In counseling battered women, the social worker should keep in mind that most battered women

In counseling battered women, the social worker should keep in mind that most battered women

• A. Do not care for the batterer and find it easy to decide to leave
• B. Believe they can stop the violence by learning new techniques to control the behavior of their mates
• C. Trust the confidentiality and protection of the agency
• D. Do not experience ambivalence towards the battered and their relationship

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that many battered women hold the belief that they can stop the violence by learning new ways to influence or control their partner’s behavior. This reflects a drive to regain a sense of agency in an unsafe situation, even though the responsibility for the violence rests with the batterer. In counseling, it’s important to acknowledge and explore this belief, validating the effort while helping the survivor understand the limits of what she can change. The social worker should use this moment to support practical safety planning, assess what strategies have been tried, and gradually shift toward empowering choices that enhance safety—such as resources, supports, and plans for leaving if needed. It’s also helpful to acknowledge that feelings of ambivalence are common, and that confidentiality has limits when safety is at stake; this context helps the survivor make informed decisions without blaming her for the violence.

The main idea is that many battered women hold the belief that they can stop the violence by learning new ways to influence or control their partner’s behavior. This reflects a drive to regain a sense of agency in an unsafe situation, even though the responsibility for the violence rests with the batterer. In counseling, it’s important to acknowledge and explore this belief, validating the effort while helping the survivor understand the limits of what she can change. The social worker should use this moment to support practical safety planning, assess what strategies have been tried, and gradually shift toward empowering choices that enhance safety—such as resources, supports, and plans for leaving if needed. It’s also helpful to acknowledge that feelings of ambivalence are common, and that confidentiality has limits when safety is at stake; this context helps the survivor make informed decisions without blaming her for the violence.