DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD WELFARE
Field Activity De-brief
Victim Advocacy Programs
Batterer Intervention Programs
Legal DefinitionLegal SystemOther Systems
WHY IT’S CONFUSING
People who are
SURVIVING
People who
HITa family or HH member
People who
GOT HITby a family or
HH member
People who are
BATTERING
People who need help & resources,
but are not being battered
Classic Perpetrator
Victim Defendant
System Manipulator
Classic Victim
DV IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM WITH NO SINGLE SOLUTION.
EVERYONE HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN ENDING ABUSE AND IN HELPING PEOPLE LEARN HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP SKILLS.
By Mette Earlywine/WSCADV
with thanks to the NW Network
They all need help and resources
tailored to their situation and
circumstances
SURVIVING
HIT GOT
HIT
BATTERINGClassic Perpetrator
Victim Defendant
System Manipulator
Classic Victim
and for the people
involved in the
relationship, and for their friends and families…
GOT HIT
SURVIVING
HIT
BATTERING
It feels like this
??
OVERVIEW OF CA’S DV SPECIFIC POLICIES Universal & periodic screening Specialized DV assessment Appropriate findings Assessment based case dispositions Reasonable efforts Assessment based case plans Engagement and accountability with
the perpetrator
Follow along in your Guide
UNIVERSAL & PERIODIC SCREENING Access/review existing documentation
DSHS files Police calls to address, criminal history & incident
reports
Screen each parent, caregiver, youth, collateral, extended family member
Present screening as routine Identify the victim and the abuser
See Page 29 - 30
SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS Interview people separately and
privately Discuss limits of confidentiality Explain CPS/CFWS process
DO NOT confront the perpetrator with the victim’s statements
DO NOT try to force a disclosure from the perpetrator
We don’t need “proof”
Warn in a “duty to warn” situation
ACCURATELY IDENTIFYING THE VICTIM Who is afraid? Who is controlled? Who experiences repeated negative
consequences? Who acts to protect the children when
incidents happen?
Page 30
SPECIALIZED DV ASSESSMENT Guides what information to gather
(not a form or tool in FamLink) Informs conclusions about the impact
of DV on the family Critical in determining if DV makes a
child unsafe Documented in a case note specifically
presenting information and conclusions
Summarized on p. 34Section 4, p. 33 - 53
SPECIALIZED DV ASSESSMENT Pattern of assaultive and coercive
behaviors Impact on adult victim Impact on the children Protective factors Lethality Indicators
Field Activity Review: What victims advocacy agencies and batterer’s treatment agencies serve your area?
ACTIVITY:Do a DV assessment for your
characterPattern of behavior (tactics) p. 39-41Impact on adult victim p. 41-42Impact on children p. 43-44Lethality indicators p. 45-46Protective factors p. 47-50
ACTIVITYWhat might be included in a
safety plan?What types of interventions might
benefit this familyAbuserVictimChildren
APPROPRIATE FINDINGS DV is not ca/n in our state
RCW 26.50.100
Founded allegations related to DV Consider whose behavior caused harm Generally, finding is only against that person
Regarding “failure to protect” or “willingness to protect” Consider what’s reasonable in the context of the DV Consider any actions intended to prevent, reduce,
or address the impact on the child
Page 59 - 60
ASSESSMENT BASED CASE DISPOSITIONS
Child safe
Child unsafe because of DV
Child unsafe because of CA/N, co-ocurring DV
Page 56 - 58
Address adult victim safety
Provide resources Close case or Voluntary
Services
Partner w/ adult victim to ensure child safety
Create a case plan w/ DV in mind
Ensure child safety Create a case plan w/ DV
in mind
REASONABLE EFFORTS To prevent or eliminate the need for removal
(Required unless child is currently unsafe) To offer services and supports to address
safety issues so that the child can return to a parent
Periodic universal screening & specialized assessment
Supporting/increasing adult victim safety Requesting protective orders (CFWS) Advocating for victim in other legal proceedings
Holding DV perpetrators accountable for their behavior
Case plans that reduce the impacts of DV
ASSESSMENT BASED CASE PLANS Include DV safety planning – p. 62-66 Make perpetrator accountable to actions Reduce perpetrator’s ability to use abusive/
controlling tactics Support child wellbeing & relationship w/
adult victim Realistic and achievable in the family context Connect victims to advocacy w/o making this
mandatory Safe visitation p. 79-80Section 6 p. 67-71
ENGAGEMENT W/ THE ABUSER Plan for discussions/ meetings
Notify the victim Note their importance in child’s life
Link their behavior to impact on children Hold solely accountable for behavior
Document and speak in ways that affirm accountability of perpetrator
Monitor compliance carefully and frequently Require active support of victim’s parenting
Identify attempts to sabotage victim’s success
State Certified DV Perpetrator’s Treatment
Page 72-78
SUMMARY Periodic universal screening identifies DV
Specialized DV assessment to understand impact of DV Perpetrators are accountable for their actions
Appropriate findings, documentation, communication Case plans minimize abuse, power and control Engagement w/ perpetrator acknowledges their
accountability Reasonable efforts required
Engagement with DV victim as partner in creating safety Collaboration not coercion
Discussions regarding options vs. ultimatums Support services increase victim options
TANF, child care, concrete needs
Local Victim Advocacy and Perpetrator treatment agencies want to partner with YOU!