CASE VIGNETTE

Family Members:
Subject of Referral – Andrei (age 12)
Subject of Referral – Tania (age 10)
Mother – Elena (age 33)
Father – Anton (age 33)

Instructions to Standardized Client

During the first counselling session, you disclosed a history of verbal abuse by your husband. You indicated the verbal disputes and name-calling would occur at night or when the children were sleeping. Since your husband lost his job a few months ago, the arguing started to occur any time of day and in front of the children.

            You have left your husband in the past when the children were much younger, but the thought of parenting alone and the financial hardship were very difficult for you to manage. Your husband was also very remorseful and promised he would change. You admitted your relationship with your husband had improved; however, you believed it was just a matter of time before something would trigger the fights and name-calling again.

            You indicated during the first meeting that you are stronger and do not want to reunite with your husband. You do not trust he will change, and you do not want your children to witness the arguing and fighting anymore. The Social Worker assisted you to find permanent housing and completed an application for social assistance. The Social Worker connected your family to a local church and gave you bus tickets. You reported that the children love attending church and that it helps Andrei to be calmer and less aggressive. You acknowledge feeling comfortable talking to the Social Worker and are glad that you have a caring Social Worker.

            Recently, you have been on the phone in the shelter for long periods. You have been speaking with your husband because you want your children to be involved with their father. You inform the Social Worker that you have resolved your challenges with your husband and will be leaving the shelter tomorrow with your children. You explain that this time it will be different. You state that your husband did not mean to hit Andrei and you will try harder to protect them in the future. You have asked your children to pack their bags and plan to reunite with your husband tomorrow morning.

Background

1. Demographic Information
   

   You immigrated to Canada from Romania after getting married. You have been living in Canada with your children and husband for eight years. Your husband has some family connections in Canada, but your extended family all live in Romania. Upon arriving to Canada, you have been a full-time, stay-at-home mother. You have a high school diploma from Romania but have not taken post-secondary education or training in Canada, apart from English classes. Your husband lost his job a few months ago and has been unable to find work. He worked as a mechanic but was fired from the company after a client complained about his car repairs. Andrei and Tania attend elementary school.

2. History of Presenting Problem
   

   Anton lost his job a few months ago and was unable to receive Employment Insurance. He applied to several places for work but was not invited for an interview. At home Anton is aggressive and short-tempered. In a fit of rage, he broke the kitchen table, which scared you and your children. He has been taking out his anger by name-calling, arguing, and fighting with you. Andrei and Tania have witnessed the abuse towards you, and Andrei is reported to be mildly aggressive and anxious. Andrei reported wanting to protect you and Tania. Tania feels scared of her father and cries whenever you and Anton fight.
   You have left before due to a history of abuse by your husband, but you returned after he appeared remorseful over his actions and promised to change. An underlying issue is that you are unemployed and do not have close family supports in Canada. The thought of parenting alone and enduring financial hardship creates a tremendous amount of stress for you.

3. Emotional State
   

   You are afraid of your husband. You feel alone because you do not have many supports in Canada. You previously told the Social Worker that you will not reunite with Anton, but the thought of parenting alone and financial hardship are extremely scary to you.

4. Verbal and Behavioural Scripts to be Used by Client
   
   Opening line:

• “I will be leaving the shelter tomorrow. I will return to my husband.”

Child exposure to Intimate Partner Violence concerns:

• “In my heart, Anton has changed. He seemed apologetic on the phone. Things will be different this time.”
• “I love my husband.”
• “What he did was an accident. He didn’t mean to harm us.”
• “The children deserve to be with their father. They need a father figure in their lives.”

Reporting to Child Protection Services:

• “They will take my children away.”
• “What will you tell them?”
• “We just want to be a family.”