1. Walnut Avenue Women’s Center
Demystifying Domestic Violence Court Appointed Special Advocates Training
Walnut Avenue Women’s Center

2. Desired Outcomes
Learn about the dynamics of domestic violence and how to assess risk factors to victim’s/survivor’s safety.
Understand how domestic violence impacts the health and wellbeing of adult victims/survivors & children exposed to domestic violence.
Learn why it might be hard for some victims/survivors to leave abusive relationships.
Identify ways you can support resiliency of children exposed to domestic violence.
Discuss ways that you can work in partnership with domestic violence service providers.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

3. Introductions Name What is your role within CASA?
What do you want to get out of today’s session?
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

4. Section 13700 of the California Penal Code (b)
“Domestic violence means abuse committed against an adult or fully emancipated minor who is a: spouse or former spouse, cohabitant or former cohabitant, person with whom one is having or has had a dating or engagement relationship, person with whom one has had a child, any person related by consanguinity or affinity within the second degree.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

5. Section 13700 (a) of the California Penal Code
“Abuse” means intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent serious bodily injury to himself or herself, or another.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

6. What is Domestic Violence?
An escalating pattern of coercive behaviors that are used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

7. Tactics of Power & Control
Physical
Sexual
Emotional
Isolation
Economic
Verbal
Technological
Privilege
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

8. Cycle of Violence Tension Fear Hope Violence Honeymoon Love
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

9. Who is Victimized? Primarily Female Victims:
1 in 4 Women will experience DV in her lifetime
Over 85% of the time, the batterer is male and the victim is female. However, when men are battered by women, they are less likely to report it.
Pregnant women: 25-45% of all battered women are pregnant at the time of the incident.
Disabled Women: may be victimized by caregivers, or more vulnerable to attacks on mobility and financial independence.
The Elderly: May be abused by their partners, caregivers or even their children.
Children: Child witnesses may develop symptoms of PTSD and behavioral problems.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

10. Statistics from SCPD
DV phone calls responded to by SCPD in the last 5 years, between January October 2011:
Yearly average # of calls: 324/year
(includes domestic incidents)
Average number of EPO’s given: 64/year
Highest call average as separated by penal code:
243(e) Battery on Spouse: 93 per year
273.5 Inflict injury on spouse/cohabitant: 117 per year
Percentage of Victims:
Female 90%
Male 10%
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

11. Video
“Faces of Domestic Violence” By The Blue Shield Foundation & The Family Violence Prevention Fund
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

12. Myths & FACTS
Myth: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AFFECTS ONLY A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION. FACT: One in three women are physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend at some point in their lives. Myth: ALCOHOL ABUSE CAUSES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. FACT: Although there is a high risk between alcohol or other substance abuse, batterers use drinking as one of many excuses for their violence. Alcohol is used as a way to place the responsibility for their violence elsewhere.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

13. Myths & FACTS
Myth: WHY DO WOMEN STAY WITH ABUSERS? THEY MUST LIKE IT OR THEY WOULD LEAVE.
FACT: Abused women often make repeated attempts to leave violent relationships, but are prevented from doing so by increased violence, and control tactics on the part of the abuser. The risk of domestic homicide increases significantly when the woman leaves or divorces her abuser.
Myths & Facts About The Cause of DV Continued
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

14. What Leads Someone to Become Abusive?
Its about Power and Control
Batterers may:
Have been raised in a violent
home.
Need to hide their insecurities.
Feel it’s their “right” to “discipline”
their partner.
Need to feel in power by humiliating
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

15. Characteristics of a Batterer
Control
Entitlement
Selfishness & Self-Centeredness
Superiority
Possessiveness
Confusion of Love & Abuse
Manipulation
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

16. Contradictory Statements & Behaviors Externalization of Responsibility
Denial, Minimizing & Blaming
Lack of Empathy for the Victim
Serial Battering
Source for Characteristics of a Batterer: Bancroft, L. , “The Batterer as a Parent”. Synergy*, 6(1), 6-8. Winter 2002.
(*Newsletter of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges)
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

