Staff oriwntation

1. STAFF
ORIENTATION
ERICJASONMASONG

2. UPSKILLING
STAFF IN REGARD
TO DOMESTIC
AND FAMILY
VIOLENCE.

3. Prioritizing Safety and Wellbeing
in Worker and System Responses
 Safety as Top Priority: We Ensure that safety and wellbeing are prioritized above
all else in worker and system responses to domestic violence.
 Immediate Risk Assessment: We Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify
potential safety threats and develop appropriate interventions.
 Emergency Measures: We Implement immediate safety measures, such as
providing access to emergency shelters, contacting law enforcement, or
facilitating crisis intervention.
 Trauma-Informed Approach: We Adopt a trauma-informed approach that
recognizes the impact of trauma on survivors and tailors responses accordingly.
 Collaborative Support: We Collaborate with other agencies and community
resources to provide comprehensive support and assistance to survivors.
 Ongoing Monitoring: We Continuously monitor the safety and wellbeing of
survivors and adjust interventions as needed to ensure their ongoing protection.

4. Recognizing the Basic Human
Right for Safety and Freedom
from Violence
 Inherent Right: We Acknowledge safety and freedom from violence as
fundamental human rights inherent to every individual.
 Universal Principle: We Emphasize that these rights apply universally,
irrespective of age, gender, ethnicity, culture, or any other characteristic.
 Legal Recognition: We Highlight the legal recognition of these rights in
various international human rights instruments and national laws.
 Protection Under Law: We Ensure that legal frameworks and systems are in
place to protect individuals from violence and ensure their safety.
 Responsibility of Society: We Recognize that upholding these rights is a
collective responsibility of society and requires active efforts to prevent and
address violence in all its forms.

5. Community attitudes that need to be
fostered to not accept various forms of
domestic violence:
 Zero Tolerance: Foster attitudes within the community that reject all
forms of domestic violence, emphasizing that it is never acceptable
under any circumstance.
 Empathy and Support: Encourage empathy and support for survivors,
creating an environment where they feel safe to disclose abuse and
seek help without fear of judgment or stigma.
 Awareness and Education: Promote awareness and education about
the dynamics of domestic violence, challenging misconceptions and
stereotypes that may perpetuate its acceptance.
 Intervention and Advocacy: Encourage community members to
intervene and advocate for survivors, whether it's offering support,
reporting abuse, or raising awareness about available resources.
 Cultural and Social Norms: Address cultural and social norms that
may condone or tolerate domestic violence, advocating for cultural
sensitivity and respect for human rights across all communities.

6. Free from violence is the right of any
individual regardless of group, ethnicity,
culture or beliefs systems:
 Universal Right: Emphasize that freedom from violence is a basic
human right inherent to every individual, regardless of their
background or identity.
 Non-Discrimination: Stress that this right applies universally,
without discrimination based on factors such as group, ethnicity,
culture, religion, gender, or any other characteristic.
 Inclusivity: Advocate for inclusive approaches that respect and
uphold the rights of all individuals, ensuring that no one is excluded
or marginalized based on their background.
 Legal Protection: Highlight the legal protections in place to
safeguard individuals from violence, irrespective of their group
affiliation or cultural context.
 Promotion of Dignity: Recognize that upholding this right promotes
human dignity and fosters a culture of respect and equality for all
members of society.

7. Access to services and programs for
behavioral change, mentioning MensLine
and Angelicare’s FAIR program:
 Behavioral Change Support: Ensure individuals seeking to change
their behavior have access to specialized services and programs.
 Examples of Programs: Highlight specific programs such as
MensLine and Angelicare’s FAIR program, which offer support and
resources for behavioral change.
 MensLine: Provide counseling, information, and referrals for
men experiencing relationship difficulties, including those
related to domestic violence.
 Angelicare’s FAIR Program: Offer comprehensive support
services aimed at helping individuals take responsibility for
their behavior and learn healthier coping mechanisms.

8. The organization's commitment to
meeting the client’s individual needs and
upholding their rights:
 Client-Centered Approach: Demonstrate the organization's commitment to
prioritizing the unique needs and preferences of each client.
 Tailored Support: Provide personalized support plans and interventions that
address the specific circumstances and goals of individual clients.
 Respect for Rights: Uphold the rights of clients throughout the service
delivery process, ensuring their autonomy, dignity, and privacy are
respected at all times.
 Cultural Sensitivity: Recognize and accommodate diverse cultural
backgrounds and identities, ensuring services are inclusive and accessible
to all clients.
 Continuous Improvement: Continuously evaluate and adapt services to
better meet the evolving needs of clients, demonstrating a commitment to
ongoing improvement and responsiveness.

9. The organization's commitment to
empowering clients’ individual needs and
upholding their rights:
 Empowerment Focus: Center the organization's efforts on empowering
clients to make informed decisions about their safety and wellbeing.
 Autonomy Promotion: Support clients in exercising their autonomy and
agency, ensuring they have the information and resources necessary to
advocate for themselves.
 Rights Advocacy: Advocate for and uphold the rights of clients throughout
their interactions with the organization, ensuring they are treated with
dignity, respect, and fairness.
 Collaborative Approach: Foster a collaborative partnership between clients
and service providers, where clients are active participants in decision-
making processes regarding their care and support.
 Holistic Support: Provide holistic support that addresses the full range of
clients' needs, including physical, emotional, social, and practical aspects,
to empower them to achieve their goals.

