(Un)heard Voices: Domestic Violence in the Asian American Community (pdf)
This publication is based on the results of a focus group with Asian immigrant women and Asian American women from different backgrounds. Various questions and issues are addressed such as identifying victims and perpetrators, prevalence of domestic violence in Asian communities, barriers confronting Asian women and more. The report also gives recommendations to service providers and a national list of organizations committed to serving battered Asian women.
52 Days of Domestic Violence Flu in America (pdf)
In this article, the author highlights that in the midst of public health concerns such as the swine flu, domestic violence is another pandemic that often goes unnoticed with majority of the fatalities involving men as the perpetrators of violence against women and children. The article concludes with a list of victims and their killers and serves as a reminder that domestic violence has been, and continues to be a concern for all to address.
"This paper examines the process Vermont used, including areas of both agreement and uncertainty, and introduces the protocol to a wider audience of interveners. It draws on a review of planning notes and other documents and a series of interviews with those who participated in shaping the process and the protocol. It provides a starting point for other communities to explore their own response to children at domestic violence incidents, as well as an approach that can be used to examine other aspects of intervention."
A Comparison of Domestic Violence Advocacy Models (pdf)
This document contains a chart comparing domestic violence advocacy models and serves as a reference for effective advocacy for Latinas.
A Development Approach to Working with Teen Victims (pdf)
This issue brief discusses the need for service providers to understand adolescent development in order to effectively provide interventions for teen victims of abuse.
A High-Tech Twist on Abuse: Technology, Intimate Partner Stalking, and Advocacy
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of technology to stalk. The author uses both published literature and contributions provided by numerous survivors’ reports to provide current information on the variety of sophisticated tools that are being used to stalk current and former intimate partners. The article also provides specific strategies for advocates, including safety planning information, a resource list, and a handout for survivors.
This resource was designed to highlight and explore effective trauma-informed conditions or core values that victims, survivors and people with disabilities are finding essential for safety and healing. This document is a guide, not a manual. It is designed to lead readers on a journey of exploration into the context of these conditions to promote dialogue and understanding, and spur implementation of strategies for domestic violence, sexual assault and disability organizations to become more trauma-informed.
A Practical Guide to Evaluating Domestic Violence Coordinating Councils (pdf)
The goal of this manual is to make evaluation a little easier by providing some practical strategies for evaluating the work of your council.
Adaptation Guidelines for Serving Latino Children and Families Affected by Trauma (pdf)
"This document was created by experts in the fields of child trauma research, clinical practice, policy and cultural diversity to serve as a resource for anyone who works with Latino families who have experienced traumatic events. There are 12 priority areas covered ranging from micro issues (assessment and provision of therapy) to macro issues (organizational competence and policy). Each one includes an overview of the priority area, recommendations for improving practice based on that priority area, and additional resources for further information. Portions of these guidelines are geared for advocates and therapists, while other priority areas are designed for program administrators and policy makers."
Additional Scripts for Clinic Assessment (pdf)
This document is created for healthcare professionals and provides a series of scripted questions and responses when working with victims of violence. The information is intended to help communicate all the information needed to give to a patient as well as responding to immediate safety issues and making referrals.
Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)
This report, grounded in UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls, identifies particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence.
Advocacy Beyond Leaving: Helping Battered Women in Contact With Current or Former Partners (pdf)
A guide for domestic violence advocates providing information on improving outreach and responses to domestic violence victims who are in contact with their partners or children’s fathers. This guide addresses how to identify safety strategies, find resources and to know what to say when a victim’s focus and goals are to remain in contact, remain in the relationship or to improve their children’s relationship with their father.
Advocacy Challenges in a CCR: Protecting Confidentiality While Promoting a Coordinated Response (pdf)
This article examines the conflict advocates face between the victims’ need for confidentiality and the broader need for collaboration in a CCR, and explores how an advocacy program balances these two seemingly competing interests. This article provides helpful insight into how an advocacy program remain an effective partner within a CCR while still protecting the confidentiality of the battered women it serves.
Advocacy in a Coordinated Community Response: Overview and Highlights of Three Programs
This article gives an overview of advocacy - namely individual advocacy and systems advocacy and describes them as an integral part of community response. It also stresses the importance of each type of advocacy working collectively in enabling battered women to overcome obstacles.
Advocates Serve a Distinct and Different Role Than Paralegal Prosecution Staff
A report about the differences between advocates and paralegals and how each role affects the justice system.
Advocating for Domestic Violence Victims Who Have Been Arrested for Domestic Violence
This article examines the impact of increasing arrest rates of women in domestic violence investigations and offers advocates information on how to assist victims that have been arrested.
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.
An Advocate's Guide to Full Faith and Credit
This guide was developed for advocates who assist victims of domestic violence with orders for protection. It provides a glossary of full faith and credit terminology, advocate tips, and information about enforcement of full faith and credit legislation.
This report is about Minnesota's shelters for battered women and their children. Shelters include residential facilities and a network of hotels, motels, and safe homes used by shelter providers. Residential shelters offer, at a minimum, security, lodging, and meals, and are available 24 hours per day. Shelter staff and volunteers also advocate for battered women and offer a variety of services to help women escape abuse and move on to a better life. Although shelters are independent, nonprofit entities, they receive most of their financial support from the state.
Asking About and Responding to Survivors' Experiences of Abuse Related to Mental Health (pdf)
This tipsheet offers ways of assisting victims with mental health concerns and provides examples of things that a survivor might be experiencing and how an advocate could respond.
Assessing Social Risks of Battered Women (pdf)
This document explores the concept of safety planning. Specifically that effective risk assessment must take into account the diverse social factors of a battered woman’s life that impact her choices and decisions, especially regarding her experiences of battering.
The third website installment profiles 13 communities that have undertaken efforts to reduce and prevent violence against women. The communities have developed a coordinated criminal justice response while maintaining a focus on victim safety and offender accountability.
Balancing Obligations: Serving Teen Victims and Mandated Reporting of Statutory Rape (pdf)
This issue brief addresses the importance of preserving confidentiality while working with teen victims of abuse, at the same time fulfilling the service provider's legal duties.
Best Practice Toolkit for Working with Domestic Violence Survivors with Criminal Histories (pdf)
Domestic violence agencies are committed to assisting survivors with their complex needs, but individual, community, and system-level barriers can make it difficult for them to provide the necessary supports to help women with criminal histories succeed. The focus of this toolkit is to provide practical tips about effectively assisting any woman charged or convicted of any crime who is also a victim of domestic violence.
