Monday, October 14, 2024

What Happens When We Violate Someone Else's Rights?

  Think about it this way:  When a Person is Arrested for Allegedly Committing Domestic Violence; it is a Temporary Suspension of his or her Rights.  And the Allegation is that he or she has violated the Rights of his or her partner.  It's as simple as that.

We ALL Have Rights:

  Everyone in the United States of American has Rights.  
 But this brings up two important questions: 

1. Are my Rights Always Respected?  and,

2. Do I Always have to Respect the Rights of Everyone Else?

  But what are Rights anyway?  Now that I know I have some Rights, I might as well learn about what they are.
  One definition of Rights is as follows
"Rights are legal, social, or ethical principles of freedom or entitlement; that is, rights are the fundamental normative rules about what is allowed of people or owed to people according to some legal system, social convention, or ethical theory."

  When The United States of America was founded, the founders gave all of it's people certain Rights. (Note: However, all people in the U.S.A. did not their Rights respected for almost 100 years.  For examples, The Slaves did not have their Rights respected equally.  And even in 1960's, the decendents of Slaves and other African Americans were still asking that their Rights be respected because they were not always respected.  Further, Women in the U.S.A. did not have their Rights broadly respected for decades either.  For the most part.  In the beginning of the U.S.A., it was the Rights of wealthy Land Owners who's Rights were respected.

  Nonetheless, in 1776: 

  The U.S. Declaration of Independence stated the following, 

  •   "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men (and including Women) are created equal, that they are endowed (for given) by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights (unalienable means, these Rights can never be taken away by another human being), that among these (Rights) are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness….” US Declaration of Independence.

  The Declaration of Independence was penned by Thomas Jefferson (a Virginian) with the learned direction of Benjamin Franklin (of Pennsylvania), and John Adams (of Massachusetts).  Each of these people -- along with a diverse group of many  other Colonists -- made tremendous contributions to the founding of the United States of America.


The Long Road to Truly Inclusive Independence:

  As mentioned above, the road to truly Independence required a few more steps -- such as those that explicitly recognized the Rights of People of Color and of Women.
  Almost 200 years later, it was reported that a learned Advocate for millions of oppressed people of color in the USA had informed the President of the United States of America that this Advocate (Dr. Martin Luther king) and the people he represented truly needed their Dignity and that they were hoping that this President could somehow help them attain it.
  This President did his best with Laws to help these people find their Dignity; however, there came a point where the Laws could only be as effective as the people themselves would allow them to be. 
  In other words, there came a point where these people needed to accept the Dignity that they already had and to make choices to do what they saw fit in order to pursue the happiness of which they had long dreamed.  The Road to Justice is often a very long journey. 


What is so Important about Dignity?

  One definition is that "Dignity is the right of a person to be valued and respected for their own sake, and to be treated ethically.  This is of significance in morality, ethics, law and politics as an extension of the Enlightenment-era concepts of inherent, inalienable rights" (Wikipedia).      
  Others have argued that in the U.S.A., dignity does not need to be given out -- nor is it able to be handed out from one person -- or a government -- to a given person.  However, a bad Government clearly can try to take away the dignity of the people.  We gave seen that over and over again throughout history.
  The Fact is that dignity is essentially covered by the above phrase of the Declaration of Independence.  And further, Dignity -- per the Declaration -- is such that every person is "created equal" and that every person is "are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights"; meaning that Dignity is something that is given to every person by their Creator (Whoever they view thier Creator or God to be) when they are created. 
 
  Further, it notes that these Rights (Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness) are unalienable -- meaning no one person or Government can take them away permanently without the proper legal process.

  Each person in the U.S.A. has a Right to live and to choose the path that she or he wants, and to pursue the happiness that she or he feels is on that path, as long has their journey does not in some way deprive another person of Life, Liberty or the Pursuit of Happiness.


Now, What do Rights Have To do With Domestic Violence?

  When it comes to trying to understand how one gets charged with Domestic Violence, it is very important to understand and accept that if we violate another person's Rights, we might be Charged and consequently arrested because of the possibility that We Have Violated that person's Rights.  
  Also to be considered are the manner in which we Violated their Rights, as well as Who's Right was Violated.  
  Theoretically, when ever someone is arrested, it should be because they have violated the Rights of someone else.

