2.7.1. Introduction
Risk assessment and safety planning are the processes advocates utilize with victims of domestic violence in an attempt to reduce their risk of harm. It is an ongoing and ever evolving process as time and circumstances change for the victim.
When approaching this task, it is important to remember that the victim is the best judge of their own circumstance and must be respected as such. Being in a relationship with an abusive partner requires substantial skills and resources. Every victim of domestic violence has already been doing risk assessment and safety planning actively and instinctively, though they may not call it such.
Advocates and prosecutors faced with the information a victim presents must identify risks, check for miscommunications or misunderstandings and help to brainstorm options for safety and risk reduction. Risk assessment and safety planning provide a method of identifying problems, options and resources, evaluating those options and for committing to a plan of action. This process requires a delicate balance of adding to and enhancing the information a victim has presented, without replacing his/her judgment with that of the advocate. Though information garnered during this process may be limited due to time or other restrictions, it is your job to work with what is given and provide resources for the victim to continue the process after they have left the office.
A few key things to remember:
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Domestic violence is caused by the batterer’s behavior. Creating safety plans can be helpful, but it is not the victim’s responsibility to stop the violence.
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You cannot predict batterer behavior.
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You cannot guarantee safety.
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There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. Every risk assessment and safety plan will be unique.
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While the victim’s priorities may not be the same as yours, it is the victim’s priorities that must be addressed first and foremost.
2.7.2.Risk Assessment
The best predictor of future violent behavior is past violence. Risk Assessment is the process of identifying and examining an abuser’s past behavior in an attempt to understand their capacity for serious or lethal acts of violence. While there are a number of danger assessment tools available, the elements of risk assessment are essentially similar. These elements were identified by examining cases where serious injury or death have resulted, and help to enable us to compare the elements to the particular case we’re working with.
Basic Elements of Risk Assessment
The following items have been identified as basic elements of risk assessment. During conversations with victims, it is important to notice and ask about the following topics. It is important for victims to identify and critically think about these behaviors and whether or not they pose significant risk in their current situations. During the discussions, each point requires not only a “yes” or “no” answer, but rather the details of the incidents, and the degrees that these factors are present.
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Threats
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Has the batterer ever threatened friends, family or co-workers of the victim?
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What was the content of the threats?
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Does the victim believe the threats?
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Are they detailed and specific?
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Does the abuser have the means to carry it out?
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History of Violence
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Has the physical violence increased in frequency or intensity?
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Has the batterer used objects during assaults?
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Has the violence involved attempted strangulation?
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Has the victim ever had a head injury due to violence?
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Was there violence during pregnancy?
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Has there been sexual violence?
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Has there been violence towards children, other family members or pets?
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Weapons
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Does the batterer own or have access to weapons?
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Does the victim own or have access to weapons?
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Has the batterer’s violence ever involved the display, use or threat of using weapons?
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Stalking
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Does the batterer “check-up” on the victim? Listen to conversations, read mail?
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Does the batterer follow the victim to activities outside of the home to know where she is at all times?
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Does the batterer ask other people about the victim’s whereabouts?
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Other concerns
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Does the abuser drink or use drugs? How often and is there an identifiable pattern?
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Has the victim left before? If so, what was the batterer’s reaction?
This list is non-exhaustive. Victims may place more weight on some factors than others. There may be items not present on this list that the victim feels are most frightening for her. It is important that these questions prompt dialogue and conversation about why some of these behaviors are considered substantial risks. Remembering past violence and batterer’s behaviors are difficult things to do. You should explain that victims experience normal reactions to abnormal events. It is important to be sensitive to this and be prepared to offer resources to the victim if they’re interested in further counseling to address the trauma they have experienced.
2.7.3.Safety Planning
Similar to risk assessment, this process should provoke dialogue. Safety planning can be incorporated as a part of risk assessment, to brainstorm options that address each of the risks the victim faces. When they talk about past violence, you should ask the victim what they did, how well it worked, etc. This can help identify the resources the victim already has used, while suggesting other resources that may enhance the effectiveness of the safety plan.
Safety plans may be formal or informal; written or verbal. Writing a safety plan can be helpful, since the amount of information that gets exchanged can be overwhelming. A written copy of the plan may be useful to bring home and refer back to. However, if a victim wants to keep a written copy, it is important to discuss the risks that could ensue if the batterer found it.
It is important to continue to repeat the fact that violence is not the responsibility of the victim and while they can take steps to try to keep themselves safe, even the most detailed plan is not a guarantee of safety.
