"This report includes a discussion of primary prevention of intimate partner violence, promising approaches to environmental/norms change, an examination of IPV primary prevention within immigrant communities, recommended actions to building momentum for primary prevention of IPV, and immediate next steps. The report is designed as a catalyst and call to action, to give a sense of direction and raise some issues for consideration."
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."
What College Men Should Know About Sexual Assault, Rape and Sexual Battery (pdf)
The San Diego Police Department created brochures for college men and women, in cooperation with Rana Sampson of Community Policing Associates. The brochures present various scenarios and then pose the question, "Is it rape?" Clear answers are provided for each scenario, based on California state laws. The brochure for men lists specific penalties they could face if they get one answer wrong. The materials can be useful in engaging students in dialogue, comparing their perceptions of what rape is against the legal system.
A fact sheet on youth violence compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detailing risk factors, consequences, occurrence, and much more.
"An examination of 944 victim narratives from the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) finds that one in five women who reveal an incident of sexual victimization to the NCVS excuse or justify their situations, largely by drawing on social vocabularies that suggest male sexual aggression is natural, normal within dating relationships, or the victim's fault. The study's findings substantiate the influence that rape myths and gender stereotypes have on victims' perceptions of their own unwanted sexual situations and demonstrate the ways in which cultural language delimits victims' recognition of sexual victimization as crime and inhibits reporting to the police."
"She hit me too" - Identifying the Primary Aggressor: A Prosecutor's Perspective (pdf)
This article is based on law enforcement in the state of California. It has a number of points that can be important to keep in mind whenever the question of 'primary aggressor'comes up.
"This report provides an analysis of patterns of human rights abuses against women who are exposed to the risk of or are already living with HIV in rural contexts of widespread poverty and unemployment."
(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.
101 Things You Can Do to Combat the Harms of Pornography
"This blog is here to help you & other good people to become effective anti-porn activists & make the world a better place for everyone, especially girls & women. Please enjoy the many resources, & thank you for being part of the solution!"
15 Years of the United Nations Rapporteur on Violence against Women, Its Causes and Consequences (pdf)
This report reviews the status of violence against women as researched in 14 annual reports, 32 country mission reports, and 11 communication reports published as recently as December 2008. The report focuses on reproductive health and rights, poverty, migration, internally displaced persons (IDPs), women refugees, trafficking, aging, and adolescent girls. It also highlights how the mandate on violence against women has changed, what has been learned, and problems still to be addressed.
2006 Hennepin County Domestic Violence Court Report, a WATCH report (pdf)
"In November 2001, WATCH published its first domestic violence report entitled, Judicial Response and Demeanor in Domestic Violence Court. The 2001 report highlighted a variety of themes and patterns of inconsistency within the new court and offered recommendations for improvement. In this report, five years later, WATCH revisits those recommendations and takes a closer look at the effectiveness of the Hennepin County Domestic Violence Court in handling cases of misdemeanor domestic abuse."
2006 WATCH Victim Impact Statement Study (pdf)
This study addresses victim impact statements as given in court regarding incidences of domestic violence and/or sexual assault and the effect these statements had on the judge regarding sentencing.
2008 Status of Egyptian Women Report (pdf)
"The Egyptian Center for Women's Rights recently released its 2008 report on the status of Egyptian women. The report evaluated the current situation for women in Egypt, identifying the particular areas where action is most urgently needed in order to advance women's rights within the country."
2009 KIDS COUNT Data Book: State Profiles of Child Well-being (pdf)
This 20th annual KIDS COUNT Data Book provides national and state-by-state information and statistical trends on the conditions of America’s children and families. The book reports on indicators of educational achievement, economic well-being, and health, among others. The book also ranks states on a composite indicator of child wellness, aggregating measures such as infant mortality rate, graduation rates, and children in poverty.
2009 State Law Report Cards on Teen Dating Violence
A 2009 State-by-State Teen Dating Violence Report Card from Break The Cycle. Includes recommendations for improving state laws and policies to better protect victims, changes in the laws that affect teens experiencing abuse, and a revised scoring system that better assesses the impact of state laws on teens seeking protection orders.
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.