Breaking the Silence: A Training Manual for Activists, Advocates, and Latina Organizers (pdf)
"A guide for domestic violence service providers, activists, counselors and others focused on advancing the rights of battered immigrant women. Based on the FVPF's successful pilot project, the manual provides essential details on how to start organizing and maintaining a group of activists and counselors. This guide is also available in Spanish."
Breaking the Silence: A Training Manual for Activists, Advocates, and Latina Organizers (Spanish) (pdf)
"The first ever guide for domestic violence service providers, activists, counselors and others focused on advancing the rights of battered immigrant women. Based on the FVPF's successful pilot project, the manual provides essential details on how to start organizing and maintaining a group of activists and counselors. This guide is also available in English."
This document presents ideas, concepts, and strategies to encourage community-based domestic violence advocates and their law enforcement allies to consider new approaches to partnership and problem-solving.
Building Bridges Between Domestic Violence Organizations and Child Protective Services
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.
Building Capacity in Child Welfare Systems: Domestic Violence Specialized Positions (pdf)
"The report seeks to assist policymakers and practitioners in developing specialist positions that are tailored to the circumstances of their communities and states. We offer observations about initial expectations for these positions and the evolution of the positions over time. We also set forth composite examples of each of the major types of specialized positions and lay out the components of each, including responsibilities, auspices and settings, competencies, and funding sources. By doing so, we highlight different approaches to improving understanding 2 of domestic violence and strengthening the likelihood of achieving safety for non-offending parents and their children."
Building Domestic Violence Health Care Responses: A Promising Practices Report (pdf)
"A new report that documents dramatic improvements in the health system’s response to domestic violence at Indian, Tribal and Urban health care facilities across the United States. It offers a series of recommendations to continue the progress and ensure that many more American Indian/Alaska Native domestic violence victims get the help that they need when they seek medical care at clinics and hospitals."
Building Opportunities for Battered Women's Safety and Self-Sufficiency
Practice paper from a series of papers for an initiative to provide technical assistance to state administrators and domestic violence advocates implementing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) in TANF and child support enforcement (CSE) contexts. This initiative is a partnership between the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRC) and the Administration for Children and Families, DHHS. This paper, Practice Paper #1, includes background information about domestic violence and the options battered women need to be safe and self-sufficient, and concise discussions of key implementation issues.
This manual provides suggestions and guidance on how to organize projects at improving services and eliminating barriers for ensuring safety for battered rural immigrant women.
California Batterer Intervention Systems Study (pdf)
This study on batterer intervention programs in the state of California encompasses 5 counties, 53 batterer intervention programs that provide client data, and over 1,000 men enrolled in those programs. The study found that the individual characteristics of the offenders, and not the program they were enrolled in nor the features of the specific court they were sentenced in, were the strongest predictors of outcomes.
Casa de Esperanza: Mobilizing Latinas and Latino Communities to End Domestic Violence
This issue of the BCS newsletter features the strengths-based, community engagement approach of Casa de Esperanza, of St. Paul, MN. The main article describes their work of mobilizing Latinas and Latino communities to end domestic violence. Lessons learned are highlighted.
Center for Survivor Agency & Justice
The Center for Survivor Agency and Justice is a national organization dedicated to enhancing advocacy for survivors of intimate partner violence. CSAJ seeks to promote survivor-centered advocacy by improving the work of attorneys, by organizing communities, and by offering leadership on critical issues facing survivors and advocates throughout the nation.
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."
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 and Family Service Reviews (CFSRs) evaluate public child welfare systems to determine how well they achieve safety, permanency, and well-being in difficult situations of neglect, physical and sexual abuse, and co-existing domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health issues, poverty, and community violence. This guide can help stakeholders develop effective (Program Improvement Plans) PIPs for achieving safety, permanency, and well-being in domestic violence cases, and to identify or anticipate related technical assistance needs."
Chinese Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Chinese translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
Collaborating to Help Trafficking Survivors: Emerging Issues and Practice Pointers (pdf)
"This manual is for those committed to assisting trafficking survivors, especially sexual assault and domestic violence advocates and their allies in the criminal and legal systems who have basic knowledge of the trafficking assistance process. This manual examines issues and promising practices that have emerged during the six years since the federal government decided in 2000 to devote significant attention to trafficking and its victims."
Community Engagement Curriculum Guide (pdf)
This training curriculum is based on a report from the API Institute on Domestic Violence titled "The Community Engagement Continuum: Outreach, Mobilization, Organizing and Accountability to Address Violence Against Women in Asian & Pacific Islander Communities".
"This is a client-centered tool for civil attorneys new to representing victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking to provide comprehensive representation and advocacy for their clients."
Confidentiality & Information Sharing (pdf)
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.
Confidentiality: An Advocates Guide (pdf)
Confidentiality and privilege are key to keeping battered women safe and represent the cornerstones of all successful advocacy and shelter programs. This guide is intended to familiarize advocates with a variety of laws, policies, requirements, and best practices on the topic of confidentiality .
Conflict Resolution Tools for Domestic Violence Shelter Staff
"This special collection includes selected materials and resources intended to equip advocates with a contextual framework and practical skills to better resolve conflicts that often arise within a shelter environment."
Connecting the Dots: Children’s Exposure to Violence and Home Visiting Programs
The goal of this article, which is part of the Spring 2011 issue of Family Violence Prevention Fund's e-Journal: Family Violence Prevention and Health Practice, is to raise awareness and provide practical suggestions to bridge the disconnect between home visiting programs and addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence and their families.
Covering Domestic Violence: A Guide for Journalists and Other Media Professionals
The information in this guide will help link journalists to domestic violence advocates in their community, who can be utilized as sources to improve coverage. By accurately covering domestic violence homicides and avoiding sources and questions that perpetuate myths, journalists can make a significant difference in helping the community understand how domestic violence can go unchecked to the point of murder.
Criminal Prosecution of Domestic Violence
This article identifies appropriate goals to be pursued in woman battering and the special challenges these cases present to prosecutors. It offers guidelines for improving collaboration between prosecutors and advocates.
This publication provides information about the use of cross-system dialogue to facilitate communication among representatives working in the domestic violence, child welfare, and court system. Strategies for professionals responding to family violence and child maltreatment are also provided.
Culture Handbook for working with those who have experienced sexual or domestic violence (pdf)
"This handbook is designed to be used by advocates and professionals who work with those who are victims of domestic and sexual violence. It provides some basic information on how to understand culture and begin the process of challenging oneself to become more aware of the ways in which culture impacts our work and the lives of those who are victims."
Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing and a Victim of Domestic Violence
If you are Deaf, DeafBlind or Hard-of-Hearing and also a victim of domestic violence (or an advocate working with someone who is) this resource may be helpful to you. Developed in 2004, the information is divided into four sections: information on programs; questions victim/survivors often ask; information for advocates regarding Deaf culture; and Deaf specific general resources.
Domestic Violence Advocates and the Unauthorized Practice of Law (pdf)
This document is intended for both volunteer and paid staff of nongovernmental domestic violence programs who work directly with victims of domestic violence currently engaged in one or more legal matters related to their battering. This document is intended to highlight the possible issues for advocates and provide suggestions for better advocacy practice; it is not intended as, and should not be construed as, the provision of legal advice in any capacity.
Domestic Violence and Faith Based Communities: Focus on African American Communities
"We know that domestic violence crosses all racial lines and that the root causes are sexism and the acceptance of violence against women in society. However, the dynamics of and contributors to domestic violence are culturally specific. This forum highlights some of the common, complex and culturally specific contributors to violence against African American women. It addresses the role of faith as a resource and a roadblock and offer concrete ways in which faith communities can respond to and support abused women and their children in the African American Community. Hosted by: Aleese Moore-Orbih"
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.
Domestic Violence and Health Care
"This special collection on health care and domestic violence draws heavily from the work of the Family Violence Prevention Fund's Health Resource Center. The resources included in this special collection are organized into the following five areas: 1) the impact of domestic violence on health; 2) public health approaches to domestic violence prevention; 3) guidelines and issues concerning identification and intervention by health care providers; 4) information about collaboration between health care providers and domestic violence advocates; and 5) training. This special collection also includes a bibliography of related journal articles."
Domestic Violence and the Gay Community: A Right to Peace and Safety
An article on the myths and realities about domestic violence in the LGBT community. Also included is a list of resources for LGBT victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) By State (pdf)
A chart that lists domestic violence civil protection orders (CPOs) by state.
Domestic Violence Counts 2008: A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelters and services
This report is the most recent data documenting the number of individuals who seek services in a 24 hour period, the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive tirelessly to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Also contains a state by state report on services requested and provided.
Domestic Violence Counts 2009: A 24-Hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services
"A one-day report, documenting the number of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S., the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Also provides a state by state summary of services requested and provided. "
Domestic Violence Counts 2012: A 24-Hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services (pdf)
On September 12, 2012, 86% of identified local domestic violence programs in the United States and territories participated in the 2012 National Census of Domestic Violence Services. The figures in this resource represent the information reported by the 1,646 participating programs about services provided during the 24-hour survey period as well the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs face.
This 2008 report contains data documenting the number of individuals who seek services in a 24 hour period, the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive tirelessly to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Also contains a state by state report on services requested and provided.
Domestic Violence Information in Asian Languages (pdf)
A list of websites and weblinks containing domestic violence related resources in various Asian and Pacific Islander languages.
Domestic Violence Programs and Children's Records: Issues of Confidentiality and Release (pdf)
Preserving confidentiality for battered women and their children is central to ensuring their safety and allowing them to regain and retain control over their lives. The vital services of a shelter or domestic violence program mean nothing if anyone can access their records, putting battered women and their children in danger of being located. This paper endeavors to provide guidance to domestic violence programs regarding children's records and to serve as a starting place for internal policy development on this issue.
Eliminating Barriers to Services for Latina/o Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
This is the position statement by Latino advocates to address barriers to services for Latina/o survivors of sexual and intimate partner violence
Eliminating Violence against Children (pdf)
"Jointly produced by UNICEF and the Inter-Parliamentary Union, this handbook describes measures parliamentarians can take to end violence against children: they can legislate, oversee government activities, allocate financial resources and, as leaders in their nations and communities, raise awareness of issues."
Employment and Domestic Violence
"This special collection includes a categorized and selected listing of articles, bibliographies, fact sheets, laws and court action, papers, regulations, reports and surveys relating to domestic violence and employment. It is offered as an additional tool to assist advocates working on and interested in employment issues related to ending violence against women. "
Employment Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence
This site contains a wealth of information for survivors, employers, and attorneys/advocates on employment rights for survivors of domestic violence. Included are resources, reference guides, guides to state laws, and model employment policy amongst many other helpful articles.
Employment Rights: Victims of Violence and Harassment (pdf)
Fact Sheet on employment rights for crime victims. Includes information on what information you need to supply your employer with, missing work, compensation, and unemployment.
Engaging Boys and Men in Gender Transformation: The Group Education Manual (pdf)
"This manual offers trainers an array of participatory experiential exercises to reach men (and their partners), exploring gender socialization and its impact on HIV prevention and care. Piloted in Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, the manual is designed to assist trainers in developing curricula to work with men and boys on gender, HIV and AIDS issues."
The goal of this manual is to expand the definition of what is "enough" when it comes to domestic violence advocacy, so that all domestic violence services are as accessible as possible to all persons regardless to disability.
Evaluating Coordinated Community Responses to Domestic Violence
This VAWnet report presents a summary and analysis of research on coordinated community responses to domestic violence. It provides an overview of different mechanisms for coordination, examines the individual components of a coordinated community response, and addresses the overall response. The focus here will be on the justice system, advocacy and programs for abusers.
Evaluations of Advocacy Efforts to End Intimate Male Violence Against Women
This VAWnet paper describes the available research that has evaluated advocacy efforts to end intimate violence against women. The first section describes evaluation of Community Intervention Projects, while the second section presents a longitudinal and experimental evaluation of an advocacy intervention.
This report provides the most recent statistics on Washington state domestic violence fatalities; findings and recommendations from the reviewed cases of the past two years; and tips for utilizing the Fatality Review reports to mobilize change in your community.
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.
Facts & Stats: Domestic Violence in Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Homes (pdf)
"Facts & Stats raises awareness about the experiences of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander battered women; counters denial about the problem; emphasizes the need for socio-culturally effective prevention and intervention; and serves to guide future research and inform public policy."
Facts About Intimate Partner Strangulation (pdf)
A recent fact sheet created by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women as part of a statewide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates titled the Anatomy of Strangulation.
Family Team Conferences in Domestic Violence Cases: Guidelines for Practice (2nd Edition) (pdf)
These guidelines lay out steps to decide whether a family with a history of domestic violence is a good candidate for a Family Team Conference, and to prepare and conduct a conference that results in the best possible child welfare decision and safety for all. Case scenarios offer examples of different circumstances involving domestic violence and describe how an FTC, if planned and structured properly, can safely address case goals.
