Case studies

Client 1- Andrea S.

Andrea is a 38-year-old woman (Date of Birth 01/12/1982),

She has two children, a 11-year-old son Jax (Date of Birth 04/05/09)

and a 4-year-old daughter Amelia (Date of Birth 11/09/16)

Andrea lives in Sunshine.

Address - 1 Yellow Street, Sunshine

Phone number - 123456789

The Scenario

One morning, you are contacted by a colleague who works with families and their children in the organisation's Breakfast Club at Sunshine West in Melbourne, which provides free breakfasts to kinder and school aged children and their families on weekdays. Your colleague says he's concerned about a family who have been in a few times. The colleague says Andrea has a cut under her eye, which she has tried to cover up with make-up. He also states, that Andrea is upset, because her son has just yelled at her, before pushing her roughly to the side, for not giving him money.

You introduce yourself to Andrea and Amelia. Andrea is trying not to cry. Your colleague engages Amelia in an activity, so that you can speak with Andrea alone.

Although it is a very hot day, Andrea is wearing an old, oversized jumper and long baggy pants. She has a scarf around her head. You notice that she is very thin, and her fingers are inflamed around her bitten nails.

You suggest getting a cup of tea and heading to a quiet place, where you have tissues. Andrea agrees.

When asked if Amelia is enjoying the Breakfast Club, Andrea says she brings her because she wants to make sure Jax and Amelia have a good breakfast, before going to school and kindergarten. She doesn't have enough money to buy food, and is ashamed that she can't manage the money, that her husband David gives her each month. She feels that if she weren't so stupid, then she would be able to properly feed the children. She has only $10 to spend over the next three days, and she has run out of milk, bread and fruit.

When you ask about David, Andrea describes him as an extremely intelligent man. She asks you not to tell him, that she comes to here, because she can't afford breakfast and she is also scared, that Jax will say something tonight. When you ask about the cut under her eye, Andrea becomes nervous. She says that she cut her eye, when she fell against the kitchen bench.

More about Andrea and her Family

Here's some further information about the family:

Andrea is an only child.

All family members where born in Australia

Andrea's mother (Denise) lives in Geelong and though they speak on the telephone, they don't see each other often, as David doesn't like Andrea's mum. Denise's phone number is 1212121212.

David's family live in Tasmania.

Andrea has a good relationship with a woman who lives around the corner, Himanshi Sahlot, who has children similar ages to Jax and Amelia, and furthermore, all the children go to the same schools.

Andrea can drive but doesn't have access to the family car.

Andrea and Jax have mobile phones, but David is the only account holder with the telecommunications provider, therefore David can track Andreas phone.

David gives Andrea cash to buy groceries, because she doesn't have a card to access any type of credit or bank accounts.

David has hit Andrea but apologises the next day.

Before Jax was born, Andrea was a primary school teacher.

David doesn't own a gun, but he does have a friend who hunts and therefore has guns.

David's controlling behaviour has escalated over time.

Jax takes David's side during a fight, except for when David has been drinking.

When David is affected by alcohol, he becomes physical, pushing and shoving Andrea.

Amelia hides in her room when her parents fight.

Amelia has a pet rabbit, which David threatens to get rid of, when Amelia is upset.

Child protection agencies have not been involved with the family.

Andrea is not ready to leave David because:

o he hasn't hit the children

o she hasn't any money, nor documentation, such as her own or the children's birth certificates

o she is concerned about her ability to manage by herself.

Andrea isn't ready to leave David, because she wants to give him one more chance. However, she is prepared to develop a safety plan to leave, should David become violent. She is also willing to be referred to an external specialist family violence agency/provider.

Client 2- Rhena D.