  Think about it:  
  • What was your Charge?
  • How does this relate to anyone's Rights?
  • How was the Arrest itself related to your Rights?

  It's like this:  At the start of anything; Everyone involved has their Rights in-tact.
But then, say one person hits another person.  They they have just violentedly disrespected the Rights of the person that they hit.
  Then the Police come along and they Arrest the person who hit the other person.  And the person who was Arrested sees his or her own Rights suspented under an Emergency Custody Order (or an Arrest Warrent) until a Judge comes along and decides what to do about each person's Rights -- 


In Other Words, Think about it this way: What Rights?     

  Ideally, Everyone -- Every Single Person regardless of her or his Color, Ethnicity, Ability, Wealth, Public Position, Physical Ability, Gender, Employment Status, Self-Identification or their level of Education -- in the U.S.A. has a Right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
  • What are our Rights to Life?  Think about it:  
    • What does this include? 
    • Perhaps it includes Freedom from anything or anyone who physically compromises his or her Life.  (This might include freedom Injury (physical or mental))
  • What are our Rights to Liberty?  Think about it:  
    • What does this include? 
    • Perhaps it includes Freedom from anything that physically or mentally holds her or him back.  (This might include trying to keep him or her from walking away.  Might even include trying to keep her or him from advancing her or his education or training or career.)  You have the Right to do what you want to do with your life.  Just so in achieving this goal, you do not ever violate another person's Rights.
  • What are our Rights to a Pursuit of Happiness?  Think about it:  
    • What does this include? 
    • Perhaps it includes Freedom from anything or anyone who tries to keep him or her from seeing another person in a Romantic sense.  (This might include keeping her or him from doing something that she or he feels could make her or him happy.  
    • In pursuit of such Rights of the other person; An Officer of the Law could determine that it is a violation of Rights for yet another person to be stalking or threatening this person or her or his new lover.  
    • This might even include when one's current partner tries to erase other peoples' (like other men's or other women's) names out of his or her phone in order to keep her or him from contacting another person that she or he has decided that he or she now likes (or even loves)).
  • (Please Note: There are other explanations or descriptions for these Rights as well as well as other Rights to consider.  Please see other listings of Rights below)

And Keep In Mind That: 

  Whenever a person is arrested, and charged, this is because in the eyes of those who are administering the Law (Police and Prosecutors), the reason for the Arrest and/or Charge is because the person who was arrested (The Subject) was Arrested because he or she allegedly violated the Rights of another person. 
  The Charge Sheet should list specific Codes from the Law that were allegedly violated.  And each one of those Codes in the Law is supposed to be directly tied or at least backed up by or even jive with those Basic Rights as Listed Above -- the Rights to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.

  Additionally consider that 
one might get a separate Charge for each Right that one Violates as well as each time one Violates another person's particular Rights.


Rights in the Home:

  Also, one should try and remember that you and your partner each have Equal Rights.  Neither of you has more or fewer Rights than the other -- regardless of Religion, Sex, Race, Color, Ethnicity, Class, Socioeconomic Status, Gender, Addiction, Education Level, Physical Size, Income Level, or Moral Standing, or any other characteristic.
  Finally, many Americans used to think that inside of their homes, they had special Rights.  And perhaps we do.  However, we still must always respect the Rights of everyone else whether they are inside of our homes or not.
 

Under What Circumstances May I Violate Someone Else's Rights?  
    • Truly, probably NEVER, except when it is in an effort to save a life; and that is very rare.  Keep in mind that the argument of "Self Defense" really must have with it proof that one person is being attacked in a potentially very harmful way; one has no other way to avoid the situation, and one only uses enough force to stop the attack.  

What if My Rights Were also Violated?  

  The Police (and hence, the Courts) typically separate physically, and on paper, the alleged Offender from the alleged Victim.  In other words, if you are an alleged Offender in their eyes; it is difficult to get those same police in that situation to charge the other person with something.


Who Has Rights?

  In short, everyone in the U.S.A. has Rights.  There is some argument regarding this -- particularly in relation to Illegal Immigrants or Undocumented Immigrants; however, according to the U.S. Constitution, 14th Amendment, Section 1., it says,
  •   "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or imunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." (U.S. Constitution).

Can One Lose His or Her Rights?

