Chapter VIII:Protective Services 1409- DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

VI. INTERVIEWING THE NON-OFFENDING PARENT/ADULT VICTIM

To ensure the child’s safety, as well as enhance that of the non-offending parent/adult victim, and to promote candid disclosure about the violence occurring in the home, the non-offending parent/adult victim must be interviewed (as circumstances allow) separate and apart from the perpetrator of domestic violence. Every effort should be made to contact the non-offending parent/adult victim and children in a manner that this is accomplished. The presence of relatives or friends may also impact disclosure and safety. The inability to speak with the non-offending parent/adult victim alone may be an indication of the level of control the perpetrator of domestic violence exerts over the family, and an indication of high risk. Information obtained from the non-offending parent/adult victim must not be shared with anyone, especially the alleged perpetrator of domestic violence, in such a manner that may jeopardize the safety of the child or the non-offending parent/adult victim. Any disclosures, including information that may seem inconsequential, specifically information about the non-offending/adult victim’s whereabouts and/or schedule if he or she has left the home/relationship, can place the child and non-offending parent/adult victim in grave danger. Information concerning resources and referrals to services should immediately be given to the non-offending parent/adult victim and children (as appropriate).

When interviewing the non-offending parent/adult victim of domestic violence it is important to:

• Explain the process of the CPS assessment,
• Provide an assurance that the children’s safety (as well as his or hers) is the goal of the assessment
• Provide an assurance that the alleged perpetrator of domestic violence will not be confronted with the source of information, or any information concerning his or her safety plan that he or she has shared (within the limits of confidentiality) and,
• Explain that he or she will be provided with referral information regarding safety for him or her and the children.

To assess power and control issues in the family, the non-offending parent/adult victim should be asked additional questions. Suggested questions concern issues such as:

• his or her history of seeking help
• his or her plan for the children and himself or herself
• the frequency/intensity of the domestic violence
• if his or her partner had ever used physical force on him or her (pushed, pulled, slapped, punched or kicked),
• If he or she has ever been afraid for the safety of his or her children?

The planning for children’s safety is a continuous process based on the circumstances throughout the life of the case. As such, the Structured Decision Making Safety Assessment shall require completion at any point safety issues are revealed. After the initial interview with the non-offending parent/adult victim, a Safety Assessment and development of a safety response should be completed. A separate Safety Assessment and safety response should be completed later with the alleged perpetrator of domestic violence after they are interviewed.