Evaluation of PEACE, Research Paper Example

The PEACE Domestic Violence Agency stands for a worthy cause and as such strives to make a difference, not only throughout its own community, but throughout the world as well. With a mission to “reduce victim trauma, empower survivors, and promote recovery through direct services, the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency has committed itself to reducing incidents of sexual assault and domestic violence through education and strives to challenge societal norms and beliefs that condone perpetual violence in the community,” (Author’s Last Name, Year).

It is the opinion of this evaluation, however, that while they are making admirable and meritorious strides in helping to set events of domestic violence right, as well as engender a new way for society to function that does not breed the same levels of violence, their methods for doing so could be improved upon so as to increase their effectiveness and ultimately better reach their goals.

Stretching Too Thin

First off, it is once again laudable that the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency wants to do so much for its community. The risk of being stretched too thin, however, is a real problem at which someone needs to take a look. Most of the other organizations that have dedicated themselves to similar causes all seem to focus on one or two particular aspects of domestic abuse, such as “physical abuse,” “emotional abuse,” verbal abuse,” “marriage/relationship abuse,” “Child and parent abuse,” or even “financial abuse,” (Eastside Domestic Violence Program, 2011), and unfortunately, “abuse in the home is not a rare problem, it is just rarely admitted as one ,” (“Types of Domestic Abuse,” 2008).

In the case, or example, of the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency, they want to focus on families with one or more members in prison, as well as anyone who has been affected by domestic violence, juvenile rehabilitation, and more. All of which, while morally and ethically well meaning, are large projects in and of themselves. It is the opinion of this evaluation, however, that the organization would be most effective if they chose to focus their resources within one or two fields; at which point the maximum amount of good can be brought about.

A person on the outside looking in could even take the hypothetical scenario a bit farther and have the organization spearhead the foundation of a few other organizations, all operating independently but also in cohesion, or together, so that each division has a full basket of resources from which to draw.

By doing this, the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency would be more helpful to the victims that are being treated because they could then receive more specialized care, advice, and help in general. One of the reasons why many domestic violence cases are never reported is that no one knows to whom they should report, or from where they could go for help; by providing more singularly concentrated efforts from each partner associated with the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency, it would be more likely that people would know exactly where to can go and what they can do to get out of their unfortunate situations. Ultimately, this would help the organization reach their primary objectives just that much faster because the process would have become more streamlined.

One aspect that each division probably should wish to get ‘out there’ and into populace of their community is that “it’s ok not to be ok,” (Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects,” 2006).  It is an unfortunate truth that even though victims are everywhere, no one wants to let on that they are being abused. If the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency can spread information, such as typical signs, behaviors, and/or characteristics of an abuser, people may be able to get help soon, or at least get themselves out of the situation in which they find themselves.

Rehabilitation of Youth

Another aspect of the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency’s business model that should be brought to attention is that one of the aspects they wish to cover is the rehabilitation of youth that have already tangled with the criminal justice system. The theory that by providing “skills, confidence, and personal support networks,” the organization can help keep the young criminals off the dark path is a very large undertaking; it is in the views of this evaluation that it is also a short sighted undertaking, (Author’s Last Name, Year).

“Some 2.4 million juveniles are charged with offenses annually. An appalling 55 percent of juveniles released from incarceration nationwide are rearrested within one year. In urban centers that” “rate of recidivism reaches up to 76 percent. High recidivism is associated with increases in crime, victimization, homelessness, family destabilization, and public health risks. Government sponsored correctional programs cost sixty-billion dollars annually,” (Wilson, pg. 49).

In summary, recidivism is extremely difficult to combat and as a result is an extremely expensive option. Not only does this help to support the ‘don’t spread oneself too thin’ point made above but acts as a large flaw in and of itself.

Now the legislature recently made it easier to “try juvenile offenders as adults,” in the hope that the “harsher punishment will result in lower juvenile crime rates,” (“Juvenile Justice”, 2011). In the event that this succeeds, the goal of the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency will not be so hard to accomplish, still there is a lot involved.

Still, the biggest flaw still comes from the ways through which the organization wishes to achieve its goal. If the matter could be solved in three simple steps there is no way that the industry of rehabilitation, for that is virtually what it is, could be worth over sixty billion dollars, and still not accomplish all that much.

Conclusion

Overall, it is not hard to say that the plan and business model for the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency is not admirable and well-intentioned. Still, it is also not hard to say that the plan, as it is currently written, is nothing more that idealism and hope for an eventual utopia. The organization truly does have a good set up started, but after a thorough evaluation, even the prettiest of architectures can have a flawed foundational structure.

Still, given all of that into consideration, there still continues to be a lot of potential in the design. With only a few changes here and there, the overall layout of the PEACE Domestic Violence Agency could be a sound business plan; something very worthwhile to which investors can look. Who knows, funding may even increase after some more solid business sense is demonstrated.

Works Cited

(2006). “Domestic Violence and Abuse: Types, Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Effects.” The American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. Date Accessed: 04 Feb. 2011

(2008). “Types of Domestic Abuse.” Hidden Hurt Domestic Abuse Information. Date Accessed: 04 Feb. 2011

Author’s Last Name, Author’s first initials. “PEACE Domestic Violence Agency.” Text Book Title. Publication City, Year of Publication. Print.

“Eastside Domestic Violence Program.” EDVP.com. Taproot Foundation. 2011. Web. Date Accessed: 02 Feb. 2011.

“Juvenile Justice.” Pbs.com. Frontline. Web. Date Accessed: 02 Feb. 2011.

Wilson, J. “Reducing Juvenile Recidivism in the United States.” Stanford University. [Scribd.com]Web. Date Accessed: 02 Feb. 2011.