A Blueprint for Responding to Children Exposed to Domestic Violence in Pediatric Health Care (pdf)
The purpose of this document is to provide training for health care providers when working with and screening for children exposed to domestic violence. A list of recommendations is included.
This study was undertaken by an interdisciplinary cross-cultural research team from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela and the United States who came together to push the boundaries of disciplinary and governmental thinking on trafficking and sexual exploitation. The researchers examined the structural factors responsible for the increase in sex trafficking worldwide.
"Whether or not to file domestic violence cases when the victim does not support prosecution is a difficult decision. Previous research provides contradictory evidence regarding the effects on victim safety, empowerment, and official measures of recidivism of prosecuting despite victim opposition. This study compared a jurisdiction that tends not to file cases if the victim opposes prosecution (the Bronx), with a jurisdiction that files all domestic violence cases (Brooklyn).
A Comprehensive Theory of Family Violence
A brainstorming paper written to inform interested others on the status of a project and to elicit comments. Please share your comments with Jane Gilgun; email: jgilgun@tc.umn.edu.
A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect: The Foundation for Practice
Written for new child protective services (CPS) caseworkers, professionals working with children and families, other professionals and concerned community members, this manual addresses the definition, scope, causes, and consequences of child abuse and neglect. It presents an overview of prevention efforts and the child protection process from identification and reporting through investigation and assessment to service provision and case closure.
"This study examines the current state of transitional housing programs (THPs) and discusses future program considerations, including the need for evaluation studies that consider the possible impact that transitional housing programs have on the rates of violence toward women and their children, and on women's ability to achieve economic stability after separating from their abusive partners."
A Family Resource Guide on International Parental Kidnapping (pdf)
Presents practical and detailed advice about preventing international kidnapping and increasing the chance that children who are kidnapped or wrongfully retained will be returned. It provides descriptions and realistic assessments of the civil and criminal remedies available in international parental kidnapping cases, explains applicable laws and identifies both the public and private resources that may be called upon when an international abduction occurs or is threatened, and prepares parents for the legal and emotional difficulties they may experience.
A Global Report on Trafficking in Persons (pdf)
"A new report on human trafficking that provides a global overview on legislation, the criminal justice response, trafficking patterns, intra-and-international flows, and monitoring. The UNODC also highlights the situation of a variety of countries from all regions of the world."
A Guide to Addressing Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault in a School Setting
"This guide details schools' responsibility to take a leadership role to prevent and respond to teen dating and sexual violence in schools and in the community. While the information is specific to California, much can be applied nationally."
A Handbook on Planning Projects to Prevent Child Trafficking
This handbook highlights improvements in child trafficking prevention strategies, and drawing on from some of the lessons which have already been learnt by many different organizations.
A High-Tech Twist on Abuse (pdf)
Advances in technology can be perilous and beneficial to survivors. Safety Net, a project dedicated to advancing knowledge and policies on the impact of technology on victim safety, describes how abusers are using technology against victims and how victims can use technology to enhance safety.
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.
A Judge's Bench Card Regarding Full Faith and Credit
A publication designed to help judges understand the necessary steps to supporting implementation of the Full Faith and Credit Provision of the Violence Against Women Act.
A Judicial Checklist for Children and Youth Exposed to Violence (Actual Checklist for Consideration) (pdf)
A detailed checklist outlining information for judges to consider when working with cases where children or youth have been exposed to violence. A technical assistance brief detailing educational information and knowledge that is important for judges to be familiar with, can be found under the additional title.
A Judicial Checklist for Children and Youth Exposed to Violence (Informational Reading) (pdf)
A technical assistance brief that addresses the need for judges to understand the impact violence has on children and adolescents. The detailed checklist outlining information for judges to consider is located separate from this material.
A League Table of Child Maltreatment Deaths in Rich Nations (pdf)
This report represents the first ever attempt to draw a comparative picture of the physical abuse of children in the 27 richest nations of the world. UNICEF research estimates that almost 3,500 children under the age of 15 die from physical abuse and neglect every year in the industrialized world.
OCDV and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene developed a training and reference guide for healthcare providers as part of a campaign to reduce cultural, linguistic and systemic barriers preventing domestic violence victims, particularly immigrant women and women of color, from reporting abuse to their healthcare providers.