  When someone violates another person's Rights, or there is probable cause to suspect that they have violated another person's Rights; some of the alleged violator's Rights (i.e., Liberty) might be suspended temporarily by Police, a Judge, or a Magistrate.  This is what happens when one is arrested. 
  However, these rights must be reinstated within a certain amount of time; unless the situation is reviewed by a certain type of Judge or Magistrate, who then chooses to extend this suspension (And/or put bail on it).
  Or, a person's Rights, (say to Liberty) can be suspended temporarily by a Doctor in an Emergency, who can temporarily suspend Rights in order to save a Life.
  In order to actually lose a Right; one must either sign it away, and/or a Judge must decide that it is appropriate that this person lose that particular Right.
  In order to involuntarily lose a Right (often temporarily); it is usually being temporarily suspended or taken away by Police, Judge, Doctor or other Constitutional Officer.  Essentially if there are conditions when one is believed to present an imminent danger to one's self; or to another person; or has just violated another person's Rights, she or he might be subject to Arrest, Investigation, and Prosecution.

Given that Everyone Has Rights....  It's Like One has a Right to Say almost anything they want to say to another person; but the other person has a Right to walk away and not listen.
  • So consider this: I have a Right, so does that mean I should always exercise it?
  Additional Conversation on this can be had related to Dignity and Personal Agency, and exercise thereof. 


Legal Rights versus Moral Rights:

  Finally, Legal Rights and being Morally Right are two different things.  The first (Legal Rights) are explicitly covered in the Laws of the Land.  However Morality is NOT the same as Law or Legal Rights, but: “Morality is the set of standards that dictate what is right and wrong in terms of behavior and beliefs.”  
  Think about it: How are these two things the same; and how are they different?  






FOOTNOTES:

Background and Source Material:

Bill of Rights -  The Really Brief Version: The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution are summarized below.  Basically, there are 10 Constitutional rights that Every American has?

1              Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2              Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.
3              No quartering of soldiers.
4.              Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures.
5              Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, double jeopardy.
6              Rights of accused persons, e.g., right to a speedy and public trial.
7              Right of trial by jury in civil cases.
8              Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishments.
9              Other rights of the people. 
10           Powers reserved to the states.

      One should also note that there are other Rights not included in the above list.


The Most Basic Understanding of U.S. Rights (If you are interested?):

  Every American automatically has RIghts that include: Natural rights (or Moral Rights) and legal rights.  There are two types of rights
  • Natural rights are those that are not dependent on the laws or customs of any particular culture or government, and so are universal and inalienable (they cannot be repealed by human laws, though one can forfeit their enjoyment through one's actions, such as by violating someone else's rights). 
  • Legal rights are those bestowed onto a person by a given legal system (they can be modified, repealed, and restrained by human laws)." (According to this Wikipedia Source).
  These most basic (or Natural / Moral) Rights that every American has include our Rights to: "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness", as Thomas Jefferson wrote in the United States Declaration of Independence.[1] The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their creator, and which governments are created to protect." (According to Wikepidia)
  It is also VERY Important that Every American Understand that he (himself) and/or she (herself) has Rights that are inalienable --
"Inalienable" means: "Inalienable right refers to rights that cannot be surrendered, sold or transferred to someone else, especially a natural right such as the right to own property. However, these rights can be transferred with the consent of the person possessing those rights." (According to this Legal Definition).

""Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness" is a well-known phrase in the United States Declaration of Independence. The phrase gives three examples of the "unalienable rights" which the Declaration says have been given to all humans by their creator, and which governments are created to protect." (According to the related Wikipedia Source here.)

Another way to Look at is is that we each have our Right to the following:
Our Right to self-determination.
Our Right To liberty.
Our Right to due process of law.
Our Right to freedom of movement.
Our Right to privacy.
Our Right to freedom of thought.
Our Right to freedom of religion.
Our Right to freedom of expression.

Read about The Bill of Rights by clicking here.


For children it is slightly different; but essentially the same.


Know Your Rights

(Originally Posted, 6/16/2020.)

 (c. 2020, William T. Beverly, Ph.D., LCSW, All information on the Blog (Except where otherwise noted); are the intellectual and/or photographic and/or digital property of Dr. William T. Beverly, L.C.S.W., DVOMB Approved Offender Treatment Provider.).

