Care staff urged to look for abuse signs

CARE workers should be obliged by law to look for certain warning signs in domestic violence victims and raise the alarm if their lives are at risk.

This is among the key recommendations of research on how to protect the victims of dangerous domestic situations.

It was carried out by the Aoibhneas Women’s and Children’s Refuge in Dublin and also called for service providers to alert gardaí if there is evidence of escalating violence in relationships.

The research was launched yesterday and said after a series of high-profile cases where people have been killed by their partner a risk-assessment checklist should be developed to identify warning signs.

This risk-assessment could take the form of a questionnaire given to all frontline health workers, staff at refuges and social services.

“Consideration should be given to introducing legislation to ensure compliance by all service providers with such risk-assessment procedures.

“And also to establishing a reporting structure to ensure that the gardaí are informed of any risk assessment case which is considered to be dangerous or potentially lethal in nature,” the research’s findings said.

It noted that in Ireland the Health Service Executive was obliged by law to intervene if children are at risk but it does not act if other adult family members are in danger.

“It is notable that no such duty exists in relation to women vulnerable to violence,” it said.

The recommendations were based on an analysis of procedures in other countries such as those already in place in Britain, Canada and the US.

However, Aoibhneas chairwoman Terri Morrissey said international methods could not be dropped into Ireland without being adapted to the systems people are used to.

“Although we recognise the value of risk assessment models in other countries across the world, there is a need to develop these in an Irish context so that those working within front-line services can be trained in the use of such risk assessment models and tools.

“We have had far too many tragic cases in this country, some of which might have been prevented if the warning signs were properly interpreted and appropriate action taken,” she said.

Aoibhneas’s research said international cities with the best track records operated high risk consult teams who intervene if concern is raised for the welfare of domestic violence victims.

It said these could be introduced here and work in tandem with the development of individual safety plans to help the victims of violence escape from dangerous relationships without putting themselves or their children at risk.

Domestic abuse danger signs

INTERNATIONAL experts have developed ways of assessing trends in domestic situations where violence is escalating.

By compiling checklists that weight certain incidents according to how recently or how often they happened researchers can plot the level of danger victims are in.

Factors that put women most at risk of dying at the hands of their partner include:

* In the past year the victim left a violent partner after living together.

* The physical violence increased in seriousness recently.

* If a weapon has ever been used in previous incidents of violence, or the violent partner owns a weapon.

* The victim has a child from another relationship.

* The victim reports to having been sexually assaulted in the past.

* Alcohol or illegal drugs are a factor.

* The violent partner has avoided getting arrested for their actions up to now.

* The violent partner has tried to choke the victim on a previous occasion.

* Women caught in violent situations can seek help by contacting WomensAid on 1800 341 900.