Relationship First: The Key to Safe DV Disclosure

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey are joined by Professor Joanne Spangaro, a distinguished researcher and academic leader whose career is defined by a deep commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). With a professional journey that began in 1984 as a sexual assault counsellor, Jo brings over four decades of frontline experience to her high-impact systemic research. We dive into Jo’s influential work as a researcher, specifically her critical examination of the implementation and impact of routine screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). We discuss the nuances of how survivors decide to disclose abuse and why the health system's response must be rooted in relationship-building and cultural safety. In this episode, we discuss:Screening Research & Implementation: The background and evidence-base for domestic violence screening tools."Deciding to Tell": Jo’s research into how women decide to disclose experiences of abuse when asked by healthcare professionals.Indigenous Health & Cultural Safety: Factors influencing Australian Aboriginal women’s decisions to disclose violence and the necessity of clinical safety.Implementation Tips: Practical considerations and tips for practitioners implementing screening in their own fields.Navigating Complexity: Understanding the risk factors and implementation challenges associated with IPV. Whether you are a practitioner in health, child protection, or private practice, Jo’s insights offer a powerful look at how research can translate into safer environments and improved service delivery for survivors. Show Notes & ResourcesVisit our website: relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.auConnect with us: Join our community on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.Get in touch: We love hearing your practice stories! Email us at [email protected] Guest: Professor Joanne Spangaro, a prolific author of over 60 peer-reviewed works and an expert in domestic violence practice. Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review to help us continue bringing these vital conversations to the social work community! Editing by Angus Pinkstone Music by Hannah Park Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help us grow our community of relational practitioners!