Domestic Violence Programs Research Articles

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Virtually-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Duluth Model for Men Court-Mandated to a Domestic Violence Program

A Randomized Clinical Trial of Virtually-Delivered Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and the Duluth Model for Men Court-Mandated to a Domestic Violence Program

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

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.

Explorations of attitudes towards accessibility and accessing domestic violence and abuse (DVA) perpetrator support programmes by victim-survivors and perpetrators across five European countries

This paper reports on findings from international empirical research that explored victim-survivors and perpetrators’ attitudes towards perpetrator support programmes. Ninety-three questionnaires with female victim-survivors of domestic partner violence and abuse, and 18 interviews with male perpetrators were conducted in five European countries. Results showed that of the 93 victim-survivors of domestic violence and abuse, half stated they would have stayed in their relationship with perpetrators if the abuse had stopped, and a similar number reported that they believed their relationships would have been different had there been help for the perpetrator. Analysis of perpetrator interviews showed that they faced barriers to obtaining support, such as being labelled a ‘perpetrator’ which, had they been addressed, may have enhanced their engagement with services. Whilst acknowledging the need for safeguarding and justice, this paper demonstrates the importance of reflecting both victim-survivor and perpetrator needs in order for perpetrators to fully engage with support services. Moreover, it highlighted the need to address the underlying societal issues related to hegemonic masculinity, which can lead to the abuse of women being normalised and the vulnerability of men being stigmatised, through education for young people around healthy relationships.

Collection, Storage, and Use of Client Data: Considerations and Recommendations for Human Trafficking Service Providers

ABSTRACT We are a team of university-based researchers who have decades of experience collaborating with multiple community-based human trafficking (HT), domestic violence, and sexual violence programs on research projects. In this paper, we provide recommendations for HT agencies on routine data collection, storage, and use based on our insights from working closely with multiple community-based HT service provider agencies. In this opinion piece, we consider important questions that HT programs face related to data. We present our recommendations as they pertain to three main challenges: (1) Which data to collect, and how; (2) How to store data; and (3) How to analyze data. We include a list of nine routine data elements that HT service providers may prioritize for data collection, a table with eight actionable recommendations, and a short glossary of program monitoring and evaluation terms. The article makes a pragmatic contribution to best practices in HT provider operations and therefore has implications for administrators of HT programs, data personnel at HT programs, and policies related to data, information, technology, and safety for HT program service provision.

Refuge for Rover: A Social Return on Investment of a Program Assisting Victim-Survivors of Domestic and Family Violence with Their Pets.

Pets are likely to be present in as many as 70 percent of domestic and family violence (DFV) cases, and the bond between victim-survivors and their animals can be particularly strong. Animals can also be victims of DFV, and concern for their animal's safety can cause victims to delay leaving their abusive situations. Programs like the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals New South Wales Domestic Violence Program, which provide temporary accommodation for pets, can enable victim-survivors and their children to plan their escape and access safety. This article evaluated the program using social return on investment methodology. Evidence on outcomes experienced by three stakeholder groups were collected from 15 stakeholder interviews and 37 program client questionnaires. Concern for their animals had caused 54 percent of clients to delay leaving their abusive situation, most for six months or more. Program clients, their children, and their animals experienced improved safety, mental health and well-being, and physical health because of the program. The alternative described by clients was often homelessness or living in their car. In total an estimated AUD$9.65 of social value was created for every AUD$1 invested into the program.

Prevalence and risk factors of physical violence against husbands: evidence from India.

