Workers’ Attitudes about Domestic Violence (DV): Does Personal Experience with DV Matter?

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined how workers’ personal experience with domestic violence (DV) and their training and education impact their attitudes and beliefs about DV. Understanding workers’ attitudes is necessary to ensure an effective and non-judgmental service response. A statewide survey of child welfare and DV organization workers was analyzed using linear regression to predict workers’ victim blaming attitudes (N = 846). Gender, type of education, recognizing the impact of DV in one’s life, and DV training are all significantly associated with workers’ attitudes toward survivors. Those working with survivors should be provided with the training necessary to recognize the pervasive nature of DV.