226116 Best practices for domestic violence and sexual assault agencies

Monday, November 8, 2010

McLean Pollock, MSW, MPH, LCSW , Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Sandra L. Martin, PhD , Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Rebecca J. Macy, PhD, LCSW, ACSW , School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Ijeoma Nwabuzor, MSW , School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Tricia Smar , School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Family violence prevention includes primary as well as secondary prevention strategies, such as those offered by Domestic Violence (DV) and Sexual Assault (SA) Agencies. These community-based agencies serve many of the most disadvantaged violence survivors. However, little empirical information exists concerning providers' perspectives regarding DV/SA Agency best practices, and even less documents actual DV/SA Agency practices.

Therefore, this research surveyed directors of North Carolina (NC) DV/SA agencies regarding their perceptions of ideal best practices for three core services: crisis services, legal advocacy, and medical advocacy. 92% (n=97) of all NC DV/SA Agencies participated. Next, information was gathered from providers at four NC DV/SA Agencies to document actual practices during these three core services, allowing determination of how well actual practices matched ideal best practices.

Results showed strong consensus among Agency directors regarding best practices that should occur during delivery of these three core services. For example, the four top ranked practices that should occur during crisis services included provision of: emotional support (endorsed by 94% of directors), safety planning (endorsed by 93%), information concerning violence/trauma (endorsed by 84%), and referrals to other community services (endorsed by 82%). Examination of actual practices at four DV/SA Agencies found that these best practices were not always delivered during crisis services. Among 270 clients receiving crisis services, 73% received emotional support, 46% received safety planning, 27% received information on violence/trauma, and 55% received referrals to community services. Similar patterns relating ideal and actual practices were found when legal and medical advocacy were examined.

Learning Areas:
Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice
Other professions or practice related to public health
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify provider perspectives' regarding best practices for delivering core services within domestic violence and sexual assault agencies. 2. Identify the degree to which domestic violence and sexual assault agencies actually implement the agreed upon best practices. 3. Acquire strategies to promote the use of best domestic violence and sexual assault practices in community-based agencies.

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have experience with conducting research and providing prevention services in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 3086.1: Expanding the Evidence: Status of Current Research