A meta-analysis of the relationship of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment
"This paper reports on meta-analyses of the relations of child sexual abuse to adult psychological adjustment. Results indicated statistically significant relationships between the experience of child sexual abuse and subsequent difficulties in psychological adjustment as measured by psychological symptomatology, depression, and self-esteem."
A National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations
This protocol was developed with the input of national, local, and tribal experts throughout the country, including law enforcement representatives, prosecutors, advocates, medical personnel, forensic scientists and others, as a guide for criminal justice and health care practitioners who respond to victims of sexual assault. The protocol is intended to assist jurisdictions in developing a response that is sensitive to victims of sexual assault and promotes offender accountability.
A National Resource Directory & Handbook Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)
"This directory brings together many of the currently available resources and initiatives related to child sexual abuse prevention, providing descriptions of organizations, programs, projects and a wide range of resources. Also features category indices, resource bibliographies, and highlights related research and key stakeholders."
"This article describes the CARE ( Collaborative for Abuse Prevention in Racial and Ethnic Communities) model, network formation, initial attempts to build collaboration and cultural competence, outreach and education activities, and organizational-level changes resulting from the establishment of the networks. The challenges, successes, and lessons learned in implementing this network model are also discussed."
A Novel, Intensive Home-Visiting Intervention for Runaway, Sexually Exploited Girls
"This study both describes a home-visiting intervention program for young, sexually assaulted runaways (10-14 years old) and provides preliminary outcomes from the first 20 female participants. Following the one-year intervention, teens' risk behaviors decreased, including truancy, runaway episodes, sexually transmitted infections and substance use."
A Parent's Guide to Internet Safety
Discusses signs that your child may be at risk online, what to do if you suspect your child is communicating with a sexual predator online, and what you can do to minimize the chances of your child being victimized online.
A pilot study of abuse among Vietnamese Amerasians
"This report describes a pilot study of the prevalence of physical and sexual abuse, and current levels of psychological distress correlated with a history of abuse, in a group of Vietnamese Amerasians bound for the United States. Abused male Amerasians reported significantly higher levels of psychological distress than nonabused male Amerasians, while abused and nonabused female Amerasians did not differ in their levels of psychological distress."
This document provides three optional program guides for health care providers and managers to eliminate gender-based violence.
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.
"This preliminary experiment tests whether African American and European American abused women who give testimony about their experiences of intimate partner violence and learn how to use yogic breathing techniques have reduced feelings of depression. Results indicate that learning yogic breathing techniques alone and combined with giving testimony significantly reduces feelings of depression. "
A Preliminary Study of Intimate Partner Violence Among Nepali Women in the United States
"The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of and vulnerabilities to (intimate partner violence) IPV among 45 Nepali immigrant women residing in the New York metropolitan area. The findings demonstrated that 75.6% of women had been verbally insulted by their current partners, and 62.2% had to seek permission from their partners to go to their friends' or relatives' houses."
A Prevention Primer for Domestic Violence: Terminology, Tools, and the Public Health Approach
This document provides an introduction to basic prevention concepts by exploring the public health approach, two classification systems, a planning tool used to develop more comprehensive initiatives, and the importance of understanding terminology.
A Process Evaluation of the Clark County Domestic Violence Court
This is an evaluation of the Clark County Domestic Violence Court in Washington. It includes an examination of statistics that reveal the extent of the domestic violence problem in Clark County, with discussion about the creation of the domestic violence court, including the philosophies that guide the Clark County Domestic Violence Court, and the specific components of the court.
This study prospectively evaluated perpetrator risk factors for sexual assault perpetration,including peer influences, beliefs and attitudes about sexuality, alcohol use, and token resistance.
A Research Agenda for Sexual Revictimization: Priority Areas and Innovative Statistical Methods
"This article develops an agenda for further research on sexual violence revictimization by identifying three priority areas for investigation, including prospective research, revictimization resilience, and contextualizing revictimization. Next, the article overviews cutting-edge statistical methods that offer innovative ways to investigate these priority areas including growth, multilevel, and person-centered models. Recommendations for revictimization measurement and sampling are also given."
A Response to the Abuse of Vulnerable Adults (pdf)
This report document is the result of a 2000 survey of state adult protective services.
