2016 DVSAT F2F V6

“A Moment in Time”
Understanding the Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool
23 March 2016
Presented by: Carey Amor, Debbie King & Gayle Musgrove
E D T

E D T
Coffs Harbour Presentation & Workshop
23 March 2016
Presenters: Carey Amor, Debbie King & Gayle Musgrove

speaking…..Thought I would provide proof Gayle

CADACS

ICE BREAKER Do you know what these acronyms stand for?
Intellectual Property of CADACS (ABN 59437021804)
Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool
Family And Community Services
Domestic and Family Violence
Risk Indicator Check List
Central Referral Point
Safety Action Meeting
Independent Domestic Violence Advisor
Local Coordination Point
Apprehended Domestic Violence Order
Culturally And Linguistically Diverse
NonGovernmental Organisation
Mandatory Reporting Guide
Safety Action Plan
Risk Indicator Toolkit
Multi Agency Risk Assessment Conference
1. DVSAT
2. FACS
3. DFV
4. RIC
5. CRP
6. SAM
7. IDVA
8. LCP
9. ADVO
10. CALD
11. NGO
12. MRG
13. SAP
14. RIT
15. MARAC

WHAT IS THE DVSAT?
The DVSAT is the
that has been developed for
who are working with victims
of domestic violence

Victim Initial Contact
Police
Domestic Violence Safety Assessment Tool (DVSAT)
DFV Specialist and Other Services
DFV Specialist & Other Services EducationFACSHealth
Central Referral Point (CRP)
Local Coordination Points (LCP)
Safety Action Meetings (SAM)
Information Sharing
Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Amendment (Information Sharing) Act 2013 and 2014 (Acts)
Police DVSAT
AT THREAT AT SERIOUS THREAT
SERVICE DELIVERY REFERRAL PATHWAY MAP

THE AIM OF THE DVSAT
Is to help service providers consistently and accurately identify the level of threat
to domestic violence.
Consistent identification of threat through shared use of the DVSAT by service
providers, like yourselves, across NSW promotes a common understanding of
domestic violence, its indicators, dynamics and consequences.
Effective identification of threat allows service providers to offer clients
appropriate, tailored support, prioritise clients at greater risk of harm, and take
action to prevent the violence from escalating.
MA
I

TERMINOLOGY ON THE DVSAT
Client / Victim The DVSAT uses the term ‘client’ to refer
Perpetrator The DVSAT uses the term ‘partner’ to
Violence An intimate relationship refers to people
, de facto partners (whether of
couples promised to each other under cultural
or religious tradition, or who are dating.

VICTIM SERVICES ….
The DVSAT is primarily designed for use with clients of intimate
part A specifically
Victim Services.

WHAT IS AN ASSESSMENT TOOL?
Defining Assessment
An assessment, in the context of a DVSAT, is a
variety of methods or tools that are used to
evaluate, measure, and document the needs
of the client.
An assessment uses objective and subjective
evaluation as evidence to support a
recommended action.
Part A. Risk Verification Checklist:
This section is objective with yes or no answers
Part B. Professional Judgment:
Is both objective and subjective as the
interviewer uses their experience to evaluate
the client’s needs.

T
A
T
R
E
A
T

WHAT DOES AT THREAT MEAN?
means a client’s life, health or safety is at risk due to
at threat if they answer ‘yes’ to one or more
in Part A of the DVSAT...
based on their professional judgement in Part B.

2 x Yes =

T
A
SS UR I
T
R
ET

WHAT DOES AT SERIOUS THREAT MEAN?
means a client’s life, health or safety is at grave risk
at serious threat if they answer ‘yes’ to 10 or
in Part A of the DVSAT...
based on their professional judgement in Part B.

DVSAT INTERVIEW SKILLS
Some of the questions you will be asking the client from the DVSAT are highly
sensitive, but research has found them to be strong indicators of the level of
threat to a client.
It is very important that you try and ask all of the questions in the DVSAT
(dependent on female specific e.g. pregnant).
Try and be familiar with the DVSAT questions before you begin to talk to your
client so that you feel confident about the relevance and implications of each
question.
Think about what works well within your particular service, especially when
asking sensitive questions, and be aware of the resources you can refer your client
to, including specialist services.
IK
L
L
S
S

Before you ask any questions explain the process of the DVSAT and how it works.
This might be the only opportunity that you have. Some good practice responses:
DO:
Give priority to ensuring their immediate safety
Find a safe and accessible environment
Tell them that if you have at any time concern for their safety or the safety of
a child you have a duty of care to report the situation (mandatory reporting)
Have your interview plan in mind with its direction/focus
Talk about confidentiality/the confidential policy of your service and its limits
Ask how much time has your client got – don’t rush
Ask where is the partner

