Nicole Stanish Program Manager AWAIC Domestic Violence 101 Nicole Stanish Program Manager AWAIC

Objectives Participants will be able to define domestic violence; Participants will be able to recognize tactics of abuse against victims; Participants will be able list ways they can screen for DV and respond to allegations of abuse; and Participants will be able to identify safety issues and safety solutions when working with victims

Defining Domestic Violence Any abusive or coercive behavior used to control an intimate partner, ex-partner, family member or roommate Includes multiple actions; a pattern of manipulative and violent tactics. Abusers seek to gain and maintain power and control over their victims by the use of actual and assumed power. Victim forced to change their behavior in response to the abuse.

Domestic violence relationships A spouse or former spouse Dating/have dated or had a sexual relationship with People who live in the same household Family members/relatives Someone related or formerly related by marriage

Prevalence of Domestic Violence Out of every 100 women who reside in the Municipality of Anchorage: *39 experience domestic violence *32 experience sexual violence *48 experience DV, SA or both 85% of Domestic Violence victims are women

What Causes Domestic Violence? Ask participants to share their ideas…….make a list on board……use to debunk myths

correlation vs. causation

Domestic Violence is Learned Behavior It is not caused by: Mental illness or personality disorder Genetics Alcohol or drugs An inability to control anger Stress The victim's behavior or problems in the relationship Out of control behavior

Domestic Violence is Learned Behavior It is learned through: Observation Experience and reinforcement Culture Communities, schools, peer groups, etc. It is often learned by growing up with domestic violence in the home

Domestic Violence is a Choice

Power and Control Wheel

Elements of Power and Control Using Intimidation Using looks, actions, gestures to cause fear in their partner Smashing things Destroying property Abusing pets Displaying weapons

Elements of Power and Control Using Emotional Abuse Using put downs Making their partner feel bad about her/himself Name calling Making their partner think she/he is crazy Playing mind games Humiliating partner Making partner feel guilty

Elements of Power and Control Using Isolation Controlling what their partner does, who she/he sees and talks to, what she/he reads, where she/he goes Limiting outside involvement Using jealousy to justify actions

Elements of Power and Control Minimizing, Denying, & Blaming Making light of the abuse and not taking their partner’s concerns about it seriously Saying the abuse didn’t happen Shifting responsibility for abusive behavior Saying the victim caused it

Elements of Power and Control Using Children Making their partner feel guilty about the children Using the children to relay messages Using visitation to harass their partner Threatening to take the children away

Elements of Power and Control Using Male/Female Privilege Treating her/him like a servant Making all of the big decisions Acting like the boss of the house Being the one to define men’s and women’s roles

Barriers to leaving Safety The children Isolation Religion Immigration status Poor credit/rental history Poor employment Love

Screening for DV Make screening for DV a part of your normal intake process Understand that it may take time for a person to disclose if abuse is happening. Screen for DV multiple times. Assure the person that you will keep your conversation confidential- but let the person know what info you would have to share (child abuse, elder abuse, imminent harm)

How to start a conversation about DV “If your partner uses physical force against a person or property, tell me about one time that happened. Tell me about the worst or most violent episode. What was the most recent episode? Are you afraid of being harmed or injured?” “Have you ever used physical force against your partner? If so, tell me about the worst episode. What was the most recent episode? Is your partner afraid of you?” “Have the children ever been hurt or injured in any of these episodes? Have the children been present? Are the children afraid of your partner? Afraid of you?” “All families disagree and have conflicts. I am interested in how your family resolves conflict. I am interested in how you and your partner communicate when upset.” “What happens when you and your partner disagree and your partner wants to get his/her way?” “Have you ever been hurt or injured in an argument? Has your partner ever used physical force against you or anyone else or broken or destroyed property during an argument? Have you ever felt threatened or intimidated by your partner? How?”

The Importance of Safety Planning What is Safety Planning? A complex set of strategies and resources that a survivor uses to minimize abuse by the abuser Safety plans are fluid, ongoing, multi-layered and are guided by the victim/survivor Effective safety-planning will be non-judgmental and will NOT victim-blame Effective safety-planning will consider not only the individual experience of the survivor, but also the social and institutional factors influencing that experience

Elements of Safety Planning Assessing the Threat Have there been threats of homicide or suicide? Does perpetrator have access to firearms? Have weapons been used or threatened in the past? What is the role of victim in perpetrator’s life? Is perpetrator obsessive, highly dependent, jealous? Has perpetrator begun taking escalated personal/criminal risks? Is there a history of depression? Is there a history of alcohol or drug use or abuse? History of stalking? How much access to the victim does the perpetrator have?

Elements of Safety Planning (continued) Identifying Limitations Basic survival/economic needs Practical needs (eg, Transportation, housing, scheduling) Resources (eg, cell phone, support system) What are the impediments? What avenues is victim willing to explore? What is most important to the victim? What are the risks?

Elements of Safety Planning (continued) Identifying Strengths What has the victim done in the past that has worked? Who are the victim’s allies? What are some strategies for neutralizing barriers?

Elements of Safety Planning (continued) Developing the Plan Safety Planning is a Process, Not a Product… Rehearsal Evaluation of Plan Revision of Plan Venue Home Work School Church Car Risk Ally Barrier Solution Strategy

AWAIC services 24 hour crisis line 272-0100 Shelter Case management/Children’s advocates Legal Moving Forward Harmony House ADVSAIP Community Educator Clinician Willa’s Way

AWAIC, Inc. 24 Hour Crisis Line 907-272-0100 100 W.13th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501 Business Line: (907) 279-9585