CNL-545 Topic 4: Safety Planning and Harm Reduction Planning Scenarios
Scenario 1: Jeannine and Robert have been together for five years and have been married for the past three years. They live in an apartment together. There have been a few instances of physical violence from Robert toward Jeannine throughout the relationship, mostly shoving her around and, a couple of times, slapping her, always followed by effusive apology, explaining his actions as stress from his job. Imagine you are Jeannine’s counselor and she reveals that Robert has been showing signs of more violence, escalating in verbal threats. A couple of weeks ago, he grabbed her by the shoulders and shook her so violently, she ended up with a sore neck and migraine headache. Last week, he punched her in the ribs a couple of times, resulting in bruising, which she revealed to you. She fears for her safety, though she is not yet ready to move out or leave him.
- Describe Jeannine’s level of lethality:
Jeannine’s lethality level depends on several life-threatening attacks. A few instances of physical violence towards Jeannine by Robert shows that Jeannine’s lethality level is low. But, given Jeannine’s confession that Robert has been showing violent signs, the level of lethality is increasing with an increase in violence and attacks from her husband, Robert. Thus, taking into account the number of attacks Jeannine has experienced in her marriage, her lethality level can be considered high. While Jeannine is unprepared to leave Roberts, I fear the increased violence attacks by Roberts will get her hospitalized. If she allows Robert to continue abusing her, Jeannine will fall into danger.
- Devise a harm reduction plan for Jeannine.
For Jeannine, a harm reduction plan can include many options. Jeannine needs to abstain or not to argue with Roberts at all. When Roberts begins his verbal threats, Jeannine needs to stay away from him to avoid being grabbed by her shoulder or neck. Besides, Jeannine needs to engage Robert’s parents to talk to him so that he stops threatening and attacking her. Also, for purposes of emergency, Jeannine needs to park her items, have a spare key on the bag, and inform a close relative of her plan to leave if Roberts violently threats and attacks her again. She can also call a close relative in the event Roberts starts the violent attacks.
- Explain why you devised the harm reduction plan the way you did:
As devised above, the devised practices are to help Jeannine abstain from Robert’s violent threats and attacks. The idea of not arguing back when Roberts starts threatening Jeannine would help her have peace of mind. Having such a plan would allow Jeannine’s decision to leave more relaxed because she has already notified Robert’s parents and family relatives of his violent threats and attacks. Women in abuse fear disclosing their relationship problems to other people. However, in this case, the harm reduction plan calls for Jeannine to inform people close to Robert. Letting them know of this plan would make them understand in case she leaves. Last, by packing and having a copy of the key, would help her to get on her feet anytime an emergency arises, leaving Roberts for her safety.
Scenario 2: Maria states she met Justin at a party a couple of months ago. They have gone out a few times. Justin has never been to Maria’s house, but she has been to his apartment; client states she usually meets him at a restaurant or club. Maria tells you that the other night, while out with Justin, he became “physically aggressive.” She reports that she woke the next morning at her home with a lack of memory from the night prior. She tells you that she was too ashamed to report it to the police and she wasn’t sure what happened. Imagine you are Maria’s counselor and she reveals to you that yesterday Justin became abusive and threatening toward her after she refused his sexual advances. Justin threatened that he would break off their relationship and find someone “more mature” in her attitude toward sex. She is afraid that he will follow through on his threats to break off their relationship. You know from past visits that she has self-esteem problems.
- Describe Maria’s level of lethality.
Lethality level on Maria is quite low because she only reports one notable physical attack by Justin on her. The main issue with Maria is low self-esteem. If Maria’s self-esteem issue is unresolved, her relationship issue with Justin will not be solved. In this case, low self-esteem problems might increase Maria’s level of lethality. This is because Maria will continue to refuse Justin’s sexual advances, something which Justin is not ready to tolerate. Justin’s threat that he will break-up with her is she does not mature her sex attitude is frightening to Maria. If Maria continues with the relationship, her self-esteem problem could cause lethal attacks on her.
- Devise a safety plan for Maria:
- Explain why you devised the safety plan the way you did
Scenario 3: Arthur and Melissa have been married for seven years but have been separated for the past year. The couple has two small children. They share custody. Imagine Arthur is your client, and, during a session, Arthur reveals that Melissa has recently become physically violent with him, slapping and punching him, but he has been too embarrassed to disclose the abuse. Client states that his wife has never acted this way before and he is afraid that the children may not be safe when left alone with her. Client states he is unsure about how to protect himself and, more so, his children.
- Describe Arthur’s level of lethality:
- Devise a safety plan for Arthur:
- Explain why you devised the safety plan the way you did:
During the separation, reporting Melissa’s violent behavior to the court of law is the best and the most appropriate plan to ensure Arthur’s safety. Reporting this issue to the court would be best for Arthur’s safety and that of his children. In this safety plan, the court could get Arthur and Melissa separate lawfully, stating their parental rights and obligations when it comes to their children’s welfare and well-being. As a result, Arthur could find it easy to leave and ensure that his children remain safe and that he maintains close contact with them. Besides, involving the court would get Melissa to face the law, making her more cautious when dealing with Arthur and their children in the future.