Recognise their need for a positive response and for your support
Be sensitive to and discuss their fears
Take the client seriously – believe the client
Reassure the client that the violence is not their fault
Help the client to recognise, and not minimise, the abuse
Let the client know that they are not alone in being abused
If this is a telephone call is it safe for them to talk
Remember that the clients problems may be compounded
by racist reactions and by language and cultural barriers

Check if it is OK to contact the client at home/mobile/email and
respect your clients wishes if they are not comfortable with this
Help the client to explore ways of maximising their safety,
whether the client leaves home or not
Give the client time, listen to them and discuss all options available to them
Remember how difficult it is for a client to talk about the violence and ask for help
Recognise that anyone can experience domestic violence

DON’T:
X Ignore your intuition if you suspect that someone is being abused
X Judge or make assumptions
X Be flippant, cynical or sceptical
X Give inaccurate advice – bad advice is worse than none
X Make choices for the client
X Underestimate the danger that your client is in
X Probe the client for details which you do not need to know
X Use a child or another member of the family as an interpreter
Understanding your client’s risks begins with gathering information.
Getting the information requires active listening skills and a genuine
respect for the decision making of the individual.

HOW TO GATHER THAT INFORMATION
This involves approaching the client as an individual remembering each has
different issues, realities, information and options.
Remain sensitive to what she may be experiencing, use listening skills in
respecting the client and what she has to say: understand her perspective will
change.
All your clients have in common a partner/expartner/sibling/carer etc. who uses
whatever strategies are necessary to CONTROL them or some aspect of their
lives.
How each client experiences that control, how she responds, what she fears, what
options are available to her and how the people she encounters will response are
UNIQUE to each client.
Understanding this uniqueness is essential to each client.
Don’t assume and don’t judge

Each client you see will be at a different point in their lives,
with their own particular experience of domestic violence.
You may be talking to her immediately after an incident or
many weeks or months later.
An awareness that she will have other things on her mind,
and these will be different for each client, is essential when
you are meeting with her.
The
be handling

LISTENING
As you know listening involves much
more than just hearing the spoken
word.
It means empathy, understanding
and learning how she views the
violence (mental, emotional or
physical) in her life.
It also means understanding and
accepting views, beliefs an cultures
which may be unfamiliar to you.

FEELING SAFE
Finding a safe place to talk is important.
Talking on the telephone:
Might be your only opportunity rather
than a face to face meeting.
TELEPHONE / SKYPE:
if
own mobile) consider setting up a code with her so she knows who is
calling, she may need to find an excuse for her partner for your call.
Do not assume that your client has access to a mobile phone, computer

FEELING SAFE
Think about a few questions you might ask yourself
before you make the call:
? Is the place physically safe?
? Could the perpetrator find her and threaten her?
? Are there distractions? Are the children with her?
? Can others hear what you and/or she is saying?
? Can others see your client expressing emotions (anger, hurt, upset, fear?)
? What information do you need from the phone call?
PRIORITISE

Think about what works well within your particular service, especially when
asking sensitive questions, and be aware of the resources you can refer
your client to, including specialist services.
Give her confirmations say something like:
You’re doing really well
You’ve made some plans – that’s good
What your trying to do is really hard and you’ve
achieved such a lot already. By speaking to us is a
big step to take.

will lead the person you’re having the conversation with to give you an answer other
than, yes, no or don’t know, and this will help you with making a professional
judgement, if necessary, in referring the client on in the pathway.
Be careful using WHY as it can be taken as being critical – although can be effective
if used in the right way.
Closed questions are OK if all you require is a yes or no answer, which some of the
DVSAT questions do, but be careful about using too many otherwise the
conversation will be hard to manage and will come to a standstill.
Privacy and a feeling of safety will encourage your client to talk, particularly with the
range of very personal matters that may well be discussed when using the DVSAT.
When, What, How, Who…

TIME
Ensure you have plenty. If you do not allow plenty of time you may be inclined to
take over the conversation in order to give the information YOU feel she might need,
(i.e. services available) but it may have no relevance to that particular client and you
won’t know unless you allow time to find out.
LET HER TALK
If you do all the talking it will be impossible to establish a relationship or trust.
Without such a relationship or trust it is likely the client will not come back to you.
LISTEN
CLARIFICATION
It is important to clarify anything you don’t understand. Or anything the client wants
you to do. If something the client says does not make sense to you clarify it, it may
be because of different cultures or miscommunication.

