Country Approaches a Contemporary Human Services Issue

¶ … country approaches a contemporary human services issue in comparison to your own. Include in your comparison historical, political, social, and economic factors that affect the country's approach. Finally, provide two insights you had and/or conclusions you drew about how other countries approach contemporary human services issues as a result of your comparison.

Domestic Abuse Services: The United States VS. Mexico

According to the United States Centers for Disease Control, approximately 4.8 women experience domestic abuse, or intimate partner violence (IPV), each year in the United States. The National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and local and state authorities and public agencies offer a variety of legal, health and advocacy services to encourage victims of domestic abuse to end abusive relationships and seek safe and healthy ending to these often deadly situations (CDC, 2011). In a report discussing domestic abuse services for victims in a variety of countries, Abramsky et al. (2011) noted that services in countries such as Mexico differ greatly from those provided in the United States. A primary factor in the services provided involves economic resources and cultural norms, and in many cases, the cultural and economic circumstances in Mexico limit the services offered for victims in comparison to those in the United States. In addition, funding for education and harm reduction is more readily available in the United States than in many rural, impoverished areas of Mexico (Abramsky et al., 2011).

Domestic abuse prevention and treatment programs in the United States often include comprehensive services extending to mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, and legal protection for victims. Families struggling with dysfunction and abuse will be offered services through the police, probation public health, and even non-profit organizations designed to offer support for victims and violent offenders. In contrast, many areas of Mexico lack the infrastructure and legal services to properly support and treat violent offenders and their victims. One major consideration in the successful treatment and long-term resolution of domestic violence is the treatment of co-morbid mental health and substance abuse issues. Services for public health and substance abuse treatment are extremely limited in parts of Mexico, and as such, many offenders with substance abuse or mental health issues go untreated. Abramsky et al. (2011) make a convincing argument that a lack of comprehensive services for alcohol and drug addiction often allows the cycles of domestic abuse to remain unchecked.