Introduction
The goal of this paper is to offer a plan that will help Marta deal her situation both in short-term and long-term. It covers what Marta should do today, long-term plan, services for the children, her strengths and possible safety issues.
Immediate services for Marta and her children
Marta should first report the issue to the local police to avoid suspicion since she didn’t carry the birth certificates. She should use her driving license as prove of legality and the children can also help to prove the claims. Also, Marta and children require an apartment far from her husband’s place to ensure they are secure. The apartment should be large enough to accommodate Marta and her three children, but a small apartment is also ideal.
After settling, Marta and her children should acquire essentials including clothes and food. Fortunately, Marta carried “5 checks”, which she can use to purchase some necessities.
Marta and her children also require a short counseling session to help them overcome anxiety and fear. The advice will enable them to undertake the other activities confidently. The anxiety can significantly affect the children, so addressing it the first day is useful (Ali, O’Reilly and Karim, 2013).
What Marta needs in long-term
If Marta decides to end her marriage, there are various measures that she has to put in place. These actions will help Marta and her children live comfortably and safely far from their abusive father. Marta should enroll her kids in a new school where the husband can’t access them. The new school will also give the children a fresh environment to make friends and improve their performance.
One of the most urgent things that Marta requires is a job. Fortunately, she has a degree in accounting. Also, she has working experience, which is an upper hand when searching for employment. Securing a job is vital since Marta will be in a position to cater the needs of her children and even save money for other needs.
Also, Marta needs to file for divorce, which will bar the husband from intimidating her. Once she gets a divorce certificate, Marta can decide to raise her children as a single mother or even remarry. In this case, Marta will require the services of an attorney to help her file for divorce. She will also have to obtain the custody of her children since they don’t feel secure in the presence of their father. That way, Marta will be in a position to raise the children an environment where they feel safe and comfortable.
Finally, Marta needs a new home. Since the new home isn’t urgent, Marta can stay in an apartment for sometimes. However, once she gets a job, Marta can get a mortgage to purchase a house.
Special services for the Children
The children may be facing physiological problems due to the behavior of their dad. Malinosky and Hansen (1993), states that children may develop psychiatrist problems when exposed to violence. In fact, the nine-year-old child “bites his nails” showing the extent to which the family violence affects him. The three-year “clams up” while the other child hasn’t been performing well in school. First, the children require a counseling program. Since the situation of the children is worsening, they need the attention of a psychiatrist, mental doctor and teachers. The advice will help them rehabilitate, gain self-confidence and even improve in school.
The children also need child protective services to help them get access to education. The program is fundamental since Marta doesn’t have any source of income at the moment. Also, the children will concentrate on their studies and feel secure if they are sure of education. Additionally, the children require a health program.
Strengths of Marta’s
Marta is a strong woman who posses quality values that can help her to be independent. Apart from her virtues, Marta is also learned. First, she has a degree in accounting, which places her in a good position to secure a job. Also, she has experience in her field of study so it would be simple for her to get a job; she even got a promotion in her previous job before quitting. Marta has to seek employment in accounting and other fields.
Second, Marta is very caring and loving. Despite her husband’s violence nature, Marta is calm and doesn’t expose her problems to the public. She cares for the children and feels disturbed because the oldest child isn’t performing well in school. Marta even decides to leave the house with the children.
Third, she is very patient. Marta didn’t leave immediately when her husband became violent. She has given him a chance to change. Thus, helping Marta to settle and became independent will be simple since she doesn’t give up easily. This virtue is desirable when searching for a new job and striving to purchase a new home.
Finally, Marta has a culture of saving; evidently, she has a checking account. This strength will help Marta to save towards buying a home. Also, she is in the best position to save towards achieving other goals in life.
Safety issues
Marta and her children face various safety issues, which should be addressed. The children are anxious, and they don’t feel comfortable when their father is in the house. In fact, the son can’t bring a friend home because he fears the “way Daddy acts”. The children require protection to ensure they feel secure from their father. Additionally, the father may come searching so the family should keep their current location a secret.
Marta should find a phone number that isn’t listed to avoid being tracked through phone calls. According to Smith and Segal (2016), it’s advisable to use post office instead of home address. Importantly, Marta should request for address confidentiality from her state to bar the husband from finding her. Additionally, Marta should cancel all her old bank accounts. If she was using a joint account with her spouse, Marta should leave it too. She should also stop using her current checking account and cancel any existing credit card. Further, Martha should ensure that the husband doesn’t have access to the new school. She should also advise the children to be cautious of disclosing any details that their father could use to track them.
However, the father may use his networks to locate the family. In that case, Marta should warn the husband to stay away from the parent. If the husband threatens the family, Marta should report the issue to the state police without hesitation.
Conclusion
Mart should have both a short-term and long-term plan to help her overcome the situation. Marta should report her case to the local police and acquire essential using the “5 checks” that she carried. If she decides to leave her husband, Marta should enroll the children in another school, file for divorce, get a job and new house. The children require counseling, education, and health services. Marta has a degree in accounting, and she is patient and caring so helping her will be simple. Finally, Marta and her Children should employ safety measures to ensure the husband doesn’t find them.
References
Ali, A., O’Reilly, M., & Karim, K. (2013). A practical guide to mental health problems in children with autistic spectrum disorder. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
Malinosky, R., & Hansen, D. J. (1993). Long-term consequences of childhood physical abuse. Psychological bulletin, 114(1), 68-69.
Smith, M., & Segal, J. (2016). Help for Abused and Battered Women: Protecting yourself and escaping from domestic violence. Retrieved May 17, 2016, from helpguide.org, <http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/help-for-abused-and-battered-women.htm>
