GFIC: Domestic Violence

At the recent 20th Anniversary Commemoration Luncheon and CLE Seminar for the Gender Fairness in the Courts task force report, a third panel spoke on the topic of "Domestic Violence: How Practitioners Identify Violence in Today's Complex World."

The presenters, Loretta Frederick of the Battered Women's Justice Projcet and Professor Nancy VerSteegh of the William Mitchell College of Law, really centered their presentation on the practical. After showing a clip from the movie Waitress (a must-see, by the way), they had these tips for identifying domestic abuse in clients:

• Context is key: for example, think of the many meanings of a slap. Depending on the fear you may or may not have of the offender, it can be a much more, or less, threatening action.
• Differentiate between non-coercive and coercive violence. The difference between the two depends on the reoccurance and constancy of threats. The difference will also greatly impact your representation of a client.
• Think carefully about a common vocabulary. Make sure you are using terms that everyone can have a common understanding of.
• Talk in a safe setting, and remind your client of confidentiality.
• Be as comfortable as you can with the issues, because that will translate to your client.
• Help the client assess the risk, and help her realize the violent outcomes that domestic abuse can have.