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Advocating for Women in the Criminal Justice System in Cases of Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

added 10/14/2003

The handbook consisits of various practical forms which were developed by advocates to evaluate criminal justice services for women in cases of rape, domestic violence and child abuse. It also has theoretical chapters on understanding how criminal justice systems can help and harm women.

Beyond Surviving: Toward a Movement of Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)

added 02/17/2003

This document offers a place to begin broader discussion around child sexual abuse (CSA) and understand the complexities of the issue. The report outlines barriers to addressing child sexual abuse on a grassroots level and describes beginning ideas for moving this work forward to its next step. It is not a meeting summary, nor is it a comprehensive paper on the issues surrounding child sexual abuse. The document should be used as a springboard to launch public ownership and discussion that will move us toward long-term solutions to end child sexual abuse.

Building Bridges Between Domestic Violence Organizations and Child Protective Services

added 10/26/2005
Linda Spears

This paper provides both background information and a framework for collaboration with child protection agencies that will support the work of domestic violence advocates as they try to improve safety for women and their children.

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Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: Creating Community Partnerships for Safe Families - Suggested Components of an Effective Child Welfare Response to Domestic Violence

added 03/09/1999
Janet Carter and Susan Schechter

November 1997. This paper is meant to serve as a working document rather than the "last word," and it will be subject to revision as child welfare and domestic violence agencies on the vanguard of creating partnerships learn more about the link between child abuse and domestic violence, and how to best protect both children and their abused mothers. While the suggested practices and policies are by no means exhaustive, it is hoped that setting them out will save agencies from having to "reinvent the wheel," and will, at the same time, motivate them to add additional "spokes."

Child Welfare Practices for Cases with Domestic Violence (pdf)

added 03/18/2004

This is the third edition of Child Welfare Practice for Cases with Domestic Violence, developed as part of an overall effort to increase the safety of adults and children through collaboration of domestic violence services and child protective services.

Confidentiality & Information Sharing (pdf)

added 08/06/2004
Family Violence Prevention Fund

This document addresses the legal and confidentiality issues advocates face when working with the child protection system and juvenile courts. It also encourages advocacy, and focuses on the information issues advocates face when they counsel battered mothers whose children have been placed in the child protection system. Advocates need to know what to do with the information they gather from victims of domestic violence and what the laws say about how they use that information. Each section offers tips and suggestions for advocates, questions for their consideration, and examples of effective practices. The appendix features worksheets that expand upon the topics addressed in each section.

Considering the Victim in the Implementation of Megan's Laws

added 08/01/2001
Alexandra Walker

This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document focuses on the mixture of opinions and the limited attempts at evaluating community notification as they relate to victim and community safety. It examines notification through the lens of victim safety and privacy rather than through the lens of criminal justice issues.

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Domestic Violence and Family Support Programs: Creating Opportunities to Help Young Children and Their Families (pdf)

added 11/17/2004
Nilofer Ahsan

This paper is part of series of paper that addresses the way to mobilize community and programatic resources to provide responsive help to children and families affected both by domestic violence and poverty. This particular paper provides recommendations to family support staff and administrator to address issue of domestic violence.

Environmental Correlates of Pediatric Social Illness: Preventive Implications of an Advocacy Approach

added 09/18/2006

"A controlled prospective study of child abuse and neglect, failure to thrive, accidents and poisonings included 303 inpatients and 257 outpatients. Analysis of maternal interview and clinical data demonstrated significant differences between cases and controls in summative indices of environmental stress, including housing, employment, and access to essential services." - excerpt from abstract

Expanding Solutions for Domestic Violence and Poverty: What Battered Women with Abused Children Need from Their Advocates

added 01/13/2006
Susan Schechter

This paper was originally delivered as a talk at the Violence Institute of New Jersey, June 21, 2000. This paper discusses the links between the abuse of women and the maltreatment of their children and the connection between domestic violence and poverty.

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Guidelines for Public Child Welfare Agencies Serving Children and Families Experiencing Domestic Violence

added 08/19/2003

The guidelines describe model policies, practices, programs, and protocols that address the multiple needs of families and children affected by domestic violence and child maltreatment. They are based on recommendations contained in the Greenbook and on the thoughtful recommendations provided by public child welfare agency directors, domestic violence advocates, child advocates, and legal representatives.

Helping Young Children Affected by Domestic Violence: The Role of Pediatric Health Settiings (pdf)

added 11/17/2004
Betsy McAlister Groves and Ken Fox

This paper is part of series of paper that addresses the way to mobilize community and programatic resources to provide responsive help to children and families affected both by domestic violence and poverty. This particular paper addresses importance of pediatric health care and mental health care in addressing domestic violence.

How to Write a Letter to the Judge for Victims of Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse

added 07/26/2001

Gives information that should help you write a more effective letter. Provides four examples of different kinds of letters you as a victim or victim advocate, may want to write to the judge in the criminal case. Also available in Spanish.

Learning from Experiences of Battered Immigrant, Refugee and Indegenious Women with Child Protection Services to Inform a Dialogue Among Domestic Violence Activisits and Advocates (pdf)

added 02/23/2004
V. Pualani Enos

This document introduces voices of battered immigrant, refugee and indegenious women who were also involved in Child Protection Services. The document explores how community approach can enhance the physical, spiritual and mental health of individuals, families and communities and how this concept can be well utilized for policy and practice for social services.

Model Protocol for Advocates Working with Battered Women Involved in the Child Protection System (pdf)

added 05/10/2005
Lupita Patterson

This protocol includes policy and practice recommendations for advocates who work with battered women involved in the child protection system.

Multi-disciplinary Teams Including Child Protection Teams Framework for Co-Occuring Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment (pdf)

added 12/15/2005
Ellie Breitmaier

This series was created through a collaboration of the Vermont Network Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Vermont Department for Children and Families and the Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services. Part V describes the structure and purpose of child protection teams, provides guiding questions for domestic violence advocate members of such teams and highlights recommendations.

The New Welfare Law: Implications for Battered Women

added 01/06/2006
Attorney Jill Davies

This paper is the first in a series of three papers that aim to provide relevant and practical information about the new "Welfare Law" and its effects on battered women and their children to domestic violence advocates and others working in the field.

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Tips for Social Workers, Counselors, Health Workers, Teachers, Clergy and Others Helping Victims of Rape, Domestic Violence, and Child Abuse

added 10/29/2002

This is a good introduction to advocacy concepts used when working with victims of intimate violence, rape and child abuse. It is designed for use both as a workshop outline and as a guide for direct interactions with individual clients.

Using Interpreters in Forensic Interviews

added 02/06/2003

This document offers experience-based considerations for those who choose to utilize interpreters in forensic interviews with children.

Violence Against Women Document Library

added 05/09/2007
Violence Against Women Online Resources

A huge variety of information and resources are categorized by topics relating to children and domestic violence, including information about advocacy, child custody and protection, and criminal justice responses.

Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children

added 04/30/2008
Melissa M. Stiles, M.D.

The author discusses the conequences of child exposure to domestic violence across various ages, as well as prevention and screening techniques. Community advocacy is emphasized.

Working Effectively with the Police: A Guide for Battered Women's Advocates

added 10/26/2005
Jane Sadusky for BWJP

Revised August 2001. Battered women's advocates and police departments in several jurisdictions have been successful in developing a more effective police response to domestic assault cases. This article highlights information advocates need in order to work collaboratively and effectively with police officers and other law enforcement personnel. The author discusses the changes police officers have made regarding when and how they arrest, investigate, write reports, and how they work with and support prosecutors and victim advocates.

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