As the proportion of women being victims of spousal violence in India is higher than men, laws are usually framed to safeguard women. However, men who have experienced physical spousal violence are not unheard of. The study aims to provide the nationwide prevalence of physical violence against husbands and the risk factors for such violence, using large-scale nationally representative 'National Family Health Survey' (NFHS 4) data. The study used descriptive, bivariate, logistic, and multilevel regression models with a random intercept clustering within states and households to explain the physical violence against husband. Sample size for the analysis was 62,716 currently married women aged 15-49 years. Findings revealed that in most of the states of India, physical spousal violence has increased over time. Behavioural characteristics like marital control, alcoholism, and childhood experience of parental violence have a consistent and strong role in explaining the experience of physical violence across states. With age, experience of violence against husbands increases. Differences in socio-economic characteristics do not have unidirectional effect on violence experienced by husbands across regions of India. Working women who are earning cash and having access to mobile phones perpetrate more physical violence in selected regions. Education shows a gradient on such violence perpetration, indicating that only after achieving a certain level of education, chances of violence reduce. Regionally contrasting social and economic risk factors in explaining violence strengthen the argument that violence is space and culture-specific, and development alone may not resolve violence unless the system is addressing the behavioural aspects. There is a need for supporting men experiencing domestic violence within the existing system facilities. Revisiting the present domestic violence laws and programmes for inclusivity is the need of the hour.

Cross-sector collaboration in Project Catalyst: Creating state partnerships to address the health impact of intimate partner violence

Intimate Partner Violence and Human Trafficking are major public health problems with myriad health and social consequences. This paper describes a federal initiative in the United States to formalize cross-sector collaborations at the state-level and encourage practice and policy changes intended to promote prevention and improve health and safety outcomes for Intimate Partner Violence/Human Trafficking (IPV/HT) survivors.Project Catalyst Phases I and II (2017–2019) engaged six state leadership teams, consisting of leaders from each state’s Primary Care Association, Department of Health, and Domestic Violence Coalition. Leadership teams received training and funding to disseminate information on trauma-informed practices to health centers and integrate IPV/HT considerations into state-level initiatives. At the beginning and end of Project Catalyst, participants completed surveys assessing the status of their collaboration and project goals (e.g., number of state initiatives involving IPV/HT, number of people trained).All domains of collaboration increased from baseline to project end. Largest improvements were seen in ‘Communication’ and ‘Process & Structure,’ both of which increased by more than 20% over the course of the project. ‘Purpose’ and ‘Membership Characteristics’ increased by 10% and 13%, respectively. Total collaboration scores increased 17% overall. Each state made substantial efforts to integrate and improve responses to IPV/HT in community health centers and domestic violence programs, and integrated IPV/HT response into state-level initiatives.Project Catalyst was successful in facilitating formalized collaborations within state leadership teams, contributing to practice and policy changes intended to improve health and safety for IPV/HT survivors.

Domestic Violence: The Psychological and Legal Factors That Affect Reporting, Prosecution, and Sentencing

The article highlights the pervasive problem of domestic violence worldwide and the need for a comprehensive understanding of the psychological and legal factors that contribute to it. The psychological factors include individual and cultural beliefs about gender roles, mental health issues, and substance abuse, which can affect reporting and recovery. Legal factors such as insufficient resources, victim blaming, weak sentencing guidelines, and lack of consistency in enforcing protective orders can compound the challenges faced by victims. The article recommends several strategies to address these challenges, including increasing funding and resources for domestic violence programs and services, providing comprehensive training for law enforcement, increasing public awareness, developing consistent sentencing guidelines, improving enforcement of protective orders, and providing trauma-informed care for victims. The article emphasizes the need for a collaborative effort from stakeholders across the criminal justice system and the broader community to create an effective and compassionate response that prioritizes victim safety, holds offenders accountable, and promotes healing and recovery.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR THE NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Non-profit organizations rely on effective financial management that enables the leadership and the workforce to use the funds to the advantage of the population in need. Since non-profit organizations cannot generate substantial revenues without the support of the government, individual donors, and/or the community, all resources must be allocated and distributed to achieve benefits and outweigh the costs. In other words, the budget of the proposed program on domestic violence must address all needs and meet social outcomes to undergo substantial improvements, such as decreased time in jail and reduced number of domestic crimes. For example, creating a domestic violence program should focus on providing education to prevent people from resorting to violence in domestic conflict resolution. It is anticipated that the program would help the community to witness a decrease in violent domestic crimes and time in jail for domestic violence-related crimes.