Family Violence Death Review Committee First Annual Report (pdf)
The Family Violence Death Review Committee's overarching goal is to contribute to the prevention of family violence and family violence deaths in New Zealand. The report outlines the objectives and achievements for the first year as well as goals and recommendations for the following year.
This paper explores factors contributing to successful collaborations between practitioners and researchers studying the impact of adult domestic violence and the effectiveness of services aimed at stopping it. The paper identifies potential challenges to research partnerships and, through interviews with the researchers and practitioners from four successful collaborations, highlights strategies for effectively navigating these challenges. It concludes by arguing that collaborative partnerships between science and practice communities strengthen the process of scientific inquiry and program development.
Form for Evaluating Police Response to Domestic Violence: For Use by Victims and Advocates
This resource was put together for use by domestic violence victims and their advocates. It was designed to assist you in evaluating the police response and the police report on your domestic violence call. The form should help you identify potential problems with the way the police responded so that you can act quickly to get these problems corrected. You can also use this form to provide feedback to your police department and to your community on how well police are responding to domestic violence cases. Also available in Spanish.
Fuerza Unida: A Manual For Engaging Communities (pdf)
"This attractive, user-friendly manual is a guide to understanding and working with Latino families experiencing domestic violence. Written primarily for government workers, nonprofit staff members, and other professionals working with Latino clients, it will benefit anyone seeking to relate effectively to our growing Latino communities."
Girls Count: A Global Investment & Action Agenda (pdf)
"This report describes why and how to initiate effective investments that will give adolescent girls in developing countries a full and equal chance for rewarding lives and livelihoods."
Good practices in legislation on violence against women (pdf)
This report comes from an expert group meeting organized by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The purpose of the expert group meeting was to analyze different legislative approaches for addressing violence against women; assess lessons learned and identify good practices in regard to legal reforms on violence against women; and develop a model framework for legislation on violence against women. The outcome of the meeting is intended to assist States and other stakeholders in enhancing existing, and developing new, legislation on violence against women.
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.
Handbook for legislation on violence against women (Russian) (pdf)
"A Russian translation of the 2009 Handbook for legislation on violence against women, a report of the expert group meeting organized by the United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. The group studied different legislative approaches to violence against women and developed this handbook for legislation based upon best practices and lessons learned. The handbook also includes commentary on legislation on violence against women in a number of countries."
A new report from the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) contains case descriptions of each attack that includes sexual assault. The report notes that because crimes committed against homeless persons often go unreported, the actual numbers of non-lethal attacks is likely much higher. Rapes and sexual assaults also tend to go unreported. The report recommends that state legislatures add homeless persons as a “protected class” to hate crime legislation, and encourages police trainings so law enforcement officers will better understand homelessness and how to prevent hate crimes.
It profiles promising programs that address domestic violence at community health care organizations. This document is designed to encourage primary health care providers to treat domestic violence among their client base and to engage providers, administrators, policymakers and others in a coordinated, community-wide response to domestic violence.
This 76-page resource is written for service providers assisting women who have survived woman abuse. Material addresses the needs of abused women as mothers, how abusive men parent, how abusive men affect family dynamics, effects of power and control tactics on mothers, the potential impact of woman abuse on children of different ages, and strategies used by young people to cope with violence in their homes. Guidance on parenting children who have lived with violence is also offered. Forty-four pages are designed as handouts for women, to be distributed as an adjunct to individual or group interventions on woman abuse or on parenting.
Helping Culturally Diverse Victims of Interpersonal Violence: Avoiding Stereotypes & Meetings Needs
"This forum discusses the need to take people's culture into account when providing them with services for interpersonal violence and avoiding the trap of treating people in a cookie-cutter way, based on stereotypes about their culture. This forum is hosted by Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD. Lisa is a Core Faculty Member in Union Institute & University's Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology and has dedicated almost 20 years to making the social service and mental health systems more responsive to culturally diverse people."
Helping Young Children Affected by Domestic Violence: The Role of Pediatric Health Settiings (pdf)
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.
Here's Where We Start (pdf)
This booklet informs men of the extent of sexual and domestic violence and provides them with concrete ideas on how they can become part of the solution for ending these crimes. It outlines steps men can take to change the social norms that support sexual and domestic assaults.
In this article, which is part of the Spring 2011 issue of Family Violence Prevention Fund's e-Journal: Family Violence Prevention and Health Practice, Dr. Megan Bair-Merritt provides an overview of what we know about the impact of home visiting programs on IPV. She begins by describing how intimate partner violence (IPV) affects children’s heath, and includes the latest research on home visitation interventions to address IPV. The article concludes with five recommendations for translating research into policy and best practices.
"This paper offers a research on DV and homelessness and trends in federal housing policy. A model for conducting a community assessment of local housing needs includes critical thinking questions on an organization’s capacity for housing advocacy."
Housing and Battered Women: A Case Study of Domestic Violence Programs in Iowa
The purpose of this paper is to increase the domestic violence advocacy communitys knowledge about housing issues, federal housing programs, and strategies to comprehensively address battered women's needs for housing.
Housing and Battered Women: Increasing Battered Women's Access to Federal Housing Programs
This paper encourages advocates to collaborate in an effort to support proposed federal housing regulations that begin to address some of the housing needs of battered women and to submit comments to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support those sections of the proposed regulations that could give battered women faster access to housing.
This paper provides domestic violence advocates with information and strategies to promote the use of this housing program as a resource to assist battered women moving from welfare to work.
This paper is a first-hand account of Missouri’s project to reduce rules in domestic violence shelters.
How to obtain U Interim Relief: A Brief Manual for Advocates Assisting Immigrant Victims of Crime (pdf)
This manual provides U Visa information for advocates who assist victims of crime, including domestic violence. The author outlines the definition, requirements, and application process for U Visa Interim relief and also offers information on obtaining permanent residency and derivative status for family members.
How to Write a Letter to the Judge for Victims of Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
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.
Immigration Relief for Crime Victims: The U Visa Manual (pdf)
"This manual aims to provide guidance to lawyers on issues that arise in the context of representing U visa applicants. It is designed for practitioners who are familiar with basic immigration terms and legal concepts."
Impact: Feature Issue on Violence Against Women with Developmental or Other Disabilities (pdf)
Examines how disability service providers, sexual and domestic violence programs, law enforcement, researchers, and women with disabilities can work together to respond to a major civil rights, quality of life, and health issue for women with disabilities - the presence of violence in their lives.
