This article was first published in the April 2025 Communiqué
CRPO is in the process of reviewing its approach to ensuring that RPs respond appropriately when clients may be experiencing IPV. IPV can take several forms including physical abuse, emotional or psychosocial abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, coercion, control, or neglect (RCMP).
IPV can be experienced by any individual, regardless of gender, race, class, sexuality, cultural background or faith. However, the prevalence of IPV is higher among Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQ+ women, 2SLGBTQ+ men, women with disabilities, and young women (Statistics Canada). Age is a significant risk factor, with younger populations being much more likely to experience IPV (Statistics Canada).
While CRPO guidance remains under review, registrants should consider the following:
Risk assessment and safety planning: Risk assessment and safety planning are evidence-based practices that can assist registrants in promoting client safety. More information about risk assessment and safety planning, including available resources, can be found in CRPO’s Jurisprudence Manual. (See “Risk Assessment and Safety Planning” and “Safety Planning Resources”)
Client education: Clients may be open to receiving information, resources, or community referrals related to support for those experiencing IPV. While registrants must be cautious not to unduly influence client decision making, offering to provide information is generally appropriate. For example, a registrant may offer to share signs of coercive control or factors associated with violent behaviour.
Registrant education: When working with clients who are experiencing or have experienced IPV, registrants should ensure they have the appropriate training and knowledge of available resources to appropriately support their clients.
Disclosing information to prevent harm: In some scenarios registrants may find they need to disclose information to a third party to prevent harm to their client. While CRPO’s guideline on Disclosing Information to Prevent Harm remains under review, registrants may wish to review the Information and Privacy Commissioner’s report on Sharing Information in Situations Involving Intimate Partner Violence: Guidance for Professionals.
Documentation: Discussions regarding IPV and the provision of related resources or referrals should be thoroughly documented in the clinical record.