Client Barriers

• Fear of Disclosure
  A client experiencing domestic violence may be reluctant to disclose her abuse fearing that she or her children will be further harmed. A typical tactic of a batterer is to threaten harm, including murder, if a victim discloses. A client may also fear disclosure because she is humiliated by her experience, feels she is worthless, etc.
   
• Lack of Trust in Mental Health Staff
  A client may not fully disclose or may minimize her abuse because she doesn’t trust her counselor to understand her experience, to respect her autonomy, and / or to protect her confidentiality. Perpetrators may also not disclose their abuse of partners.
   
• Lack of Awareness About Domestic Violence
  Some patients, even those encountering extreme abuse, may believe that their experience is “normal.” Many perpetrators don’t acknowledge their behaviors as being violent, abusive or harmful to their partners.

By acknowledging and addressing these barriers, mental health staff can become effective advocates for their clients experiencing domestic violence. (see Advocacy Wheel - Chapter 2, Section 8)

(Adopted from The Physician’s Guide to Domestic Violence. Patricia R. Salber, M.D. and Ellen Talizferro, M.D., California Volcano Press, 1995.)