A Review of Standards for Batterer Intervention Programs
This document reports on the current status of standards for batterer intervention programs in each U.S. state, describes the common elements of standards, and explores the positive and negative aspects of standards. It includes a chart outlining the status of standards in each state.
A Review of the Domestic Violence System Response: Fort Royal, Viginia (pdf)
This document outlines the procedures and results of a safety audit conducted in Fort Royal, Virginia.
A Summary of Articles from Justice Research and Policy (pdf)
"JRP Digest contains research summaries for policymakers from Justice Research and Policy, the journal of the Justice Research and Statistics Association."
A Survey of Online Harassment at a University Campus
"This study’s sample of students was taken from the University of New Hampshire campus and found that more than half of the students received unwanted pornography and 10% to 15% of students reported receiving repeated unwanted online messages via email or instant message. The study also found that sexual minority students were more likely to be harassed online than were heterosexual students. Implications for further research and policy/program development are also discussed."
A Vague and Dangerous Dance: The Politics of Justice For Domestic Assault Victims in a Rural County (pdf)
This study explores the stories of five women who entered a rural court system as victims of domestic violence in search of justice and presents the women's narratives regarding their experiences. Themes and recommendations were developed from a workshop of participants who had read one another's stories. The author presents recommendations for change to the system.
ABA Commission on Domestic Violence eNewsletter on DV and Child Protection
An e-newsletter featuring articles from experts on the intersection of domestic violence and child protection.
Abuse and Women with Disabilities
This document highlights the prevalence of violence against women with disabilities, examines abuse interventions for women with disabilities, and offers a critique of studies on abuse and disability. The authors also provide recommendations for research and program development.
Abuse During Pregnancy in Industrialized and Developing Countries
"Abuse during pregnancy has increasingly been identified as an important problem with significant consequences for maternal and infant health, particularly in North America. The authors review available evidence of the prevalence and consequences of abuse during pregnancy, including maternal mortality, outside of North America."
Abuse in Later Life Wheel (pdf)
This power and control wheel is developed for older victims and is adapted from the original power/equality wheel by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project in Duluth, MN.
Abuse of Children by Priests in the Boston Archdiocese: Violations of Applicable Standards of Care
This article outlines the history of child abuse by priests in a local diocese and outlines the consequences/outcomes from several fundamental cases. Ethical considerations and standards of care are also addressed.
Abuse of Pregnant Women and Adverse Birth Outcome: Current Knowledge and Implications for Practice
This study summarizes the prevalence of abuse among women who are pregnant and the subsequent implications associated with their delivery and the health of the newborn infant.
Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation In Licensed Facilities
Offers information and resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation in licensed facilities.
Access to HHS-Funded Services for Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence
January 2001 Factsheet. Provides guidance on eligibility for programs and services funded by HHS.
Acculturation, Partner Violence, and Psychological Distress in Refugee Women From Somalia
"This study examined the relations among acculturation, domestic violence, and mental health in 62 married refugee women from Somalia. The results showed that women who reported greater ability to speak English also reported more experiences of partner psychological abuse and physical aggression. Experiences of more psychological abuse and physical aggressions also predicted more psychological distress. Implications for future research and psychological services are addressed."
Acquaintance Rape of College Students (pdf)
"Rape is one of the most common violent crimes on American college campuses today. This guide describes the problem of acquaintance rape of college students, addressing its scope, causes, and contributing factors; methods for analyzing it on a particular campus; tested responses; and measures for assessing response effectiveness. With this information, police and campus public safety officers can more effectively prevent the problem."
This report offers an analysis and recommendations to address the impact of domestic violence and child welfare systems in communities of color. Six culture-specific organizations were partnered with to create a multi-dimensional analysis for this report. The Dialogues section offers analysis and describes some of the common findings and issues, while the Recommendations section addresses these issues. Thus, critiques and system changes go hand in hand, and are offered in the spirit of constructive engagement and strengthening communities
Adaptation Guidelines for Serving Latino Children and Families Affected by Trauma
"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 Culture in Batterers Intervention: The Asian Indian Community as an Illustrative Example
"The authors in this article utilize the Cultural Context Model(CCM) a community development and treatment model. The CCM approaches intervention with batterers and their families from a perspective that acknowledges a multilayered experience of culture. It requires accountability from batterers and supports the empowerment of victims and children at the same time as it recognizes the impact of a number of social forces related to culture and cultural differences on communities, families, and individuals. These forces include sexism, racism, and heterosexism, as well as experiences with immigration, colonization, and capitalism. Although the treatment approach is applicable cross-culturally, this article primarily focuses on examples involving families from Asian Indian-American communities."
