Responding To Disclosure

To respond appropriately:

•  Believe the woman;
•  Name the abuse (identify what she is experiencing is abuse);
•  Assess immediate health needs; if a recent sexual assault has occurred, refer for sexual assault care;
•  Assess immediate safety and complete a safety check;
•  Explore her immediate concerns/needs and determine a plan of action;
•  With the woman’s consent, refer to appropriate resources, including multi-disciplinary health team, community specialists, counsellors, support groups, shelters, and justice/advocacy services; and
•  Have a contact list of violence against women services available

When responding to a disclosure of woman abuse/intimate partner violence, keep the following tips in mind:

• Always interview in private
• Believe the client
• Assess for safety (never assume that a past history of abuse precludes a present history as well)
• Offer support
• Ask permission to refer to another resource person