Terri Schmidt

National Association member Terri Schmidt, MSW, LCSW, DCSW, in Illinois is doing a series of articles on domestic violence for Chicago Sun-Times publications.

In one column Schmidt offers excellent advice on how to help a family member or friend who is a victim of domestic violence. The first thing she advises is have an open mind and listen.

“Believe the story that you are hearing, even if it’s difficult. Usually people minimize the abuse they are experiencing. I have never known a client to exaggerate it,” Schmidt wrote.

To read the full column click here.

In this second column Schmidt gives readers a guide to how the Illinois criminal justice system handles domestic violence complaints.

To learn more about how social workers help clients handle domestic violence, visit NASW’s “Help Starts Here” Domestic Violence Web page by clicking here. You can also read The Social Work Response to Domestic Violence on NASW’s Website by clicking here.