Ky.gov
Effective: 10/1/2022

2.11.3 Assessments Involving Domestic Violence and Intimate Partner Violence

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Intimate Partner violence (IPV) is violence between two people who are in or have been in a dating or romantic relationship. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) IPV is abuse or aggression that occurs in a romantic relationship. Intimate partner refers to both current and former spouses and dating partners.

IPV can include any of the following types of behavior:
  • ​Physical violence when a person hurts or tries to hurt a partner by hitting, kicking, or using another type of physical force;
  • Sexual violence is forcing or attempting to force a partner to take part in a sex act, sexual touching, or a non-physical sexual event (e.g., sexting) when the partner does not or cannot consent;
  • Stalking is a pattern of repeated, unwanted attention and contact by a partner that causes fear or concern for one’s own safety or the safety of someone close to the victim;
  • Psychological aggression is the use of verbal and non-verbal communication with the intent to harm another partner mentally or emotionally and/or to exert control over another partner;
  • Domestic violence (DV) is used as a broader term that could include when violence occurs with other family members i.e., uncle v nephew; parent v child; child v. parent; brother v. sister.

Practice Guidance

The SSW:
  • Conducts an in-depth assessment of the:
    • ​Danger posed to the child;
    • Safety of the child due to the high risk behaviors of the alleged violent offender; and
    • Physical, emotional, and developmental impact on the child.
  • ​Assesses the protective capacity of the non-offending caretaker/parent to ensure the child's safety; and 
  • Should involve the victim in developing safety plans by doing the following: 
    • ​Engaging the victim in a discussion about the options available to keep them and the children safe, including what has been tried before;
    • Exploring the benefits and disadvantages of specific options and creating individualized solutions for each family;
    • Collecting and gathering important documents and various personal items that will be necessary for relocation of the victim and the children;
    • Determining who to call, where to go, and what to do when a violent situation begins or is occurring.
  • ​Provide victims of domestic violence with educational materials through ZEROV, Kentucky united against violence​;
  • Refer to the CPS Reports with Risks Associated With Family and Intimate Partner Violence Tip Sheet​ for detailed guidance; and 
  • Refer to SOP 7.4 CPS Prevention Planning​ for non-offending parent/caregiver prevention planning. 


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Procedure

Documents

Revisions