DOMESTIC ABUSE – YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!!! Domestic
Description: DOMESTIC ABUSE YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!!! Domestic Abuse is a significant safeguarding issue in all societies and is a Challenging Issue For Everyone. Covid19 there is no excuse The household isolation instruction as a result of
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slide1. DOMESTIC ABUSE – YOU ARE NOT ALONE !!!!! Domestic Abuse is a significant safeguarding issue in all societies and is a Challenging Issue For Everyone.<br>
slide2. Covid19 – there is no excuse The household isolation instruction as a result of coronavirus does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.
Friends, family, neighbours and community members can be a vital lifeline to those living with domestic abuse. If you are worried that someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, reassure them that the police and support services are still there to help and direct them to sources of support.<br>
slide3. This Guide Is For Health Care Professionals. It Examines the Impact of Domestic Abuse on Patients/Clients And Colleagues<br>
slide4. 1-6 Men will experience Domestic Abuse in their lifetime
1-5 Children will be exposed to Domestic Abuse
1-5 Women globally are directly affected by Domestic Abuse Who suffers from Domestic Abuse? <br>
slide5. What Is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between persons who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes 'honour’-based violence, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage.<br>
slide6. What Is Domestic Abuse? It is a complex issue that all health care professionals
should have some understanding about. They should
be aware of who can be affected, how individual
victims may present in differing health care settings,
how the subject could be approached, and most
importantly what professionals can do to help and
support victims of abuse.<br>
slide7. What Is Domestic Abuse? Abuse can take many forms:
•Psychological
•Financial
•Physical
•Emotional
•Sexual
•Coercive control<br>
slide8. Things To Look Out For That May Indicate Domestic Abuse: Injuries without explanation (normally people will volunteer an explanation)
Injuries which are minimised or concealed
A partner who is unwilling to allow a patient or client to be alone with professionals<br>
slide9. Things To Look Out For That May Indicate Domestic Abuse: A patient or client who appears passive and dominated by their partner
Anxiety, depression and being withdrawn, particularly if this is not usual for the<br>
slide10. Step 1. Identify Who Is At Risk: Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Women are more likely to be victims, but men can also be the target of domestic abuse. Children can also be victims of domestic abuse – whether they live in a home with adult victims or are themselves harmed directly.<br>
slide11. Step 2: Find out more:
If you have concerns, always try to find out more from the patient or client. Make sure the person you are concerned about is on their own, without children, partner or other family members present. And if you are talking through an interpreter, make sure they are independent of the family.<br>
slide12. Step 2 continued…. Ask them how you can help. Offer to contact a local domestic violence service or victim support for them, or to contact the police.
Make sure the victim knows about sources of help and support, such as those listed below, as well as any local services, and encourage them to get in contact.
Find out if you can contact them safely and ensure they know how to contact you. If possible, arrange another appointment soon. This will give you another chance to discuss how to get them the right support<br>
slide13. Ways To Start A Conversation: Are you happy?
How are things in your relationship?
Is anybody hurting you? (don’t refer to ‘partner’ as it could be someone else)
Are you or your children scared or upset?
Do you feel safe at home?<br>
slide14. Conversation Cond ... Don’t be tempted to ask too much or feel that you have to ask everything at once as this might be overwhelming. Be prepared for the answers and don’t express shock or disgust. Treat people with respect even if you think they are putting themselves at risk or denying that abuse is happening.<br>
slide15. Step 3: act Based on what you have seen and heard, make a judgment about what you should do next. Think about whether the abuse is current, how urgent the situation is, and whether there are children involved<br>
slide16. Is the situation urgent? If the situation is urgent – for example there are injuries or a risk of immediate harm
Call 999<br>
slide17. If children are at risk Call your local authority children’s services or follow your organisation’s child protection policy<br>
slide18. Is the situation serious? If the situation is serious and the victim is scared and frightened – you should...<br>
slide19. Option 1: Refer to Marac Complete a Dash risk checklist. This will tell you how much danger a victim is in. If they are at high-risk, refer them to your local Marac.
Every area of England and Wales has a Marac, a local meeting which discusses every high-risk case of domestic abuse. They will make sure that the victim gets the help they need to get safe. And every victim discussed at Marac will get 1-2-1 support from an Idva, a trained domestic abuse specialist. Any professional can refer a high-risk case of domestic abuse to Marac.
You do not need to get your client’s consent to refer to Marac if they are at high risk, although you should seek it.
The Dash risk checklist is used by every police force and most other agencies across the UK. It is available at www.safelives.org.uk/dash. If you don’t know how to get in touch with your area’s Marac, email info@safelives.org.uk.<br>
slide20. Option 2: Follow your local protocols:
Seek advice from your service manager or your service’s domestic abuse champion. Your local authority may also have a domestic violence co-ordinator. They will know how to make sure a victim gets the right help<br>
slide21. No immediate danger If the victim is not in immediate danger, but they are scared or frightened or unhappy in their relationship – what to do?
