Domestic Violence for the Child Welfare Worker

1. Field Activity De-brief Domestic Violence for the Child Welfare Worker

2. Victim Advocacy Programs Batterer Intervention Programs Why it’s confusing Victim Defendant People who are SURVIVING Classic Victim People who need help & resources, but are not being battered Legal Definition Legal System Other Systems • People who • HIT • a family or • HH member People who GOT HIT by a family or HH member People who are BATTERING Classic Perpetrator System Manipulator

3. 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. They all need help and resources tailored to their situation and circumstances Victim Defendant SURVIVING Classic Victim SURVIVING It feels like this and for the people involved in the relationship, and for their friends and families… • HIT • HIT GOT HIT GOT HIT BATTERING ?? BATTERING Classic Perpetrator System Manipulator By Mette Earlywine/WSCADV with thanks to the NW Network

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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. 34 Section 4, p. 33 - 53

9. 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?

10. Activity: • Do a DV assessment for your character • Pattern of behavior (tactics) p. 39-41 • Impact on adult victim p. 41-42 • Impact on children p. 43-44 • Lethality indicators p. 45-46 • Protective factors p. 47-50

11. Activity • What might be included in a safety plan? • What types of interventions might benefit this family • Abuser • Victim • Children

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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. 79-80 Section 6 p. 67-71

16. 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

17. 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!