ICDVP Crisis Intervention & Safety Planning 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the cycle of violence model, the 'honeymoon phase' is particularly dangerous because it:
- Involves the most physical violence
- Reinforces the victim's hope that the abuse will stop permanently (Correct answer)
- Occurs only in long-term relationships
- Signals the abuser is ready to change
Correct answer: Reinforces the victim's hope that the abuse will stop permanently
The honeymoon phase's affection and promises create a powerful psychological pull that keeps victims in the relationship and undermines safety planning.
Question 2: Which scenario requires a domestic violence advocate to make a mandatory report in Illinois?
- An adult victim discloses ongoing physical abuse to her partner
- A child in the household discloses witnessing or experiencing abuse (Correct answer)
- A victim mentions her abuser has a prior arrest record
- An adult victim says she is afraid for her safety
Correct answer: A child in the household discloses witnessing or experiencing abuse
Illinois mandatory reporting laws require advocates to report suspected child abuse or neglect, even when the primary client is an adult domestic violence victim.
Question 3: Safety planning with a victim who is leaving the abuser should specifically include a plan for:
- How to convince the abuser to accept the separation peacefully
- The period immediately after separation, which carries heightened lethality risk (Correct answer)
- Resuming contact with the abuser after a cooling-off period
- Delaying legal action until the victim is emotionally ready
Correct answer: The period immediately after separation, which carries heightened lethality risk
Research shows the period immediately after separation is the most dangerous time for domestic violence victims, with significantly increased homicide risk.
Question 4: Which statement best describes the advocate's role when law enforcement arrives at a domestic violence scene where the advocate is present?
- The advocate should speak for the victim to protect her from re-traumatization
- The advocate should support the victim's choices and provide information about her rights (Correct answer)
- The advocate should provide law enforcement with detailed case history
- The advocate should negotiate between law enforcement and the abuser
Correct answer: The advocate should support the victim's choices and provide information about her rights
Advocates support and inform victims while respecting their autonomy and maintaining confidentiality, rather than speaking on their behalf or sharing confidential information.
Question 5: A victim asks whether she should get an Order of Protection. An advocate's appropriate response is to:
- Tell her it will definitely keep her safe
- Provide information about how Orders of Protection work and support her decision (Correct answer)
- Discourage it because abusers often become more violent when served
- File the paperwork on her behalf without her direct involvement
Correct answer: Provide information about how Orders of Protection work and support her decision
Advocates provide balanced, accurate information and support the victim's informed decision-making rather than directing her choice.
Question 6: Strangulation in a domestic violence relationship is significant to crisis intervention because it:
- Is rarely prosecuted and therefore not a legal concern
- Is a strong predictor of future lethal violence and may cause internal injuries not visible externally (Correct answer)
- Only occurs in relationships with alcohol involvement
- Indicates the abuser is losing control of the relationship
Correct answer: Is a strong predictor of future lethal violence and may cause internal injuries not visible externally
Strangulation dramatically elevates lethality risk and can cause delayed serious injury or death, making immediate medical evaluation and documentation critical.
Question 7: When a victim contacts an advocate immediately after an assault, which action by the advocate is MOST important for potential legal proceedings?
- Encouraging the victim to confront the abuser to get a confession
- Advising the victim not to change clothes or shower and to seek a medical forensic exam (Correct answer)
- Helping the victim write a detailed account of the assault from memory immediately
- Contacting the abuser's family to inform them of the incident
Correct answer: Advising the victim not to change clothes or shower and to seek a medical forensic exam
Preserving physical evidence by not bathing or changing clothes and obtaining a medical forensic exam is critical for potential criminal prosecution.
ICDVP Crisis Intervention & Safety Planning 4
In the cycle of violence model, the 'honeymoon phase' is particularly dangerous because it: