How can social workers support clients who have experienced domestic violence?

Remember that the client is the expert on their own situation. Respect their autonomy and choices, even if they differ from what you might advise. Provide the client with information about the cycle of violence, the impact of domestic violence on mental and physical health, and available resources. Encourage self-care and emotional support for the client, as they may experience trauma and stress as a result of domestic violence. Offer ongoing support as the client navigates the challenges of leaving an abusive relationship, seeking protection, and healing.

One of the key things someone who has/is experiencing domestic violence is autonomy. Under domestic violence they are under the control of someone else. It’s vital for social workers to not replicate the same power and control as perpetrated by abusive people. Survivors know what they need they just may not know what’s accessible to them. Additionally, social workers must address their own implicit bias which can show in how they work with survivors.

Social workers can support domestic violence survivors by providing a safe, non-judgmental environment for them to express their experiences and emotions. Offering empathetic listening and validating their feelings is crucial. It's important to inform them about their rights, available resources, and support systems. Assisting in safety planning and connecting them to legal, medical, and therapeutic services is vital. Empowering them through education and advocacy helps build their confidence to make informed decisions about their future.

We should adopt a mix method of Direct and Environmental modification to support the client properly. The mix method will adopt interventions like counselling ,therapeutic interview, psychological support, planning emotional ,professional and recreational activities etc. One can adopt techniques like guidance, reassurance , suggestions, persuasion etc. All these will provide a comprehensive approach to support the client better.

It is important to consider what we write in assessments and other documentation. How we describe patterns of abuse and also ensure we capture ALL efforts of survivors to promote safety for themselves and/or their children. Good documentation can be used by survivors to further safety goals, obtain legal orders and also build a network of support. Also, good documentation can inform risk planning and enable all services involved to work together and intervene with the source of harm - the perpetrator. As good documentation helps break down silo working between services and allows all professionals to understand the pattern of coercive, controlling and abusive behaviours so they may not be manipulated and inadvertently increase risk.

Os (as) Assistentes Sociais atuam nesse tipo de demanda apresentando as possibilidades de denúncia e proteção às mulheres, além de acesso a informação e direitos que vão auxiliá-la no rompimento da situação de violência, tendo a liberdade das usuárias como um princípio central na intervenção.

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mental health professionals, medical practitioners, law enforcement, and other service providers to ensure a comprehensive approach to care. Use trauma-informed language that avoids victim-blaming and acknowledges the client's strength and resilience. Continue providing support even after immediate crisis intervention. Survivors may need long-term assistance as they heal and rebuild their lives. Periodically assess the client's progress and make adjustments to the treatment plan as necessary.

Assistentes sociais desempenham um papel crucial no apoio às vítimas de violência doméstica. Eles podem também oferecer suporte emocional, auxílio para acessar recursos como abrigos seguros, aconselhamento jurídico, informações sobre seus direitos, encaminhamento para serviços de saúde mental, assistência na obtenção de ordens de proteção, e também ajudar na criação de planos de segurança para as vítimas. Além disso, os assistentes sociais trabalham em colaboração com outros profissionais, como psicólogos, advogados e policiais, para garantir a segurança e o bem-estar das vítimas de violência doméstica.

If a client is planning to leave an abusive relationship, collaborate with them to create a detailed safety plan, which includes steps to take when leaving and accessing resources. Continue to follow up with clients to assess their progress, safety, and well-being. Make adjustments to their support plan as needed. Adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain client confidentiality, unless there are concerns about imminent danger to the client or others.

Refer clients to specialized services, such as trauma-informed therapists, support groups, and legal aid organizations. Maintain regular contact with clients to assess progress, offer support, and ensure they are following their safety plans and self-care routines. Be culturally sensitive and responsive to clients' unique backgrounds and needs. Recognize how cultural factors may influence their experiences. Ensure that all interactions with clients are documented appropriately, while respecting their confidentiality and privacy.

Collaborate with law enforcement agencies to improve their response to domestic violence cases, emphasizing victim safety and accountability for offenders. Participate in or initiate public awareness campaigns to challenge social norms that perpetuate domestic violence and promote healthy relationships. Advocate for systemic change within organizations and institutions to ensure that policies and practices do not inadvertently perpetuate domestic violence.

We need to have higher expectations of perpetrators as partners, fathers or carers. And, stop blaming mothers for the harm they inflict. Predominantly, perpetrators are male and enact a fathering role. We need to have higher expectations of men as fathers and address the gender bias about what it means to be a parent. This can be done within social work by holding perpetrators to a higher expectation of account and responsibility for their role in promoting safety and well-being for children and their children's mothers. Focussing interventions on the perpetrators while validating everything survivors do to promote safety and well-being in the context of the perpetrator's behaviour.

Obtaining consent from the victim is a critical aspect often overlooked by Social Workers. It holds paramount importance as victims should provide consent for every decision made in their best interest. In instances where a victim is below the age of consenting, the caregiver's consent becomes imperative, provided they are not the suspect in the case. This ensures a comprehensive and ethical approach to decision-making, prioritizing the well-being of the individual.

Assistentes Sociais também podem implantar programas de prevenção. Os quais visam trazer mudanças na cultura patriarcal, sexista e misógina que torna inseguro os diversos espaços de nossa sociedade para as mulheres viverem e se desenvolverem plenamente.

It is important to learn how to effectively interview survivors, perpetrators and children when it comes to domestic abuse. Practitioners need to have a clear purpose and prepare well for the interviews. With each requiring a different approach. For example, interviewing a perpetrator to get a confession is counterproductive. It limits the quality of information, providing little insight into his parenting, motivation or willingness to change or what he will do to promote safety.