This Guide has been developed to assist Addictions and Mental Health Professionals to as women about abuse and to help them respond to disclosures of Abuse. The Guide was developed through a collaborative process that involved representatives from the Violence Against Women sector, the Addictions sector and the Mental Health sector.
Asking Women About Abuse and Responding to
Abuse Disclosure:
A Guide for Addictions and Mental Health ProfessionalsSECTION A Post Traumatic Stress Response
SECTION B Screening for Abuse
SECTION C Stabilization
SECTION D Safety Planning
SECTION E Resources
SECTION F How to Help Someone Who Is Being AbusedThe work of this project is founded upon Relational-Cultural Theory, a
revolutionary approach to understanding psychological development that
incorporates a gendered analysis. The effort to build connections across
sectors is relational, as is asking women about abuse and responding to
disclosures. The core ideas of RCT suggest that all growth occurs in connection,
that all people yearn for connection and that growth fostering relationships are
created through mutual empathy and mutual empowerment.
Relational-Cultural Theory is rooted in the groundbreaking work of Jean Baker
Miller, who proposed a new understanding of women’s development in her
book, Toward a New Psychology of Women (Miller, 1976). This book and other
resources about RCT can be ordered from the Wellesley Centres for Women at
http://www.wcwonline.org/index.html
Download Guide to Screening for Abuse
