Stop Domestic Violence- A template for best practice Margaret Wong Executive Director Harmony House Presentation on 19 May, 2004 at the DV training workshop organized by the HK Council of Social Service
Domestic Violence Defined Definition by UN (General Assembly, 1993) An act of gender-based violence that results in or likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivations of liberty, whether occurring in public or private life.
Domestic Violence Defined the attempt , act or intent to intimidate within an intimate, dependent or trusting relationship the use of threat, physical force on another person or property the purpose of abuse is to control, intimidate, inducement of fear or inflicting pain a pattern of behaviour The onset of violence will not stop by itself, it will only escalate once the cycle and pattern is established (CDVC), Alberta , Canada -adapted from the Calgary Domestic Violence Committee
Standards of best practice Agency mission, policies and practices which protect the victim Trained and experienced staff Specific screening and risk tracking Development of victim safety plan Abuse screened and addressed specifically and not as a peripheral issue Perpetrators viewed as responsible for the abuse, not the victim Referral to specialized DV treatment services as appropriate to maximize the safety for victims
Harmony House Zero Tolerance to Domestic Violence Our goals To provide protection, caring and empowerment of women and children who are victims of family violence. To counsel and give guidance to batterers in order to stop the cycle of violence. To provide education to the community at large as well as specific target groups in order to promote family harmony.
Harmony House - Services
Examples of abusive behaviour Physical abuse Emotional or psychological abuse Sexual abuse Neglect Isolation Intimidation Economic abuse
Myths about domestic violence Domestic violence (DV) is a private, family matter DV only happens in poor families DV only happens in certain cultures DV only affects a small number of people DV is caused by stress or alcohol/substance abuse Victims ask for the abuse Victims like the abuse since they stay in the abusive relationship Perpetrators are mentally ill Perpetrators cannot manage their anger Perpetrators cannot change
Tip of the iceberg A world wide problem
Source : The Penguin Atlas of Women in the World, 2003
Prevalence of Family Violence In the United States: 4 million abused women require medical or police attention every 15 sec, a women is beaten 4, 000 women die each year due to domestic violence
Prevalence of family violence In H. K. Average of 600 women, 1200 children admitted to 3 shelters each year 3298 reported cases of spouse abuse in 2003 (increase of 9% from 2002) 7 women is beaten every day 14 children affected by domestic violence on a daily basis
Shelter Admission
Effects of DV 92% of victims of domestic violence (spouse battering) are women Affects the physical, psychological and emotional health of women Affects children-incidences of child abuse Intergenerational transmission (Boys 17 times and girls 10 times more likely to manifest serious behaviour problems* * Wolfe, D. A. , Jaffe, P. , Wilson, S. & Zak, Ls. , (1985)”Children of Battered Women: The relationship of child behaviour to family violence and maternal stress. ” Journal of Clinical and Consulting Psychology, 53, 657 -665.
The Characteristic of battered women Low self-esteem Traditional view about gender role Accepts responsibility for the batterer’s actions Denies the terror and anger Severe stress reactions with psychophysical complaints (PTSD) Believes that no one will be able to help her resolve her predicament except herself
Identification of DV- difficulties Denial by both victims and perpetrators Barriers to disclosure ( financial , immigration status, housing, social isolation, child custody , cultural and traditional beliefs, religion, gender) The stages of change /empowerment of victims
Identification tools & strategies Indicators Abuse history Observation- sensitivity Privacy Universal Screening Asking direct questions – worker has to feel comfortable talking about abuse in order to help clients break the silence
Intervention and Victims support (1) Key components of intervention: - address safety issues - validate and support ( Victims are not responsible for the abuse. DV is against the law) - provide information (community resources) - victims empowerment
Intervention and victims support (2) - - Assessment and intervention process Abuse history/type of abuse Barriers impacting disclosure Safety assessment # Develop safety plan # Identify escalating factors# Arrange for follow up to ensure ongoing safety of client Provide information on resources (financial , housing, legal aid, injunction order, schooling for children) Referral to specialized personnel/ agencies on DV/shelters /crisis team for assistance
Safety assessment and planning* Is client safe to talk now? Where is s/he? Are children present? Ask her/him to access a public phone/go to a place where s/he can talk to worker in private. If not possible, use closed ended questions to solicit “yes” or “no” answer. Is client currently living with the perpetrator? Harassed by the perpetrator? Does client need assistance to leave right away? Does client have a safety plan? IS there a place which client can go to that is not known to the perpetrator? Any friends, relatives who can assist client? Is client aware of community resources? (shelter police, IFSCs, FCPSU) Develop plan to contact client: block caller identification, speak only to the client, do not leave messages with other individuals , on answering machines, voice mail, or e-mail If worker is questioned by someone other than client, do not indicate who you are or which agency you are calling from Set a time with client to call /check on client again * Harmony House Hotline Manual & CDVC
Escalating risk factors Abuse increase in frequency and severity Has client voiced out the intention to leave the relationship? What is the reaction of the perpetrator? Has client been stalked? Harassed? Any recent changes or additional stressors for the victim/perpetrator/other family members? Has client sought medical treatment for her injuries? Has perpetrator threatened to kill client? Her relatives? Other family members? Has weapon been used to hurt or threaten client? Has perpetrator threatened to commit suicide as a way of making client stay? Has the perpetrator’s work history changed in the past year? Is he employed ? Is the perpetrator using drugs? Has the perpetrator ever said that “ If I can’t have you, nobody can? ” Does the client believe that the perpetrator is capable of killing her?
