Defining Safety What definition of safety governs your work as a CPS caseworker? What definition of safety governs your work as an advocate for battered women? Does it look like any of these? Where is the common ground in the definitions? Where do they diverge? Safety for Safety for Safety for Children Victims of Battering Mothers and Children Children are safe when: Women are safe when: Mothers and children together are safe when: They are not exposed to The risk of physical any dangers (whether violence and other harm They are free from present danger threats or caused by an abusive physical, sexual, and impending danger threats) partner is reduced or emotional harm, coercion, eliminated and threats in ways that OR strengthen and support AND the mother-child bond. If exposed to dangers, needs for income, parent or caregiver Immediate safety in housing, and health care demonstrates sufficient relation to a specific have been met. parental protective assault or threat capacity (i.e., the way a Ongoing safety over time parent thinks, feels, and (including post-separation) acts that make her/him protective) to shield the child from danger
Defining Safety What definition of safety governs your work as a CPS caseworker? What definition of safety governs your work as an advocate for battered women? Does it look like any of these? Where is the common ground in the definitions? Where do they diverge? Safety for Children Safety for Victims of Battering Safety for Mothers and Children Children are safe when: They are not exposed to any dangers (whether present danger threats or impending danger threats) OR If exposed to dangers, parent or caregiver demonstrates sufficient parental protective capacity (i.e., the way a parent thinks, feels, and acts that make her/him protective) to shield the child from danger Women are safe when: The risk of physical violence and other harm caused by an abusive partner is reduced or eliminated AND needs for income, housing, and health care have been met. Mothers and children together are safe when: They are free from physical, sexual, and emotional harm, coercion, and threats in ways that strengthen and support the mother-child bond. Immediate safety in relation to a specific assault or threat Ongoing safety over time (including post-separation)
CPS-Best-Practice-Guide-Formatted-6-27-16-1.docx