17. Screening for Dominant Aggressor
It is not uncommon for batterers to
present themselves as victims.
Seek victim/survivor services to locate a partner
To gain physical proximity to a partner who is receiving services
Contact law enforcement and/or DV Service Programs before the victim in order to isolate the victim/survivor from future support and safety.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

18. Factors to examine at interview
How does the person talk about her/himself and the partner. Minimize actions/blame others? Take excessive responsibility?
Context
Intent
Effect
Use of force
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

19. Barriers to Leaving Fear Denial Low self-esteem Cultural Pressures
Religion
Economic Dependence
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

20. Reasons for Staying Love Self-Blame Economic Dependence Optimism
Culture
Religion
Lack of information/knowledge
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

21. Danger Assessment Tool By Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, PHD, RN, FAAN
Refer to Handout “Every year 3 to 4 million in the US are abused and 1500 to 1600 are killed by their abusers. The challenge for those who encounter abused women is to identify those with the highest level of danger”
Maryland Network against DV. They’ve established a lethality assessment committee.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

22. Batterer Generated Risk Assessment
Possible Risks if She Stays
Possible Risks if She Leaves
Physical
Psychological
Children
Financial
Family & Friends
Relationship
Arrest / Legal Status
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

23. Life Generated Risk Assessment
Possible Effects of
Life-Generated Risks
Possible Uses of Life-Generated Risks by Batterer
Financial Limitations
Home Location: Where She Lives
Physical Health Issues
Mental Health Issues
Responses by Major Social Institutions
Discrimination Based on Sex, Gender, Sexual Preference or Other Bias
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

24. DV & Women with Multiple Vulnerabilities
Multiple vulnerabilities simply means that a woman living in or leaving a domestically violent situation often presents with co-occuring conditions that affect her health & well being, safety, decision-making and priorities.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

25. Multiple Vulnerabilities
No Health Insurance
Poor Work History
Low Educational Attainment
Health Problems
Mental Health Issues
Cognitive Impairment
Substance Use/Abuse
HIV/AIDS or other STIs
Historical Trauma
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

26. Health Outcomes of Violence Against Women Partner Abuse, Sexual Assault & Child Sexual Abuse
Reproductive Health
Unwanted pregnancy
STDs/HIV
Gynecological disorders
Unsafe abortion
Pregnancy complications
Miscarriages/low birth weight
Pelvic inflammatory diseases
Fatal Outcomes
Homicide
Suicide
Maternal mortality
AIDS-related
Physical Health
Injury
Functional impairment
Physical symptoms
Poor subjective health
Permanent disability
Severe obesity
Chronic Conditions
Chronic pain syndromes
Irritable bowel syndrome
Gastrointestinal disorders
Somatic complaints
Fibromyalgia
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12
Sources: Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), Violence Against Women WHO Consultation 1996,
California Center of Excellence for Trauma Informed Care

27. Health Outcomes of Violence Against Women Partner Abuse, Sexual Assault & Child Sexual Abuse
Mental
Low Self-Esteem
PTSD
Anxiety
Dissociative syndrome
Depression
Phobias/Panic disorder
Aggression/Anger problems
Agorophobia
Alexithymia
Munchausen’s syndrome
Somatization syndrome
Obsessive-compulsive disorder
Hallucinations
Schizophrenia
Bipolar disorder
Behavioral
Alcoholism
Illicit drug abuse
Tobacco use
Decreased seat belt use
Decreased helmet use
Reduced compliance with medication and treatment
Promiscuity
Hoarding
Cutting or other self-harm
Suicide/suicidal behavior
Sources:
Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), Violence Against Women WHO Consultation 1996,
California Center of Excellence for Trauma Informed Care
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

28. Functioning (Ability to Self Advocate)
Placing Other People’s Wants Ahead of Your Own
Unassertiveness and Tolerance of Disrespect
Decision Making Driven by “Supposed To’s”
Inability to Deal with Hostility
Negative Self Talk
Source: Healing from the Trauma of Domestic Violence: A Workbook for Women, Edward S. Kubany, PH.D., Mari A. McCaig, MSCP, Janet R. Laconsay, MA
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

29. (Ackerman and Pickering, 1989)
"Families under stress produce children under stress. If a spouse is being abused and there are children in the home, the children are affected by the abuse."
(Ackerman and Pickering, 1989)
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 29

