[On-screen text: This video was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri people, and we wish to acknowledge them as Traditional Owners. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present and Aboriginal Elders of other communities viewing this video.]
[On-screen text (title): Person Using Violence Intermediate Risk Assessment]
LIAM:
Hi Dan, it’s good to see you again. How have things been since we spoke last?
DAN:
Yeah, okay. I guess. Probably...Probably not as good as the last two times. It was just a tough week or so, but I mostly kept on top of things.
LIAM:
All right. It sounds like there has been some challenges, but you've managed to use some strategies to keep on top of your gambling goals.
That's a great step to have managed that Dan. I’ll be keen to explore more of that in a moment. Would it help though, if we started by talking about some of those tough things you mentioned?
DAN:
Yeah, just work's been cutting back a bit, so things are pretty tight at the moment. And the ex, she’s hassling me for money.
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified:
Financial abuse/difficulties]
DAN:
I can't get a break from her. She winds me up about payments for the kids. Sometimes I just lose it.
[On-screen text: Observed narratives – minimising or justifying:
Direct comments or expressions that could indicate use of violence ('lose it')]
LIAM:
Your ex-partner, that's Chris?
[On-screen text: Keeping victim survivor central: using their names]
DAN:
Yes. Chris.
LIAM:
I know you spoke a bit about Chris the last time we met. If it's all right, I'd be keen to hear a bit more about what's happening now for you both. I understand you've been separated for a year? How are the pick-ups and drop-offs of the kids going?
[On-screen text: Using conversation prompts to identify narratives and behaviours linked to evidence-based risk factors]
DAN:
Well, last week she asked me about the payments. How does she expect me to react when I'm already tight for money? Anyway, I probably yelled a bit more than I should have, so she drove off with the kids. I tried to keep calling her, but she blocked me.
LIAM:
So you wanted to keep talking, or ‘yelling’ about it and that's why you kept calling Chris? But she blocked you.
What did you do when you couldn't reach her?
[On-screen text: Observed narratives – physical/verbal behaviour: raises voice and/or yells, displays indicators of fixation with victim survivor (intent focus)]
DAN:
I got in the car, drove around a bit. She usually unblocks me again. Eventually.
LIAM:
Okay. We can talk about how you manage yourself in these situations a bit more later. First, it would be good to get a sense of what you think was happening for Chris to block you. It sounds like blocking and unblocking your calls has happened before.
[On-screen text: Exploring how behaviour escalates and frequency of behaviours]
DAN:
Yeah, pretty regularly.
LIAM:
Is that every week? Every fortnight or every month?
DAN:
Well, every couple of weeks at handover there’s something, it's getting worse. I lose it quicker now.
[On-screen text: Exploring awareness of behaviour impact on victim survivors]
LIAM:
What do you think happens for Angie and Mac when you ‘lose it’ and start yelling?
DAN:
They’re used to it. They’re fine in the car.
[On-screen text: Observed narratives – minimising or justifying: presents as having difficulty with emotional and/or behavioural regulation]
LIAM:
Going back to the handover, you were saying it's getting worse and you are at the point of yelling pretty quickly.
Can you tell me more about that?
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified:
(child) exposure to family violence]
DAN:
It's been so frustrating lately. So, she has issues with her mental health, things that happened as a kid. None of the services understood what she was like.
[On-screen text: Observed narratives: comments negatively on victim survivor’s decisions, actions and pathologises her mental health]
LIAM:
So you and Chris previously had services supporting you?
DAN:
That's why we split up - child protection. You wouldn't believe it. She's the one that needs to see a psych, and they ask me all the questions.
[On-screen text: Observed narratives: presents or talks about themselves as the real victim (victim stance)]
DAN:
So I threw some stuff around when it got too much, but no one got hurt. I didn't hit anyone. Dad’s always get the blame. Nobody asks what Chris was doing to wind me up.
[On-screen text: Observed narratives: minimising behaviours, limited empathy to victim survivor, gendered narratives, hostile language towards systems]
LIAM:
Well Dan, I can hear that you didn't agree with child protection getting involved. It is their role, though, to make sure that the children are safe and cared for.
I know you've said nobody was hurt. I wonder still, as a child, what watching you would have felt like. So, I am curious to hear if child protection gave you any support?
[On-screen text: Evidence-based risk factor identified:
History of professional involvement and/or statutory intervention, property damage]
DAN:
I'm not interested in anything from them. I don't need to be told how to parent. I just need to focus on keeping on top of money and work.
[On-screen text: Identified motivations: stabilisation of employment, parenting]
[Fade to black]
[Fade from black]
LIAM:
Before we finish, I wanted to check on something that you mentioned at the start of the appointment about work being cut back. Are you linked in to any services to helping you find more permanent work?
[On-screen text: Safe closure of conversations]
DAN:
No, just checking on my own.
LIAM:
Have you spoken to anyone at Centrelink about what you might be eligible for in the meantime?
[On-screen text: Consider referrals that may stabilise circumstances]
DAN:
I called once but I've got that one covered.
[Fade to black]
[Fade from black. Liam is in his office, on the phone to his manager]
LIAM:
In the last few sessions with Dan, I've observed a range of narratives and behaviours from him that indicates family violence risk.
[On-screen text: Using structured professional judgement to determine the seriousness of risk]
LIAM:
Dan is really minimising his behaviours and the impact on both Chris and the kids. I'd like to speak with some other services to get more information to help manage the risk.
[On-screen text: Internal secondary consultation with manager]
MANAGER:
Mm, so go ahead and make a family violence information sharing request and let's see if we can get a fuller picture of his patterns of behaviour for our own ongoing risk assessment and risk management. And we'll look at getting you a secondary consultation too.
[On-screen text: Secondary consultation with external services]
MANAGER:
A Family Violence Service can support you in your assessment and your risk management with Dan.
[On-screen text: For further information on Intermediate Risk
Assessment for Adults Using Family Violence
and the Intermediate Assessment Tool,
please visit vic.gov.au/maram-practice-guides-professionals-working-adults-using-family-violence/responsibility-3
For further information on all MARAM resources,
please visit vic.gov.au/maram-practice-guides-and-resources]
[Logo: Family Safety Victoria]
[Logo: Victoria State Government]
Updated