Ask them how you can help. Offer to contact a local domestic violence service or victim support for them, or to contact the police.
Make sure the victim knows about sources of help and support, such as those listed below, as well as any local services, and encourage them to get in contact.
Find out if you can contact them safely and ensure they know how to contact you. If possible, arrange another appointment soon. This will give you another chance to discuss how to get them the right support.<br>
slide22. Still unsure If you are still unsure about what to do, speak to a local or national domestic violence service, the police or children’s services for advice. They can suggest the right way forward and will speak initially on an anonymous basis.
Information-sharing
Sometimes people don’t act because of concerns about whether or not they are allowed to share information.<br>
slide23. Sharing information You can always share information with the consent of the victim, and you often can without consent too. If you feel a child is at risk you do not need consent to tell children’s services or the police.
The best way to decide whether to share information is to complete a SafeLives Dash risk checklist. You’ll find more information about sharing information<br>
slide24. Remember: Never make decisions for people or advise them to leave their home or relationship. This may put them in danger.
Use your professional judgement – if you sense there’s something wrong, you should act on it
Be human and use everyday language - people may not see themselves as victims of domestic abuse. It’s hard to talk about, so acknowledge that and thank them for being honest with you<br>
slide25. Co-Workers Suggestive Signs at Work of an Abusive Home Relationship: •bruises or injuries without explanation or no feasible explanation
•excessive tardiness
•unexplained absences/use of sick time
•changes in appearance – unkempt, disheveled
•seems fearful, anxious or depressed
•intense startle reaction
•eating or sleeping problems<br>
slide26. Continued…… •increased use of alcohol/drugs
•frequent phone calls from partner
•disruptive personal visits from partner
•chronic, vague medical complaints
•chronic headaches, abdominal or pelvic pain
•preoccupation/lack or concentration
•difficulty making decisions<br>
slide27. How to respond Remember – you may be the first person your patient has ever had the courage to tell about past or present abuse. How you respond can be very important for her/his future ability to trust others and move on with her/his life.
Be non-judgmental and supportive as you respond.<br>
slide28. Some Suggestions •Thank you for telling me – I know it was difficult to do.
•I am very glad you told me. I care. I am concerned about the health and safety of you and your children.
•I believe you.
•You are not alone.
•There are people who can help you.
•This is against the law.
•I am sorry you have been hurt.
•It is not your fault.
•You are not to blame.
•No one deserves to be treated this way.
•I understand how difficult it is to change this situation. It may take some time to figure out what to do.
•I will support you no matter what you decide to do.<br>
slide29. How to Approach a Co-Worker: •Approach in a private and confidential manner
•Explain what you have noticed and that you are concerned – “I've noticed x,y,z and am concerned about you. Is there something going on you'd like to talk about?”
•If she/he denies, don’t push the issue
•Let her/him know that you are available to talk anytime<br>
slide30. Continued………. •Help her/him make a safety plan
•Help her/him store an emergency bag from a safety checklist
•Assist in whatever way s/he finds most helpful – screening calls, accompanying her/him out to lunch, etc.
•Limit information given out about co-worker over phone, such as where she/he is and time of return<br>
slide31. Continued…… •Maintain confidentiality
•Respect your co-worker's decisions - on average, women leave abusive relationships 5 times before they finally leave; this is a complex issue, and you cannot know all of the factors involved - be non-judgmental
•The majority of women who leave an abusive relationship do not go on to have another abusive relationship<br>
slide32. How to Be Supportive •See “How to Respond” if she/he says yes
•Be patient, be a good listener
•Help co-worker focus on strengths
◦Social Work Department
◦Community hotlines
•Help her/him speak with supervisors and security about situation<br>
slide33. What Can You Do at Work? If You Are In An Abusive Relationship, Or Are Being Stalked: •Make copies of emails
•Record voice messages
•Transfer harassing phone calls to security
•Keep a list of harassing events
•Ask security for escort to and from parking lot
•Find out about restraining orders at California Court Self Help Centre
•Have restraining order include workplace; bring a copy of restraining
•Have restraining order include workplace; bring a copy of restraining order to medical centre security, along with a picture of the abuser<br>
slide34. In the workplace Employees who live in an abusive home atmosphere bring these troubles to work – by effects on their health, and by phone, email or physical harassment at the workplace. This can lead to:
•Decreased productivity, attendance and job retention
•Increased physical disability
•Increased risk to co-workers<br>
slide35. Record and act Make a record – make notes of what has been said to you, including the time, date and injuries, including as much detail as possible. Use the person’s words wherever you can. Your professional judgement is also important. Write down what you think or feel about the situation and why.
