MODULE 5 Best Practice Approaches Applying a Women-Centred Approach to Child Protection Investigations 1

Module 5 Learning Objectives 2 Participants will: Increase knowledge about Best Practice Approaches 4, 5 & 6. Identify the benefits of a women-centred approach to child protection in cases of violence against women. Apply women-centred, strengths-based approach to a case study using Best Practice Approaches 4, 5 & 6.

Module 5 Learning Objectives 3 Participants will: Be able to plan and conduct a child protection investigation while attending to women’s safety. Learn how to develop a safety plan with a woman.

Develop an initial plan: Advise woman to contact support person Consult with service provider who has a strong knowledge about dynamics of violence. Please note: Unless consent to share information, share only non- identifying information. The police, only if involved in the child protection investigation and /or for safety reasons 4 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

To ensure the mother’s and her children’s safety as much as possible, consider issues such as: When and how to contact the mother Safest place and time to interview Suggestions for a safety plan if required 5 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

Reminders Find out mother’s schedule - how and when to contact her. Don’t leave messages with others or on machine. Always use call blocker so your number is not displayed. Check that it is safe for her to speak to you by asking questions such as: “Is now a good time to talk?” Arrange a meeting where you know the abuser will not be present – eg. at school 6 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

Applying an understanding of women’s experience of abuse in relationships in interviewing the woman can enhance the service relationship increase the potential for reaching safe solutions 7 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

Avoid making inaccurate assessments about the woman’s behaviour and resultant parenting ability. Recognize the woman’s strengths and build on the strategies that she has used to keep herself and her children safe. Respect the woman’s ability to make choices within the constraints of child protection practice. Share knowledge and information. 8 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

Provide services that are accessible from the perspective of the woman. Provide interpretation services that allow safe discussion about her experiences Discuss her concerns and needs for support and safety. Ask questions such as: “What assistance do you need to keep your children safe?” rather than making statements that imply blame such as: “It’s your responsibility to keep your children safe from your partner”. 9 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

Advise the woman of the following for safety purposes: when you/police plan to contact family members, particularly the alleged abuser if for any reason the contact is delayed after you have made contact with the alleged abuser that you will not disclose her and/or her child’s location to the perpetrator or anyone without her knowledge and permission Buchwitz, Rita (2001) Alternatives to Apprehension: Education, Action and Advocacy 10 Best Practice Approach 4 Planning and Conducting an Investigation

If concern exists about the child or youth’s immediate safety or safety during the investigation: Explain reasons for the concern Elicit suggestions for a safety plan for the children Develop a safety plan Explore issues that might impact upon her options Explain interim plan 11 Best Practice Approach 5 Child’s Immediate Safety

If child or youth needs protection from the abusive partner: when you suspect that caller is the abusive partner determine non-violent parent strengths work with mother in order to create safe environment separate service plans determine past and current services 12 Best Practice Approach 6 Determine Child’s Need for Protection

If a determination is made that the child or youth needs protection from the non-violent partner: advise of decision using non-blaming statement consider supportive interventions non-judgemental words and tone of voice ensure that the woman has a safety plan non-coercive referral to women’s organizations work with mother in order to create safe environment 13 Best Practice Approach 6 Determine Child’s Need for Protection

If a decision is made that the child or youth does not need protection: advise the caller, advocate/service provider, woman consider voluntary services or referral offer anti-violence community services reassure clients that the services are truly voluntary try to ensure that the mother has a safety plan in place, or knows who to contact for assistance 14 Best Practice Approach 6 Determine Child’s Need for Protection

Many negative societal beliefs and stereotypes exist about women who are being abused Abused women are often judged harshly Reframe these negative judgments into women’s strengths safety strategies impacts of abuse, having little personal power and control 15 Best Practice Approaches Identifying Strengths and Safety Strategies

Stigma surrounding abused women intensified when women are mothers Can result in blaming mothers for risks or harms to their children, rather than the abuser being held accountable Women subject to intense scrutiny as bad mothers, and held up to much higher standards. 16 Best Practice Approaches Identifying Strengths and Safety Strategies

Focus for woman is to reduce the risk of abuse May appear to be neglecting her own needs when she is attending to her partner’s every demand in an effort to keep herself and her children safe Identify and build on strategies the woman is already using to stay safe 17 Best Practice Approaches Identifying Strengths and Safety Strategies

Acknowledge and build on a woman’s strengths and her own knowledge of her unique situation Safety planning documents should not be used as checklists to be reviewed with a survivor Consider language skills, level of income, availability of transportation, childcare etc. Collaborate with anti-violence services, police, crown, mental health, and others 18 Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

19 Violence against women can't be resolved by changes in the victim's behavior No woman has control over her partner's behavior, dangerous to expect victims to "stop the violence" Problem is offender's conduct; his sense of entitlement to coercive, controlling, terrorist behaviors Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

20 Principles: The use of violence is the abuser’s choice Abusers must be held accountable for their violence Goal is to reduce the risks, not predict the violence Women evaluate their risk on a continual basis Woman is expert on her life, she owns her safety plan No one agency will have all the relevant information Sharing of information increases effectiveness, with women’s consent wherever possible Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

21 Gender Neutrality: Minimizing men’s social, economic, legal advantages Assuming equal caretaking roles Minimizing women’s greater contribution to parenting Minimizing woman’s beliefs about her, children’s safety Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

22 Principles when children involved: Child’s safety and well-being integrally linked with the safety of the mother Interventions require an understanding of the complex dynamics of power and control Gender inequality operates against women in custody and access in ways which include: less financial stability undervaluing women’s role as caretakers Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

23 Before you start: Discuss the purpose of safety assessment with the woman and see if she wishes to take part Clarify with the woman that her choices are paramount. Provide emotional support during and after the safety assessment and planning process Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

24 Should focus on: What the woman thinks will be safe strategies Securing safe housing Respectful support, no labels Financial, income assistance, employment services Voluntary supportive services Parenting groups Only if needed Provide childcare and transportation Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

25 Should focus on: legal advocacy, family law services: protection orders custody and safe visitation arrangements child support divorce transportation to safety resources Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

26 Critical Situations: When she attempts to leave the relationship If the abuser becomes aware that she is accessing support/help When she initiates legal actions: Divorce Custody or access Child protection investigation and child removal Property settlement Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning

27 Critical Situations: If a stay of proceedings is entered. Application for Peace Bond, other protection order Application to vary protection order conditions When accused is released on interim conditions When any papers are served such as Restraining Orders Notification of Divorce or Separation Proceedings When she enters another relationship Best Practice Approaches Safety Planning