Tuesday, October 8, 2024

The Domestic Violence Treatment Progress Assessment (or the D.V.T.P.A.): Great Practice for Successfully Completing DV Treatment

   There are some Important Questions that a person should be able to answer in a meaningful way when they are ready to Discharge from DV Treatment.

  This exercise is intended to help you figure out what else you need to know about in order to Complete DV Treatment.  Please Note: Studying and Completing the attached Worksheet does not mean that you are ready for Discharge.  More so, this is an Exercise to help You and Your Treatment Provider determine when you could be ready for Discharge.

  There are two Parts.  One part is the DV Treatment Progress Assessment (DVTPA).  This instrument helps You and Your Treatment Provider get an idea of Your Progress in Treatment.

  The second Part of this Process is the Aftercare Plan in which one assesses their current state of being in terms of Healthy Relationships and/or possibility of never again having Domestic Violence in his or her life.  Then one makes a plan for how they are going to remain free of DV in the future; as well as remain free of the negative effects of any potential Risk Factors in their lives.  


DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TREATMENT PROGRESS ASSESSMENT (DVTPA):

Some Treatment Progress Assessment Items are as follows:


POSSIBLE CHALLENGES To Successfully Completing DV Treatment: (Have you found that your Treatment Progress has been negatively impacted by any of these (or other) potential challenges?):

    1. "Not Accountable with community supervision and treatment conditions
    2. Using alcohol or illicit drugs
    3. Not maintaining stable employment
    4. Not maintaining stable living arrangements
    5. Not Compliant with psychiatric and medical recommendations
    6. Hostility
    7. Stalking dynamics/obsession with the victim
    8. Suicidal/Homicidal"

 

Competency Areas to Master.  (Think about these Competency Areas.  Where do you stand within the Context of your Treatment, and in terms of Your Treatment Progress?):     

  Keep in mind: Someone might believe that Mastering a competency here means he or she does not ever have to visit it again; or does not have anything else to learn about Healthy Relationships or Preventing DV.  But that's not necessarily true.  Because each new Relationship is going to be different -- Regardless of whether or not it's a Romantic Relationship.  A wise person will be revisiting and gaining new insights into ideas like this possibly for the rest of their life.

1.  "Actively participates in treatment.

2.  Confronts (and/or Supports) others appropriately in group.

3.  Commitment to elimination of abusive behavior.

4.  Eliminates manipulative behavior.

5.  Completes personal change plan drafts and Final Version.

6.  Demonstrates and Acknowledges development of empathy for the Victim.

7.  Accepts full responsibility for offense and abusive behavior.

        *Denial Level (If applicable)

8.  Understands pattern of power and control issues.

9.  Does not view themselves as the victim.

10.  Accepts consequences of abusive behavior.

11.  Challenges cognitive distortions.

12.  Define types of violence.

13.  Identifies & manages personal pattern of violence.

14.  Understanding of inter-generational effects of violence.

15.  Uses appropriate, respectful & effective communication skills.

16.  Offender understands and uses “time-out” & Stop, Breathe & Focus Techniques.

17.  Recognizes financial responsibility.

18.  Not engaging in any known forms of violence & abuse.

19.  Understands distorted view of self, others & relationships.

20. Identifies chronic abusive beliefs about victim and thought patterns that support abusive behavior

21.  Uses pro-social community supports.

22.  Understands cycle of violence.

23. Positive parenting skills with children. (living with biological children)

24. Demonstrates appropriate interaction with children and partner in a co-parenting or step-parenting situation (Client a step-parent or visiting parent)

25.  Understands healthy sexual behaviors & consent."


STRENGTHS: (How are you regarding the following Strengths?):

      • "Pro-Social Friends
      • Social Activity
      • Spirituality
      • Happiness
      • Creativity
      • Fun Time/Hobbies
      • Health"

(Davies & Associates)

Another part of this is understanding the basic Principles of Equality in Relationship:

  • Trust and Support:  Supporting her/his goals in life. Respecting her/his right to her/his own feelings, friends, activities, and opinions. 
  • Respect: Listening to her/his non-judgmentally.  Being emotionally affirming and understanding.  Valuing her/his opinions.  This term essentially means valuing each others points of views. It means being open to being wrong. It means accepting people as they are.  It means not dumping on someone because you're having a bad day.  It means being polite and kind always, because being kind to people is not negotiable.  It means not dissing people because they're different to you.  It means not gossiping about people or spreading lies.
  • Negotiation and Fairness: Seeking mutually satisfying resolutions to conflict.  Accepting changes.  Being willing to compromise.
  • Responsible Parenting: Sharing parental responsibilities.  Being a positive, nonviolent role model for the children.
  • Non-Threatening Behavior: Talking and acting so that she feels safe and comfortable expressing her/his-self and doing things.
  • Shared Responsibility: Mutually agreeing on a fair distribution of work.  Making family decisions together.
  • Economic Partnership: Making money decisions together.  Making sure both partners benefit from financial arrangements.
  • Honesty and Accountability: Accepting responsibility for self.  Acknowledging past use of violence. Admitting being wrong. Communicating openly and truthfully.


The Third Part of this process if keeping an Ongoing Personal Change Plan:

  • Am I ready to Make Changes in my mind that would allow for me agreeing to this?   I hereby commit to eliminate abusive behavior; which includes the use of physical intimidation or violence, coercion, emotional, verbal or economic abuse, or psychological cruelty toward my spouse, partner and/or children.  If I do behave abusively in the future, I consider it my responsibility to report the behaviors honestly to my friends, relatives, probation officer or other interested party who will hold me accountable.
  • Am I ready to Make Changes and Make Room for this?  The way I am going to prevent abusive behavior of any kind is by:
  • Am I ready to Make Changes and Make Room for this?  The way I am going to change my thinking so my thoughts and behaviors will be healthy is by:
  • Am I ready to Make Changes and Make Room for this?  If I realize I am in danger of becoming abusive I will do the following:


The Fourth Part of this Process is Aftercare Planning:  

AFTERCARE PLANNING is the act of Planning for how one will care for himself or herself after Treatment is completed so as to never again commit DV-Type Behaviors and therefore never again end up with a DV-related Charge. Hence, the overall question is: Have you developed an Aftercare Plan that could help you do the following:

A. Continue to be fully Accountable your previous DV Offense? 

B. Continue to heal from your previous DV Offense?  and

C. Continue to make changes to your life that will help you better prevent DV-Type Behaviors and Offenses in the future? 

   Here, take a look at the following questions and think about how you might answer them: 

(Questions to consider as you move along successfully include)

1.  "What effect has this domestic violence offender treatment program had on your life?

2.  What changes have you noticed about yourself, you relationship, your lifestyle, or your attitude from when you first started treatment until now?

3.  What did you learn about the cycle of violence?

4.  What are the consequences of violence?

5.  How do you communicate with your partner and express your feelings?

6.  Describe the steps you use when taking a “time out”?

7.  What do you take responsibility for in your specific domestic violence incident?

8.  What are you major goals in your personal relationships?  (3 or more)

9.  What have you done to make amends to the victim?

10. What are options you have to acting out violently? (activities, exercise, meditation, etc.)

11. Who are the people that you rely on to help you understand your thoughts and feelings?  Talk about how they are supportive to you."

12. Name three general attitudes or ways of thinking that you plan to hold in order to keep yourself from ever again committing DV-Type Behaviors or being charged with a DV-related Offense.  

(SLVBHG)

*** Please CLICK HERE to

Complete your Adapted DVTPA Worksheet *** 




Please CLICK HERE to Complete

Your Session Feedback Form!!!


*** AND Once have completed the above, 

you can CLICK HER TO move on to 

the Treatment Planning for Success Section. ***


Sources

(DVTPA by Davies and Associates)

(AFTER CARE PLAN Questions by SLVBHG)


 (c. 2020, William T. Beverly, Ph.D., LCSW, All information on the Blog (Except where otherwise noted); are the intellectual and/or photographic and/or digital property of Dr. William T. Beverly, L.C.S.W., DVOMB Approved Offender Treatment Provider.).

Monday, October 7, 2024

Good Ideas about Prevention of Domestic Violence BEFORE it Starts

 What are some ways to Prevent Domestic Violence?  Think about it...

