ABSTRACT
Abuse is both a multifaceted and multidimensional issue encompassed within legal, sociocultural, political, moral, religious, psychological and medical domains. The identification of abuse can in itself pose particular difficulties even for experienced practitioners, for various reasons. It is often assumed that clients are willing and able to seek help in resolving abuse. In reality, however, gaining access to clients for help and treatment is rarely straightforward. Crucial to a successful course of treatment is the extent to which the therapist or support worker is able to offer their client a therapeutic relationship which is free from judgement or prejudice. The nature and complexity of issues which have to be addressed in abuse work necessitates a multidisciplinary and inter-agency approach. Co-operation, by its very nature, implies the need for open and congruent communication, acknowledgement of the strengths and limitations of each agency or professional involved and a willingness to adopt a democratic rather than autocratic style.
