threats and terrorizing the victim. Last includes psychological and emotional abuse, this is when the abuser humiliates, demeans and isolates the victim. Domestic violence is considered as physical, sexual, psychological harm which would include child abuse, elder abuse or intimate partner violence or IPV. Due to victims being intimated by abusers domestic violence is rarely…

Words 431 - Pages 2

Outline current policies and legistlation relating to children and how these affect your practive Essay

Question 1 Outline current policies and legislation relating to children and how these affect your practice. Whether you are a headteacher, teacher or teaching assistant you have a vital part to play in protecting and promoting the welfare of the children and young people in your care. Below are some of the policies and legislation that all education professionals should be aware and inform their practice accordingly. The ‘Working Together to Safeguard Children’ document (2006 revised 2010) looks…

Words 2073 - Pages 9

Essay Child Abuse, Ineffective Solutions Are Pointless Solutions

child abuse victims from a threatening environment, current solutions for child abuse need to be reformed due to lack of effectiveness. The fact of the matter is that the staggering amounts of children going through abuse exceed the capabilities of child protection services. Child abuse is a serious topic that involves the physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment or neglect of a child or children and although many organizations have been created to try and assist child abuse victims, the results…

Words 1654 - Pages 7

Essay on Domestic Violence

or DV as it is often called, is a concern? Possibly due to the fact that in the United States, more than 33 million women will become victims of domestic violence annually. Out of that number, 1400 women will die over the course of a year(Davis). Obviously, with this many citizens being harmed or killed, not enough is being done by the government to protect victims. Current prevention and legal actions should continue as well as be expanded. There are many ways to approach this issue using a combination…

Words 1281 - Pages 6

Early Childhood Education Paper

throughout this course, such as how emotions, conflicts, personality, motives, perception, stress and even anxiety affect communication processes in social environments. Abuse was also a major topic we came across. We learned that this arises not only in adult life but in adolescent life as well. This is what sparked me to choose to research the topic of child maltreatment and the aspect of sexual abuse occurring in the lives of young children. Child sexual abuse is a large and growing concern in the development…

Words 3153 - Pages 13

Child Abuse Survey Essay

Child Abuse Interview Questions 1. How long did you work for the Department of Human Services? 2. What was your job? 3. What all did your job involve? 4. How many cases of child abuse have you seen over the course of your career? 5. What are some of the signs of child abuse that you saw during your time at the Department of Human Services? 6. Have you ever had to be involved in taking a child out of a home? If so what was the hardest part for you? 7. What is your view on the difference…

Words 326 - Pages 2