Rhena is a 48-year-old woman (Date of Birth 01/12/1972),

Rhena lives in Ringwood

Address - 10 Blue Street Ringwood

Phone number - 123456789

The Scenario (taken from CRAF Manual)

Rhena recently formed a relationship with Colin, and after wanting to leave her parents' home for some time, she moved into an apartment with him. Rhena has no speech and has difficulty using her hands but communicates by using a language of facial expressions and noises. You work at Rhena's Community Campus service (day centre) to support Rhena and other clients in a Community Support Worker role. You are her keyworker. Rhena attends the program two days a week. Everyone is happy for Rhena to be living more independently including her family and think Rhena is lucky to have a full-time 'carer' to help with banking, shopping, cooking and transportation.

A few weeks after moving in with Colin, you notice Rhena begins missing days at the centre. She seems unhappy and becomes disagreeable towards the end of the day. You also notice she is rapidly losing weight and you ask Colin if he is coping and keeping up with the cooking. He is very reassuring and says all is well, just that Rhena has been a little sick lately. Rhena appears increasingly unhappy and you notice signs of possible family violence. You also observe Colin treating Rhena roughly and removing money from her purse during a drop-off. At this point you decide its time you sit with Rhena to have an honest conversation. You have a good rapport with her and understand her communication needs.

Here's some further information about Rhena and Colin

Rhena's needs to be asked closed questions to aid her communication.

Rhena is very independent.

When asked Rhena indicates that things are not okay.

Rhena is being verbally abused by Colin.

Colin is also isolating her by refusing her transport to social events and services, and by telling people that she is ill and doesn't want to attend.

Colin is taking money out of her account and her wallet, and is frequently physically rough

with her.

Colin constantly tells Rhena that she will have to go and live in an institution if he leaves

Rhena wants Colin to leave and, while she owns the apartment, she needs ongoing support to

live independently.

Rhena has a lack of awareness regarding support options

Rhena wants to make a report to the police.

Rhena wants an advocate with her when she makes the report.

Rhena will stay with her parents until she goes to the police (which is an urgent action)

Client 3- Maria H

Maria is a 68-year-old woman (Date of Birth 01/12/1952),

Maria lives in Cranbourne

Address - 3 Green Street Cranbourne

Phone number - 123456789

The Scenario (Adapted from Community Legal Centres case study)

You are a casual employee at a community hub and have been asked to assist with the 'Women's Welcome group' program. You meet many women on the day, although one woman's comments (Maria) gets your attention when she tells you her and her husband struggle financially and suffer from stress, depression and poor health as a result of their son and his wife having moved in with them several months ago. Maria also talks of feelings of guilt as she loves her son, but with her husband's deteriorating health, she does admit its all getting too much. She tells you she has asked her son and wife on several occasions when they will be getting their own place, but her son insists they should stay for longer to help the family. Her son is also becoming more verbally abusive towards her of late.

Here's some further information about Maria and John

John and Maria are an older couple with a home in Cranbourne, they have been together for many years.

Their only son Dominic and his wife, Sue, have moved in because their landlord is selling their rental property, this was only to be for a few weeks.

Dominic is unemployed and has problems with alcohol. He is 45 years old.

He moves into the garage with his three dogs, who proceed to destroy the backyard and clothesline.

Sue has serious mental health issues, and takes over the older couple's bedroom, where she sleeps

throughout the day.

The younger couple refuse to make any financial contribution to household costs, and utility bills increase fourfold during their time of occupation. This has been happening for a few months.

When Dominic drinks he gets verbally abusive towards Maria, especially when she asks him to clean up after the dogs.

John is older than Maria at 74 years of age and John has developed more chronic health conditions in the past few months.

Dominic has been pressuring John and Maria for money to buy a better car to help his job prospects.

Maria has a good friend Lydia, from the women's groups but she lives in a nearby suburb, 20-minute drive.

Questions

1. What signs of trauma can you identity with each of the 3 Clients and their children?

1. For each of the case studies What are the family Violence Risk Factors for?: A. Clients B. Children

1. For Each of the case studies Why do each of the 3 Clients feel unsafe or afraid?

1. For Each of the case studies How have their day-to-day Activities been controlled

1. For each of the case studies what are the Threats to Hurt Clients

6.Others Concerns?

7. write a list of 10 questions that could be asked in the initial assessment meeting with the 3 clients to get the most information about their situations