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!