Transcript Integrated Service Model for Domestic Violence Survivors Catherine Shugrue dos Santos, MSW Deputy Clinical Director Presented at the National Conference to End Family Homelessness Seattle, WA,

Integrated Service Model for
Domestic Violence Survivors
Catherine Shugrue dos Santos, MSW
Deputy Clinical Director
Presented at the National Conference to End Family
Homelessness
Seattle, WA, February 2008
Sanctuary for Families Defines
Domestic Violence as:
A pattern of gender-based intimate
partner, dating, or family violence with
a central dynamic of power and control
Sanctuary for Families
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The largest provider of clinical and legal
services exclusively to survivors of domestic
violence and their children in New York.
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In FY 06/07, we provided legal, clinical,
shelter, and hotline services to over 8,000
adults and children.
Services Must Be:
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Holistic: Comprehensive and integrated
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Culturally and linguistically competent
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Fully sensitive to the unique needs of
domestic violence survivors
Services Must Address All Forms of
Abuse
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Physical & Sexual
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Emotional/Psychological
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Safety planning
Counseling
Case Management
Shelter
Legal Services
Counseling
Economic
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Case Management
Legal Services
Safety Planning
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Immediate physical safety
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Planning for safety
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Do you need to call 911?
Home
Work
School
Church
Tools
Case Management
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Service Coordination
Information
Referral
Advocacy
Follow-Up
Clinical Issues for Survivors of DV
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Understanding the dynamics of domestic violence
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Trauma
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Power and Control Wheel
Cycle of abuse
Trauma associated with the domestic violence
Other trauma (childhood abuse, traumatic migration experiences, etc.)
Grief and Loss
Relationships with children and family that have suffered from the
abuse
Co-Occurring Issues
– Substance Abuse
– Mental Illness
– Oppression (culture, immigration, bias)
Clinical and Service Issues for Children Who
Have Experienced Domestic Violence
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Child abuse co-occurs with domestic violence at a
high rate, in over 60% of cases
Cognitive, psychological and developmental effects
of the trauma of experiencing or witnessing abuse
over the lifespan
Relationship with the abuser
Insensitive systems (education, medical, legal, etc.)
Clinical and Service Issues for Immigrant Survivors
of Domestic Violence
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Domestic violence in the cultural context (e.g. FGM,
honor killing)
Co-occurring trauma (e.g. political torture; traumatic
migration experiences; anti-immigrant abuse)
Distrust in systems or lack of awareness of
resources and local laws regarding domestic
violence
Limited English proficiency as a barrier to services
and resources
Possible legal remedies
Clinical and Service Issues for LGBTQ Survivors of
Domestic Violence
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Accessibility and availability of sensitive
services
Lack of legal protections
Oppression: societal and internalized
homophobia, transphobia, heteronormativity
Clinical Work with Survivors
for Adults and Children
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Healing and Recovery from Trauma
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Psychoeducation
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Empowerment
Counseling:
Adults, Children and Families
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Hotline
Crisis Intervention
Individual Counseling
Group Counseling
Creative Arts Therapy
Psychiatric/Psychological Consult
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Augmentation of counseling services
Particularly useful for co-occurring mental
health issues
Essential to ensure sensitivity to domestic
violence is present in assessment of
survivors and children, which can prevent
misdiagnosis or pathologizing and further
ensure appropriate services are received
Shelter and Housing
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A safe place to be can be the one thing that
helps a victim survive
50% of families in the homeless system are
fleeing domestic violence
Domestic Violence Shelter
Homeless Shelter
Alternatives to Shelter
Economic
Dependence vs. Independence
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Economic Abuse and the Power of the Trap
(Jody Raphael’s “Trapped by Poverty,
Trapped by Abuse”)
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Economic Independence as a Tool For
Independence from Domestic Violence
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Economic Justice and the Shrinking Safety
Net
Services that Promote
Economic Stability
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Direct Financial and Material Assistance
Public Benefits Advocacy
Financial Planning
Credit Counseling
Tax Preparation and Education
Job Preparation, Training and Placement
Legal Services
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Orders of Protection
Divorce (contested and uncontested)
Custody and Visitation
Child Welfare
Immigration
Housing
Public Benefits Advocacy
Other Criminal Law
Social Supports, Recreation and
Education
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Recreational, Educational and Cultural
Activities
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Positive Socialization Experiences
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Networking
The Mentors Program
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Victim
Survivor
Survivor
Survivor Advocate
Sharing Stories
Raising Awareness and Educating Public
Advocating for Policy Change to Help Victims
Standing Up as Role Models for Others
Sanctuary for Families
Integrated Service Models 1
Community Law Project attorneys partnering with
dedicated Clinical staff, promoting collaborative
practice with linguistic and cultural competencies:
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African Domestic Violence Initiative
Latina Domestic Violence Initiative
South Asian Community Outreach Initiative
The LGBTQ Initiative
Sanctuary for Families
Integrated Service Models 2
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The FamilySafe Initiative
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The New York Family Justice Center (Brooklyn,
Bronx and Queens)
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Bronx Community Office
Catherine Shugrue dos Santos, MSW
Deputy Clinical Director
[email protected]