Impact of the Domestic Violence Housing First Model on Survivors' Safety and Housing Stability: 12-Month Findings.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread and devastating phenomenon resulting in a myriad of long-term consequences for survivors and their children. IPV victimization not only has negative health and economic consequences, it has also been linked to homelessness and housing instability. In response, the Domestic Violence Housing First (DVHF) model is being used in some domestic violence (DV) agencies to help survivors attain safe and stable housing. The model includes using individualized advocacy and/or flexible funding to help survivors meet these goals. Using a longitudinal, quasi-experimental design, the current study involved conducting interviews with survivors and examining agency records to investigate the effectiveness of this model. We hypothesized that survivors who received DVHF would experience less re-abuse and greater housing stability over 12 months compared to those who received services as usual (SAU). The sample included 345 IPV survivors who had been homeless or unstably housed when they approached one of five DV programs for help. Interviews were spaced 6 months apart (when survivors first sought services as well as 6 months and 12 months later). Longitudinal analyses showed that survivors who received the DVHF model reported greater improvements in housing stability at both the 6-month and 12-month time points compared to those receiving SAU. At the 12-month time point, survivors who had received DVHF reported decreased physical, psychological, and economic abuse, as well as the use of their children against them as a form of abuse. This study adds to a growing body of evidence supporting this model's effectiveness and adds to our understanding of factors impacting the long-term housing stability and safety for IPV survivors.

Informal Help-Seeking in Moments of Acute Danger: Intimate Partner Violence Survivors' Emergency Outreach Efforts and the Forces That Shape Them.

Heightened attention to police brutality has created momentum for alternative, community-based responses to violence, including that inflicted by an intimate partner. But to build effective alternatives, we must know what survivors already do in moments of acute danger when they do not call the police. This study sought to explore these moments from an ecological perspective. Using a qualitative descriptive methodology, we conducted 25 interviews with a diverse sample of intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. Each described the first, the worst, and the most recent IPV incident, whom they reached out to and why, the outcomes of their help-seeking, and the individual, interpersonal, and psychosocial influences on the process. Even in the face of severe violence, what participants most wanted was someone who would listen without judgment. Direct interpersonal factors that influenced their help-seeking included their partner's controlling behavior, as well as their network members' capacities, perspectives on IPV, and feelings about the survivor. Broader influential factors included the radiating effects of IPV and other forms of trauma in survivors' networks. Participants offered recommendations on how domestic violence (DV) programs could both strengthen survivors' networks and provide them with targeted community support in moments of grave danger. As we continue to develop community-based alternatives to police intervention, DV programs have a critical opportunity to build on survivors' own recommendations. This process must address the ongoing effects of trauma that hamper the ability of so many network members to support survivors in crisis.

Domestic and family violence behaviour change programs: An examination of gendered and non-gendered frameworks

This article sets out to examine the dichotomous frameworks used to inform domestic and family violence (DFV) behaviour change programs (BCPs). Based on a Rapid Evidence Assessment (REA) methodology, we consider what works and what does not work in the delivery of Domestic and Family Violence programs through a gendered and non-gendered framework. This methodology was selected as it supports a balanced assessment of existing published research in the area, allowing for the current knowledge base to be critically examined. As a result, the REA revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of traditional gendered approaches focusing on the Duluth Model and non-gendered therapeutic approaches focusing on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT). Yet, while strengths and weaknesses can be seen in both the “violence as gendered” and “violence as non-gendered” paradigms, a case is made for only delivering BCPs within a non-gendered framework.

