Women should be interviewed separately and apart from their partners. A woman who is being battered will not talk about the abuse if she fears telling will jeopardize her safety. It is likely she fears reprisals from her batterer who has warned her not to tell anyone about their private matters. Some batterers will not leave their partners unattended so they can monitor what is said to outsiders at all times. As battering is all about power and control, this behavior should be considered a warning flag, requiring social workers to be even more creative and persistent.
All people have arguments and disagreements with their partners.
Once you identify a client who is being abused, be prepared to assess the level of danger she and her children may be facing. Be prepared to provide contact information for the nearest shelter for battered women. Help her develop a personalized safety plan. Social workers should understand that some women may be afraid to accept printed information about domestic violence, local shelters, and safety plans as the presence of these materials may trigger a violent response from the abuser. There are a number of readily available resources to help social workers and their clients access services and understand and respond to domestic violence.