3. Domestic Violence

Question 1

Signs of Abuse:

Answer 1

Signs of domestic violence include any report of past violence, a client is fearful of partner, or report their partner is very jealous or controlling

If a client reports jealousy and is fearful but does not report violence, SW should ask client if there is past physical abuse

Question 2

Interventions and Safety Planning:

Answer 2

If there’s a history of violence and the client is still in that relationship, do a safety plan

One common clinical error is pushing that client to leave the relationship. The SW needs to support client in making their own decisions (explore pros and cons of leaving)

The likelihood of a client returning to SW is unlikely if a SW tells them to leave relationship (due to shame)

Question 3

Legal and Ethical Implications:

Answer 3

A SW does not report domestic violence, only medical doctors do (due to client’s not returning or seeking help)

If children are involved in domestic violence families, it is not automatically reportable

Witnessing domestic violence itself is not an automatic DV report. However, it is reportable if a parent fails to protect the child, the violence is re-occurring, if a child gets hurt, or if a child’s mental health is negatively impacted

Question 4

This phase can last anywhere from minutes to weeks. In it, stress builds, and abusers may begin to feel wronged, ignored, or neglected. They may accuse, yell, demand and/or have unrealistic expectations, while the target feels they have to walk on eggshells, are afraid, and become anxious.

Targets are likely already familiar with the cycle and believe making a small mistake will make the partner angry, so instead they opt to stay quiet or not do something. No matter what is said or done, however, it seems like the target is never right, and a small incident can create a difficult situation in seconds

Answer 4

Tension-Building: Phase 1

Question 5

At this stage, the target says or does something the abuser feels upset about or threatened by, and the abuser attempts to dominate the target through verbal, physical, or sexual abuse

Targets may keep the incident a secret and not share what happened with others. In some cases, a target of abuse can end up in the hospital and may even lie to the medical personnel about the cause of their injuries

Answer 5

Incident: Phase 2

Question 6

In this phase, the abuser might feel remorse or fear and try to initiate a reconciliation — this can entail them buying flowers, gifts, taking the target out for dinner or suggesting a nice vacation. They often promise it will be the last time the abuse happens

Targets experience pain, humiliation, disrespect, and fear, and may be staying for financial reasons or because children are involved. The perpetrator stresses that they did not want to do what they did, but the target made them because of their lack of understanding, wrong behavior, or because “they do not listen”

Answer 6

Reconciliation: Phase 3

Question 7

In this phase, the abuser is kind, calm, interested, and may engage in counseling, as well as asking for forgiveness

Targets may believe the abuser has changed and accept the apology. A perpetrator then starts to find little flaws or behaviors that they criticize in a passive aggressive way and apologies become less sincere over time

Little by little the same behaviors begins to reappear and the cycle again returns to the tension building phase

Answer 7

Honeymoon: Phase 4

Question 8

Cycle of Violence:

Answer 8

If a couple comes into session and disclose there’s a history of domestic violence with each other, SW must not proceed with couple’s therapy

The SW should refer each of them to individual therapy. Couples therapy may escalate the violence due to exposure, increased shame, and information shared with the SW