A STUDY TO ASSESS THE EFFECT OF AN AWARENESS PROGRAMME ON KNOWLEDGE REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AMONG WOMEN IN SELECTED RURAL AND URBAN COMMUNITIES IN PATHANAMTHITTA DISTRICT, KERALA

Violence against women is widely recognized as a serious human right abuse, and an important public health problem with substantial consequences physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health.The social construction of the divide between public and private underlies the hidden nature of domestic violence against women.The position of women in the Indian society has been a very complicated one and domestic violence is a growing epidemic in Indian societies. The present study was conducted to assess the effect of an awareness programme on knowledge regarding domestic violence among women in selected rural and urban communities.A quantitative quasi experimental design was used and the study participants (100) were selected by using multi-stage cluster sampling (random selection) technique. The data was collected by using a structured knowledge questionnaire on domestic violence and awareness program was given to the participants on the same day. The post test was conducted after seven days of awareness program. Results revealed that the awareness program was effective (paired t test = 23.85) which was highly significant at 0.01 (p = 0.000). The association of baseline variables with pre-test knowledge scores was calculated by using Chi-square test. Results also revealed a significant association between educational status and type of family with pre-test knowledge scores regarding domestic violence at 0.05 level (p = 0.04). No significant association was seen with other baseline variables like: womens age, family income, area of residence, occupation, occupation, type of marriage, number of children with pre-test knowledge scores regarding domestic violence. The study concludes that awareness about the problems relatedto domestic violence will help the victims know about their rights and also will reduce the rate of the problem.

Osteopathic student training on preventing domestic violence

Introduction: Domestic violence is a serious and preventable public health issue. Student Training on Preventing Domestic Violence (STOP-DV) is an extracurricular program that educates medical students on domestic violence. This study sought to determine if STOP-DV is an effective method to increase the knowledge of domestic violence among medical students.
 Methods: This study utilized a quasi-experimental research approach. Participants were recruited through a convenience sample of first- and second-year medical students from an osteopathic medical school with three campuses. The intervention group included the campus where STOP-DV was implemented and was then compared to the control group (the other two campuses) without the program. Intervention and control groups were given the same pre-survey and post-survey to assess for baseline knowledge, awareness, self-efficacy and health-seeking behaviors. Bivariate and multivariate statistical analysis of matched pre-surveys and post-surveys was completed during the 2018 and 2019 school year.
 Results: Medical students in the intervention group (n=100) showed a statistically significant increase in self-efficacy and in the ability to recognize domestic violence in patients (p<0.001) and to discuss domestic violence with patients (p=0.004) compared to the control group (n=47). Based upon general linear regression analysis, survey stage significantly contributed to participants self-efficacy and domestic violence knowledge in both cohorts. Additionally, intervention group significantly contributed to participants’ medical domestic violence knowledge.
 Conclusions: This study was successful in implementing a domestic violence program and increasing awareness in medical students. The ultimate goal is to encourage schools to utilize a similar program to understand how domestic violence affects patients and their communities.

Services Responding to Domestic Violence Survivors’ Needs: A Study of Pennsylvania Providers’ Perspective

This research examined domestic violence services and programs provided in rural and urban Pennsylvania. It identified the potential gaps in services and assessed programs adequacies from the perspective of program leaders. The study examined the needs and characteristics of both agencies and their clients. In addition, barriers to effective delivery of domestic violence services in Pennsylvania was examined.
 A Structured questionnaire was used as a primary method of data collection and explored answers for research question on the challenges and opportunities Domestic Violence agencies’ leaderships experiences in providing services. Sampling frame included 60 service providers from Pennsylvania, of which 45 agencies serving the survivors of Domestic Violence participated. Funding for this research was provided by a University grant and the partnership with Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence provided technical assistance and access to agencies. The agency leaders who agreed to participate were contacted and both in person and telephonic interviews were conducted. The interview lasted for about 45 -60 minutes.
 The study found that there is a wide consensus among leaders that transportation and transitional housing services are inadequate in their program service areas while services like crisis hotline, general advocacy and case management are exceptional.
 Over 50% of the agencies did not comment on the adequacies of the services such as Job Coaching, Immigrations services, Divorce/Custody representation, and Criminal Court representation.
 The results have several policy implications regarding federal and state government programs, specifically considerations to fund transportation, transitional housing and legal advocacy services.