Act on it - it took a lot of courage for the victim to tell you. Don’t keep what you know to yourself. The victim and family needs you to help them get help.<br>
slide2. Covid19 – there is no excuse The household isolation instruction as a result of coronavirus does not apply if you need to leave your home to escape domestic abuse.
Friends, family, neighbours and community members can be a vital lifeline to those living with domestic abuse. If you are worried that someone you know may be a victim of domestic abuse, reassure them that the police and support services are still there to help and direct them to sources of support.<br>
slide3. This Guide Is For Health Care Professionals. It Examines the Impact of Domestic Abuse on Patients/Clients And Colleagues<br>
slide4. 1-6 Men will experience Domestic Abuse in their lifetime
1-5 Children will be exposed to Domestic Abuse
1-5 Women globally are directly affected by Domestic Abuse Who suffers from Domestic Abuse? <br>
slide5. What Is Domestic Abuse? Domestic abuse includes any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse (psychological, physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between persons who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality. This includes 'honour’-based violence, female genital mutilation, and forced marriage.<br>
slide6. What Is Domestic Abuse? It is a complex issue that all health care professionals
should have some understanding about. They should
be aware of who can be affected, how individual
victims may present in differing health care settings,
how the subject could be approached, and most
importantly what professionals can do to help and
support victims of abuse.<br>
slide7. What Is Domestic Abuse? Abuse can take many forms:
•Psychological
•Financial
•Physical
•Emotional
•Sexual
•Coercive control<br>
slide8. Things To Look Out For That May Indicate Domestic Abuse: Injuries without explanation (normally people will volunteer an explanation)
Injuries which are minimised or concealed
A partner who is unwilling to allow a patient or client to be alone with professionals<br>
slide9. Things To Look Out For That May Indicate Domestic Abuse: A patient or client who appears passive and dominated by their partner
Anxiety, depression and being withdrawn, particularly if this is not usual for the<br>
slide10. Step 1. Identify Who Is At Risk: Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. Women are more likely to be victims, but men can also be the target of domestic abuse. Children can also be victims of domestic abuse – whether they live in a home with adult victims or are themselves harmed directly.<br>
slide11. Step 2: Find out more:
If you have concerns, always try to find out more from the patient or client. Make sure the person you are concerned about is on their own, without children, partner or other family members present. And if you are talking through an interpreter, make sure they are independent of the family.<br>
slide12. Step 2 continued…. Ask them how you can help. Offer to contact a local domestic violence service or victim support for them, or to contact the police.
Make sure the victim knows about sources of help and support, such as those listed below, as well as any local services, and encourage them to get in contact.
Find out if you can contact them safely and ensure they know how to contact you. If possible, arrange another appointment soon. This will give you another chance to discuss how to get them the right support<br>
slide13. Ways To Start A Conversation: Are you happy?
How are things in your relationship?
Is anybody hurting you? (don’t refer to ‘partner’ as it could be someone else)
Are you or your children scared or upset?
Do you feel safe at home?<br>
slide14. Conversation Cond ... Don’t be tempted to ask too much or feel that you have to ask everything at once as this might be overwhelming. Be prepared for the answers and don’t express shock or disgust. Treat people with respect even if you think they are putting themselves at risk or denying that abuse is happening.<br>
slide15. Step 3: act Based on what you have seen and heard, make a judgment about what you should do next. Think about whether the abuse is current, how urgent the situation is, and whether there are children involved<br>
slide16. Is the situation urgent? If the situation is urgent – for example there are injuries or a risk of immediate harm
Call 999<br>
slide17. If children are at risk Call your local authority children’s services or follow your organisation’s child protection policy<br>
slide18. Is the situation serious? If the situation is serious and the victim is scared and frightened – you should...<br>
slide19. Option 1: Refer to Marac Complete a Dash risk checklist. This will tell you how much danger a victim is in. If they are at high-risk, refer them to your local Marac.
Every area of England and Wales has a Marac, a local meeting which discusses every high-risk case of domestic abuse. They will make sure that the victim gets the help they need to get safe. And every victim discussed at Marac will get 1-2-1 support from an Idva, a trained domestic abuse specialist. Any professional can refer a high-risk case of domestic abuse to Marac.
You do not need to get your client’s consent to refer to Marac if they are at high risk, although you should seek it.
The Dash risk checklist is used by every police force and most other agencies across the UK. It is available at www.safelives.org.uk/dash. If you don’t know how to get in touch with your area’s Marac, email info@safelives.org.uk.<br>
slide20. Option 2: Follow your local protocols:
Seek advice from your service manager or your service’s domestic abuse champion. Your local authority may also have a domestic violence co-ordinator. They will know how to make sure a victim gets the right help<br>
slide21. No immediate danger If the victim is not in immediate danger, but they are scared or frightened or unhappy in their relationship – what to do?
