SAFETY PLANNING

A Complex PlanA Complex Plan

Theory of BarriersTheory of BarriersWhy is it hard to leave?Why is it hard to leave?

EconomicEconomic ChildrenChildren FamilyFamily CultureCulture OthersOthers

Goals for Working with Battered Goals for Working with Battered WomenWomen

Safety for her and the childrenSafety for her and the children Leave the violent relationshipLeave the violent relationship Become independentBecome independent Stop the Abuse Stop the Abuse Prevent deathPrevent death

Jill DaviesJill DaviesSafety Planning Safety Planning

withwith Battered WomenBattered Women

Woman Defined AdvocacyWoman Defined Advocacy

Batterer Generated RisksBatterer Generated Risks

Risk of Physical InjuryRisk of Physical Injury Risk of Psychological HarmRisk of Psychological Harm Child Related RisksChild Related Risks Financial RisksFinancial Risks Risks to Family and FriendsRisks to Family and Friends Loss of RelationshipLoss of Relationship Risks involving Arrest and Legal StatusRisks involving Arrest and Legal Status

Life Generated RisksLife Generated Risks

Financial ConsiderationsFinancial Considerations Home locationHome location Physical & Mental HealthPhysical & Mental Health Inadequate responses by Major Social Inadequate responses by Major Social

InstitutionsInstitutions DiscriminationDiscrimination Batterers manipulation of Life GRBatterers manipulation of Life GR

Culture Generated RisksCulture Generated Risks

Traditional RolesTraditional Roles In-law AbuseIn-law Abuse Effects on family back homeEffects on family back home The batterer’s statusThe batterer’s status Value differencesValue differences

Safety PlanSafety Plan

Check Lists vs a well thought of planCheck Lists vs a well thought of plan

Immediate Safety planImmediate Safety plan Long term planLong term plan

Immediate Safety PlanImmediate Safety Plan

1. Where is the batterer?1. Where is the batterer? 2. What is the batterer’s state of mind?2. What is the batterer’s state of mind? 3. Where are the children?3. Where are the children? 4. What is the Danger Assessment (DA) 4. What is the Danger Assessment (DA)

scorescore 5. Review of the DA5. Review of the DA 6. Understand what Stage of Change she is 6. Understand what Stage of Change she is

atat

5. The Danger Assessment5. The Danger Assessment

The plan has to be relevant to the DAThe plan has to be relevant to the DA

Important FactorsImportant Factors WeaponsWeapons StalkingStalking SeparationSeparation Abuser (element of shame)Abuser (element of shame)

Stages of ChangeStages of Change1.1. Pre-contemplation:Pre-contemplation:

Victim’s situation: Victim’s situation: There is no problem.There is no problem. ●● Victim’s options: Victim’s options: None.None.

2.2. Contemplation:Contemplation:

Victim’s situation: Victim’s situation: Admitting existence of problem.Admitting existence of problem. ● ● Victim’s options: Victim’s options:

Considering change.Considering change.

3.3. Preparation:Preparation:

Victim’s situation: Victim’s situation: In better touch with reality.In better touch with reality. ●● Victim’s options: Victim’s options: Things can Things can

be different.be different.

4.4. Action:Action:

Victim’s situation: Victim’s situation: Determination to be free of abuse.Determination to be free of abuse. ●● Victim’s options: Victim’s options:

Things will be different.Things will be different.

5.5. Maintenance:Maintenance:

Victim’s situation: Victim’s situation: Process of change is clear. Process of change is clear. ●● Victim’s options: Victim’s options: Things are Things are

different.different. MNADV-12MNADV-12

Immediate Safety PlanImmediate Safety Plan

Plan should be simple and easy to followPlan should be simple and easy to follow Empowering vs taking controlEmpowering vs taking control Survivor should be and active participant in Survivor should be and active participant in

the development of the planthe development of the plan DA and Stage of Changes should be DA and Stage of Changes should be

consideredconsidered

Long Term PlanLong Term PlanStaying or leavingStaying or leaving

Risk assessment of BGR &LGRRisk assessment of BGR &LGR What changes is the survivor willing and What changes is the survivor willing and

able to makeable to make What is she willing to give upWhat is she willing to give up A place to startA place to start The plan changes and evolvesThe plan changes and evolves

Case ExampleCase Example

The case of JennyThe case of Jenny

PracticePractice

Finalizing the Plan (or not…)Finalizing the Plan (or not…)

The risk of violence and re assault never The risk of violence and re assault never goes awaygoes away

Level of danger fluctuatesLevel of danger fluctuates The plan should be reviewed and modified The plan should be reviewed and modified

during critical times even if separation has during critical times even if separation has occurredoccurred

Vivian Levi, LCPCVivian Levi, LCPCAbused Persons ProgramAbused Persons Program

Montgomery CountyMontgomery County

1301 Piccard Dr.1301 Piccard Dr.

Rockville MD, 20850Rockville MD, 20850

240 777 4896240 777 4896

vivian.levi@montgomerycountymd.govvivian.levi@montgomerycountymd.gov