JARGON
Do not use jargon e.g. shelter, crisis intervention, ADVO,
feel isolated from you –
isolated by what is happened.
INTERACTION
to affirm your concern for your client, refocus on the
client’s concerns. Checking for miscommunication can
only help.

PERSPECTIVE
Be aware that your client’s perspective will change. Hope and fears for her
relationship, her children and her life are changing all the time as she tries new
strategies to improve things or just by trying to keep things quiet.
Often she hopes that her partner will change, and she may decide she wants to
revoke any legal orders that have been put in place by the police to keep her safe.
Your client will probably have done her own risk assessment (consciously or
subconsciously) – physical violence being the greater risk and leaving as the best
strategy may change to the possibility of losing (or leaving) her children as the
greatest risk and staying as her best strategy – the way you support her will have to
shift with the change.
You should anticipate these changes but also remain open to new and
different information. It is common for the level of threat to fluctuate or
escalate rapidly in domestic violence situations.

NEW DVSAT
You should complete a new DVSAT if you become aware of a change in your clients
circumstances that may affect her safety, while taking care not to make her feel as if
she is retelling her story unnecessarily.
Circumstances in which it may be appropriate to complete a new DVSAT with a client
include where:
The client has separated from their partner
The client has a new partner
The perpetrator is about to be released from custody
Family court proceedings have started
The client or perpetrator loses employment and/or
The client is pregnant or gives birth

1. Always have an interview plan in your mind.
2. Is it safe to talk and how much time do you have?
3. Is the environment safe / Are there children and where are they whilst you are
with your client?
4. Information sharing gaining consent, mandatory reporting.
5. The DVSAT explain that the purpose of asking these questions is for the safety
and protection of the individual concerned.
6. If the client has children, explain your responsibilities to make a report to
Community Services where you believe a child or children in their care are at
risk of significant harm.
7. Ask whether the client needs an interpreter.
8. Use appropriate language when speaking with a client from an Aboriginal or
culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community.
INTERVIEW TIPS

BRAINSTORMING REVIEW

DVSAT QUESTIONS: PART A
1. Has your partner ever
threatened to harm or kill you?

2. Has your partner ever used
physical violence against you?
3. Has your partner ever choked,
strangled or suffocated you or
attempted to do any of these things?

threatened or assaulted you
with any weapon (including
knives and/or other objects)?

harmed or killed a family pet
or threatened to do so?

been charged with
breaching an apprehended
domestic violence order?

7. Is your partner
jealous towards you or
controlling of you?

8. Is the violence or
controlling behaviour
becoming worse or
more frequent?

9. Has your partner stalked,
constantly harassed or
texted/emailed you?

10. Does your partner control
your access to money?

11. Has there been a recent
separation (in the last 12
months) or is one imminent?

12. Does your partner
or the relationship have
financial difficulties?

13. Is your partner unemployed?

14. Does your partner have mental
health problems (including undiagnosed
conditions) and/or depression?
15. Does your partner have a problem
with substance abuse such as alcohol or
other drugs?

threatened or attempted suicide?

17. Is your partner currently on bail
or parole, or has served a time of
imprisonment or has recently been
released from custody in relation to
offences of violence?

18. Does your partner
have access to firearms
or prohibited weapons?

19. Are you pregnant and/or do you have
children who are less than 12 months apart in
age?
20. Has your partner ever threatened or used
physical violence toward you while you were
pregnant?
21. Has your partner ever harmed or threatened
to harm your children?

22. Is there any conflict between you and
your partner regarding child contact or
residency issues and/or current Family
Court proceedings?
23. Are there children from a previous
relationship present in the household?

24. Has your partner ever done things to
you, of a sexual nature, that made you
feel bad or physically hurt you?
25. Has your partner ever been arrested
for sexual assault?

DVSAT QUESTIONS: PART B
How fearful is the client of their partner? (Select one)
Not afraid | Afraid | Terrified | Unable/unwilling to answer
What concerns did the client express?
What did the client think the partner might do and to whom?
Do you believe any children in the household are at risk of
significant harm?
If yes, what action have you taken?
Confirm that you have met your mandatory reporting obligations.