10. The prevalence of domestic violence
at a national and state level and the
complexity of the nature of domestic
violence:
The NCADV publishes annual reports and fact sheets that
provide statistics and data on the prevalence of domestic
violence at both national and state levels. These resources
often include information on rates of domestic violence
incidents reported to law enforcement, prevalence surveys,
and research on the various forms and dynamics of domestic
violence.
The NCADV is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising
awareness about domestic violence and advocating for
policies and programs to address the issue.

11. How domestic violence impacts a
family’s safety and wellbeing:
 Social Wellbeing: Domestic violence disrupts family dynamics,
leading to social isolation, strained relationships, and
diminished support networks.
 Emotional Wellbeing: Family members experience emotional
trauma, including fear, anxiety, depression, and low self-
esteem, which can have long-lasting effects on mental health.
 Financial Wellbeing: Economic abuse and financial instability
resulting from domestic violence can lead to financial hardship,
poverty, and barriers to accessing basic needs and resources.

12. The social and economic impact of
domestic violence to the community:
 Social Impact:
 Community cohesion may be compromised as fear and mistrust
pervade.
 Increased strain on social services, such as shelters and counseling, to
support survivors.
 Negative effects on community morale and well-being due to the
presence of violence.
 Economic Impact:
 Reduced productivity in the workforce due to absenteeism and
decreased performance.
 Increased healthcare costs associated with treating physical and
mental health issues resulting from domestic violence.
 Allocation of community resources to address legal, law enforcement,
and social service needs stemming from domestic violence cases.

13. EXAMPLE SCENARIO:
Consider a hypothetical community where domestic
violence is prevalent:
Scenario: Maria, a mother of two young children, is
experiencing domestic violence at the hands of her
partner, Carlos. Despite her attempts to conceal the
abuse, concerned neighbors become aware of the
situation and intervene by contacting local
authorities and providing support to Maria.

14. Outline of immediate needs for assessment that
includes assisting the client with their need for
safety both in the physical and emotional
context of feeling and being secure:
 Immediate Safety Assessment:
Conduct a thorough assessment to identify any immediate safety risks faced by the client.
Evaluate physical safety concerns, such as the presence of weapons or imminent threats of harm.
 Emotional Support:
Provide emotional support and validation to address the client's feelings of fear, anxiety, and distress.
Offer crisis intervention techniques to help the client cope with overwhelming emotions and regain a
sense of control.
 Safety Planning:
Collaborate with the client to develop a safety plan tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.
Address both physical safety measures, such as finding safe accommodations, and emotional safety
strategies, such as identifying support networks and coping mechanisms.
 Emergency Resources:
Ensure the client has access to emergency resources, such as hotlines, shelters, and local law
enforcement, in case of immediate danger.
Provide information on available community resources and support services to help the client navigate
their options for assistance.

15. Outline the processes for creating a
safety plan with the client:
 Assessment: Begin by assessing the client's unique situation,
including identifying specific safety concerns and risk factors.
 Collaborative Planning: Work collaboratively with the client to
develop a personalized safety plan tailored to their needs and
preferences.
 Identify Strategies: Identify specific strategies and actions the
client can take to enhance their safety and wellbeing in various
scenarios.
 Emergency Contacts: Compile a list of emergency contacts,
including local law enforcement, shelters, hotlines, and trusted
individuals, that the client can reach out to for immediate
assistance.
 Review and Update: Regularly review and update the safety plan
as needed to reflect changes in the client's circumstances or
safety concerns.

16. Outline the legal and medical
information that a client in the
service might need to access as part
of their safety plan:
 Legal Information:
 Provide information on obtaining restraining orders or protection
orders against the perpetrator to enhance legal protections for the
client.
 Offer guidance on accessing legal aid services or pro bono legal
assistance for legal representation and advocacy.
 Medical Information:
 Inform the client about medical resources available for
documenting injuries sustained as a result of domestic violence.
 Provide referrals to healthcare professionals who specialize in
treating trauma and providing support for survivors of domestic
violence.

17. Available information for
accommodation and transport
needs:
 Accommodation Resources:
 Provide information on local shelters, safe houses, or transitional
housing options available for survivors of domestic violence.
 Offer assistance in accessing emergency accommodation services and
navigating the application process.
 Transportation Assistance:
 Provide referrals to transportation services or programs that offer
assistance with transportation needs, such as bus passes, taxi
vouchers, or rideshare services.
 Offer support in coordinating transportation to and from appointments,
court hearings, or other essential locations for the client's safety and
wellbeing.

18. How to ensure duty of care in managing
children's welfare, whether the child is present
with the worker or not:
 Child Protection Policies:
 Ensure adherence to organizational policies and procedures designed to safeguard
children's welfare and protect them from harm.
 Risk Assessment:
 Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify any potential risks to children's safety
and wellbeing, both when they are present with the worker and in other settings.
 Communication with Parents or Guardians:
 Maintain open communication with parents or guardians to understand their concerns
and preferences regarding their child's care and safety.
 Supervision and Monitoring:
 Provide appropriate supervision and monitoring of children's activities to ensure their
safety and prevent potential risks or hazards.
 Training and Education:
 Provide training and education to staff members on child protection principles,
recognizing signs of abuse or neglect, and appropriate response protocols.
 Collaboration with Child Protective Services:
 Collaborate with child protective services agencies when necessary to address
concerns about a child's safety or wellbeing and ensure appropriate interventions are
implemented.

19. CONCLUSION
Prioritizing safety and wellbeing is paramount in
addressing domestic violence. By recognizing basic
human rights, meeting individual needs, and
providing access to support services, we can work
towards creating safer communities.
Call to Action: Let us reaffirm our commitment to
prioritizing safety and wellbeing in our responses to
domestic violence, both as individuals and as an
organization. Together, we can make a difference in
ending the cycle of violence.