30. Dynamics of domestic violence are unhealthy for children
Control of family by one dominant member
Creating role models that perpetuate the violence.
Abuse of a parent
Undermining the mother's authority.
Retaliating against the mother for her efforts to protect the children.
Using the children as weapons against the mother.
Isolation
Sowing divisions within the family.
Protecting the "family secret.”
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 30

31. Lessons Children Can Learn When They Live With Family Violence
Violence has a place within family interactions.
Power is hierarchical and coercive.
Abuse and violence reinforce power.
Violence works – it is a solution to problems, not a problem in & of itself
The safest place for me (the child) is in the arms of the abusive parent.
Negative and rigid gender roles and identifications.
Victims of violence are at best to tolerate this behavior and, at worst, to examine their responsibility in bringing on the violence.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 31

32. Lessons Children Can Learn When They Live With Family Violence
Continued
Fear is the emotion that permeates a relationship and governs the interactions.
To react, not initiate.
Violence is an appropriate means of stress management.
Intensity determines recognition, difficulty recognizing low-level emotions.
Gentleness, compassion & empathy are signs of weakness.
If violence is reported to others in the community, including mental health and criminal justice professionals, there are few if any consequences.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 32

33. Exposure to Domestic Violence
Seeing
Hearing
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 33

34. Exposure to Domestic Violence
Exposure is important because..
Children are frequently involved in violent incidents
High co-occurrence of child abuse and adult dv
Exposure to violence affects child development
Kids Know What is Going On!
46% of caregivers say kids are exposed
77% of kids report exposure
(Johnson et al 2002)
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 34

35. Children Involved in Domestic Violence
36% of children frequently or very frequently yelled to stop violent conflicts
11.7% of children frequently or very frequently called someone to help during a violent incident
10.8% of children frequently or very frequently physically intervened to stop violence
(Edleson et al. (2003))
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 35

36. Children abused in homes where there is Domestic Violence
50% of children are threatened
33% of children accidently injured
25% of children intentionally injured
50% of mothers were abused stopping child abuse
(Edleson et al. (2003))
More than 1/3 of exposed children had also been physically maltreated in the past year
compared to 8.6% of non-exposed children
(Humbly et al 2010)
Mothers who are battered may be more likely to physically abuse their children than mothers who are not battered.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 36

37. Lisa’s Tape
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

38. Domestic Violence Can Interfere with Healthy Child Development
Behavioral
Emotional
Physical
Social Development with Peers and Adults
Intellectual and Academic Performance
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 38

39. Exposure to Violence and A Child’s Developing Brain
California Attorney General’s Office Crime & Violence Prevention Center VIDEO
First Impressions…
Exposure to Violence and A Child’s Developing Brain
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 39

40. DV & Trauma Can Interfere with Healthy Child Development
Human Danger Response
Fight= Physiological arousal
Aggression Irritability/anger, trouble concentrating, hyperactivity or “silliness”
Flight = Withdrawal and escape
Social isolation, avoidance of others (sitting alone in class or at recess), running away
Freeze = Stilling and constriction
Constricted emotional expression, stilling of behavior, over compliance and denial of needs
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12
Blaustein Margaret & Kinniburgh Kristine, Treating Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents, Pg. 27 40

41. DV & Trauma Can Interfere with Healthy Child Development
The belief systems of children who have experienced trauma may include the following:
“I’m not safe.”
“People want to hurt me.”
“The world is dangerous.”
“If I am in danger, no one will help.”
“I’m not good/smart/worthy enough for people who care about me.”
“I’m not powerful.”
“It will never get better.”
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12
Blaustein Margaret & Kinniburgh Kristine, Treating Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents, Pg. 24 41

42. DV/Trauma Can Interfere with Healthy Child Development
Negative Coping Strategies
Emotional numbing / constriction
Withdrawal/avoidance of others
Indiscriminant attachments
Hyper-control of the environment/rigidity
Substance use / abuse
Alterations in eating patterns
Constricted or excessive sexual behaviors
Self injury
Sensation seeking behaviors
Aggressive or other externalizing behaviors
These are alernative adaptations, aka, “normal reactions to abnormal events”
Often target behaviors rather than root causes= focusing on developmental competency, the systems of meaning and the lack of safety in the child’s world.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 42