"This Trainer's Manual was developed to help health care providers and domestic violence advocates meet the challenge of training clinicians and other staff within the busy clinic or hospital setting. The Manual provides step-by-step instructions for teaching each section of the Resource Manual including the basics of domestic violence, clinical skills, legal issues, community resources, and role play scenarios. It also includes a special module on cultural diversity."
Information about Murder-Suicides (pdf)
A fact sheet created by the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women as part of a statewide training for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and advocates titled the Anatomy of Strangulation.
This report addresses API domestic violence intervention strategies within the U.S. as both accommodations and alternatives to mainstream domestic violence programs. They have adopted mainstream assumptions and approaches. And, they have crafted innovations based upon necessity and, in some cases, vision and intentionality. Emerging themes as discussed by the API women interviewed in this report highlight a number of areas which capture our attention for further exploration. While the findings of this report bring up broad, diverse and, at times, contradictory policies and practices among API programs, existing models, themes and interventions for the future programs are examined.
Innovative Strategies to Provide Housing for Battered Women
This paper highlights how eight domestic violence organizations are responding to the housing needs of battered women in their communities.
Integrating Anti-Poverty Work into Domestic Violence Advocacy: Iowa's Experience (pdf)
This document describes how the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence (ICADV) approached integrating economic advocacy into its work in order to better respond to the financial concerns of battered women and their families. Domestic violence programs in Iowa incorporated this work into their services by training advocates, developing new collaborative partnerships, and providing economic advocacy to battered women at three pilot sites. In addition, the ICADV secured funding to support its commitment to the institutionalization of economic advocacy in 2001.
Interpersonal Violence and Women With Disabilities: A Research Update
"This article provides an update on what researchers have learned during the past ten years about abuse and women with disabilities and offers some perspectives on the state of current research and its implications for future studies and advocacy efforts."
"This document describes intimate partner violence (IPV) in immigrant and refugee communities in the United States. The report contains four main sections: background information on the incidence of the problem among immigrant and refugee communities, an overview of the needs and challenges of immigrant and refugee IPV victims and service providers, recommendations for funders, service providers and policy-makers, and lastly a discussion of IPV research and evaluation issues to be addressed in immigrant and refugee communities."
Justice and Safety for All: Promoting Dialogue Between Public Defenders and Victim Advocates (pdf)
This document explores the relationship between the lawyers who defend individuals charged with domestic violence and the advocates who work for the rights and needs of victims of domestic violence. Because defenders and advocates often serve the same families, improving their relationship is part of providing just and safe resolutions in domestic violence cases. Filled with the voices of a handful of defenders and advocates talking about each other and their work, Justice and Safety for All is written to help other advocates and defenders begin their own conversations.
A film accompanies this publication. "In Their Own Words" is a 15-minute documentary that explores public defenders' and victim advocates' opinions about each other and their work on domestic violence cases. Copies of the film can be obtained from the National Associates Programs department of the Vera Institute of Justice, 212-334-1300.
Korean Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Korean translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
Latina Cultural Context and Advocacy (pdf)
This document is designed for advocates working with Latina victims of domestic violence. It is intended to help inform advocates of the cultural contexts through which Latina victims see their world, in order to provide culturally informed services.
Lessons Learned From the Domestic Violence Community
"Effective Interventions in Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policy and Practice, known as the Greenbook, was published in 1999 by the Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges in collaboration with other experts. It provides guidelines for child welfare, domestic violence service providers and family courts to work together more effectively to serve families experiencing violence, and served as the foundation for the work of the Greenbook demonstration communities. The new video clips present interviews with domestic violence advocates in the Greenbook demonstration sites about lessons learned in their communities over the six years of the initiative."
Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence
"The Lifetime Spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
"This report provides extensive research of the mail-order bride industry in the United Kingdom. The industry is linked to the promotion of trafficking, prostitution, pornography and slavery. The report suggests that this industry not only exploits vulnerable groups of women but also reinforces racial and ethnic stereotypes. Recommendations are given on what the government can do to further protect women."
This study of the services and supports provided by domestic violence programs in four states was designed to help fill a gap in current knowledge about the range of services provided, and the needs and experience of survivors. The study results show that domestic violence programs address compelling needs that survivors cannot meet elsewhere.
An executive summary can be found here
Men in the Movement to End Violence Against Women: Training and Education
"This collection highlights several training tools and background information for use in promoting men's involvement in the movement to end violence against women. Also included are educational materials to support the teaching of non-violence to boys and young men. It is one in a series of three special collections focusing on the domestic violence prevention and education efforts of men. "
Mobilizing Communities to Prevent Domestic Violence
"This Applied Research document provides an overview of the research on community mobilization to prevent domestic violence, explores guiding concepts and frameworks, and discusses the challenges of implementing community mobilization strategies."
Mobilizing Religious Communities to Respond to Gender-based Violence and HIV: A Training Manual (pdf)
The first in a series of two manuals aimed at raising awareness and educating religious leaders and communities about gender-based violence. The training manual equips religious communities with tools to deepen their awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and its link to HIV and proposes faith-based activities on the subject.
Model Protocol for Advocates Working with Battered Women Involved in the Child Protection System
This protocol includes policy and practice recommendations for advocates who work with battered women involved in the child protection system.
Model Protocol on Service Animals in Domestic Violence Shelters (pdf)
"This document provides basic information about the use of service animals, the laws that apply to domestic violence shelters and service animals, and suggested policies and procedures for domestic violence shelters regarding service animals."
Model Protocol on Working with Friends and Family of Domestic Violence Victims (pdf)
This protocol includes examples of programs that can engage friends and families in dealing with ending domestic violence.
Model Protocols on Working with Battered Women and Their Teenage Boys in Shelter
This model protocol is useful for domestic violence shelters who do not set age limits for male children in shelter. It is equally useful for those who critically examine safety of all children and women in shelter.
Multi-Agency Practice Guidelines: Handling Cases of Forced Marriage (pdf)
"This report lists warning signs and appropriate actions for teachers and other school employees to take when they suspect a forced marriage of a child is imminent. The report also contains guidelines for police officers, health care professionals, and social workers, and provides general information on good practices when caring for victims of forced marriage."
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.
National Directory of Domestic Violence Service Programs Offering Services in Spanish
A comprehensive and well organized directory of domestic violence service providers throughout the nation who offer various services in Spanish.
Originally presented by Susan Schechter as a talk at the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence Statewide Training Institute, March 17, 1997, Harrisburg, PA and revised for the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence Administrative Development Conference, May 8, 1997, Ames, Iowa.
