CASE STUDY & QUESTIONS
You are working at a local youth centre where you meet Emma. Emma is 17 and struggles with he&mental health. She has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression but recently got a job and shares an apartment with her friend. She had been dating another girl named Clare but broke up with her and met Darren who is 15 years older than her and they have been dating for five months. Darren moved into Emma’s flat as soon as they started dating. At first he was offering to take care of the bills and shopping using a joint account. He said that because of her mental health struggles he should take care of the money. At first Emma had enjoyed having a boyfriend and had felt ‘normal’ but he had soon started to just use her flat as he wanted and tell her what to do -as if she was stupid’. Darren has taken out a loan in her name and she is receiving letters related to repayments which she can’t afford. Emma used to be really close to her mum who lives . nearby, but hasn’t seen her in a while.
The housing association sent Emma a letter saying that she will be evicted if there are any other incidents of her visitors 9
causing distress to other tenants. After the housing association letter Emma ended the relationship. Emma calls herself an idiot for letting him into her life in the first place.
Since the breakup Darren frequently turns up at her flat, banging on the door, shouting and threatening her. Darren is texting her constantly and has threatened to send intimate photos of her to her Dad if she doesn’t let him move back into the flat. He says he knows she will want him back like she has done before. He always seems to know where she is for example, turning up when she goes to the food bank or at the bottom of her Mum s road.
Following an incident where Darren broke down Emma’s front door the police have raised the need for an apprehended violence order and they have made a referral for Emma to speak with a family violence organisation. The referral states that Darren is unemployed and does not receive New start allowance as he failed to actively apply for work. He has two previous offences for possession of marijuana and for theft of alcohol. The referral states that Emma does not want to give evidence to support police action against Darren as she is scared of what he might do to her.
What type of oppression is at play here ( ie poverty, sexism, racism etc)?
Since the breakup Darren frequently turns up at her flat, banging on the door, shouting and threatening her. Darren is texting her constantly and has threatened to send intimate photos of her to her Dad if she doesn’t let him move back into the flat. He says he knows she will want him back like she has done before. He always seems to know where she is for example, turning up when she goes to the food bank or at the bottom of her Mum’s road.
Following an incident where Darren broke down Emma’s front door the police have raised the need for an apprehended violence order and they have made a referral for Emma to speak with a family violence organisation. The referral states that Darren is unemployed and does not receive New start allowance as he failed to actively apply for work. He has two previous offences for possession of marijuana and for theft of alcohol. The referral states that Emma does not want to give evidence to support police action against Darren as she is scared of what he might do to her.
What type of oppression is at play here (ie poverty, sexism, racism etc)?
H
P- What are your initial feelings about Emma and this case? How is the situation impacting on Emma at the personal level?
C- What are the stereotypes that could be placed on Emma due to different aspects of her identity that are impacting her at a cultural level?
S- What are the structural considerations and how may these reinforce the P&C level?
Feedback:
The facilitator will provide feedback on some posts. You are encourages to provide constructive thoughts on each others
