[On-screen text: This video was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and Aboriginal Elders of other communities viewing this video.
[On-screen text (title): Victim Survivor Intermediate Risk Assessment]
CLINICIAN:
Christina, thank you for sharing what happened last night.
[On-screen text: Christina has disclosed her recent experiences of her husband, John’s use of family violence]
CLINICIAN:
Sounds really scary. And I acknowledge your resilience and courage coming in here today.
[On-screen text: Identify the strength shown in keeping appointments and making disclosures]
CHRISTINA:
I was really scared. John really hates me coming here, but I had to.
CLINICIAN:
I know you’ve been focused on your goal to control your drinking, but given what you told me about last night, I'd like to take a moment to do a family violence risk assessment. I have this document called the MARAM Risk Assessment Tool, and I know you have to go and pick up your daughter soon, but I’ve grabbed the short one so it can be done quicker.
[On-screen text: Use Brief Risk Assessment if required]
CLINICIAN:
We don't have to do all of it now. We can stop at any point, is that okay?
CHRISTINA:
I'm.. I'm just worried that if we will be okay. John always says that if I say anything, I will lose my visa and Davina, that I will get deported.
[On-screen text: MARAM Risk Assessments can be completed in one appointment or over time]
CLINICIAN:
I understand your concern. You're on a spousal visa, aren't you?
CHRISTINA:
Yeah.
[On-screen text: Applying an Intersectional lens: consider structural barriers for the individual]
CLINICIAN:
This is a tactic that we see a lot where a partner will use a spousal visa to maintain control. The information you share here today is private. It won't be shared outside of here without your consent.
[On-screen text: Explaining to the client how and when information will be used and shared]
CLINICIAN:
The only time I would share it without your consent is if I thought you were at serious risk of harm. And I won't share information about Davina without asking you first. Is that okay?
CHRISTINA:
Okay. (nodding)
CLINICIAN:
Now before we start, I need to check because this is a sensitive issue, If you would prefer to speak in your first language? You have a right to speak in your first language, and we can arrange an interpreter for you if that's more comfortable.
[On-screen text: Address individual needs]
CHRISTINA:
Ah… I would like to keep it all private. Can you understand my English?
CLINICIAN:
Yeah, absolutely.
And if anything I say isn't clear, and you want me to say it in a different way, just let me know but, you can ask for an interpreter at any time.
CHRISTINA:
Okay.
[Screen fades to black indicating passage of time]
CLINICIAN:
You’ve told me John doesn't like you coming here, can you tell me more about that?
CHRISTINA:
Sometimes he’ll stand in my way and say that I shouldn't go because I will never succeed.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: controlling behaviour]
CLINICIAN:
That sounds quite controlling.
CHRISTINA:
Yeah. He is… he is very controlling. He always monitors where I go. And what I buy for the family.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: financial abuse]
CHRISTINA:
He doesn't let me have my own money. Just the allowance he gives me.
CLINICIAN:
We’ve spoken before about your sense of safety and John's behaviour and you’ve told me that he controls you physically. He blocks you from leaving the house to get to appointments. Financially, monitoring your purchases and controlling the money and emotionally threatening to have you deported and taking custody of Davina.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: emotional abuse, isolation]
CLINICIAN:
On a scale of one to five, where one would be that you're not afraid and five where you’re very afraid like you're worried John would kill you.
[On-screen text: Understanding the victim survivor’s self-assessed level of risk: application of Structured Professional Judgement]
CLINICIAN:
Can you tell me today where you would be on that scale?
CHRISTINA:
Maybe, maybe today at about three.
CLINICIAN:
Three? Okay. Has it ever been four or five?
CHRISTINA:
Yeah.
CLINICIAN
Yeah? Can you tell me about when it's been a four or five?
CHRISTINA:
Most of the time, I can look after myself. But, last night was really bad about four/five, but then things are quieter after nights… after nights like that.
CLINICIAN:
When you say it was a four or five, can you tell me what happened?
CHRISTINA:
I was really scared because he was really angry. He just wouldn't stop yelling and throwing things. And then all of a sudden he put his hand around my throat.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: strangle or choke victim survivor (serious risk factor)]
CHRISTINA:
I thought he wouldn't stop. I was so scared. I've never seen him that angry. Yeah. He's never done that before. I’m worried because he is getting worse.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: escalation in severity and/or frequency (serious risk factor)]
CHRISTINA:
I was so scared Davina might see.
[On-screen text: Assess risk to children as well as to the adult]
CLINICIAN:
Sounds very scary.
CLINICIAN:
When you say it's getting worse, can you tell me what else John has been doing?
CHRISTINA:
He's drinking a lot. I'm scared not to drink with him.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: alcohol and/or drug use]
CHRISTINA:
I don't feel like I can say no. Sometimes he forces me to drink… and sometimes I black out.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified: ever harmed victim]
CHRISTINA:
He says I will never be able to stop. That I'm just wasting time with treatment. He says that I’m just useless.
CLINICIAN:
You've mentioned the blackouts before. When you say that you're scared to say no to him, what do you think would happen if you did?
CHRISTINA:
He’ll get really angry. He’ll say things like “who do you think you are? You’re just my wife.” And then he throws things and he lets me sit and he… he keeps filling up my drink until I'll have some, telling me “see, you can't do it. You’re pathetic.”
CLINICIAN:
Thank you for sharing all of that with me today.
[On-screen text: Acknowledging the victim survivor’s strength in sharing]
CLINICIAN:
Look, it sounds like things are getting worse and that you're worried about what's going to happen next for you and Davina. From what you've told me, I'm concerned about what will happen when you go home today and I would put this in the category of serious risk.
[On-screen text: Serious risk identified: multiple risk factors,
serious risk factors, escalation]
CLINICIAN:
I know that you've said that things get better after a night like last night, that there's a cycle where things get better. But you've also mentioned that John’s behaviour is getting worse.
[On-screen text: Victim survivor’s self-assessed level of fear: extremely high]
CLINICIAN:
Could we just spend a little time now, just talk before you leave about what we can do to keep you safe? Is that okay?
[On-screen text: The clinician now prepares to manage the client’s risk]
CHRISTINA:
I would feel good about that. Yeah.
[On-screen text: For further information on the intermediate risk assessment for victim survivors, please view Responsibility 3 of the MARAM Practice Guides at vic.gov.au/maram-victim-survivor-practice-guides]
[Logo: Family Safety Victoria]
[Logo: Victoria State Government]
Updated