New Resources on Domestic Violence for Home Visitation Programs
As part of a special Office on Women's Health funded initiative on maternal child health and violence called Project Connect: A Coordinated Public Health Initiative to Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence (see more about Project Connect in this issue), the Family Violence Prevention Fund is releasing a curriculum on domestic violence for home visitors.
New York City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee Annual Report 2008 (pdf)
This report describes family-related homicides that occurred in New York City between 2002 and 2007. Includes key findings, risk factors, and action steps in response to findings.
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Winter 2010 Bulletin (pdf)
In the latest issue of the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence's (OPDV) quarterly newsletter, topics include the use of technology in stalking, predicting reabuse and murders of intimate partners, and training events happening around the state.
Not a Minute More: Ending Violence Against Women (pdf)
This report highlights many of the achievements towards the empowerment of women and indicates what must be done to build on them. It provides examples of practices as well as efforts that did not meet the goals set out for them — and explores why. It looks at the challenges ahead and asks what the most fruitful next steps might be.
Online Learning Tools on Violence Against Women
"This collection provides a sampling of available Online Learning Tools with subject matter related to violence against women prevention and intervention. The resources listed here can be used for the purposes of staff development (by individuals), or as tools for trainers (in groups).Many of the tools in this list offer Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) to fulfill licensure requirements for professionals in certain disciplines."
Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders (pdf)
Factsheet on Orders for Protection and Harassment Orders in Minnesota including links and information on how to get these orders.
Overcoming Domestic Violence: A Global Challenge (pdf)
"The project is part of the World Council of Churches' decade on Overcoming Violence. The report contains seven chapters, beginning with the author’s recommendations from the project. The rest of the chapters place domestic violence within an international human rights framework, discuss domestic violence’s roots, its effects on development, relevant international law milestones, practical strategies culled from project experiences around the world, and the importance of monitoring development projects to ensure women’s full participation."
Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation: Research Reviews (pdf)
This VAWnet document provides a historical and research overview of Parental Alienation Syndrome and Parental Alienation, identifies strategic issues for advocates working with victims, and offers guidelines to improve courts’ treatment of these issues.
Passport to Safety: Some Concluding Remarks
Under VAWA, gender-motivated violence is a form of sex discrimination and as such requires civil rights protection. In this concluding chapter the volume editors revisit salient issues and suggest strategies for multiagency coordination and cooperation.
Police Domestic Violence: A Handbook for Victims
This handbook highlights some of the most significant advantages and disadvantages of the personal, financial, and legal options that victims of law enforcement perpetrators must consider.
"This special collection includes a categorized and selected listing of articles, fact sheets, papers, reports and surveys. It is offered as an additional tool to assist advocates working on and interested in poverty and how it relates to ending violence against women."
A Prevention Institute memo highlighting opportunities for improving safety and well-being in our nation’s urban areas while saving money and stimulating the economy.
Problem-Oriented Guides for Police - Domestic Violence (pdf)
Domestic disputes are some of the most common calls for police service. This guide discusses domestic disputes that involve violence, as well as the measures that can be used to reduce them. This is an essential tool for law enforcement to help analyze and respond to their local problem.
Programming to Address Violence against Women (pdf)
"This is the second volume in a series that focuses on prevention and response tools for violence against women. The publication features eight case studies that highlight initiatives that have proven successful in combating violence against women: Algeria, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The UNFPA hopes to support current efforts in the eight case study countries and encourage other countries to take steps toward ending violence against women."
Progress of the World's Women 2000
UNIFEM's first issue in the biennial investigation of progress made towards a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality. Topics covered include women's economic security and rights, engendering governance and leadership and promoting women's human rights.
This report examines innovative partnership designed to assist the employment needs of immigrant women who are survivors of domestic violence.
Punjabi Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Punjabi translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
Raising Our Voices: Queer Asian Women's Response to Relationship Violence
This report is based on information derived from both the local and national groups. For purposes of the report all are referred to as focus groups. The goal of this report is to encourage all domestic violence programs to provide services to not only the queer Asian women's community, but to all under-served communities.
Realizing the Promise of Home Visitation: Addressing Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment (pdf)
"This guide is intended to help policy makers and advocates build a strong national policy framework to maximize the effectiveness and reach of early childhood home visiting programs. It is intended to ensure that federal home visiting policies directly address: the needs of mothers and children who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic violence, the link between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, and the impact of domestic violence on the health and well-being of children and families."
Reflections from the Field: Considerations for Domestic Violence Specialists (pdf)
"Domestic violence and child protection professionals from multiple states came together to discuss the complexity of systems-change work and the continued need for a social justice framework to guide these efforts. This document is a compilation of their stories and insights as people who have worked as or supported domestic violence specialists dedicated to helping families experiencing the co-occurrence of domestic violence and child maltreatment."
Reflections from the Field: Considerations for Domestic Violence Specialists (pdf)
The purpose of this document is to share discussions that were had at a "Specialized Positions Meeting". The conversations had at this meeting focused on advances and insights based on the collective experience of specialists; framing key questions for policy makers and others interested in supporting, funding, and implementing specialist positions; and supporting those working as specialists by reaffirming the importance and difficulty of their role and proposing foundational questions for exploration to shape their role and responsibilities to guide the next generation of their work.
This Attorney’s Handbook provides guidance to attorneys who are representing survivors of domestic violence who are experiencing trauma symptoms and/or mental health challenges. The handbook features strategies that aim to keep trauma and other mental health challenges from becoming the central focus or even a consideration in the survivor’s case, and guidance for limiting it when mental health evidence is introduced by the opposing party.
Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims (pdf)
This document provides guidelines from the Interpretation Technical Assistance and Resource Center that focus on court interpretation for domestic and sexual violence victims with limited English proficiency. These guidelines inform how advocacy, interpretation, and language access can be integrated.
The focus of this joint policy report is on the crimes of hate violence and intimate partner violence against LGBTQ people, because these are the crimes that are most reported to NCVAP programs. Based on a 2009 survey of victim assistance providers and anti-violence programs for LGBTQ victims, this report confirms that gaps in services for LGBTQ victims of violence exist and shows the need for culturally competent service provision through LGBTQ and mainstream service providers’ collaboration. These gaps in services compromise the safety of LGBTQ individuals, families, and communities. The report concludes with recommended steps to improve service provision and accessibility.
