a saf rapproach · 4/10/2019 · ovw disclaimer – thanks to ovw! •this project was supported...
TRANSCRIPT
A SAFeR Approachto Child Custody Cases Involving Domestic Violence:Implementation Technical Assistance and Training Availability Through BWJP
Loretta FrederickSenior Legal and Policy Advisor, BWJP
Nancy Ver SteeghProfessor of Law, Mitchell Hamline Law School
April 10, 2019
OVW Disclaimer –Thanks to OVW!
• This project was supported by Grant No. 2018‐TA‐AX‐K012 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in this training are those of the faculty and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women.
Webinar ObjectivesParticipants will be able to:• Identify the elements of the SAFeR
approach to child custody disputes involving domestic violence
• Describe the utility of SAFeR tools and practice guides
• Plan for implementation of SAFeRthrough local trainings and technical assistance
The Problem
People’s Experience of IPV
Institutional Responses to IPV
Background
Henry County• Case Files• Observations• Interviews• Focus Groups
Custody Evaluations• Reports• Facilitated Analysis
Expert Interviews• Researchers• Advocates• Judges• Practitioners
Focus Groups• Battered Parents
• Batterer Intervention
• Attorneys• Guardians• CASAs
Emerging Themes
Ill‐defined terminology
Inconsistent assessments/assumptions
Lack of reliable information
Poorly informed decision‐making
Disconnected interventions and services
Interconnections
Ill‐defined terms
Inconsistent assessments
Lack of reliable information
Poorly informed decision‐making
Disconnected interventions & services
Research
• Practitioners’ knowledge, assumptions, and beliefs about IPV (and other concepts like alienation, gatekeeping, and high conflict) are more closely associated with their approach to (and outcomes of) these cases than what’s going on in the real life of the parties.
• Many of these concepts are being applied even though there’s widespread disagreement in the field about what they mean and why they matter.
‐ Fidler, Bala, & Saini
‐ Saunders, et al.; Hardesty, et al.; Davis, et al.
Closing the gap between people’s experience of IPV and institutional
responses to it.
SAFeR
Screen for IPV
Assess the Nature & Context of
IPV
Focus on the Effects of IPV
Respond to IPV
Is abuse an issue here?
What is actually going on?
Why does it
matter?
What can be done about it?
Worksheets
Screening for IPV Assessing IPV Focusing on Effects of IPV
Responding to IPV
S A Fe R
www.bwjp.org
WorksheetsS
Screening Guide
Interview Guide
Screening Assessing
Focusing on Effects
Responding
WorksheetsA
WorksheetsFe
WorksheetsR
Rest of the worksheets
Detailed worksheets
Basic worksheets
Specialized worksheets
www.bwjp.org
SAFeR Approach
ABUSE OF VICTIM‐PARENT
Focusing on the Effects:
Child Custody and Parenting Time/Visitation
SAFeR
SAFeR
SAFeR
SAFeR
SAFeR
SAFeR
Other specialized SAFeRworksheets•Accounting for Abuse in Orders for Protection (child related relief)
•Motions to Terminate or Modify CPOs
•Mediation Discussion Guide
Recap….
• SAFeR tools and worksheets are available to help:• Encourage safe and informed disclosure of domestic violence• Elicit detailed information about the nature, context, and impact of abuse
• The key is to:• Assess the full nature and context of abuse• Focus on the impact abuse has on the issue or concern at hand• Develop strategies that account for the real life experience of abuse
How to Promote the Implementation of the
SAFeR Approach in Your Community
SAFeR Training Availability: Options• Standard or Customized
•MultidisciplinaryStatewideRegionalLocal
SAFeR Training Availability: Options•Discipline‐specific•Advocates•Attorneys•Guardians ad Litem•Mediators• Judges•Custody Evaluators
SAFeR Training Availability: OptionsThe Minimum : Introduction to SAFeR 60‐90 minutes
Standalone presentation OR
Workshop offered at an existing conference OR
PlenaryAt an existing conferenceAt an annual or special meeting
SAFeR Training Availability: OptionsThe Maximum #1: Intensive 2‐day skill‐building institute for a specific professional group
advocatesattorneysmediatorsguardians ad litemjudicial officerscustody evaluatorsetc.
SAFeR Training Availability: OptionsThe Maximum #2 Intensive 2‐day institute focused on application to one legal setting
Civil protection order caseschild custody casesmediations
SAFeR Training Availability: OptionsIn Between: Half day or full day in depth sessions
• Profession specific
• Case‐type specific
SAFeR Implementation Technical Assistance• Map intervention points and practitioners
• Identify challenges in SAFeR implementation
• Choose challenge areas to address
• Choose a range of strategies to address• each challenge areas
• Customize tools and trainings
• Consultations
SAFeR
Screen for IPV
Assess the Nature & Context of
IPV
Focus on the Effects of IPV
Respond to IPV
SAFeRQuestions, Comments, Requests
Loretta [email protected]
This project is supported by Award 2018‐TA‐AX‐K012 from the Office on Violence Against Women, US Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the US Department of Justice.