A randomized clinical trial of acceptance and commitment therapy and the Duluth Model classes for men court-mandated to a domestic violence program.

This is the first randomized controlled trial to compare Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) with the Duluth Model curriculum, which took place in community-based corrections for the treatment of men convicted of domestic violence. ACT is a third-wave cognitive-behavioral approach that utilizes experiential methods to foster psychological flexibility. The Duluth Model curriculum is an educational approach grounded in feminist theory that focuses on changing attitudes toward women and unlearning power and control motivations. This trial was preregistered at ClinicalTrials.gov (registration number: NCT03609801). This study included 338 men who were court-mandated to complete a domestic violence program after being convicted of assault against a female partner. Participants were randomized to complete the 24 sessions of the ACT program or the Duluth Model Men's Nonviolence Classes. Outcomes included criminal justice data (domestic violence charges, other violent charges, and nonviolent charges) incurred during the 1 year following program dropout or completion, and victim reports of intimate partner violence (IPV; aggression, controlling behaviors, and stalking/harassment). In intent-to-treat comparisons to Duluth, ACT participants did not show a difference in domestic assault charges at 1 year posttreatment (p = .44). ACT participants acquired significantly fewer violent charges (p = .04) and nonviolent charges (p = .02) compared to Duluth participants. Data from victims indicated that victims of ACT participants reported significantly fewer IPV behaviors than victims of Duluth participants on the Conflict Tactics Scale (d = .78), the Controlling Behaviors Scale (d = .66) and the Stalking Behavior Checklist (d = .71) at 1 year posttreatment. An ACT-based group intervention delivered in community corrections reduced violent and nonviolent criminal charges compared to the Duluth classes. Domestic violence charges did not differ between groups but victim reports indicated that ACT participants engaged in fewer IPV behaviors. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

One-year prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban community in Southern Nigeria

Background:Violence against women is a major public health challenge particularly in the developing countries. During the COVID-19 pandemic, varied rising incidence of domestic violence against women were reported. This study determined the one-year prevalence of domestic violence against women during the COVID-19 pandemic in an urban community in Southern Nigeria.Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multistage sampling technique was utilized in recruiting 616 female respondents from an urban community in Benin City, Nigeria. Structured intervieweradministered questionnaire was the tool for data collection. The questionnaire was adapted from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic Health Survey and the 2006 World Health Organization multi-country survey tool. Data analysis was done using IBM-SPSS version 25.Results: More than a third of the women 221 (35.9%) had been victims of domestic violence in the last one year of the COVID-19 pandemic. The types of domestic violence experienced by the women included: psychological 120 (54.3%), physical 68 (30.8%), sexual 38 (17.2%) and economic 36 (16.3%). Husbands 52 (76.5%) and boyfriends 39 (57.4%) of the victims were the most frequent perpetrators of physical violence.Conclusion: The study revealed a high one-year prevalence of violence against women in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Psychological and physical violence were most prevalent and were perpetrated mainly by intimate partners of the women. The social media can be utilized routinely to educate the masses about violence against women. Also, men should be engaged in the prevention of domestic violence programmes through education workshops.
 Keywords: Prevalence; Perpetrators; Violence against women; Domestic violence; COVID-19 pandemic; Southern Nigeria

Dôsledky pandémie Covid-19 pre psychické zdravie obyvateľov a možnosti intervencie