Safety planning has to be individualized, but here are some common situations that victims may face and some specific points that could be addressed in each one: (This is by no means an exhaustive list.)
Safety in the home with the abuser present
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Are there warning signs when violence will take place, such as coming home from a bar? If so, can you leave during those times? (i.e., you know he’ll be at the bar Friday night, so you make plans to stay with you sister?)
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Is there less violence when others are present? If so, do you have friends or family who can stay with you?
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During a violent incident, try to stay out of rooms where weapons or dangerous objects are present. Kitchens can be especially dangerous, where knives may be present. Try to also stay out of rooms where there may be only one exit, such as bathrooms.
Safety when preparing to leave
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Where can you go? Generate a list of options.
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How will you get there? Generate a list of options.
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Is there a place that you could store a duffel bag packed, so you can take it when you’re ready to go? In the closet, under the bed, in the car, at the office, at a neighbor’s, at a family member’s?
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Make copies of important documents for victim and children if applicable: Bank statements, SS ID cards, insurance papers, immigration papers, birth certificates, medical records, school papers, lease agreements, court orders (divorce, custody, child support, etc.)
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Pack spare set of keys; cash (bank accounts can be traced)
Safety planning when separated
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Change locks on all doors.
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Secure windows.
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Make sure outside lights work. Get sensor lights.
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Brainstorm some ways to improve home security like getting a dog or putting a bell on a door. Contact police to make some recommendations about home safety.
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If a trip to the previously shared residence must be made, police should accompany the victim so belongings can be gathered safely.
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When out in public, be aware of surroundings.
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Change travel routines.
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Talk to neighbors to ask them to pay attention if the abuser is near the home.
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Screen calls with an answering machine or caller ID, or request a new phone number or get an unlisted and unpublished phone number.
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Ask the local domestic violence program for an emergency cell phone. Most programs have cell phones to loan to victims that are programmed to dial 911.
Safety planning when there is a protective order in place
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Make copies!!
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Give copies to everyone and everyplace that is covered on order (landlord, workplace, friends/families homes, children’s school/daycare/babysitters)
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Keep extra copy in car/bedroom/office at work/purse, etc. so that you will always have one accessible and available if needed.
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Tell your boss, neighbors, friends, family that an order is in place and ask them to call the police if they see him in prohibited areas
Safety planning for the courthouse
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Can an advocate accompany the victim to court? If not, is there a friend or family member who can?
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Arrive much earlier than the scheduled appointment.
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If the batterer knows your car, try to find another way to court (public transportation, a fried to drive, etc.)
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Advocates and/or prosecutors should know the courthouse layout and help victims learn where all of the entrances/exits are
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Can court security staff detain the abuser for 15 min to ½ hour, to allow victim to get a lead on leaving?
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Is there a separate waiting area or can the victim wait in VWA’s office?
Safety planning when children are involved
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Always tell children that the violence is not their fault.
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Tell children they should not intervene.
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There are options for age-appropriate safety plans, which children’s advocates can assist with, if they want to contact their local domestic violence program.
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Can the children go to a neighbor’s during violent incidents?
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Can you use a code word to tell them to go to the neighbors?
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Can they call 911?
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Should they stay in their bedroom with the door closed?
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If the victim and batterer are separated, is there visitation in place? A safety plan around drop off and pick ups is important to have.
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Tell the schools, daycares, etc. about the situation and the support that the children may need as well as any safety precautions they need to take.
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Help the children identify safe people to talk to (guidance counselor at school, therapist, family member, children’s advocate, etc.?)
Safety planning in the workplace
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Can you tell your supervisor or HR department? Many companies have domestic violence policies which may include provisions that could be useful.
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Screen phone calls: change your phone extension or have someone else answer your line.
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Tell security/front desk people what he looks like and what they should do if he comes.
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Can someone escort you to and from the parking lot? Or can you walk with co-workers to public transportation?
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Can you change your starting and ending hours at work?
Other considerations
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If the batterer is stalking the victim, further precautions may be needed. See Stalking Log in Section1.3.
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Creating safety plans and changing patterns in ones life in an attempt to reduce risk of violence is a very difficult thing to do. Be sure to discuss emotional health with victims and provide referrals to professionals who can confidentially help them process all that is occurring.
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Safety plans will need to be modified as time goes on and new situations present themselves. Provide them with the phone number for Safelink, the 24-hour statewide domestic violence hotline, for safety planning help any time or referrals to local programs that can offer further assistance (1-877-785-2020).
**Safety plan information published by MOVA is included in the appendices, section 9.2.2.
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