Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate

CHENEGA PROFESSIONAL SERVICES, LLC

Hanscom AFB, MA

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is designed to identify, prevent, provide treatment to families, couples, and / or intimate partners impacted by domestic abuse (DA). FAP offers the support of Domestic Abuse Victim Advocates (DAVA) to provide DAF personnel, their family members, or intimate partners who are victims of DA (sometimes referred to as domestic violence) non-clinical emergent and urgent service whenever requested. With the exception of mandatory state, federal, and military reporting requirements (i.e., domestic violence, child abuse, and duty to warn situations) the DAVA provides a private and confidential service to encourage victims in seeking assistance.

Responsibilities

• Provides 24 hour / 7 days a week response to victims alleging DA by publishing and maintaining an emergency contact number via cell phone provided by vendor.
• Establishs a Victim s Safety Plan on a case-by-case basis.
• Partners with the Family Advocacy Treatment Manager (FATM) and Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist (FAIS) or mental health on-call provider if the treatment or case manager is unavailable, to establish safety plans. The victims safety is the DAVA s top responsibility and priority.
• Reviews the safety plan during each victim contact.
• Develops safety plans based on initial and ongoing risk assessments. If imminent risk of serious harm or death is established, notify the FAO, law enforcement, and Command. If children are involved, the process also includes child physical safety and emotional well-being; refer involved children to the treatment or case manager for follow-on care.
• Immediately reports any changes in the victim s circumstances that changes or impacts the safety plan to the FAP treatment / case manager or mental health on-call provider if the treatment / case manager is unavailable. When determining whether a victim is at imminent risk of serious harm or death, the DAVA will assess the following risk factors :
• Victimization patterns have increased in severity or frequency.
• Alleged offender threatened or attempted to kill the victim or his / her children.
• Alleged offender threatened or attempted suicide.
• Alleged offender strangled the victim.
• Alleged offender used or threatened to use a weapon against the victim.
• Victim sustained serious injury during the abusive incidents.
• Prior police contact with the alleged offender regarding DA.
• Victim has a restraining or protection order against the alleged offender.
• Victim is estranged, separated or attempting to separate from the alleged offender.
• Alleged offender stalked the victim.
• Alleged offender abuses alcohol or drugs.
• Alleged offender forced sex on the victim.
• Alleged offender abused victim during current pregnancy.
• Victim expresses fear of imminent serious harm or death.
• Alleged offender has active psychosis or mania.
• Alleged offender is using psychoactive drugs, such as amphetamines or cocaine.
• Alleged offender exhibits obsessive behavior, extreme jealousy, or extreme dominance.
• Advises each victim at the initial contact that :
• DAVA services are voluntary.
• DAVA have limited confidentiality IAW AF policy.
• Medical examination and documentation of victim s injuries is highly recommended.
• Victims may choose to make a restricted or unrestricted report of DA (those options are fully explained by the DAVA)
• Advises victims of the military or civil actions available to promote safety (e.g., military order of protection, restraining order, and injunction).
• Offers victims information regarding their identified needs (e.g., emergency shelter, housing, childcare, legal services, clinical resources, medical services, transitional compensation).
• Offers follow-up DAVA services to each victim :
• Empower the victim to advocate for the needs of self and children.
• Support the victim in decision-making by exploring options.
• Assist the victim with prioritizing actions and establishing short / long-term goals.
• Provide information and referral on military and civilian resources.
• Advises victims of the impact of domestic violence on children and supports victim s efforts to have children assessed and treated, as needed.
• Accompanies the victim to appointments or court proceedings when requested by the victim.
• Assistances with transportation is typically not provided to victims, however, after consultation with the FAO and when no other reasonable means exist the DAVA may transport the victim to important appointments (i.e. : medical, court, protective actions). The DAVA cannot transport minor children unless accompanied by the parent or legal guardian and has the appropriate safety restraints in the vehicle. The government will not be responsible for any costs or liabilities if the DAVA elects to provide transportation for victims except as identified in the contract.
• Collaborates with the FAP treatment / case manager to support the victim and promote safety for the victim and children in the home.
• Briefs the treatment / case manager prior to the Clinical Case Staffing (CCS) so that the CCS team has the most current information on the victim and children for staffing. (Note : The DAVA does not have access to information containing Personal Health Information (PHI) and does not attend the CCS).
• Establishes a contact file for each victim served that contains minimal information about the allegations or nature of the incident. The primary purpose of the DAVA contact file is to maintain victim s name and contact information as well as a log of the victim contacts and nature of the contacts or service provided by the DAVA. Information in the DAVA contact file will assist the DAVA in maintaining contact with the victim and will provide continuity of care in the event of DAVA position turnover.
• Places the safety plan, Victim Impact Statement and Victim Preference Statement in the DAVA contact file. Provide a copy of items to the treatment / case manager for the FAP Record.
• Maintains DAVA contact files in the FAP office under a double lock system and / or DAVA database.
• The contact file will be clearly marked as either Open or Closed indicating whether the victim is currently receiving DAVA services.
• Submits Victim Impact Statement when the victim asks the DAVA to inform the alleged offender s commander, the FAP treatment / case manager, or the FAO (for presentation to the Central Registry Board) of the impact the maltreatment has had on the victim and / or children. (Note : This form is only required when the victim requests the DAVA share the impact information on the victim s behalf
• Enters victim contact information and perform other activities monthly IAW DAF FAP guidance.
• Develops process to keep the FAO and designated POC (e.g., on-call mental health provider, emergency room.) informed of DAVA s location and timelines when providing DAVA victim services. This process will include purpose, location, arrival, and departure notification.
• Supports the Family Advocacy Intervention Specialist (FAIS) to develop System Advocacy, Education and Public Awareness, promoting a coordinated community response to DA. As a system advocate, the DAVA shall :
• Continually evaluate the quality of the installation s coordinated community response and collaborate with base agencies to improve the system response to victims.
• Empower victims to be involved in plans or decisions about the safety of self and children.
• Collaborate and establish protocols with Security Forces Squadron (SFS) and Office of Special Investigations (OSI) confirming :
• 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
• Collaboration on safety planning
• Training of SFS and OSI personnel on the DAVA role
• Collaborates and establishes protocols with the MTF confirming :
• 24-hour notification of the DAVA in all incidents of suspected DA
• Training of MTF personnel on the DAVA role
• Establishes liaisons and partner with civilian DA resources.
• Is a member of the installation Family Advocacy Committee (FAC) and reports to the FAO. The DAVA participates in the development, implementation, and evaluation of installation DA policies and protocols (e.g., Installation Supplement to AFI 40-301- Family Advocacy, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with local victim shelters, Inter-Service Support Agreements).
• Supports the FAP Secondary Prevention and Client Engagement (SPaCE) and New Parent Support Program (NPSP) prevention activities. The DAVA will actively participate in all resiliency initiatives designed to prevent DA.
• Partners with the Family Advocacy Nurse (FAN) when the FAN is involved in open partner maltreatment cases.
• Promptly communicates with the treatment / case manager and the FAN any information that may impact the victim s current safety plan.
• Refers victim for direct service from the FAN through the FAO.
• Shares victim information with the FAN at least monthly to ensure continuity of care between the FAN and DAVA services.
• Partners with the FAIS to promote education about and prevention of DA. Such activities may include outreach programs designed to increase awareness, educational briefings (e.g., restricted reporting option), skill-building classes, and the development of marketing tools and strategies.
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