Ruling Offers a New Protection to Victims of Assault in Minnesota (USA)
The Minnesota Supreme Court published a ruling that an individual may now be charged with the serious crime of burglary if they enter their former partner's home to commit a crime, even if they have an ownership interest in the home. This ruling provides a new type of protection for victims who do not have an active order for protection against former partners.
A blog developed by David Mandel & Associates, LLC in which they will be exploring the ideas underpinning the Safe and Together model. The model provides a practical and concrete approach to improving the response of child welfare to the risk and safety concerns presented by batterers. They will be providing practical tips and ideas for policy and practice. All are welcome to participate in the discussion.
Safety Plan for a Friend, Relative, or Co-Worker Who Is Being Abused by an Intimate Partner (pdf)
This safety plan helps those who wish to provide support to someone in a domestic violence situation with the tools to do so in an effective way. Provides safety planning advice and resources.
Safety Planning With Teens (pdf)
An issue brief created by Break the Cycle for those working with teens on safety planning issues.
Security Begins at Home (pdf)
The Kosova Women’s Network released the country’s first study on domestic violence, called Security Begins at Home. The report highlights key points such as: what the citizens of Kosovo perceive as domestic violence, the forms and consequences of domestic violence, citizens' response to ending it, and the legal and institutional gaps in addressing it.
Sexual Violence against Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women (pdf)
This document provides guidelines for advocates on various points of intersection of domestic and sexual violence in the API communities.
Silence is Violence: End the Abuse of Women in Afghanistan (pdf)
A new United Nations (UN) report on women in Afghanistan that focuses on the growing trend of violence and threats against women in public life and rape/sexual violence. The report concludes that these forms of violence are a huge occurrence in the everyday lives of Afghan women and the government has a crucial role in helping to eradicate these harmful practices towards women.
Silent Realities: Supporting Young Children and Their Families Who Experience Violence (pdf)
This guide describes the effects of trauma on young children and suggests strategies for helping victims and witnesses of community and domestic violence to heal. Based on concepts presented by experts attending an institute held during a National Head Start Association training conference in April 2000, the discussion emphasizes the importance of encouraging children and adults to express their fears.
Social Worker's Practice Guide to Domestic Violence (pdf)
A guide created by the Department of Social and Health Services, for social workers working with domestic violence issues in the state of Washington. Includes information on how social workers should work with victims and perpetrators, child assessment of exposure to violence, as well as legal and policy issues in the state.
"These Standards are presented as aspirational guidelines for the operation of legal service providers, pro bono legal service providers, and individual lawyers representing victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking in civil protection order cases."
This toolkit is intended to assist mental health providers in developing domestic violence-informed policies for responding to subpoenas and other demands for client records.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has released a new toolkit which is designed to help continue the survival of Grassroots Community-Based organizations concerned about continuing critical services for people affected by substance abuse and mental health disorders.
Tagalog Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Tagalog translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
Technology and Teen Dating Violence (pdf)
This issue brief explains the ways technology can be used as tools of abuse. It offers tips to providers working on safety planning with teens experiencing abuse.
Technology Safety & Advocacy Special Collection
This special collection includes a categorized and annotated listing of selected articles, fact sheets, papers, reports and other materials regarding the use of technology as it impacts and intersects with violence against women and children. It is offered as an additional tool to assist advocates working on and interested in the safe use of technology.
This report conceptualizes the Community Engagement Continuum in order to categorize a range of community based approaches in the anti-violence movement and to clarify the goals of engagement. The four points on the continuum--community outreach and education, community mobilization, community organizing, and community accountability--are defined by the level to which the strategies used lead to increases in the community's capacity to transform relations of power.
The Crossing Borders Self-Assessment Guide (pdf)
"A tool kit for doing the "inside work" within programs to strengthen and expand services for immigrant survivors of domestic violence."
The Economic Impacts of Domestic Violence: A Blueprint for Action (pdf)
"This report contains selected findings and recommendations resulting from a series of hearings held in MA in June 2001. The hearings involved more than 125 people, with 40% of these identifying as survivors of domestic violence."
This report documents the findings from the Phase II evaluation of the coordinated response to domestic violence in Omaha and Douglas County.
The Greenbook Initiative Final Evaluation Report (pdf)
"The Greenbook national evaluation results are presented in three reports. The Greenbook Demonstration Initiative: Process Evaluation Report: Phase 1 focused on the planning and goal setting phase of the Greenbook initiative in the sites. This final evaluation report assesses the extent to which the Greenbook implementation activities facilitated cross-system and within system change and practice in the child welfare agencies, dependency courts, and domestic violence service providers."
The Impact of Conflict on Women and Girls in West and Central Africa and the UNICEF response (pdf)
"This first-of-its-kind study by UNICEF on the situation of war-affected girls and women in the region highlights innovative programmes being implemented with partners to address the impact of conflict, and recommends how UNICEF can more proactively champion the rights of girls - particularly adolescent girls."
The Military Response to Victims of Domestic Violence: Tools for Civilian Advocates (pdf)
This handbook is designed for civilian advocates working with military victims of domestic violence—both active duty victims and partners of active duty service members—to help advocates respond to the uniquely challenging needs of this population of survivors.
The New Welfare Law: Implications for Battered Women
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.
The State of the World's Children 2009 Report
"The State of the World's Children 2009 examines critical issues in maternal and newborn health, underscoring the need to establish a comprehensive continuum of care for mothers, newborns and children. The report outlines the latest paradigms in health programming and policies for mothers and newborns, and explores policies, programmes and partnerships aimed at improving maternal and neonatal health. Africa and Asia are a key focus for this report, which complements the previous year's issue on child survival."
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants (pdf)
Manual on the preparation, filing and processing of applications pursuant to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). Also includes detailed information on Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for Children Under Juvenile Court Jurisdiction, and U and T Non-Immigrant Visas (Victims of Crime and Trafficking). A good resource for advocates and legal professionals working with these victims.
This document takes some time to download, especially with a slow connection.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 1-100 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 101-200 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 201-300 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 301-380 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
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.
Towards a Common European Framework to Monitor Progress in Combating Violence Against Women (pdf)
"Contains proposals for policies and indicators that could form the basis for a tool to monitor State progress in combating violence against women, as well as case studies of European initiatives that illustrate good practices."
Trafficking: Considerations and Recommendations for Battered Women's Advocates (pdf)
Offers domestic violence advocates some considerations and recommendations for working with victims of trafficking. After a brief overview of statistics and issue analysis, the document provides considerations and recommendations for advocates in seven key areas: (1) Arrest, (2) Custody and Release, (3) Legal representation and the investigation process, (4) Endangerment and confidentiality, (5) Shelter Services, (6) Complex traumas and oppressions, and (7) Medical records and care.
