Discussion Of The Process Of Frontline Social Workers DuringRisk Assessment Of Domestic Abuse Victims

• Main Authors: Fan,Erh-Wen, 范爾雯
• Other Authors: Pei Yang
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/49685645686138269060

碩士 === 國立臺北大學 === 社會工作學系 === 99 === ABSTRACT DISCUSSION OF THE PROCESS OF FRONTLINE SOCIAL WORKERS DURING RISK ASSESSMENT OF DOMESTIC ABUSE VICTIMS by Erh-wen Fan July 2011 ADVISOR(S): Pei Yang, Miriam Mei Lin LIU DEPARTMENT: Department of Social Work MAJOR: TAIWANESE ADOLESENT SOCIAL BEHAVIOR DEGREE: MASTER OF ARTS As domestic violence has the potential to put victims’ personal safety at risk, it is a vital issue that often goes beyond verbal conflict between partners. However, as there has been little concrete discussion of how to assess risk factors during practical evaluations, this study hopes to gain a further understanding of the decision making process social workers adopt during risk assessment, and the factors involved. This will also provide more information on how social workers currently conduct risk assessment. This study conducted in-depth interviews with social workers and supervisors with a year or more of experience in conducting risk assessment on victims of domestic violence. A total of seven individuals took part in the interviews, including two supervisors and five social workers. Analysis reveals that the factors social workers take into consideration during the risk assessment process are as follows: (1) The victim’s consent is a major factor. This includes the victim’s ability to self-protect and utilize resources, external factors, self-determination, client responsibility, and so forth. (2) Offender’s degree of risk. Determining the presence of or potential for drug addiction, alcoholism, psychological impairment, unemployment, and violent behavior. (3) The power structure in the interactionAssessment of the interactions is the key to evaluating whether or not the victim is trapped in a cycle of abuse. However, in terms of the entire risk assessment process, there may be varying concerns at different stages due to the experience and values of the social worker responsible. (4) Professional opinion from supervisors. Supervisors stated that as they reach a consensus with social workers via orientation training, they expressed trust and respect towards the assessments the social workers made. The social workers felt that there was room for discussion, but most still stated that they would respect their supervisor’s opinion during the final decision-making process. In terms of practical experience, gender preconceptions of social workers can still subconsciously affect their objectivity and judgment during contact with victims. The study also discovered that systemic restrictions can have a lasting influence on service transmission. At times, social workers must adopt a passive attitude in order to avoid attracting attention at their work places. Nonetheless, the majority of social workers are able to grasp an appropriate degree separation between them and the client is necessary so that their role becomes one of “assister”. This enables social workers to overcome the expectations they may have of their clients or their work responsibilities in order to gradually change their perception of their professional role and implement client responsibility. Not only will they learn to provide their services to clients in a more diverse way, they will learn to trust in the client’s capability during the service process, so that both the client and social worker may grow from it. Keywords: risk assessment, social worker, domestic violence