Domestic Violence Counselor Job Description, Roles/Responsibilities, and Qualifications

Domestic Violence Counselor Job Description – The Domestic Abuse Counselor is in charge of giving information and support to victims of domestic violence, child witnesses of domestic violence aged four and above, and their non-offending significant others. Individual, family, and group sessions, as well as telephone crisis intervention, will be provided by the counselor.

The Counselor will engage with other agency personnel and community resources to coordinate services, network with other community service agencies, and conduct professional training as needed. The Clinical Director will provide direct clinical supervision to the Counselor, as well as case consultation with contracted professional consultants as appropriate. Information Guide Nigeria

Domestic violence counselors offer victims of domestic violence help and understanding. They will first examine the scenario with their customer. Their ultimate goal is to protect their client’s safety, which frequently entails working with them to support them as they leave a domestically violent relationship.

They will also provide continuous support to victims who have left their abusive situation in order to assist them in dealing with the aftermath – establishing a new life and dealing with any psychological aftereffects of their experience. It may also entail working closely with victims who do not feel able or want to leave in order to keep them as safe as possible. Domestic Violence Counselor Job Description

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Responsibilities of a domestic violence counselor

• Provide survivors of domestic abuse and their non-offending significant others with client-centered counseling. Good Morning My Love Message
• Determine the suitability of clients for the agency’s services and refer them when their needs are beyond the area of the agency’s expertise.
• Counsel students in school or other confidential settings, and travel to and from schools to deliver these services.
• Off-site services, transportation of clients (domestic violence victims), and/or transportation assistance are offered and provided to facilitate meaningful access to services.
• When required, survivors and their non-offending significant others should receive family and group counseling.
• As appropriate, provide individual/personal advocacy and/or significant other consultation.
• In accordance with IDHS and ICADV standards and requirements, as well as agency policy and procedures, keep accurate records on intake, individual, family, and group counseling sessions.
• Assist customers with safety planning. JAMB Portal
• Access to/referrals to secure housing choices
• Compile monthly statistics and generate monthly reports for direct services done by position as needed.
• Identify and report cases of child abuse to DCFS/DHS and law enforcement as required.
• Establish and maintain excellent working relationships with DCFS/DHS and law enforcement agencies, with the goal of boosting referrals and extending transportation options for victims within respective counties.
• Connect with other community and state agencies and coalitions that provide domestic abuse assistance, and refer when necessary.
• Participate actively in clinical supervision and consultation staffing.
• Assist with the organization and execution of in-services, professional development, and volunteer training.
• As needed, speak to neighborhood groups, and corporate, professional, and religious organizations on sexual violence issues.
• In collaboration with other employees, provide telephone crisis intervention.
• As needed, attend professional training outside of the agency.
• Assist with all domestic violence services provided when necessary, such as assistance with protective orders and other legal advocacy responsibilities.
• Maintain annual continuing education in accordance with the ICADV and IDHS counseling requirements.
• Assist the clinical director in updating client and counselor evaluation tools.
• Assist with center and agency fundraisers, awareness programs, and on-call schedules as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Executive Director and the Illinois Program Director
• All statistical client file entry criteria must be documented.
• Maintain the security and confidentiality of the Shelter facility and inhabitants by adhering to security regulations and procedures.
• Develop, monitor, and assist with duty completion; respond to all routine chores and demands of the shelter and residents.
• Attend all planned staff meetings and training sessions.
• Inform the Shelter Operations Manager of the need for shelter maintenance and repair.
• Adherence to HIPAA policies, confidentiality, information exchange, and appropriate usage of the agency-client database. 15 Best Photochromic Glass and their Prices in Nigeria
• Perform all duties in a safe manner to avoid danger to oneself or others.

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Roles of a domestic violence counselor

1. Respond to crisis line calls by offering crisis counseling and directing them to suitable resources.
2. Potential Shelter residents are screened. Clients may be transported to a shelter or other facility.
3. Conduct client interviews and needs assessments.
4. Provide information, problem-solving skills, support counseling, and referral to clients. Cases are reviewed with the supervisor and the domestic violence response team as needed or requested.
5. Collaborate with other members of the team. Maintain an embracing, compassionate Shelter environment that is responsive to clients.
6. Conduct initial assessments of client needs and create individualized treatment plans.
7. Staff and clients should be educated on stress and trauma coping mechanisms.
8. Give people the tools they need to achieve their personal goals.
9. Client progress should be monitored, and treatment plans should be modified as appropriate.
10. To provide required services to customers, collaborate with social and medical agencies, healthcare providers, and community outreach programs.
11. Provide crisis assistance and trauma-informed, empowerment-based advocacy.
12. Coordinate DAWN clients’ advocacy, information, and referral requirements.
13. Provide education and information to help people comprehend the complexities of domestic abuse.
14. Consistent advocacy-based counseling and safety planning
15. Participate in community networking activities to boost individual access to resources while also assisting community service providers in understanding the complexities of abuse.
16. Assist clients in navigating the civil and legal systems, including support with legal files such as protection orders and compensation claims for crime victims, as well as court accompaniment.
17. Collaboration with community partners such as ELAP, NWJP, and others is encouraged.
18. Record pertinent client demographics, service usage, and referrals in Salesforce and HIMS as soon as possible.
19. Clients, volunteers, funders, and the community should see the organization and its programs in a good light.

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Domestic Violence Counselor Job qualifications/skills

Excellent listening skills – A domestic violence counselor spends a lot of time listening to a new client, especially early on in the relationship. This not only offers them the information they need to make an assessment, but it also empowers the victim and gives them a sense of control.

Patience – Clients are not always ready to leave a domestically violent relationship, and they cannot be compelled to do so. Even if they can sense that they are in danger or have options, it may be too tough. A counselor must be patient and provide assistance until the client is ready.

Compassion – Clients are in a difficult situation and require assistance; a domestic violence counselor must be able to provide them with a safe environment in which they may discuss openly challenging matters while feeling secure. 10 Best Led Lights and their Prices in Nigeria

Keen observation – A client may struggle at first to talk about the abuse they are experiencing; the therapist must be able to inquire gently and effectively while also observing the client properly. They must be able to recognize and use nonverbal reactions that may provide more clues about the circumstances of the scenario.

Naturally calm – Domestic violence counselors must hear abuse stories on a daily basis. They must be able to remain calm and not be triggered by these abuse stories. Romantic Love Message

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Domestic Violence Counselor Salary Structure in the USA

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics offers a broad occupational classification for drug abuse, behavioral problem, and mental health counselors that provides some insight into how much domestic violence counselors can anticipate earning. The median pay in 2020 was $47,660, with the whole range of earnings ranging from $30,590 for the lowest ten percent to more than $78,700 for the top ten percent.

State and local hospitals paid a median pay of $50,460, while government agencies paid $54,070, the highest median compensation of any industry classification monitored by the Bureau for this occupation.

Salary information for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors from the Bureau of Labor Statistics for May 2020 is based on national statistics, not school-specific data. The weather in your location may differ. Data were accessed on April 2021. NYSC Portal

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Conclusion

We hope that you will find this article useful. You can also use this as a guide to know the job description of a domestic abuse counselor if you are hoping to work as one.

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