Policy implications of domestic violence survivors' needs over time

While there is research investigating the short-term impact of intimate partner violence on the lives of survivors, few studies have examined the long-term impacts of social justice and financial issues on life stability. Further, interventions tend to focus on individual needs rather than addressing broader community concerns. This longitudinal, descriptive study examines a community-based collaborative program that provides concurrent legal and case management services to victims of domestic violence and their children. The program goal is to reduce further injury by preventing returns to the violent situation through increasing clients' knowledge and resource access. Client outcomes are measured using the Global History Questionnaire (GHQ) in the areas of employment, education, transportation, housing, client and child health, child care, and safety. Examples of relevant findings include that approximately 80% of respondents experienced credit/financial problems throughout the program (p<.01); and an increase in homelessness due to domestic violence, from 37% at the beginning of the program to 43% at the end of the program (p<.01). More than one-third of participants also experienced consistent difficulty obtaining health care. While this finding was not statistically significant, it has serious implications for the health of participants. Results indicate that while individual-focused intervention is effective in helping survivors attain positive outcomes in some areas, the most salient issues cannot be prevented or resolved through individual supports. Rather, legislative reforms are needed, including the areas of financial assistance and housing, to provide necessary practical supports for survivors who are trying to rebuild their lives.