Advice for Practitioners

First Principles of Domestic Violence Work 

• The interests, safety and protection of survivors and their children are the prime consideration.
• Action is taken to ensure prevention, provision and protection in relation to those affected by domestic violence.
• The needs of survivors who have experienced violence or abuse will determine the provision and development of services.
• A common, co-ordinated multi-agency approach and community involvement underpin the achievement of an effective response to domestic violence.

The Challenge to Agencies

Survivors of domestic violence and their children, require a continuum of services involving the Health Service, Refuges and other voluntary agencies, Local Authorities, Housing providers, Police, Probation, Solicitors and the Courts.  A woman's need for help may very over a period of time. The effects of violence and abuse can impact on decisions about seeking and accepting help, and about leaving the matrimonial home. Survivors require services to be tailored to their needs in order to be of use, and their wishes must be respected. A clear understanding of the survivor's experience of domestic violence directly influences good practice and policy in all organisations. Remember, leaving a partner is a process and not a single act.

In order to meet this challenge, agencies and practitioners must do the following:

• understand the nature and impact of violence on survivors and children.
• acquire the knowledge and skills to recognise the signs and symptoms, identify and intervene in domestic violence cases.
• ask routine questions about domestic violence and encourage survivors to disclose.
• be knowledgeable about the range of services required and what is available. 
• listen to survivors and respond to their needs.
• record details of the violence including any injuries and symptoms.
• offer information about short and long term support and relevant agencies.
• ask if they want to report the domestic violence to the police.
• offer a leaflet and/or copy of the handbook.
• ensure survivors feel safe about returning home by drawing up a safety plan.
• get support - inform your supervisor or a colleague of any complicated cases.
• contribute to a multi-agency co-ordinated response.

Maintain Confidentiality

Assure the survivor of confidentiality and explain the limits of this.

Keep an accurate record of your meetings and explain to her who has access to these records. Be open about this and let them know that the information recorded can be used as evidence in support of the case if it was to go to court and/or with their application for housing. Clarify any limits to confidentiality before you start, for example, in relation to Child Protection policies and procedures.

Check if it is all right to send letters or phone their home address, find out if there is another safe way of getting in contact with them and respect their wishes if they do not want you to get into contact.

Check if there are any particular circumstances that you need to be aware of that may require additional security arrangements (e.g. if the abuser works for a local agency).

Ask them to sign a mandate stating that they give permission for you to share information with another agency about their situation.

Record any Findings

Any suspicions of domestic violence must be recorded in the agency's records (not in notes held by the service user). Identify reasons for your suspicions.

This record is vital to ensure appropriate responses by the agency as well as providing the survivor with vital evidence should they later decide to pursue legal remedies, seek re-housing or tackle immigration or deportation problems.

Ensure your agency is collecting accurate baseline data on domestic violence to inform service planning and to share with other agencies in the Bedfordshire Domestic Violence Partnership as part of a co-ordinated response to domestic violence.