Intimate Partner Violence: Assessment, Safety Planning, Trauma, Sociocultural Aspects, Perpetrator Dynamics, and Legal Issues E235B

Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

Intimate partner violence, sometimes called domestic violence, takes many forms such as physical assault, verbal insults and threats, emotional withdrawal, psychological manipulation, economic control, and sexual assault. Screening and assessment are the beginning steps to the treatment of survivors of IPV.  Screening involves initial identification of the signs and symptoms of IPV. There are a number of screening tools that can assist clinicians with evaluating whether IPV is occurring or has occurred in the past. They can also be used to ascertain the degree to which IPV has impacted a client’s life, such as the effects IPV has had on  social relationships and support networks. Assessment involves in-depth and detailed evaluation of how IPV-associated symptoms affect the individual across life domains, including reactions to trauma. Clinicians who screen and assess individuals for IPV will be better able to develop IPV-specific treatment plans to address the unique needs of survivors and perpetrators of abuse. Treatment models for perpetrators involve replacing maladaptive behaviors with non-abusive, healthy skills and often include alcohol and drug use treatment. Federal and state laws protecting victims of IPV provide clinicians guidance about legal parameters. Practitioners in most states are required to report suspected IPV even if the individual is not a child or dependent adult. The purpose of this learning material is to educate psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and counselors about screening, assessment, and reporting of IPV. 

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Explain the value and procedures of assessment and screening for intimate partner violence.
2. Describe the types of trauma, the multidimensional levels of trauma, and the prevention efforts that individuals exposed to intimate partner violence may experience.
3. Recognize sociocultural aspects of intimate partner violence.
4. Describe factors in IPV perpetration, IPV homicide, and perpetrator treatment.
5. Identify legal issues relevant to IPV intervention.

Course Syllabus

• Introduction
• Assessment
• Screening Tools and Instruments
  • Hurt, Insult, Threaten, and Scream
  • Woman Abuse Screening Tool Short Form
  • Partner Violence Screen
  • Abuse Assessment Screen
  • Conflict Tactics Scale
  • The Danger Assessment
  • MOSAIC
  • Adverse Childhood Experience Quiz
  • Stalking and Harassment Assessment and Risk Profile
  • Other Screening and Assessment Resources
• Screening for Perpetration Risk
  • Domestic Violence Screening Instrument
  • Ontario Domestic Assault Risk Assessment
  • Spousal Assault Risk Assessment
• Tips for Screening
• Challenges With “Leaving”
• Safety Planning
• Trauma
  • Types of Trauma
  • Reactions to Trauma and IPV
  • Levels of Trauma
  • Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Other Problems Associated with IPV
• Sociocultural Aspects of IPV
  • South Asian Survivors
  • Latinx/Hispanic Survivors
  • Black Survivors
  • American Indian and Alaska Native Survivors
• Perpetrators of IPV
  • Childhood Adverse Experiences Associated with IPV
  • IPV-Related Homicide and Murder-Suicide
  • Perpetrator Treatment
• Legal Issues
  • Reporting
  • Restraining Order Process
• Summary

Author

Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW, LCSWC

Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW, LCSWC is a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is a professor of social work at Gallaudet University and teaches practice, theory, and research in the MSW program. She coordinates a telemental health program for deaf children and adults through Arundel Lodge, Inc. in Edgewater, MD. Her recent research focuses on deaf and hard-of-hearing populations, especially in behavioral health, intimate partner violence, telemental health, well-being, and help-seeking.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.

This course has been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345, CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programing.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.