Guiding Principles
In working with victims of domestic abuse it is important to adopt the following principles, which will help guide a safe and effective response.

1. Regard the safety of the victim and her family as a priority.
    
2. Respect the autonomy of victims and their ability to make choices, such as whether or not to stay in the relationship for the time being.
                                                                                                                       
3. Hold perpetrators of abuse responsible for the abuse and responsible for ending the abuse - never hold the victim responsible for staying.
    
4. Believe the victim and be willing to listen. Just being heard can be therapeutic for the victim.
    
5. Provide choices, not interventions.