Encouraging disclosures

Create a safe and supportive environment

• Display posters/leaflets about domestic abuse in communal areas
• Use a private safe space away from partners and family members (and children where possible)
• Ask the question as a matter of routine enquiry
• Ask sensitively but use direct questioning
• Clarify your limits of confidentiality and safeguarding responsibilities
• Repeat questions/rephrase them to help understanding
• Listen and validate - gain trust

Why ask the question?

• Asking is the essential starting point (lots of victims want you to ask)
• Not asking may reinforce messages from the abuser (it's something not to be spoken of and to be ashamed of)
• It gives people permission to speak about their experiences
• It makes people feel valued and supported
• If the question is not asked at assessment, it tends not to be asked later 

Framing the question

For an adult:

"As domestic abuse is so common, we now ask everyone who comes into our service if they experience this. This is because it affects people's safety, health and well-being, and we want to ensure we are supporting people and keeping them as safe as possible."

For a child (only if this is part of your role and you are trained to do so):

"We know that many mums and dads have arguments, does that ever happen in your family?"

Examples of direct questions:

• Has anyone close to you made you feel frightened?
• Does anyone close to you bully you, control you or force you into things?
• Has anyone close to you ever hurt you physically, such as hit you, pushed you, slapped you, choked you, or threatened you in any way?
• Do you feel isolated from friends and family?

Use the Power and Control Wheel as a framework for your discussion - some victims do not even realise they are victims of the range of tactics of abuse.

Additional direct questions eg to adults with care and support needs, for example:

• Has anyone prevented you from getting, food, clothes, medication, glasses, hearing aids or medical care?
• Has anyone prevented you from being with the people you want to be with?
• Has anyone tried to force you to sign papers against your will?
• Have you been upset because someone talked to you in a way that made you feel ashamed or threatened?
• Has anyone taken money belonging to you?

Signpost to help from support agencies.