Domestic Violence Coalitions Research Articles

Support Groups for Older Victims of Domestic Violence

ABSTRACT A 1997 nationwide (US and Canada) search to identify support groups for older victims of domestic violence located 16 sponsored by domestic violence programs and 14 sponsored by aging services. Interviews with group leaders indicated more similarities than differences between the two types of sponsorship in group purpose, leadership, numbers served, content of support group sessions, and success m accomplishing goals. Resistance of elders to participate in a group experience was cited by leaders as a major barrier. Recommendations for future groups include insuring accessibility of meeting site; using a leader and co-leader, at least one of whom is older or familiar with aging issues; allocating resources for recruitment; and seeking a steady source of funding. A policy of collaboration among the state's domestic violence coalition, state unit on aging, adult protective services, and victim assistance program may help in promoting support group development and utilization.

Senate Committee Approves Funds For School-Based Violence Project

Back to table of contents Previous article Next article Government NewsFull AccessSenate Committee Approves Funds For School-Based Violence ProjectChristine LehmannChristine LehmannSearch for more papers by this authorPublished Online:20 Apr 2001https://doi.org/10.1176/pn.36.8.0016Truancy, academic difficulties, and aggressive behaviors are some of the signs that children may be experiencing or witnessing domestic violence. All too often, however, teachers simply label children with these problems as troublemakers.Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.) addressed APA’s Federal Legislative Institute on an amendment he introduced that will provide grants to schools to develop policies to identify and refer children affected by family or dating violence.The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee approved an amendment to the omnibus education reauthorization bill last month to help schools respond to children affected by domestic violence. The amendment, introduced by Senator Paul Wellstone (D-Minn.), authorizes $5 million annually between Fiscal 2002 and 2004 to schools to develop demonstration programs, education programs, and policies on addressing children affected by domestic violence.Family ViolenceThe goal of the demonstration programs is to address the impact of family violence on school violence and substance abuse. Studies show that children who are abused physically or sexually at home or who witness family violence are more likely to become violent and abuse drugs or alcohol.Wellstone’s amendment will fund school programs that educate teachers, administrators, staff, and students about the impact of domestic violence on children.Dating ViolenceThese programs will also be required to address the impact of dating violence on youth. According to Wellstone’s legislative assistant, Jill Morningstar, physical and sexual assault in adolescent dating relationships has increased considerably. Domestic violence coalitions recognize dating violence as a major problem and have advocated for its inclusion in legislation authorizing programs to reduce domestic violence.Wellstone’s amendment will also provide grants to schools to develop policies on identifying and referring children affected by domestic or dating violence to trained staff on site or on call.To receive funding, the schools must collaborate with experts on domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse, according to the bill.The Senate is expected to vote on the omnibus education reauthorization bill this month, according to Morningstar.The Better Education for Students and Teachers Act can be accessed on the Web at thomas.loc.gov\ by searching on the bill number, S 1. ▪ ISSUES NewArchived

Sociostructural considerations of domestic femicide

Previous research on the domestic murder of women is relatively scant. Domestic femicide data collected from 32 state domestic violence coalitions was regressed on variables associated with three theoretical explanations: economic stress and inequality variables, criminal justice variables, and community variables. Findings suggest that state size has the largest impact on the number of domestic femicides, perhaps because of the relationship between state size and other variables such as poverty and public services. Not related to domestic femicide are variables such as the number of officers on the street, the number of violent crimes, or household income.

Child Protective Services and Domestic Violence

Studies estimate that domestic violence is present in at least one-third of the families involved in child protective services (CPS). Yet, until recently, CPS has not directly addressed domestic violence in its handling of child abuse and neglect cases. By the same token, domestic violence programs have historically emphasized services for battered women, with limited understanding of the child safety goals of CPS. Despite these historical differences, collaborative efforts between CPS and domestic violence service programs are emerging based on a common goal of safety from violence for all family members. Innovative strategies include the use of domestic violence specialists in a variety of child protection settings for case consultation and for support to the battered women, direct referrals of battered women from domestic violence programs to family preservation services, and cross-training of CPS workers and domestic violence service providers. A survey of state CPS administrators and domestic violence coalition directors conducted for this article revealed that although there is mutual interest in greater collaboration, such efforts remain limited. New forums, such as CPS citizen review panels and community-based CPS partnerships, hold promise for further collaboration. Critical to successful strategies are supportive agency leadership, greater trust and understanding across systems, a recognition of common goals, and a willingness to change policies and practice.

Social Services for Battered Women: Are They Adequate, Accessible, and Appropriate?

During the past 20 years a network of services, including official state agencies and statewide grassroots domestic violence coalitions, has developed across the country to meet the problem of woman abuse. Although state agencies have gained access to diverse federal funds; have developed additional, more-creative ways to fund programs; and have established regulatory mechanisms to ensure quality of services, respondents agree that the existing services would not have been developed without the committed energy and effective lobbying of grassroots coalitions. However, these coalitions are now struggling with internal conflicts and are concerned that emerging social problems will eclipse them and capture the scant funds available. Without these coalitions, the network of social services may return the problem of woman abuse to the private arena of family life, where it is treated by therapy. This article surveys both state agencies and coalitions and discusses implications for services to abused women.