Partner Safety Check

Reaches out to the partners or ex-partners of people who are engaged in domestic violence treatment at our agency to inquire about whether the partner or ex-partner is safe and to offer information and resources.

Domestic violence treatment clients who are referred to us are told that we are required to contact their partner/ex-partner. We then reach out to their past and/or current partners to check on safety and connect them to resources.

Who can access Partner Safety Check?
Referrals to Partner Safety Check are made internally within the John Howard Society. When we start to work with a domestic violence treatment client, then the Partner Safety Check Coordinator is notified that they have a new partner to contact.

What can people expect from Partner Safety Check?
Partner Safety Check is voluntary for partners. When a partner responds to our call, they can engage with us in discussing any of the following:

• What their current needs are
• General information about domestic violence
• Information about the domestic violence treatment program that their partner/former partner is attending
• Information about what is involved in safety planning
• Whether they would like us to arrange for Odyssey House to contact them for formal safety planning
• Information about other resources in the community that can support them and their children
• Sharing their perspective and any concerns or fears relating to risk or domestic violence dynamics

Information provided by the partner is never shared with the domestic violence treatment client.