Abstract

Improvements in Income and Decreases in Poverty among Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence are Associated with Civil Legal Participation

James Teufel, MPH, PhD1, Lynette Renner, MSW, PhD2, Michael Gallo1 and Carolyn Hartley, MA, PhD3
(1)Moravian College, Bethlehem, PA, (2)University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN, (3)The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

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Emerging research has supported that women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) and receive legal aid services improve their incomes. In this study, we compared the economic status of 82 women who experienced IPV over three time points (Wave 1: when their case was accepted for legal aid services, and Waves 2 and 3: 6 months and 12 months after Wave 1, respectively). We examined changes in personal income, public benefit income, and poverty status across time. The social return on investment (SROI)—income benefits relative to costs of the provision of legal services—was also estimated. Women’s personal income from wages increased from Wave 1 to Wave 2 and from Wave 2 to Wave 3. Personal income from child support increased between Wave 1 and Wave 2. Reduction in public benefit income was primarily linked to decreased Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that occurred between Waves 2 and 3. The average net annual income increase, which accounted for personal income increases and public benefits decreases, was $5,287. The odds of women being in poverty one year after receipt of civil legal services were less than before receiving legal services (OR=0.28, p=.003). The SROI for income increases relative to legal aid case costs was >200%, meaning that women’s overall income increased >$3 for every $1 expended on legal aid services. Findings indicate that the economic position of women improved following their receipt of legal aid services, and the income increases exceeded the costs of service provision.

Conduct evaluation related to programs, research, and other areas of practice Public health or related research Social and behavioral sciences