Addressing Elder Sexual Abuse: Developing a Community Response
This multimedia curriculum is created to promote community partnerships in combating elder sexual abuse. This is a joint project of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and is funded bythe Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime & Delinquency.
Addressing Gender-based Violence: UNFPA Strategy and Framework for Action (pdf)
"This report identifies the particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence. The proposals, which focus on reducing gender inequality and discrimination, are aimed at UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls. The report critically examines existing policy frameworks, and suggests where future efforts need to be concentrated. "
Addressing Stalking in Indian Country
This article discusses the results of a June 1999 survey Mending the Sacred Hoop sent to approximately 150 tribes regarding tribal anti-stalking laws.
Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying
2-page Fact Sheet posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Fact Sheet describes bullying and its effects and provides information about the Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, which is designed to reduce bullying among elementary, middle, and junior high school children.
Addressing Youth Victimization
2001 Bulletin. The Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention published Combating Violence and Delinquency: The National Juvenile Justice Action Plan in 1996. This report established eight objectives as the foundation for innovative and effective action by Federal, State, and local governments, in partnership with private sector organizations, to reduce juvenile violence and victimization. This Bulletin, the first in a series on the implementation of the Action Plan, summarizes the accomplishments of Council member agencies in meeting one of the Action Plan's eight objectives and numerous related action steps.
Adolescent Femal Aggression: Proposal for a Research Agenda
Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the Canadian Psychological Association, June 29 to July 1, 2000, Ottawa.
Adolescent Sex Offenders and Children with Sexual Behavior Problems (pdf)
"This bibliography lists selected readings on adolescent sex offenders and children with sexual behavior problems. It includes research, guidelines, and clinical articles as well as websites and ordering information for selected articles."
Adolescent Sex Offenders: Common Misconceptions vs. Current Evidence (pdf)
"This fact sheet offers information on myths and facts about adolescent sex offenders."
Adult Domestic Violence in Cases of International Parental Child Abduction (pdf)
"This article discusses the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and its impact on battered mothers and their children seeking safety in the United States."
Advancing the Nation's Health: A Guide to Public Health Research Needs, 2006-2015 (pdf)
"This guide is meant to serve as a critical resource for research areas that should be addressed during the next decade by CDC and its partners in response to current and future public health needs and events."
Advancing the Study of Violence Against Women: Evolving Research Agendas Into Science
"This review extends beyond prior reviews to explore the field of violence against women's unique challenges, its community of scientists, and the state of its written knowledge. This article argues for moving beyond "research agendas" and proposes creation of a transdisciplinary science for the field of study of violence against women."
Adverse Consequences of Intimate Partner Abuse among Women in Non-Urban Domestic Violence Shelters
"This study examined the health consequences of having experienced both sexual and physical abuse relative to women experiencing physical abuse but not sexual abuse."
"This report indicates that persons who report having experienced IPV during their lifetimes also are more likely to report current adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors, underscoring the need for IPV assessment in health-care settings."
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 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.
Advocacy Matters: Helping Mothers and Their Children Involved with the Child Protection System
This publication gives domestic violence experts the information they need to deal successfully with child protection systems and to help battered mothers whose children have been removed from their care. Advocacy Matters includes general information and tips that help advocates better address the needs of battered mothers and their children.
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 COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENTS IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES
"Many jurisdictions handle domestic violence cases on a one-size-fits-all basis, with a presumption in favor of a finding of child neglect and removal when children are exposed to domestic violence. This author proposes that states develop a standard for both courts and child protective agencies that carefully examines each domestic violence case using an individualized factual analysis and attempt to mitigate the effects of a child’s exposure to domestic violence by means other than a presumption for or against removal (temporary or permanent) in every case."
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.
