Paul R. Kutylo, LCSW, M.Div.
Police Social Services,
Schaumburg Police Department,
1000 W. Schaumburg Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60194
Types of interventions in Domestic Violence (DV) cases can range from a phone call to transporting and housing the
victim(s). Interventions include phone calls, interviews, assessment of the degree of severity and injuries, safety planning,
transportation to alternate housing or a domestic violence shelter, referrals for counseling, and other services, as well as
assistance in obtaining an Order of Protection, or Protective Order from a Judge.
In the past, DV workers obtained an Judge's Protective Order on every case. New research on this has shown that this is
not always effective or advisable. The worker must explore with the victim what effect the order will have on the
perpetrator; in particular, will it further enrage him/her. Will it make the violence worse? Will it only be ignored?
Certainly on the majority of cases, the Judges order will be a huge deterrent; on the more severe cases it may make the
behavior more devious in doing acts of DV. An Order of Protection is only a piece of paper, and will work if it is
followed. Calling the police will work, whether one has a judge's order or not; though having an OP does give more
options of what to do when police are called.
Teaching the tell tale cues that tension is building to both parties can lead to actions to avoid a violent incident. Victims
often talk about these as "you can always tell it is going to happen when..." It is vital that no touching between parties
occur during the tension, as this could quickly spark a DV incident. Also, when one party goes to leave; the other should let
them leave, not grab them to keep them there.
For victims and batterers, it is important, while tension is building, to STOP, sit down, pull away from the immediate
situation, go inside oneself and ask what effect this is having on you. How is it that you feel right now. Is the feeling
humiliation, being out of control, put down, like a loser, enraged? Why? What does this really feel like to you ? STOP.
Feel it and don't act upon it. Do different actions than exploding into DV.
Cultural issues are crucial in DV cases. The Social Service worker must know the culture(s) out of which the two parties originate. What is the status of women/men in their culture? Are they equals, or is she considered "his property"? Some cultures allow the man to physically beat his wife. Conflict comes if she is expected to stay at home with the children; but in the new culture, she wishes to go out and work. Her own family may tell her husband it is good for him to beat her to keep her in submission.
Immigration issues play a huge role in DV cases. If there is a criminal complaint signed for DV, the perpetrator could be deported, and not allowed to return. Or later, when they want to extend their visa or obtain citizenship. When they have contact with the Immigration Department, their case is reviewed by itself, and anything negative could be reason for denial of a visa or citizenship. This has huge implications for the individuals, their remaining together, their future in the USA, their economic future, their avoiding persecution in the country of origin, and other implications for them and their children as well. All these factors impact case resolution.
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