CDC Crisis Intervention 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A client reveals that their spouse has strangled them in the past and has escalated since the separation. Why is this especially important?
- It shows the relationship can be repaired with counseling
- It only matters if it happened in the last month
- It mainly matters for property division
- Non-fatal strangulation is one of the strongest predictors of future intimate-partner homicide (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Non-fatal strangulation is one of the strongest predictors of future intimate-partner homicide
Research ties prior strangulation to a sharply higher risk of later intimate-partner homicide.
Question 2: When is a domestic violence victim statistically most at risk of serious harm?
- After the divorce has been final for several years
- When separating or leaving the abusive partner (Correct answer)
- During the first year of marriage
- Only during holidays
Correct answer: When separating or leaving the abusive partner
Separation is a recognized high-danger period because the abuser loses control.
Question 3: What is the National Domestic Violence Hotline number in the United States?
- 1-800-273-8255
- 1-800-950-6264
- 1-800-422-4453
- 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
The National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), with text and chat options too.
Question 4: A client being abused at home wants to leave. Which item belongs in a basic safety plan?
- Waiting until the divorce is final before taking any steps
- Confronting the abuser to announce the departure
- Posting plans on social media so friends can help
- Packing a go-bag with IDs, documents, medications, cash, and keys kept somewhere safe (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Packing a go-bag with IDs, documents, medications, cash, and keys kept somewhere safe
A ready go-bag with essentials lets the client leave quickly and safely.
Question 5: A client fears their ex is tracking their location. Which recommendation fits technology safety planning?
- Ignore it, since tracking is rare
- Use a safer device, check for shared accounts and location sharing, and talk with an advocate (Correct answer)
- Confront the ex with evidence by text
- Immediately delete all accounts, which may alert the abuser
Correct answer: Use a safer device, check for shared accounts and location sharing, and talk with an advocate
Careful tech safety planning with an advocate lowers risk without abrupt changes that could escalate danger.
Question 6: Which court order is generally designed to give fast, short-term protection from an abusive spouse?
- Parenting coordination order
- Final decree of dissolution
- Qualified domestic relations order (QDRO)
- Emergency or temporary protective order (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Emergency or temporary protective order
Emergency or temporary protective orders can be issued quickly, often ex parte, to provide immediate protection.
Question 7: When domestic violence comes up, why might a divorce coach advise against joint sessions with both spouses?
- Power imbalances and the risk of retaliation can make joint sessions unsafe (Correct answer)
- Joint sessions reduce settlement amounts
- Joint sessions are always illegal
- Coaches can only bill one person
Correct answer: Power imbalances and the risk of retaliation can make joint sessions unsafe
Abuse creates power imbalances and retaliation risk that make joint processes potentially dangerous.