Age at First Sexual Assault and Current Substance Use and Depression
This article explores how the association between sexual violence and substance use and mental health differs by race and life course stage. Although sexual violence does not heighten the risk of problem drinking for White women, minority women victimized in adulthood are significantly more likely to engage in problem drinking and use illicit drugs. This suggests that for minority women the effects of recent victimization experiences result in immediate and potentially long-lasting consequences. The findings with respect to the association between sexual violence and depression are consistent with the child and adolescent development literature. It is Hispanic women who are more likely to suffer depression as a consequence of child sexual assault.
Alcohol and Sexual Violence Perpetration
This Applied Research paper examines the frequent co-occurrence of alcohol and sexual violence perpetration. Identifying the different ways alcohol relates to perpetration can aid in the development of effective sexual violence prevention strategies. The authors off suggestions for practitioners based on available scientific knowledge.
All Too Familiar: Sexual Abuse of Women in US State Prisons
This report examines the sexual abuse of female prisoners largely at the hands of male correctional employees at eleven state prisons located in the north, south, east, and west of the United States.
Posted by the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Discusses arrest, immunity, notice of rights, report required, and training.
A March 2000 report intended to be more than a five-year review of progress since the Beijing Conference. It is intended as a resource document, a reference tool that will help serve as a guide through the maze of government agencies and programs, both general programs and women-specific ones, that benefit women.
This is a draft of these standards, which are presented for review by the ABA Center of Children and the Law.
American Indians and Crime (pdf)
"Reports rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by Native Americans and summarizes data on Native Americans in the criminal justice system."
American Indians and Crime: A BJS Statistical Profile, 1992-2002 (pdf)
"A summary of data on American Indians in the criminal justice system and reports the rates and characteristics of violent crimes experienced by American Indians. This report updates a previous BJS report, American Indians and Crime, published in 1999. The findings include the involvement of alcohol, drugs, and weapons in violence against Indians. The report describes victim-offender relationships, the race of those involved in violence against Indians, and the rate of reporting to police by victims. It discusses the rates of arrest, suspect investigations and charges filed, and incarceration of Indians for violent crimes."
American Indians and Suicide: A Neglected Area of Research
"Published studies indicate that American Indians experience the highest rate of suicide of all ethnic groups in the United States. This article synthesizes the epidemiology and risk factors associated with suicide among American Indians, barriers to research, prevention, mental-health services, and recommendations for research and practice."
An Activity Book for African-American Families: Helping Children Cope with Crisis
Crises receive extensive media coverage, and while adults may understand what they see and hear and can place things in context, children often cannot. Helping families face everyday hardships, such as crime and poverty, can also enhance the strength and togetherness that is necessary during times of major crisis. This publication identifies information and strategies that are meaningful to families coping with crisis. The authors consulted parents about their concerns and received input on tools they would find useful. This collaboration arises from a commitment to share the best knowledge with the American people. It represents the kind of public-private partnership that uses the strengths of all partners to improve the lives of children.
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.
An Assessment of Minnesota's Health Care and Public Health Response to Violence Against Women (pdf)
Examines the prevention of violence against women through literature, current policy and practices and lists recommendations for change.
An Educators' Guide To Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats (pdf)
This document provides information about cyberbullying and cyberthreats for educators and other professionals who focus on youth safety and well-being and sets forth recommendations for a comprehensive school and community based approach to address these concerns.
An End to Silence: Prisoners’ Handbook on Identifying and Addressing Sexual Misconduct (pdf)
This report addresses staff sexual misconduct to against all inmates; both female and male. The report explores the ways to identify staff sexual misconduct, effects of sexual conducts to the victims, and the steps to address the issue.
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.
An Evaluation of Safe Dates, an Adolescent Dating Violence Prevention Program
This paper presents the results of a program focused on preventing violence among teenage dating partners. Decreased violence was perpetrated against a dating partner for those who participated in the program compared to a control group.
