Page 31

31

Attachment F P-2320D Reach Up Services Domestic Violence Procedures (24-06)

The Department is committed to helping families experiencing the effects of domestic violence to address those effects and begin to overcome economic barriers to independence.

Guidelines for interacting with victims of domestic violence Many people who have experienced domestic violence find it very difficult to talk about it. For some, it is not safe to talk about domestic violence unless the discussion is very private.

These are guidelines to follow whenever talking about domestic violence with anyone who might have experienced it. DO —

• Allow them to ask questions without making assumptions about their experience with domestic violence. • Make information available about services that may help them deal with domestic violence. • Take steps to protect their privacy and safety by offering to meet in a private office and keeping the information confidential. • Ask them if this is an appropriate time to speak if you are not meeting with them in person. Typical cues that may be easier to identify when meeting in person may be harder to identify when meeting over the phone or virtually.

The following are things to avoid — • Don’t ask them how they can put up with it, don’t ask why they don’t just leave, and don’t imply that they have brought the abuse on themselves or their family in any way. • Don’t press them to talk about domestic violence more than they are willing to, even if you are sure they have been abused. • Don’t pressure them to take steps that may lead to more violence. For example, don’t pressure them to talk to a domestic violence program specialist, file a police report, or petition for a restraining order. • Don’t question their judgment or their value as a participant, • Don’t slip a referral card or other information about domestic violence into their bag or tell them to take the handout Domestic Violence – You Don’t