Domestic violence can be physical (slapping, beating, punching, shoving) emotional, verbal or sexual.

Battering is the single largest cause of injury to women in the US.

Up to 4,000 women are beaten to death annually by family members.

Studies indicate that children who witness battering often exhibit serious behavioral/emotional difficulties.

Evidence suggests that male children who witness battering may themselves become batterers and female children may become victims of battering in adulthood.

Studies indicate 25% to 50% of men who abuse women also abuse children

Stress or use of drugs/alcohol is not an excuse.

The battered woman is not responsible for the batterer's behavior.

Domestic violence is found in all social-economic and racial groups.

Domestic violence is an issue of power and control.

Battered women are often isolated and need support

GUIDELINES FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE CASEWORKERS

Primary need of domestic violence victims and their children is safety.

Caseworkers must assess risk to the mother and children who may be afraid to disclose the abuse become of fear of the batterer or of losing the children.

Caseworkers must reassure the victim that they have a right not to be hurt and the caseworkers will assist in obtaining services, however, removal of the children may be necessary if the mother remains with the abuser.

A. Investigation Procedures

1. Caseworkers must follow CPSRD procedures to assess evidence of recent child maltreatment.

2. The caseworker must contact the Youth Officer in the precinct nearest to the case address to determine if the police have responded to prior reports of domestic violence or child abuse/ neglect.

3. All members of the household should be interviewed separately. Do not confront the batterer with the allegations in front of the victim or children.

4. Complete the CPSRD and Domestic Violence Protocol.

B. Assessment of Risk/Service Provision

1. Services should be offered regardless of whether the client chooses to remain in the household.

2. If allegations are indicated and children or mother are at risk, caseworker would assist the mother in obtaining appropriate services such as:
Court Order of Protection or
Referral to Battered Women's Emergency Residence by contacting:
NYC Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-621-HOPE
NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence 1-800-942-6906
Spanish Hotline 1-800-942-6908
Victim Services Agency Hotline (212) 577-7777 (24 hours)

3. If parent/caretaker refuses services and children are at risk, removal of children must be considered in consultation with supervisor.

On the following pages are questions which you should use in your investigation to validate the allegations and assess risk to the children.

I. TO VALIDATE ALLEGATIONS OF BATTERING
1. Does your partner ever prevent you from leaving the home, from working or returning to school? YES___NO___

2. Does your partner destroy possessions or things of value to you?
YES___ NO___

3. Does your partner monitor your activities or phone calls?
YES___ NO___

4. Does he accuse you of being unfaithful?
YES___ NO___

5. Has he ever threatened to commit suicide?
YES___ NO___

6. Has your partner ever threatened to injure you or kill you?
Regularly___ Sometimes___ Not often___ No___

7. Has your partner ever hit you, attacked you with a weapon, forced you to have sex, other ______________________________
Regularly___ Sometimes___ Not often___ No___

II. ASSESSMENT OF RISK TO THE CHILD(REN)

1. Has your partner ever threatened to hurt, kill or remove the
children from the home?
YES___ NO ___
If yes, how often?

2. Have your children ever witnessed your partner hit you? YES___ NO ___
How Often? Regularly___ Sometimes___ Not often___ No ___

3. Has your partner hit your child(ren) with belts, straps or other objects which have left marks, bruises, welts, or other serious injuries?
YES___ NO___

4. Has your partner touched your child in a way that made you or your child uncomfortable? YES___ NO___

5 Does your child attend school regularly?
YES___ NO___

6. Do the teachers complain about your child(ren)'s behavior at school? (fighting, destroying property, not paying attention in class, or withdrawn)
YES___ NO___

7. Does your child(ren)'s behavior remind you or your partner?
YES___ NO___
If yes: describe: _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

8. Do you find you have to use physical punishment to get your
child(ren) to behave?
YES___ NO___
If yes: describe: _____________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

9. Does your child ever try to hurt him/herself, pets, or destroy possessions?
YES___ NO___

10. Is your child anxious and fearful of leaving you?
YES___ NO___

III. ASSESSMENT OF PARENT/CARETAKER'S ABILITY TO PROTECT
CHILD(REN)

1. Have you ever left home as a result of abuse?
YES___ NO___
If not, why?________________________________________________
If yes, when? _________________ Where? _______________________

2. Have you taken the child(ren) with you?
YES___ NO___
If not, why? ________________________________________________

3. Have the police ever been called for assistance?
YES___ NO___
If yes, what precinct?_________________________________________

4. Have you ever gone to court to get an order of protection
against your partner?
YES___ NO___
If not, why? ________________________________________________

5. Do you want assistance from CWA in seeking a temporary
battered women's emergency residence, court order of
protection or other services for you and your child(ren)?
YES___ NO___
If not, why? ________________________________________________

IV. CASEWORKER ASSESSMENT

1. The children are at risk if the parent answers "YES" to any of the following questions: Section I, questions 6,7, and/or Section II, questions 1,3.

Actions: Assess imminent risk to the children. If children are at risk
from the batterer, assist parent to obtain temporary emergency residence or court order of protection. if the parent/caretaker refuses or is unable to accept necessary services to protect the children or is responsible for abusing the children: Follow procedure to remove children immediately.

2. If the allegations are indicated and the children are not at risk of
physical injuries but exhibit serious emotional/behavioral difficulties:

Actions: Discuss your observations and assessment with the parent/ caretaker then refer to battered women's emergency residence or domestic violence counseling services for her and the children. (Consult PPRS Resource Consultant/Liaison for appropriate resources.) If parent/caretaker refuses needed services for children: Request case conference with Supervisor II regarding other approaches and/or possible OLA consult.

3. If the allegations of domestic violence and/or risk to the child(ren) is
not clear because you believe the victim and/or family members are not
responding to the questions truthfully:

Actions: Request case conference with Supervisor II.

V. ACTIONS TAKEN (Reminder: on all cases, contact Precinct Youth
Officer for additional information, if available.) Based on your assessment
what actions have you taken:

___ Emergency removal of child(ren)
___ Supervisory case conference and/or OLA consult
___ Referral to Hotline for community based services (excluding PPRS)
___ Assistance with Court Order
___ Referral to battered women's residence
___ Referral to PPRS Resource Consultant Liaison

Other services (specify): __________________________________________________

Caseworker _______________________________ Date____/____/____

Supervisor II______________________________ Date ____/____/____