A Survivor-Centered Framework for Domestic Violence Brief Crisis Intervention: A Stakeholder-Informed Approach

Abstract

Program evaluation and assessment are critical for understanding the impact of domestic violence services and interventions and for making necessary refinements and revisions to programs. Demonstrating the impact of domestic violence programs (e.g., hotlines and shelters) poses challenges due to the complexities associated with abuse experiences. The use of an assessment framework will help categorize users’ multiple needs, clarify specific components of intervention approaches, and ensure that services meet clients’ needs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of a theoretical and stakeholder-informed approach used to develop an assessment framework for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline). The research resulted in a framework which underscores the importance of survivor empowerment and support as key survivor outcomes. This article presents detailed information about the SAF-T project including methods and processes used to develop the survivor-centered framework and provides guidance for those interested in developing similar theoretical and stakeholder-informed frameworks for program planning, measuring performance, and evaluation efforts.