The Covid-19 pandemic not only endangers the physical health of infected people but also, through its accompanying phenomena, endangers the mental health of the uninfected, especially by quarantine (social isolation, disruption of the daily routine, economic problems, work restrictions), by health concerns and the spread of misinformation. This theoretical work aims to provide an overview of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic for the mental health of the general population and an overview of research -proven or proposed strategies, which can support mental health during a pandemic. The results of the analyzed works are two tabular reports. The first is the examined consequences of a pandemic for mental health, including their factors and types of vulnerable groups, which included depression, anxiety, stress, post -traumatic stress disorder, insomnia, anger, and fear. The second presents proposed psychological and social interventions to mitigate the negative consequences for mental health. Interventions and protective factors protecting against the negative impact of a coronavirus pandemic on mental health can be divided into four groups: 1. Recommendations for the government and health professionals in a particular country – these include, in particular, the provision of up to -date, truthful, and accurate information, refutation of disinformation, provision of protective equipment, financial support for pandemic affected people, and promotion of prosocial behavior. 2. The second recommendation concerns psychologists who should use modern technologies for psychotherapy and try to help as many vulnerable people as possible by telephone and online counseling, crisis hotlines, and chats so that they will also be able to prevent an increase in suicides. There is a particular need for assistance to victims of domestic violence and prevention programs for pupils aged 14–18. 3. The population members themselves provide the third group of protective factors and interventions, i.e., their social relationships and emotional support provided through social networks, telecommunications, and specific assistance in the neighborhood. The main goal is to reduce feelings of loneliness and social isolation. It includes a change in social infrastructure, contributing to increased safety in workplaces, in schools, and during leisure activities. 4. The last group of protective factors concerns individuals themself. In particular, distracting from pandemic -related events is considered to be an appropriate strategy in several ways: avoiding watching news, completing school assignments, spending time with family, pursuing one’s hobbies, playing sports, planning the day, and following the daily routine, even if a person stays at home all day. On a personal level, an optimistic attitude towards the future and a positive reassessment of the situation also helps. Among the requirements and reserves highlighted in the analyzed works, the following can be stated: in research, more space should be devoted to vulnerable groups of the population, namely people from the lowest socioeconomic strata, people without computer literacy, single people, children aged <18 and seniors aged 65+. It is recommended to unify research methods at the national level and to cooperate in developing and verifying the effectiveness of interventions at the international level. At the same time, as online research, which assumes a certain standard of living, dominates at the time of the pandemic, it is recommended that, while maintaining all health protection measures, data on the mental health of the population could be obtained through field social workers.

"The Propellers of My Life" The Impact of Domestic Violence Transitional Housing on Parents and Children.

Housing and homelessness are frequent issues facing domestic violence (DV) survivors and their children. Several DV programs provide transitional housing (DVTH) to address the housing needs of DV survivors and their children. Despite wide use, little is known about the impact of DVTH, especially on child and parenting related needs and outcomes. Multiple structured interviews (82) were conducted with 27 parents with minor children living in DVTH in order to explore housing program experiences. Thematic analysis techniques produced three themes and seven subthemes about DVTH impact on parenting and child wellness. Overarching themes include: (1) DVTH helps to strengthen the parent–child relationship through a focus on family connection and health; (2). Transitional housing provides an opportunity for family stability via housing, material, and economic stability; (3). Time at DVTH allows family to access a diverse range of trauma-informed resources and social support to meet family goals. Barriers to these potential impacts are explored. Implications for practice with youth and parents include the need for extensive mental health and legal advocacy, programmatic models that emphasize resources, safety and the transition to permanent housing, and build on family strengths. Further research is needed to evaluate DVTH program outcomes.

Sharing the Mic in Domestic Violence Program Leadership: Expanding on Dr. Perlmutter's Call for Social Work Administration

Domestic violence (DV) work in the United States emerged as a grassroots collectivist movement and grew into more formalized programming within nonprofit social service organizations. In this commentary, co-authored by DV program leaders along with DV scholars and social work educators, we apply and extend the work of Dr. Felice Perlmutter as we reflect on the role of professionalized social work in DV program leadership. Narratives of DV program leaders highlight models of anti-oppressive, feminist and empowerment-focused leadership emerging from diverse sources of experience and education. We promote an anti-oppressive stance of “sharing the mic” to include diversity of voices and ways of learning and leading. We assert that formal social work education and training provides valuable preparation, as do lived experiences, survivor voices, and community membership. A theory of effective leadership emerges that promotes mutual respect, empowerment and collective partnerships that benefit from the talents, skills and experience of all.