Ask them how you can help. Offer to contact a local domestic violence service or victim support for them, or to contact the police.
Make sure the victim knows about sources of help and support, such as those listed below, as well as any local services, and encourage them to get in contact.
Find out if you can contact them safely and ensure they know how to contact you. If possible, arrange another appointment soon. This will give you another chance to discuss how to get them the right support.<br>
slide22. Still unsure If you are still unsure about what to do, speak to a local or national domestic violence service, the police or children’s services for advice. They can suggest the right way forward and will speak initially on an anonymous basis.
Information-sharing
Sometimes people don’t act because of concerns about whether or not they are allowed to share information.<br>
slide23. Sharing information You can always share information with the consent of the victim, and you often can without consent too. If you feel a child is at risk you do not need consent to tell children’s services or the police.
The best way to decide whether to share information is to complete a SafeLives Dash risk checklist. You’ll find more information about sharing information<br>
slide24. Remember: Never make decisions for people or advise them to leave their home or relationship. This may put them in danger.
Use your professional judgement – if you sense there’s something wrong, you should act on it
Be human and use everyday language - people may not see themselves as victims of domestic abuse. It’s hard to talk about, so acknowledge that and thank them for being honest with you<br>
slide25. Co-Workers Suggestive Signs at Work of an Abusive Home Relationship: •bruises or injuries without explanation or no feasible explanation
•excessive tardiness
•unexplained absences/use of sick time
•changes in appearance – unkempt, disheveled
•seems fearful, anxious or depressed
•intense startle reaction
•eating or sleeping problems<br>
slide26. Continued…… •increased use of alcohol/drugs
•frequent phone calls from partner
•disruptive personal visits from partner
•chronic, vague medical complaints
•chronic headaches, abdominal or pelvic pain
•preoccupation/lack or concentration
•difficulty making decisions<br>
slide27. How to respond Remember – you may be the first person your patient has ever had the courage to tell about past or present abuse. How you respond can be very important for her/his future ability to trust others and move on with her/his life.
Be non-judgmental and supportive as you respond.<br>
slide28. Some Suggestions •Thank you for telling me – I know it was difficult to do.
•I am very glad you told me. I care. I am concerned about the health and safety of you and your children.
•I believe you.
•You are not alone.
•There are people who can help you.
•This is against the law.
•I am sorry you have been hurt.
•It is not your fault.
•You are not to blame.
•No one deserves to be treated this way.
•I understand how difficult it is to change this situation. It may take some time to figure out what to do.
•I will support you no matter what you decide to do.<br>
slide29. How to Approach a Co-Worker: •Approach in a private and confidential manner
•Explain what you have noticed and that you are concerned – “I've noticed x,y,z and am concerned about you. Is there something going on you'd like to talk about?”
•If she/he denies, don’t push the issue
•Let her/him know that you are available to talk anytime<br>
slide30. Continued………. •Help her/him make a safety plan
•Help her/him store an emergency bag from a safety checklist
•Assist in whatever way s/he finds most helpful – screening calls, accompanying her/him out to lunch, etc.
•Limit information given out about co-worker over phone, such as where she/he is and time of return<br>
slide31. Continued…… •Maintain confidentiality
•Respect your co-worker's decisions - on average, women leave abusive relationships 5 times before they finally leave; this is a complex issue, and you cannot know all of the factors involved - be non-judgmental
•The majority of women who leave an abusive relationship do not go on to have another abusive relationship<br>
slide32. How to Be Supportive •See “How to Respond” if she/he says yes
•Be patient, be a good listener
•Help co-worker focus on strengths
◦Social Work Department
◦Community hotlines
•Help her/him speak with supervisors and security about situation<br>
slide33. What Can You Do at Work? If You Are In An Abusive Relationship, Or Are Being Stalked: •Make copies of emails
•Record voice messages
•Transfer harassing phone calls to security
•Keep a list of harassing events
•Ask security for escort to and from parking lot
•Find out about restraining orders at California Court Self Help Centre
•Have restraining order include workplace; bring a copy of restraining
•Have restraining order include workplace; bring a copy of restraining order to medical centre security, along with a picture of the abuser<br>
slide34. In the workplace Employees who live in an abusive home atmosphere bring these troubles to work – by effects on their health, and by phone, email or physical harassment at the workplace. This can lead to:
•Decreased productivity, attendance and job retention
•Increased physical disability
•Increased risk to co-workers<br>
slide35. Record and act Make a record – make notes of what has been said to you, including the time, date and injuries, including as much detail as possible. Use the person’s words wherever you can. Your professional judgement is also important. Write down what you think or feel about the situation and why.
Act on it - it took a lot of courage for the victim to tell you. Don’t keep what you know to yourself. The victim and family needs you to help them get help.<br>