DVSAT QUESTIONS: PART B
Are you aware of any other additional factors, circumstances or details
which make you believe overall there is a threat or serious threat to the
safety of the client and/or children?
Consider issues such as the client’s situation in relation to disability,
substance misuse, mental health issues, cultural/language barriers, whether
they are willing to engage with a support service, whether the perpetrator’s
occupation or interests has given them unique access to weapons, or if
there is involvement with Community Services (FACS).
THREAT LEVEL Select appropriate level based on Part A result and/or Part B
result
AT THREAT | AT SERIOUS THREAT
ACTION REQUIRED
• Make referrals and provide support as appropriate.
• For clients at serious threat, address immediate safety needs and make a referral to a Safety Action
Meeting where available.

NON POLICE DVSAT
The DVSAT does not replace existing child protection tools and procedures, including
the Mandatory Reporter Guide for service providers required to take action regarding
child protection concerns.
Service providers should continue to use the Mandatory Reporter Guide to
consistently assess and respond to children and young people under 18 who have
been exposed to or experienced domestic violence. The Mandatory Reporter Guide
and other child protection resources can be found at www.keepthemsafe.nsw.gov.au.
Part B of the DVSAT asks service providers to note any child protection concerns and
the action taken to address these concerns. Before completing the DVSAT with a client,
service providers should advise the client of their child protection obligations so that
clients are aware of these obligations before answering the DVSAT questions.
CHILD PROTECTION ISSUES

If a client is identified as AT THREAT
service providers should provide appropriate support to the client, either directly or
through making relevant referrals to other services and to the LCP if appropriate.
THE NEXT STEP…

If a client is identified as AT SERIOUS THREAT
Service providers should ensure that their immediate safety needs are addressed and
make a referral to the LCP for representation of the client at a SAM.
Clients at serious threat should be prioritised, and service providers should do everything
THE NEXT STEP…

It is important to keep your client informed of the various stages and time frames
of a Safety Action Meeting (SAM). You will have explained to her about consenting
to being referred to a SAM. If she has refused to be referred onto a SAM you may
need to discuss with her, that because of grave concerns for her safety she will be
placed on the agenda for the next SAM.
It is important for your client to know who will attend the SAM and who chairs
them:
• Service providers nominate a representative as their SAM member. This
person must be in a senior role with authority to commit to actions,
prioritise matters and allocate resources on behalf of their service
provider.
• Members must be able to contribute to the development of a Safety
Action Plan (SAP) at the meeting without having to take decisions or
proposals back to their service provider for approval. This ensures that
SAPs can be developed and implemented quickly to prevent or lessen
serious threats to clients’ safety.
SAFETY ACTION MEETINGS

SAMs are chaired by a senior police officer and organised by the SAM
Coordinator, who works for the Local Coordination Point (LCP).
In addition to these service providers, the following government agencies
regularly attend SAMs in each local area:
Corrective Services NSW;
Community Services;
Housing NSW;
Department of Education and Communities; and
NSW Health (including drug and alcohol services and mental health
services).
These agencies are generally mandated to attend SAMs.

Nongovernment services (NGOs) that may be identified as SAM members include
specialist domestic violence support, accommodation, family support, case
management, counselling, and community health service providers. Capacity to
contribute effectively to the development of SAPs for a broad range of clients is the
determining factor when considering which NGO services to include as members.
Victims Services NSW will attend, either in person or by teleconference, if a male
client is listed on the agenda, as it is responsible for providing case coordination to
male clients across NSW.

Local Coordination Point circulates agenda
The LCP places all clients at serious threat on the agenda for the next meeting. The
LCP circulates the agenda to members at least three business days prior to the
meeting.
Members gather information regarding clients on the agenda
Members search their internal databases and files for relevant information about
clients on the agenda, their children and/or associated perpetrators.
Confidentiality and disclosure of conflicts
At the meeting, members sign a confidentiality agreement and disclose any conflict
that may prevent them from participating in the meeting in an unbiased way.
Members develop Safety Action Plans for each client on the agenda
Members share the information they have gathered and develop a targeted, time
SAP for each client to reduce the threat to their safety.
THE PROCESS OF SAMS

Communication with clients
The LCP Point or another service provider communicates with the clients about the
outcomes of the meeting.
Members implement the Safety Action Plans
Members implement the actions for which they are responsible by the agreed date.
Members communicate outside of meetings where necessary to ensure effective
implementation of actions.
Safety Action Plans are reviewed at the next Safety Action Meeting
Cases remain on the agenda for the next meeting so that SAPs can be monitored and
reviewed.
Case closure
clients are removed from the agenda when the threat to their safety has been reduced.
client can be rereferred to the meeting.
THE PROCESS OF SAMS

FINALLY….. Remember, this is your DVSAT

We hope you enjoyed our presentation of:

2016 DVSAT F2F V6

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