43. Emotional/Relational Needs
Need Fulfilling Behaviors that are Common Among Children Who Received Inconsistent Early Care
Emotional/Relational Needs
Emotionally demanding behavior (whiny, interrupting, dramatic)
Seeking negative attention (acting out)
Poor interpersonal boundaries (too much sharing)
Attempts to control the environment (may be described as “lying” or “manipulative”
Physical
Physical nurturance-seeking behavior
Hoarding or stealing food, clothing, objects
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12
Blaustein Margaret & Kinniburgh Kristine, Treating Traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents, Pg. 29 43

44. Child’s exposure to violence varies,
therefore we need to have varied responses
Variation depending on…
The frequency, severity and chronicity of the
violence
Child’s involvement, what they saw and heard
Protective & risk factors in a child’s
environment
Children’s own internal capacity
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 44

45. the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change
RESILIENCE
the ability to recover from or adjust to misfortune or change
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 45

46. Four Components of Resilience
Mind-body connection with an emphasis on relaxation
Working with emotions
with an emphasis on fear
Expanding
coping strategies
Finding meaning
in traumatic and
difficult events
Four Components of Resilience 46

47. Developmental Competencies
What You Can Do To Help
Children Cope
with Stress
&
Trauma?
Support development in three key areas…
Attachment
Self Regulation
Developmental Competencies
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 47

48. Be educated about trauma and trauma response
Attachment
Be educated about trauma and trauma response
Learn about consistent responses to actions/events
Support routines & rituals
Support parent/guardian
When faced with people, situations, places, or things that remind them of traumatic events, children may
re-experience the intense and disturbing feelings tied to the original traumatic event.
These “trauma reminders” or “triggers” can lead to behaviors that seem out of place in the current situation, but were appropriate -- and perhaps helpful– at the time of the original traumatic event.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 48

49. Common Triggers for Children who Have Experienced DV & Trauma
Unpredictability or sudden change
Transition
Loss of control
Feeling vulnerable
Feeling rejected
Confrontation
Loneliness
Sensory overload (too much stimulation from the environment)
Intimacy (safety, love, security, family)
Peace/calm/quiet
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

50. Self Regulation Identify Emotions Manage Arousal
Children express feelings in different ways than we do as adults. Young children often do not have the words to describe their feelings. Sounds, body language, and movement are ways that may communicate children’s stress to us.
We can help children explore their feelings by allowing them to have feelings without judging them and helping children name their feelings. We want to be prepared to respond in a nurturing manner.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 50

51. Coping with Trauma Reminders/Response
Consistent Response to Actions/Events
Ensure safety of child and others
“Define” what happened, if possible
Differentiate past from present
Help child to stop & take several long, deep breaths
Use a “stress buster”
Offer food & water
Activity (e.g. running, reading a story)
Provide sensory experience (e.g. play dough)
Seek help if needed
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 51

52. Developmental Competencies Engage Executive Functioning
Problem Solving and Planning
The Importance of Information & Explanations
During times of crisis all people, including children, need information. It is important that the adults in charge give children as reliable, trustworthy and reassuring information as possible at a level that is easy for them to understand.
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 52

53. Engage Executive Functions/Planning Promoting Safety for Children
Make the Mind-body Connection M
Let them know what will happen next
Set limits
Give them some control over some aspect of their lives
Take their concerns seriously
Acknowledge and respect their fears
Respond calmly but firmly
Manage emotional “hot spots”
Drop off & Pick up
Food & snack time
Circle time
Seek help if needed
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12 53

54. CASA and Domestic Violence Advocates have a unique opportunity to support victims/survivors of domestic violence
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

55. Healthy Relationships
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12

56. Walnut Avenue Women’s Center’s Domestic Violence Services
24-hour domestic violence hotline
Support groups for (survivors & children)
One-on-one peer counseling
Restraining orders & court accompaniment
Social service advocacy
Danger assessment & safety planning
Emergency interim shelter
Basic needs assistance
Community education & youth programs
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Walnut Avenue Women’s Center: Domestic Violence Training for CASA 3/19/12