Developing a safety plan*(1) Keep a phone handy Plan an escape route out of your home-teach your children too Put away some money – even enough for public phone Have copies of ID, children’s school diary/student ID/ immunization records/birth cert. Gather a bag of essential clothing, medicines- leave it with a trusted friend Have the numbers of the shelters handy but hidden Avoid rooms with access to weapons (eg kitchen) Teach children not to intervene in a violent situation. The most important thing is for children to be protected and to protect themselves * Shelter will be a good source of info. And provide assistance in developing safety plans for victims of DV
Developing a safety plan (2) Teach children a code and signal them when you need them to get help Change your routine or schedule or the route you take your children to school when you decide to leave or already left the abusive relationship Alert school authorities of the situation , consider changing children’s school Talk to your neighbour and request that they call the police if they feel you may be in danger
Developing a safety plan (3) – for Staff See client with another staff person Meet client in a space that can be seen by others Leave your office slightly ajar Sit close to the door – avoid blocking of exit Arrange other staff person to call you at agreed time intervals Talk to your supervisor about your concerns If interviewing client outside of office, inform office of the interview place and time and call office after completion of interview
Developing safety plan (4)- high risk situation Retrieve belongings from home Children attending school after victim leave the relationship Victim meets with relatives Visitation joint-interview* * Couple counselling/family counselling is not recommended for families with ongoing issues of abuse - couple counseling is often an option only after specialized treatment has been undertaken or when couple counselling is concurrently held with specialized DV programs to ensure victim is able to protect oneself and perpetrator has taken responsibility of the abuse * * Calgary Counselling Center, Family Violence Program Guidelines, 1997, Alberta, Canada
Documentation From intake , assessment, intervention, case termination to after care Separate documentation files for victims and perpetrators Interventions and safety plans of the victim should be recorded with caution in order to protect the safety of victim Photographs- request client’s permission to photograph the injuries to be used as evidence in criminal proceedings if case is pursued by client
Standards of batterers treatment program Safety of Victims is prioritized over the perpetrators’ right to confidentiality Lethality assessment Severity of abuse Holding the perpetrator accountable Address the violence directly Policy on partner contact to ensure safety of victims Note: Anger /stress management program, self esteem group, psychotherapy, couples counseling, family therapy, communication skill building and conflict resolution without concurrent or sequential batterers violence treatment program are not appropriate for treatment of perpetrators of violence. * * CDVC Protocol project, Feb 2000
Understanding the “Man” Contextual – economy, environment, cross border marriage Socialization – emotion, gender role, power, family violence/role expectations
Batterers treatment (1) Behavioral indicators of perpetrators: - Speak for the client/ insist on staying close to the client - Minimize, deny or lie about the abuse - Blame the abused - Justify the abuse
Batterers treatment (2) - Refused to take responsibility for the abuse - Use of control tactics to threaten, intimidate service providers - Low self-esteem - Extreme jealous, controlling behaviour - Understanding of emotions
Lethality Assessment : Abuse history Criminal record Alcohol/substance abuse Gambling Mental illness : antisocial, schizophrenia Suicide attempts Emotional state Support network
Intervention (1) – Third Path Man Service Man Hotline Referral Individual Counseling Psycho-educational Treatment Group After Care
Intervention (2) – Goals : Break the denial pattern Confront maximization/minimization Assume responsibility on abuse Community linkage Enhance motivation 2/2001 to 2/2004, total number of : a) Hotlines (Total calls) : 2130 b) Hotlines (DV& Marital problems calls) : 936 c) Case & group intervention : 230
Intervention (3) – Group Process & Contact Pre-group interview – screening/lethality assessment Gender roles & stereotype Understanding of emotions - positive means of expression Impact of violence Cognitive & behavioral changes Reflection of the power & control issues Problem solving & communication skills Relapse prevention plan
Intervention (4) – Aftercare services Relapse prevention Skills building Consolidation of cognitive, behavioral changes Peer support
Change is possible Stop using violent behavior = 71 Using less violent behavior = 76 Total = 147 (71%) No change Reject service Lose contact * N=207 = 13 = 17 = 30
Staff training - DV is a specialized area which requires basic training, regular info. updating and experience in handling DV cases Basic training components: Incidence of DV Types of violence Principles of dealing DV Screening Impact of abuse Dynamics of abuse Cycle of violence Stages of change Legal responses Community resources
Committment Agency policy on DV Dedicate resources Designate manpower Regular training Collaboration with specialized agencies/ programs/shelters on DV Advocacy for systemic change and community response
There is NO excuse for Domestic Violence
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