Treating the Non-Offending Parent

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Treating the Non-Offending Parent

• By
• Angelé Morgan, M.S.W., L.C.S.W.

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Definition of a Non-Offending Parent (NOP)

• Any caregiver who ignores (directly or
  indirectly) the signs and symptoms of child abuse
  and neglect and fails to protect a child

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Purpose of Treating the Non-Offending Parent
Family Safety
This is accomplished through - Education -
Guidance - Support
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What to Expect as a Facilitator
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In The Beginning
Expect Resistance and Anger from the clients -
Non-Offending Parents feel judged by the system
and forced to make quick decisions.
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During The ProcessSome of the clients will not
see the purpose of the treatment or engage in the
learning process
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The OthersWill engage in treatment and actively
learn
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Facilitator Challenges
Counter-Transference Our ability to listen and
help a parent who fails to protect their child.
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• Clients Right to Choose
• This class is particularly difficult for
  facilitators because, as hard as most of us try,
  we cannot understand how a parent would choose to
  be with an offender over their own child. So in
  order for the NOPs to listen and learn from the
  facilitator there must be a non-judgmental and
  caring attitude going into each session.
• Hearing this choice repeatedly can make it very
  difficult to stay motivated to help non-offending
  parents and to maintain the goals of treatment.

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Goals of Treatment

• Encourage parents to learn safety factors to
  protect their children
• Provide a better understanding and level of
  support for the parents current situation
• Help parents move out of denial

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Different Roles of the Non-Offending Parent

• Parent
• Spouse/Partner
• Victim
• Offender (Neglect and Failure to Protect)

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What are some reasons a non-offending parent
might be in denial?
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FEAR -
Fear of having to choose between abuser and
child - Financial Fears - Fear of facing their
own past abuse - Fear of being blamed or called
a bad parent
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Dynamics Associated with Non-Offending Parent

• NOP is grieving the loss of a relationship
• NOP may be a victim of past abuse themselves
• NOP may be feeling like a bad parent for not
  protecting his/her own child
• NOP may be in denial
• NOP may be jealous

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Outcomes for the Treatment of the Non-Offending
Parent
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Measure the Concepts Learned
- Use a written test to measure what the non-
offending parent has learned - The facilitator
offers recommendations to the referral source
based on the non-offending parents
participation, application of what they have
learned (scenarios), and test scores
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Moving Forward
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Two Types of Reunification

• Reunification between the victim and the
  Non-Offending Parent

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Reunification steps when the victim is removed
from the home
Step1 Individual therapy session for the victim
to discuss concerns related to returning home
with the non-offending parent. The victim may
want to make a list of questions for the
non-offending parent to answer
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Step 2 Individual therapy session with the
non-offending parent to address concerns and
questions the victim has listed from step
1. This session is to ensure the non-offending
parent is not blaming the victim and is
addressing the victims concerns appropriately
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Step 3 Family therapy session between the
non-offending parent and victim to discuss the
concerns and provide solutions which will ensure
safety
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• Reunification between the victim and the abuser

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Reunification Process Between the Victim and
Abuser

• No- Process stops
• Does the victim want reunification?
• Yes
• No- Process stops
• Has the victim completed counseling?
• Yes
• No- Process stops
• Does the victims counselor agree that
• victim is ready?
  Yes
• No- Process stops
• Does the abusers counselor agree
• that abuser is ready?
  Yes

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Reunification Process with Abuser

• Apology Session
• Clarification Session
• Family Safety Session
• Ongoing Family Sessions

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