module 5 best practice approaches applying a women-centred approach to child protection...

MODULE 5 Best Practice Approaches

Applying a Women-Centred Approach to Child Protection Investigations

1

Module 5 Learning Objectives

2

Participants will:

•Increase knowledge about Best Practice Approaches 4, 5 & 6.

•Identify the benefits of a women-centred approach to child protection in cases of violence against women.

•Apply women-centred, strengths-based approach to a case study using Best Practice Approaches 4, 5 & 6.

Module 5 Learning Objectives

3

Participants will:

•Be able to plan and conduct a child protection investigation while attending to women’s safety.

•Learn how to develop a safety plan with a woman.

Develop an initial plan:

Advise woman to contact support person

Consult with service provider who has a strong knowledge about dynamics of violence. Please note: Unless consent to share information, share only non-identifying information.

The police, only if involved in the child protection investigation and /or for safety reasons

4

Best Practice Approach 4Planning and Conducting an

Investigation

To ensure the mother’s and her children’s safety as much as possible, consider issues such as:

When and how to contact the mother Safest place and time to interviewSuggestions for a safety plan if required

5


Investigation

Reminders

Find out mother’s schedule - how and when to contact her.

Don’t leave messages with others or on machine. Always use call blocker so your number is not

displayed.Check that it is safe for her to speak to you by asking

questions such as: “Is now a good time to talk?”Arrange a meeting where you know the abuser will not

be present – eg. at school

6


Investigation

Applying an understanding of women’s experience of abuse in relationships in interviewing the woman can

enhance the service relationship

increase the potential for reaching safe solutions

7


Investigation

Avoid making inaccurate assessments about the woman’s behaviour and resultant parenting ability.

Recognize the woman’s strengths and build on the strategies that she has used to keep herself and her children safe.

Respect the woman’s ability to make choices within the constraints of child protection practice.

Share knowledge and information.8


Investigation

Provide services that are accessible from the perspective of the woman.

Provide interpretation services that allow safe discussion about her experiences

Discuss her concerns and needs for support and safety.

Ask questions such as: “What assistance do you need to keep your children safe?” rather than making statements that imply blame such as: “It’s your responsibility to keep your children safe from your partner”.

9


Investigation

Advise the woman of the following for safety purposes:

when you/police plan to contact family members, particularly the alleged abuser

if for any reason the contact is delayedafter you have made contact with the alleged abuserthat you will not disclose her and/or her child’s

location to the perpetrator or anyone without her knowledge and permission

Buchwitz, Rita (2001) Alternatives to Apprehension: Education, Action and Advocacy

10


Investigation

If concern exists about the child or youth’s immediate safety or safety during the investigation:

Explain reasons for the concernElicit suggestions for a safety plan for the childrenDevelop a safety plan Explore issues that might impact upon her optionsExplain interim plan

11

Best Practice Approach 5 Child’s Immediate Safety

If child or youth needs protection from the abusive partner:

when you suspect that caller is the abusive partner determine non-violent parent strengths work with mother in order to create safe environmentseparate service plans determine past and current services

12

Best Practice Approach 6 Determine Child’s Need for

Protection

If a determination is made that the child or youth needs protection from the non-violent partner:

advise of decision using non-blaming statementconsider supportive interventionsnon-judgemental words and tone of voiceensure that the woman has a safety plan non-coercive referral to women’s organizationswork with mother in order to create safe

environment

13


Protection

If a decision is made that the child or youth does not need protection:

advise the caller, advocate/service provider, woman

consider voluntary services or referraloffer anti-violence community services reassure clients that the services are truly

voluntarytry to ensure that the mother has a safety plan in

place, or knows who to contact for assistance

14


Protection

Many negative societal beliefs and stereotypes exist about women who are being abused

Abused women are often judged harshly

Reframe these negative judgments into women’s strengthssafety strategies impacts of abuse, having little personal power

and control

15

Best Practice ApproachesIdentifying Strengths and Safety

Strategies

Stigma surrounding abused women intensified when women are mothers

Can result in blaming mothers for risks or harms to their children, rather than the abuser being held accountable

Women subject to intense scrutiny as bad mothers, and held up to much higher standards.

16


Strategies

Focus for woman is to reduce the risk of abuse

May appear to be neglecting her own needs when she is attending to her partner’s every demand in an effort to keep herself and her children safe

Identify and build on strategies the woman is already using to stay safe

17


Strategies

Acknowledge and build on a woman’s strengths and her own knowledge of her unique situation

Safety planning documents should not be used as checklists to be reviewed with a survivor

Consider language skills, level of income, availability of transportation, childcare etc.

Collaborate with anti-violence services, police, crown, mental health, and others

18

Best Practice ApproachesSafety Planning

19

Violence against women can't be resolved by changes in the victim's behavior

No woman has control over her partner's behavior, dangerous to expect victims to "stop the violence"

Problem is offender's conduct; his sense of entitlement to coercive, controlling, terrorist behaviors


20

Principles:

The use of violence is the abuser’s choiceAbusers must be held accountable for their violenceGoal is to reduce the risks, not predict the violenceWomen evaluate their risk on a continual basisWoman is expert on her life, she owns her safety planNo one agency will have all the relevant information Sharing of information increases effectiveness, with

women’s consent wherever possible


21

Gender Neutrality:

Minimizing men’s social, economic, legal advantages

Assuming equal caretaking roles

Minimizing women’s greater contribution to parenting

Minimizing woman’s beliefs about her, children’s safety


22

Principles when children involved:

Child’s safety and well-being integrally linked with the safety of the mother

Interventions require an understanding of the complex dynamics of power and control

Gender inequality operates against women in custody and access in ways which include:less financial stabilityundervaluing women’s role as caretakers


23

Before you start:

Discuss the purpose of safety assessment with the woman and see if she wishes to take part

Clarify with the woman that her choices are paramount.

Provide emotional support during and after the safety assessment and planning process


24

Should focus on:

What the woman thinks will be safe strategiesSecuring safe housingRespectful support, no labelsFinancial, income assistance, employment

servicesVoluntary supportive servicesParenting groups

Only if neededProvide childcare and transportation


25

Should focus on:

legal advocacy, family law services:

protection orderscustody and safe visitation arrangementschild supportdivorce

transportation to safety resources


26

Critical Situations:When she attempts to leave the relationshipIf the abuser becomes aware that she is

accessing support/help When she initiates legal actions:

DivorceCustody or accessChild protection investigation and child

removalProperty settlement


27

Critical Situations:

If a stay of proceedings is entered.Application for Peace Bond, other protection orderApplication to vary protection order conditionsWhen accused is released on interim conditionsWhen any papers are served such as

Restraining OrdersNotification of Divorce or Separation

ProceedingsWhen she enters another relationship


module 5 best practice approaches applying a women-centred approach to child protection...

Documents