Support individuals to recognise their risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence
Overview
This standard is about your ability to help individuals recognise their risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence and encourage them to engage with the support you can offer. This includes your ability to make a judgement about the likelihood of re-victimisation based on your assessment of the circumstances and risks to individuals.
As part of this standard, you will need to be able to work with those who do not recognise themselves as victims of domestic abuse or sexual violence, as well as with children and people who are at risk.
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
1. agree your objectives with relevant others in providing support to individuals at risk of re-victimisation in line with organisational policies and procedures
2. inform individuals about your role, responsibilities and objectives in line with organisational policies and procedures
3. explore with individuals their situation to inform your understanding of their risks and needs, including factors that affect risk levels
4. determine levels of risk to individuals in line with dynamic risk assessment processes, including risks of:
• re-victimisation
• secondary victimisation
• coercion
• supplying other victims
5. assess factors affecting risks to individuals in line with risk assessment processes,
6. inform relevant others about urgent risk concerns to individuals in line with communication and reporting policies
7. explain to individuals the potential outcomes of risk identified in line with organisational policies and procedures
8. explore with individuals how the support you provide can help to reduce their risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence in line with policies and procedures
9. identify actions that can reduce risk to individuals in line with your organisations policies and procedures
10. encourage individuals to take action to avoid risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence in line with your role and responsibilities
11. identify safeguarding measures to prevent further abuse of individuals in line with available guidance
12. make referrals for identified safeguarding procedures as required to reduce risk to individuals in line with policies and procedures
13. provide information to individuals which allows them to make informed choices about actions which can reduce their risk of domestic abuse or sexual violence
14. explain to individuals why it may be necessary to go against their expressed wishes when making referrals in line with policies and procedures
15. refer situations to others for further assessment when actions are outside your role and responsibilities
16. communicate with individuals in appropriate and safe environments
17. work with individuals in ways which support common understanding, and:
• encourages open and honest communication
• shows empathy to the individuals’ situation
18. comply with legislative and organisational policies and procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
1. legal, organisational and policy requirements relevant to your role, the role of others in your organisation and the activities being carried 2. relevant national and local guidelines, policies and procedures available and how and when they should be accessed
3. the role of external agencies and stakeholders who provide services and support to individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence in your area
4. the limits of your authority, responsibility and professional competence
5. who to inform when you are unable to support individuals within your role and authority
6. professional support and services available to individuals when the professional competence of your role may be exceeded
7. different styles and forms of communication and how to adapt them to meet the needs of the individual
8. common barriers to communication and ways to overcome them
9. individuals’ feelings and reactions which may hinder their ability to discuss their experiences
10. the importance of building trust and empathy with individuals and methods to achieve this
11. the importance of treating individuals with sensitivity, flexibility and respect
12. the impact your values and beliefs can have on your engagement with individuals
13. the importance of and how to avoid risk when engaging with and supporting individuals, including safe locations and appropriate use of electronic communication
14. the importance of challenging discriminatory or potentially damaging attitudes and behaviour and how to do so
15. the role and impact of in relation to domestic abuse or sexual violence
16. what constitutes domestic abuse or sexual violence, and its prevalence in the community
17. what constitutes re-victimisation and the factors that can accelerate this
18. how to apply trauma informed practice in your area of work
19. different trauma responses and their impact
20. what constitutes grooming of individuals and how it can be identified
21. what is meant by secondary victimisation and the impact on individuals
22. factors that inform your understanding of individuals’ situations, including:
23. relationship with abuser or abusers
24. living arrangements and environment
a. family and personal situations
b. financial situation
c. physical and mental health
d. their attitudes, beliefs, confidence and needs
25. factors that increase risk to individuals, including use of online media
26. how risk can be reduced or avoided, including through referrals
27. factors that affect secondary victimisation and how to identify these
28. different types and sources of information relevant to individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence and how to access them
29. common information and support needs of individuals affected by domestic abuse or sexual violence
30. actions required where disclosure of abuse is identified
31. required safeguarding measures and procedures
32. how to make referrals to access safeguarding measures and procedures including referrals to other organisations
33. circumstances where it is necessary to go against individuals expressed wishes
34. the importance of ensuring that individuals understand why their expressed wishes may not be met
35. the processes and stages of the criminal justice system that individuals engage with
36. how to share information in ways which allow individuals to make informed choices
Scope/range
Scope Performance
Scope Knowledge
Values
Behaviours
Skills
Glossary
Domestic Abuse
A pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimate partners or family members regardless of gender or sexuality. The abuse can encompass but is not limited to, a combination of psychological, physical, sexual, financial and emotional abuse.
This definition also includes so-called ‘honour’ based violence, female genital mutilation (FGM) and forced marriage. Children also experience domestic abuse when witnessing domestic abuse.
Intersectionality
The interconnected nature of social categorisations such as race, class, and gender, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage
Needs led approach
A form of advocacy that places the survivor at the centre of interventions and support work. This means listening to their story, concerns and struggles and identifying strengths. It results in the collaborative production of support packages that are specific to survivors’ individual needs. A needs-led approach is an empowering endeavour that pays attention to survivors’ intersectional circumstances, avoiding the traps of institutional bias or ineffective responses
Strength based approach
Recognising that individuals have strengths. These strengths are recognised and built on as part of aiding recovery.
People at risk
An individual who is defined as in need of special care, support, or protection because of age, disability, risk of abuse or neglect
Sexual Violence (see also definitions below that may be used covering sexual abuse or sexual assault)
Similar in nature to sexual abuse, but this term is more often used to describe brief or single incidences, such as if sexually assaulted by a stranger
Sexual Abuse
Undesired sexual behaviour by one person to another. This is often carried out by force or by taking advantage of the other person. This term is generally used when the sexual behaviour is regular or over a prolonged period of time.
Sexual Assault
Any unwanted sexual behaviour that a person has not consented to. This can range from rape to voyeurism or exhibitionism, to unwanted touching above or under clothes.
Trauma Informed Practice
An approach to health and care interventions which is grounded in the understanding that trauma exposure can impact on a person. Practitioners will work in ways so as to not inadvertently retraumatise impacted people and with an emphasis on client safety, choice, collaboration and empowerment.