Implications for the Social Worker

Abuse in intimate relationships is common enough that some of your clients will be affected by it, no matter what the nature of your practice or its setting.

Therefore, it is important that you can recognize it and respond sensitively.

Sensitive response involves the recognition that individuals and relationships are complicated and multifaceted. Intimate relationships in which a partner is abusive may also have times of closeness, comfort, and happiness. "Batterers" can also be model citizens. "Victims" can also be CEOs.

It is our challenge as social workers to:

• Recognize abuse
• Join those who are abused in maximizing safety
• Work to hold those who are abusive accountable
• Not lose sight of the whole person who is more than "abusive" or "abused."