  1. Taking Time-Outs.
  2. Stop-Breathe and Focus.
  3. Going into a Quiet Room (and Coloring or doing something else that nurtures your inner child)
  4. Go on a walk.
  5. Exercise.
  6. Doing something you love, like Riding your horse, Cleaning up, or Spending time with someone you love.
  7. Taking a relaxing bath or shower or both.
  8. Pulling up our Domestic Violence Prevention Toolkit.
  9. DBT Skills.
  10. Watch out for Red Flags.  And be ready to walk away if necessary.
  11. Write in your journal.
  12. Make sure you take time for yourself every day -- like self-care.
  13. Do something that makes you feel less stressed.
  14. Take time to try and understand what your partner is thinking and feeling.
  15. Mitigate your reactions to their emotions.
  16. Think before you speak and Think even more before you act.
  17. Consider the possible long-term effects of your thoughts, your words, your actions and your reactions.
  18. Take Accountability of your words and actions and Apologize when appropriate.
  19. Practice your Listening Skills.
  20. Learn how to be VERY Patient.
  21. Say something nice and mean it.
  22. Do some Breathing Exercises.
  23. Stay calm.
  24. Show your Love.  Show you Care.
  25. Practice Empathy.
  26. Always find a way to Love yourself -- and Forgive yourself too.
  27. Take time to enjoy and celebrate your relationship.
  28. Protect your relationship from outside stressors or haters (without being controlling).
  29. Only try to control things that you can control.
  30. Accept the things that you cannot control.
  31. Practice Healthy Communication Skills.
  32. Try to Walk a Mile in your Partner's Shoes.
  33. Consider Couple's Counseling.....  Consider Individual Counseling.
  34. Develop activities that you and your partner Enjoy doing Together.
  35. Make something Nice for your partner.
  36. Do something that your partner usually does.
  37. Be sure that you and your partner divide up the chores fairly.
  38. Thank your Partner for something.
  39. Know when your partner needs help and know how to fix it.
  40. Stay Committed.
  41. Do a favor for your Partner without them asking and without expecting anything in return.
  42. Count your Blessings.  Find things to be Grateful for.
  43. Share something special with your partner.
  44. Get beyond the little things between you and your partner.
  45. Give your partner a Compliment.
  46. Thank your partner for being them.  
  47. Remember why you fell in love with your Partner.
  48. Be Flexible.
  49. Accommodate your Partner's Schedule when you can.
  50. Always show Respect for your Partner.
  51. Respect your partner's boundaries.  And Respect their decisions.


Things to Learn About and/or Learn To Do that will Prevent Problems in Relationships:

1. Learn how to Listen and Negotiate Patiently.
2. Learn how to Apologize with Humility.
3. Learn how to be Accountable.
4. Learn how to Back Off when you should.
4. Learn how to Give Compliments instead of Criticism.
6. Learn how to Take a Break.
7. Learn how to Talk in a Nice Respectful Way.
8. Learn how to Argue Respectfully.
9. Learn how to Share and to Give without Expecting Anything in Return.
10. Learn how to be unconditionally Loyal.
11. Learn your Partner's Cues.
12. Learn how to Let the Little Things Go.
13. Learn what Love is and how to Love and Give Respect Unconditionally.
14. Learn what a Healthy Relationship looks like.
15. Learn how to keep a Commitment.
16. Learn when you (or your partner) need(s) a break.
17. Learn how to Control your Temper.
18. Learn when and how to Gracefully Let an Argument Go.
19. Learn how to Put Yourself in Your Partner's Shoes.
20. Learn how to do at least One Kind Thing per day.
21. Learn how to show your love without having to speak it.
22. Learn how to show your Gratitude, Affection, and Caring without having to say it.
23. Learn how to Come home Happy from Work.
24. Learn how to Leave your Outside Stressors Outside of the Home.
25. Learn how to Take Good Care of Each Other -- In Sickness and In Health.

Understanding The DV Incident Checklist

What is the Domestic Violence INCIDENT CHECKLIST?
  The Domestic Violence Incident Checklist is a form that contains a number of very basic labels or descriptions of Domestic Violence - types of behaviors that can lead to Criminal Charges.
  This Checklist sometimes helps
during a DV Offense -- or a series of DV Offenses, Police, District Attorneys, Victim Advocates, Victims, Offenders, Probation Officers and DV Offender Treatment Providers more readily understand what has reportedly happened 
  Better still, this Checklist makes it much easier for a Victim (or an alleged Victim) of DV to report what she or he has experienced during the (alleged) DV Offense. 
  It is important to understand that just because something is not on this list; it does not mean that it is not DV.  Some DV Behaviors are probably not contained in this list.   

