How to respond to a disclosure
- Always believe what you are being told. Many victims only tell you a small amount of what's been happening.
- Reassure her / him of confidentiality - if you need to find out additional information from agencies ensure that you gain consent. Many women are terrified that what they tell you will get back to their partner.
- Don't criticise the victim's partner - this can make some people go into defence mode of their partner. Often people still love their partner and want the violence to end rather than the relationship.
- Give priority to the safety of the victim. Statistics show that for the first few months after a woman leaves she is more at risk of serious injury / death than when she was in the relationship. For more detail about developing a safety plan with a victim of abuse click here.
- Listen to what the individual wants. For some people, safety concerns are paramount and they may need to leave immediately. For other people, they might want help thinking about their options. Either way, try to ensure that the individuals' choice is respected.
- Be open about what you will do if you have concerns for children living in the household.
- Get advice from a specialist agency. Most agencies will be happy to give you advice in confidence.
- Wherever possible ensure that your organisation invests in providing in-depth domestic abuse training to at least one member of staff who can then act as a link worker with the specialist agency.
- Where you are dealing with a 'high risk' case of domestic violence, consider calling a MARAC meeting
Across North Yorkshire
Advice, accommodation, support
03000 110 110
24hr National Helpline
0808 2000 247
Good practice
"Give priority to the safety of the victim."
