Module 4 Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning

Module 4 Assessment, Screening &

Safety Planning

This curriculum is intended to be a tool to assist domestic violence service providers offering victim services (such as those outlined in California Penal Code §13823.15-13823.16) for the purpose of ensuring advocates working with survivors meet the requirements of a “Domestic Violence Counselor” pursuant to Evidence Code §1037.1(a)(1).

Objectives

• To develop the skills necessary to provide an accurate assessment of the client’s needs and safety.

• To develop skills necessary to assist clients with developing appropriate safety plans.

• To ensure the safety and confidentiality of clients.

• To increase participants’ understanding of the benefits and dangers of technology related to a client’s safety.

Module 4 • Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning • Published 2012 • Slide 2

Incorporating the Empowerment Model


Empowerment Definition

Empowerment is a multi-dimensional, social process of increasing the capacity of individuals or groups to make choices and to transform those choices into desired actions and outcomes. This process creates the power to use these choices in his or

her own life, community and society, with individuals acting on issues that they define as

important.


Using the Empowerment Model When Working with Victims

the individual is not blamed for his or her problems but is responsible for generating

a solution.


Needs Assessment


What is a needs assessment?

Needs assessment is a systematic process for determining and addressing needs, or "gaps" between current conditions and

desired conditions or "wants".

A needs assessment is an important part of the planning process, and is an excellent

tool for clarifying problems and identifying appropriate solutions or interventions.


Danger Assessment


Danger Assessment Definition

Domestic Violence danger assessments help to determine the level of danger a victim has of being killed by his or her intimate

partner.


Assessment Tools

• The Danger Assessment(Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing; Jacquelyn C. Campbell, PhD,

RN, FAAN)

• MOSAIC Threat Assessment(Gavin de Becker and Associates, Incorporated)


Suicide and Domestic Violence


Risk Factors for SuicideA combination of individual, relational, community, and societal factors

contribute to the risk of suicide. Risk factors are those characteristics associated with suicide—they may or may not be direct causes.

• Family history of suicide• Family history of child maltreatment• Previous suicide attempt(s)• History of mental disorders, particularly clinical depression• History of alcohol and substance abuse• Feelings of hopelessness• Impulsive or aggressive tendencies• Cultural and religious beliefs (e.g., belief that suicide is noble resolution of a personal dilemma)• Local epidemics of suicide• Isolation, a feeling of being cut off from other people• Barriers to accessing mental health treatment• Loss (relational, social, work, or financial)• Physical illness• Easy access to lethal methods• Unwillingness to seek help because of the stigma attached to mental health and substance

abuse disorders or to suicidal thoughts

SOURCE: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/riskprotectivefactors.html


http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/suicide/riskprotectivefactors.html

Identifying Warning Signs: PLAID PALS

Plan: Is there a plan? How specific is the plan?

Lethality: Is it lethal? Can they die?

Availability: Do they have the means to carry it out?

Illness: Do they have a mental or physical illness?

Depression: Chronic or specific incident(s)?

San Francisco Suicide Prevention http//www.sfsuicide.org/html/plaid.html, La Casa de Las Madres, 40 Hr. Domestic

Violence Training, February 2007.Module 4 • Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning • Published 2012 • Slide 13

• Previous attempts: How many? How recent?

• Alone: Are they alone? Do they have a support system? Are they alone right now?

• Loss: Have they suffered a loss? Death, job, relationship, self-esteem?

• Substance Abuse (or use): Drugs, alcohol, medicine? Current, chronic?

San Francisco Suicide Prevention http//www.sfsuicide.org/html/plaid.html, La Casa de Las Madres, 40 Hr. Domestic

Violence Training, February 2007.

Identifying Warning Signs: PLAID PALS


Suicide Prevention Tips• Speak up if you’re worried: It’s okay to talk to the

person about your concerns. • Respond quickly in a crisis. • Offer help and support: Refer the person to local

resources, and let them know you are available to support them whenever they need it.

• DO NOT leave the person alone: if they are in immediate danger.

• Never keep a suicidal plan secret: Call 911 if you have to.

• Remember that it’s not your decision: Ultimately, you have no control over the persons decision, and if they do attempt (or commit) suicide it is not your fault. Module 4 • Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning • Published 2012 • Slide

15

Safety Planning


What is a Safety Plan?

• Written plan that outlines what survivors will do to maintain safety for themselves and their children.

• Safety Plans should be flexible and individualized, based on each person’s situation.


When To Use a Safety Plan

• Can be used in a variety of situations:– Dealing with an emergency– Continuing to live with or date an

abusive partner– Protecting yourself and your children

after you have ended a relationship with an abusive partner.

The Nature and Dynamics of Domestic Violence, March 2005, Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence.


Assess Safety

• Is either the woman or her children in immediate danger?

• Has the violence escalated recently?• Are there weapons in the home?• If the woman is not safe, does she

have a safety plan?


Domestic Violence Safety Plan

• Plan should:–Consider a variety of

circumstances–Contain concrete/practical

considerations–Contain local resource numbers


Components of a Safety Plan

• Pack a bag in advance.• Have personal documents ready.• Hide extra sets of house and car

keys.• Establish a code with family or

friends.• Plan where to go.


Review Safety Plan


Safety Planning and Culture

• Role of Women in her culture• Access to financial resources• Ability to drive• Connection to extended family• Religion


Safety Planning Practice


Technology Safety and Relocation Information


Why Don’t We Publish this Information on the Web?!

• It’s vital to get tech safety information to victims! But we need to do it in ways that do not give ideas or explicit instructions to abusers and perpetrators.

• Example: “There are cell phone settings that can be used to monitor you… so it may be safer to turn cell phones off when not in use”. We don’t publish details about “silent mode + auto answer”.

• Please do NOT post explicit tech information on the web, or publish in newsletters that will be posted on websites.

• See NNEDV website: www.nnedv.org/SafetyNet or contact Safety Net Team [email protected] to discuss further.Module 4 • Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning • Published 2012 • Slide

26

This project was supported by Grant Number G-1101CAFVPS from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Family and Youth Services Bureau, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) through the California Emergency Management

Agency (Cal EMA).

The opinions, findings, and conclusions in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of HHS nor Cal EMA.

Cal EMA reserves a royalty-free, nonexclusive, and irrevocable license to reproduce,

publish, and use these materials and to authorize others to do so.

Module 4 Assessment, Screening & Safety Planning

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