Transforming the National AIDS Response: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation (pdf)
"The second in a series of resource guides dedicated to highlighting strategies for incorporating gender equality and women’s rights into national HIV and AIDS responses. This publication discusses various approaches for advancing women’s leadership and meaningful participation of HIV-positive women in the AIDS response."
This paper describes results of phone interviews with twelve domestic violence transitional housing programs across the country. Key considerations for new and emerging programs are offered. Program profiles are also provided.
Trauma Informed Care Resources for Children Exposed to Violence
Exposure to violence at home, in the form of child abuse and neglect, or in the community, whether at school or in the neighborhood, can affect young people in profound ways. This resource provides information on children's exposure to violence for parents and other caregivers, as well as for teachers and other agencies and staff who may work with these youth. Information includes warning signs of exposure to violence and what you can do to intervene.
Trauma-Informed Domestic Violence Services, 3-part series
The term "trauma-informed" is used to describe organizations and practices that incorporate an understanding of the pervasiveness and impact of trauma and that are designed to reduce retraumatization, support healing and resiliency, and address the root causes of abuse and violence. The resources compiled in this new 3-part Special Collection Series reflect this integrated perspective.
Part 1: Understanding the Framework and Approach
Part 2: Building Program Capacity
Part 3: Developing Collaborations and Increasing Access
UN study on Violence Against Children
"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "
UNIFEM Annual Report 2004/2005 (pdf)
The Annual Report documents UNIFEM's work to foster women's empowerment and gender equality around the world. It highlights some of the organization's initiatives during the year 2004–2005, among which were initiatives in promoting women's political participation and leadership in post-conflict situations, easing the burden of HIV/AIDS on women, promoting women's right to own land, and supporting the creation and implementation of gender-responsive budgets.
UNiTE to End Violence against Women: The Framework for Action (pdf)
"The overall objective is raising public awareness and increasing political will and resources for preventing and responding to all forms of violence against women and girls – in all parts of the world. The Framework for Action provides an overall “umbrella” for the efforts to be undertaken at global, regional, national and local levels. It identifies five key outcomes as benchmarks for the Campaign, to be achieved in all countries by 2015, and outlines a UN Programme of Activities and expected Outputs."
VAWnet Mini-Special Collection: Supporting the Women of Haiti
"This collection includes initiatives supporting relief efforts in Haiti, especially those focused on delivering aid to women and responding to those at higher risk for sexual and/or domestic violence."
This forum addresses the nature and affects of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and provides methods to identify and treat them. Hosted by expert Debby Tucker, Executive Director for the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Violence Against Native Women: A Guide for Practitioner Action (pdf)
This paper is intended to serve as a guide to practitioners who represent Native women who are the victims of domestic and sexual violence. It is dedicated to the brave Native women whose faces are behind the horrifying statistics. Includes practice tips for law enforcement, tribal leaders, judges, advocates, attorneys, prosecutors, and probation/parole officers.
Violence Against Women and Girls: A Compendium of Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators (pdf)
"This compendium offers a set of monitoring and evaluation indicators for program managers, organizations, and policy makers working to address violence against women and girls at individual, community, district and national levels in developing countries."
Violence Against Women: Synthesis of Research for Advocacy Organizations (pdf)
This report synthesizes empirical research in the areas of domestic violence and sexual assault for advocacy organizations. It is organized into three sections; each also addresses gaps in research. The first section addresses domestic violence and summarizes the empirical research related to batterers and victims. The second section considers rape and sexual assault, examining the effectiveness of rape law reforms, treatment of offenders, and services to victims. The third section briefly examines emerging issues related to violence against women: stalking, violence against immigrant women, domestic violence in lesbian relationships, and the relationship between domestic violence and welfare.
Violence in the EU Examined (pdf)
"A report published by the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia on good practices and general recommendations for domestic violence initiatives in the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The project includes findings on sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, honor crimes, exploitation, trafficking, and other issues affecting women and children. A summary of the report’s general recommendations is also available."
Violence in the Lives of Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
"This Special Collection offers information regarding the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. The collection seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of deaf culture, provide resources to assist professionals working directly with deaf individuals, and highlight best practices."
Welfare and Domestic Violence Against Women: Lessons from Research
This VAWnet paper provides a succinct summary of welfare research, with a focus on the aspects that have implications for advocates and others who work with women who receive TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families- the program established under PRWORA).
This page links you to scripts, slides, and handouts from a web conference that, "featuring one of the nation's leading experts on violence against women and one of its top pollsters -- explored the latest research into men's views on domestic violence and sexual assault. Do men think this violence is common? Do they worry about the safety of women they know? What exactly are they willing to do to help stop violence? What messages resonate most with men? How can advocates engage men more effectively in prevention? In addition to reviewing the results of a new poll, experts discussed effective strategies for engaging men."
When Battered Women Stay... Advocacy Beyond Leaving
"This paper raises the key issues, questions, and dilemmas regarding advocacy with battered women who stay in their relationships. It discusses the limitations of safety strategies for leaving, and frames the issues central to the expansion of advocacy beyond leaving, including: 1) safety planning and advocacy with victims who stay; 2) ending violent and controlling behavior; and 3) knowing what children need to be OK."
Why Does Abuse Happen in Later Life?
"This forum explores the issue of elder abuse and is hosted by Diana Christen, Executive Director of the Family Life Center, a Certified Domestic/Sexual Violence Center and Emergency Shelter in Bunnell, Florida. Diana has specialized in the prevention of domestic/sexual violence for over 10 years."
/*Not available 7/17/12 "This report, the product of a 2009 survey of victim assistance providers and LGBTQ anti-violence programs throughout the United States, describes widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ victims of crime and recommends steps to improve both the services and their accessibility."
With an End in Sight (pdf)
"With an End in Sight" narrates inspiring stories showing how groups of people are moving ahead and creating new ideas to combat violence against women. It provides knowledge, insight and hope of how violence against women can be eliminated with combined effort, compelling advocacy, and wide-reaching education.
Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children
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.
Women and Health: Today’s Evidence, Tomorrow’s Agenda (pdf)
"This report reviews evidence on the health issues that particularly affect girls and women throughout their life course. This report uses currently available data to draw attention to the consequences and costs of failing to address health issues at appropriate points in their lives."
Yaari Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity (pdf)
"This training manual is a tool for those aiming to promote gender equity and address masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. The Manual is based on operations research that was undertaken in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh to develop educational activities targeted to young men."