Professional Practice and Legal Responsibilities in Domestic Violence -
Domestic Violence in Florida: Recognition, Screening, Risk Assessment, and Clinical Response
Professional Practice and Legal Responsibilities in Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence in Florida: Recognition, Screening, Risk Assessment, and Clinical Response
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Module 1: Foundations of Domestic Violence in Florida
Introduces the legal and clinical foundations of domestic violence in Florida, including statutory definitions, family and household member criteria, qualifying domestic violence offenses, prevalence data, and foundational concepts for recognizing domestic violence in clinical practice.
Module 2: Recognizing Domestic Violence — Part I
Examines common forms and patterns of domestic violence that mental health professionals may encounter in clinical practice, including emotional and psychological abuse, intimidation, threats and coercion, isolation, financial abuse, and physical violence. The module emphasizes recognizing behaviors that may occur individually or as part of a broader pattern of abuse and control.
Module 3: Recognizing Domestic Violence — Part II
Examines additional forms and patterns of domestic violence, including using children or others as a means of control, stalking and monitoring behaviors, sexual violence, technology-facilitated abuse, and coercive control. The module emphasizes recognizing how these behaviors may overlap and function as part of a broader pattern of abuse and control.
Examines domestic violence screening in clinical settings, including how and when to screen, factors that may affect disclosure, considerations when an abusive partner or other family members are present, and issues involving children and reporting. The module also distinguishes routine screening from more comprehensive risk assessment and addresses appropriate clinical responses to screening findings.
Module 5: Why Survivors Stay — Barriers to Leaving
Examines the complex factors that may affect a survivor’s ability or readiness to leave an abusive relationship, including safety concerns, economic and child-related barriers, immigration concerns, religious and cultural pressures, LGBTQIA+ concerns, shame, promises of change, suicide threats, and trauma bonding. The module emphasizes understanding these barriers without blaming survivors and addresses safety planning, post-disclosure considerations, and the clinician’s appropriate role and boundaries.
Module 7: Professional Practice, Legal Responsibilities, and Resources
Examines professional responsibilities when working with domestic violence, including documentation, confidentiality and mandatory reporting, legal considerations, consultation, culturally responsive practice, and appropriate Florida and national resources.
