BBC Report Finds Social Workers Lack Training to Spot Abuse

Marlene graduated from her social work program three years ago. Since then, she has worked in family and social services agencies. "I knew absolutely nothing about domestic violence when I graduated," she reports. "Other than covering physical abuse between a heterosexual couple, we had no training about other forms of abuse, or even how it manifests in diverse relationships." As a result, she often worries that she is ineffective in helping her clients. "What if I failed to recognize abuse taking place and left my clients in harm's way?" she worries out loud.

Her lack of training in IPV (Intimate Partner Violence), specifically in areas of coercive control, is not an outlier. In fact, the BBC finds that social workers lack training in intimate partner abuse, especially in recognizing and addressing coercive control (Collinson & Kendall, 2024). In an article with the BBC last week, "a BBC investigation has found more than a third of accredited university social work courses in England are not teaching specific training on coercive control," (Collinson & Kendall, 2024).

Social workers like Marlene are not alone. Thomas, who graduated this year from his social work program, told me that "we talked about domestic abuse for like an hour, focusing on physical violence. The professor's suggestion was to tell the victim to call the police and get a protection order," he shared. "Now that I am in the field, I see how unrealistic and illogical that is!"

Source: Martine from Pixabay

The BBC's study addresses a critical issue, as many social work graduate programs fall short in addressing intimate partner violence, particularly in areas of nonphysical abuse such as coercive control (Tham et al., 2023). While these programs often cover general aspects of IPV, such as physical abuse of a man towards a woman, they frequently lack in-depth training on the subtleties of coercive control—such as manipulation, isolation, and psychological abuse—which are critical to recognizing and understanding IPV and essential to effectively supporting survivors.

As a therapist who specializes in IPV, specifically in areas of post separation abuse, as well as a survivor myself, I have seen firsthand how this lack of training leaves victims without the support they need to escape abusive situations. In my work as a clinical supervisor, I have witnessed countless situations where social workers failed to recognize coercive control taking place. I worry that I, myself, may have failed to recognize these same abusive tactics earlier in my own training.

It is crucial for social workers to recognize intimate partner violence because their role often involves identifying, supporting, and intervening in situations of abuse. "If social workers had known more about the signs of coercive control...it would have made a difference," says one survivor in the recent BBC article (Collinson & Kendall, 2024). Her words likely echo the feelings of many survivors. Effective recognition of IPV allows social workers to assess the immediate safety risks faced by survivors and develop appropriate safety plans. Coercive control often involves significant psychological and emotional abuse. Social workers trained to recognize these aspects can offer appropriate mental health support and help survivors navigate these traumatic experiences.

Social workers who fail to recognize coercive control contribute to the gaslighting and self-denial that many victims of IPV experience. I remember the doubt I felt about my own experience when a couple's therapist who was unable to identify or address the coercive control in my relationship, inadvertently reinforced my confusion and self-blame. The lack of professional acknowledgment left me riddled with self-doubt and questioning the validity of my own perceptions, and even gave my ex the validation they needed to continue the abuse unchecked.

Conclusion

Social workers play a crucial role in identifying and assisting victims of domestic abuse. But, their effectiveness is limited when they are not equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to recognize the nuances of abuse in relationships. Coercive control, which involves patterns of manipulation, isolation, and psychological abuse, is less visible than physical violence. Without adequate training, social workers may struggle to identify these subtle forms of abuse and may inadvertently miss critical signs that require intervention. Failure to address the abuse only emboldens abusers and further gaslights victims.

This is dangerous. If survivors of IPV and coercive control do not receive the comprehensive support they need, this greatly affects their ability to escape abusive situations and begin the process of recovering from their experiences. Failing to recognize abuse taking place can put victims at risk for further abuse, or even death. We can no longer afford to skip on this area of education. Investing in this training is crucial for ensuring that social workers are well-prepared to provide effective support and intervention in addressing domestic abuse.

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If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, visit thehotline.org or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233