Economic abuse does not always appear in the context of domestic abuse,there are other forms of abuse that are more mentioned in politics and inmedia, for example physical and psychological abuse. Previous researchshows that economic violence is often linked to psychological and physicalviolence and that it is mainly women who are overrepresented in terms ofvulnerability to violence. The consequences of economic violence have provento be many and big, in some terms even life-long for the women who havebeen exposed to the violence.The purpose of the study is to gain an increased understanding of socialworkers' experiences in working with women who have been exposed toeconomic violence by men they have a relationship with, as well as the socialand economic consequences the exposed women are left with. The theoriesused in the study are Yvonne Hirdman's theory of gender, as well as Goffman'stheory of stigmatization and social exclusion.Eight interviews of social workers have been conducted to get a picture ofwhat consequences women who are exposed to economic violence have andwhat obstacles and opportunities the social workers see in their work withwomen exposed to violence. The results show that men's economic violenceagainst women has major consequences for women's lives. The results alsoshow that social workers see both obstacles and opportunities in their work tohelp women exposed to economic violence.

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This diploma thesis deals with analysis of domestic violence in families in Písek and its surroundings. The main topic of this work is to map the issue and the dynamic of domestic abuse commited on women in Písek and its surroundings. The topic of this work was chosen with regard to my work orientation. I am working as a social worker in the organization NADĚJE. The mission of this organization is to help people who find themselves in difficult social situations. Among the clients are often found abused women. First half of theoretic part is dedicated to term definition domestic violence and its development. Till 1990, the domestic abuse has been perceived as personal matter. The radical turn came between 1990 2000, when the debates and discussion started through media. The public changed its mind and it was acknowledged that domestic violence repesent serious society wide problem that needs to be in centre of attention. The second half of theoretic part works with domestic violence cycle and descibes more detailed possible effects on victims. The attention is paid to law aspects of domestic abuse. The practical part of this thesis maps the dynamic of domestic violence commited on women in Písek and surroundings. To ensure the necessary information has been used qualitative research. A methodology of interviews and for key data collection technique was chosen the form of interview with using the instructions according Hendl. Research was attended by 11 women from the Pisek region, who lived with the aggressor at least 3 years. The main objective was to explore the issues and dynamics of domestic violence against women in Písek and its surroundings. Research questions were focused on the physical, psychological and socio-economic violence, "Institute of ejection" and the reasons why the interviewed women stay with the aggressor in the same household. On the basis of frame analysis that was carried out, and interpretation were induced these theoretical concepts: 1. The forms of any kind of violence are belittled and excused. The victims of domestic abuse learn how to live with the aggressor and his behaviour and accept it as part of their life. 2. The women as victims of domestic violence are aware that it has negative impacts on the children who are present in most of the cases, but they do anything to change. 3. Most of the battered women agree that their partner gets easily jealous and nags or humiliates them frequently. 4. The victims are not in touch with their families and friends that confirms the social isolation. 5. The knowledge of "Institute of ejection" is very low. 6. Prolonged exposure to domestic violence has a negative impact on self-esteem of women as victims.

Men's violence against women is a widely recognized problem that has recently received considerable political and social attention. Previous studies show that one in three women are subjected to violence by a man in a close relationship at some point in their lives, regardless of class, religion and ethnicity. Economic violence is a less recognized form of violence, yet one with serious consequences, both long and short term. This study aims to examine how social workers identify economic violence in their encounters with clients, as well as whether traditional gender roles and conceptions of gender affect the conditions for identifying economic violence. The study consists of ten qualitative semi-structured interviews with social workers in financial assistance. The empirical data revealed that there are several aspects that make it difficult for social workers to identify economic violence. Lack of time affects the conditions for actively working on the issue of economic violence. Similarly, gaps in knowledge about economic violence due to inadequate education, both at university level and in professional life, is something that social workers perceive as a challenge regarding identifying economic abuse. The empirical data also highlights how notions of gender roles can affect social workers' ability to identify economic violence. Norms about the division of responsibilities in the home and subconscious thoughts about gender hierarchies provide space for a normalization process that makes it difficult for the woman and the social worker to detect the violence. Most of the participants admit that they have their own bias about gender, thus making it visible and raising awareness of how these can affect the assessment of what is economic violence or not.