Why is this Checklist Important to People Who Have Been Charged with DV?
  This is a super easy way for a person who has been Accused, Convicted or taken a Plea with a Domestic Violence Enhancer to better understand precisely what he / she has been accused of doing and/or may have actually done; that is considered illegal behavior.

This Checklist -- within the Context of This Domestic Violence Treatment -- is about Prevention.
   How can this Checklist help prevent DV?  It is simple: Never do any of the behaviors that are described in this Checklist.  Like NEVER!!!  Even if you find yourself thinking about doing one or more of these things to someone, please get help.  Think about it.  Take a time out.  Do anything -- other than hurting yourself or anyone else -- you need to do in order to prevent yourself from doing that.  
  Why not do any of these behaviors?  ..... Really?  Doing any of these behaviors can cause serious physical or emotional harm to the victim as well as to witnesses -- especially children.  And doing such behaviors can also cause you to get another DV Charge.. 

What if I was accused of doing something on this Checklist, but I did not do it?
  Unfortunately, at this point, you would not be in the DV Treatment with Dr. B if you had not been either been Convicted of DV, Taken a Plea for DV, or Been Placed on Diversion as a result of a DV Charge.  Dr. B cannot change your charges or anything like that.  If you have additional questions about that, you can always speak to an Attorney.

What if I did not do any of the things on this Checklist?
  Good for you!  One possibility is that you were totally framed and/or someone lied about you to the Police.  And you are totally innocent.  
  However, here you are with charges.  If that is the case, then one naturally asks: 
  • Are you still with this person? 
  • Would it not be Risky to stay with this person after they have done this to you?  
  • Why are you still with this person?

What behaviors are included on the DV Incident Checklist?
  People who fill out this form are asked also to clarify the following as they check off items:
  • Location Where Abuse Occurred
  • Date(s) of Incident(s)
  • Physical Injury, if Any
  • Police Contact?
    Those who fill out one of these Checklists are also advised of the following: 
"WARNING: This form is provided to help you prepare for your hearing. You may keep it or you may file it with your complaint. IF YOU DO FILE IT, IT WILL BECOME A PART OF THE PUBLIC RECORD AND WILL BE SERVED ON THE RESPONDENT AS A PART OF THE COMPLAINT."

    Note: These are the Items listed on the DV Incident Checklist (Each of these might constitute Abuse in and of itself; or in combination with other behaviors that are or are not on this list): 
  1. Name-calling/Directed Use of Obscenities
  2. Threatening/Harassing Phone Calls
  3. Threat to Injure Self
  4. Threat to Injure Others
  5. Threat by Physical or Sexual Abuse to Children
  6. Threat by Displaying or Pointing Weapon, or by Access to Weapon
  7. Threat by Cruelty to Animals
  8. Threat by Following
  9. Threat by Damage to Property
  10. Throwing Things
  11. Grabbing
  12. Shoving or Pushing
  13. Forcing Sexual Contact
  14. Physically Abusing Children in Household
  15. Sexually Abusing Children in Household
  16. Slapping (with an open hand)
  17. Punching (with a closed fist)
  18. Kicking
  19. Using Weapon
  20. Biting
  21. Choking or Strangling
  22. Beating
  23. Forcing Other to Stay in Closet, Room, Homes, or Other Locations

  When digesting this list, one way to look at it is to accept that all the behaviors on there can be illegal.  But in some cases, certain behaviors will be present, and it is clearly wrongful behavior; however, in some cases, the Charge does not contain it.  On the other hand, sometimes the DA might stick what seem to be extra charges onto the Charge Sheet in order to influence someone to take a plea.  

  What are some Questions that you might have regarding the items on this list?

  Perhaps the next thing to do after understanding this list and how it is used would be to work out ways of preventing this sort of behavior.  This begins with accepting the fact that this behavior is never acceptable.

   Think about this.  What kinds of things can a person do to stop such behaviors, before they happen?


(Originally Posted. 9/7/2020). 
 (c. 2020, William T. Beverly, Ph.D., LCSW, All information on the Blog (Except where otherwise noted); are the intellectual and/or photographic and/or digital property of Dr. William T. Beverly, L.C.S.W., DVOMB Approved Offender Treatment Provider.).