Among all the types of violence against women the economic abuse does not always appear that often in the context of domestic abuse. Previous research interprets and categorizes economic abuse as physical violence and controlling behavior and is not distinguished for what it can imply for the life of the woman. Men’s economic abuse against women can therefore affect women’s life in a lifelong and/or life sacrificing way. The aim of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding of social workers experiences of men’s economic abuse against women in heterosexual relationships and which consequences it may have for the women. The study is based on eight individual qualitative interviews with social workers and women shelter employees, both with and without a bachelor’s degree in social work. The empirical findings have been thematically analyzed with Yvonne Hirdman’s theory of gender system as a foundation. The result shows that the connection between the theory of gender system and men’s economic abuse against women, forms for example in gender contracts. The result also shows that social workers' experiences are that abused women suffer from multiple consequences of economic abuse, even after a separation, which can have lifelong negative impact for women as victims of violence.  The gender perspective is useful in social work, to understand and interpret men’s economic abuse against women, and to prevent reproducing these systems. It is also important to acknowledge the consequences, for women, that emerge after the separation to create a stronger safety network for women that have been victims of men’s economic abuse.

Economic violence is a relatively unexplored subject even though it is often a part of occuring intimate partner violence. Therefore it is of concern to acknowledge how the swedish social services’ take part in this form of violence in their work. By law the swedish social services’ are the responsible authorities for victims of intimate partner violence to seek help and support. Although according to previous research on the subject, women feel like receiving help from the social services is not always an option for them. Women often feel powerless in meetings with a person of authority. This study aims to gain knowledge of the support given by the social services to women who are survivors of domestic abuse and further focus on economic abuse. There is also an understanding that non profit organizations (NGO’s) are a big contributor to helping survivors of domestic violence even though the law states the responsibility lays on a government body. Responsibility for the victims will therefore be another focus for further understanding of why NGO’s have taken on a helping role in society. A result from qualitative interviews on the subjects, with social workers from seven different municipalities, shows that there is a great variation between how social workers take on this kind of issue. The knowledge and experiences with handling cases of economic abuse vary between the different municipalities. Often the size of a municipality and lack of resources is a significant factor to what kind of help the municipality can offer. Working with and helping women who are survivors of economic abuse is complex. The social services and women shelters both work to help and try to find solutions for the problem.

In this study, the research problem sought to explore the degree of implementation of the Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998 by members of the South African Police Service (SAPS). The Domestic Violence Act clearly stipulates the responsibilities of members of the South African Police Service in terms of the policing and management of domestic violence. Data was collected by means of a literature study and individual interviews conducted with SAPS members at the station level. These police officials are responsible for implementing the provisions set out in the DVA. The researcher also drew on her investigative experience in the SAPS, including the investigation of domestic violence. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature study of national legislation, internal SAPS policies and directives that govern and promote the regulation of domestic violence in South Africa, the policing of domestic violence, media and newspaper reports as well as library resources and international studies. The findings of the research indicate that participants had a diverse understanding of domestic violence. This study also serves as testimony that the majority of the participants perceived and experienced the implementation of the DVA by the SAPS in various ways. However, participants understand their role and responsibilities to efficiently implement the provisions of the DVA. It was further determined that most of the participants knew their responsibilities regarding record keeping in incidences of domestic violence, and that members of the SAPS knew the procedure to follow in order to serve protection orders. It is, however, questionable whether they will be able to do so when necessary as most of them have not served it themselves as there are specific members at the station level who have been designated the duty of serving protection orders. However, it became evident that SAPS members are confronted with various challenges, at the station level, which hinder the proper implementation of the DVA. The recommendations made in this study may provide the SAPS with knowledge regarding the challenges and shortcomings that police officials experience in effectively implementing the provisions set out in the DVA, the role and responsibilities of SAPS members to efficiently implement the DVA, as well as the training and resources necessary to effectively execute the DVA. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)