An Evidence-Based Review of Sexual Assault Preventive Intervention Programs (pdf)
RTI International performed a comprehensive literature review of existing Sexual Assault Preventive Programs (SAPIs). This document provides an evidence-based review of their findings and includes extensive evaluations of existing SAPIs, identifies areas where there appear to be significant gaps, as well as provides recommendations for the change of current/future SAPIs. *This file is very large, please be patient as it downloads*
An Impact Evaluation of a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Program (pdf)
This impact evaluation assesses the Albuquerque Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services in the areas of healthcare, victim services, law enforcement, and prosecution. The evaluation compares the experiences of women who sought services at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center in the two years prior to the inception of the SANE program with those of women who sought services at the Albuquerque SANE Collaborative from its inception in October 1996 through to the end of 1999. The report concludes that the "data strongly suggest that a SANE unit greatly enhances the healthcare quality of women who have been sexuaIly assaulted, improves the quality of forensic evidence, improves law enforcement's ability to collect information and to file charges, and increases the likelihood of successful prosecution"
This white paper is intended to assist court planners in the design and implementation of domestic violence court technology. It spells out the basic principles that have animated domestic violence technology in New York and walks through the principle features of New York's computer application.
An Islamic Perspective on Violence Against Women
This is a statement describing how those who perpetrate violence against women are not following the true tenants of the Quran.
An Overview of Intimate Partner Violence Among Latinos
"This article reviews the existing literature on intimate partner violence (IPV) among Latinos to put the findings of this special issue into context. This review of the literature suggests that IPV occurs as frequently among Latinos as among non-Latinos when confounders are controlled for. Role strain, especially as a result of immigration and acculturation, might be unique to Latinos, and its importance, and the importance of male dominance among Latinas experiencing IPV, deserve more research."
An Update on the Cycle of Violence (pdf)
This document presents updated results of a longitudinal study that compared the arrest records of abused and/or neglected children with arrest records for children who were not abused or maltreated.
Objective: Ten to 30% of students engage in bullying behavior. Bullies stand out on account of increased anger, poor interpersonal relationships, and poor quality of life. Our aim was to determine the effectiveness of outpatient family psychotherapy as a monotherapy for anger reduction and improvement of behavior and interpersonal relationships and of health-related quality of life in male youths with bullying behavior. Methods: Twenty-two boys with bullying behavior took part in a family therapy program for 6 months. The control group was also composed of 22 youths and took part in a placebo intervention program. Every 2 weeks, results were checked with the Adolescents Risky-Behavior Scale (ARBS), the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP-D), and the SF-36 Health Survey (SF-36). Follow-up testing took place 12 months after treatment. Results: In comparison with the control group (according to the intention-to-treat principle), bullying behavior was reduced (family therapy group: from n = 22 to n = 6; control group: from n = 22 to n = 20). Significant changes on all ARBS scales and on the STAXI scales State-Anger, Trait-Anger, Anger-Out, and Anger-Control were observed after 6 months. In the IIP-D, significant differences were found on the scales for overly autocratic, overly competitive, overly introverted, overly expressive, and exploitable/compliant. In the SF-36, significant differences were observed in general health perceptions, vitality, social functioning, role-emotional, and mental health. The reduction in expression of anger correlated with a reduction in several scales of the ARBS, IIP-D, and SF-36. Follow-up after 1 year showed relatively stable, lasting treatment effects. Conclusion: The results of this study show that outpatient family therapy seems to be an effective method of reducing anger and improving interpersonal relationships and health-related quality of life in male youths with bullying behavior.
Animal Abuse and Youth Violence
15-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes psychiatric, psychological, and criminal research linking animal abuse to violence perpetrated by juveniles and adults. Particular attention is focused on the prevalence of cruelty to animals by children and adolescents and to the role of animal abuse as a possible symptom of conduct disorder. In addition, the motivations and etiology underlying the maltreatment of animals are thoroughly reviewed. The Bulletin includes recommendations to curb such cruelty, while providing contact information for additional resources concerned with violence perpetrated against animals and people.
Animal Cruelty/Human Violence (pdf)
"This fact sheet offers statistics from several research studies investigating the connection between animal cruelty and human violence, domestic violence, and child abuse."
Annual Report on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in 2000 (pdf)
This report describes incidents of domestic violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community that were reported during the year 2000 to community-based anti-violence organizations in nine regions throughout the U.S.
Annual Report on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Domestic Violence in 1998
The purpose of this report is to investigate the following research questions and to summarize findings: 1) How prevalent is domestic violence among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people? 2) Do state statutes permit victims of same-sex domestic violence to obtain domestic violence protective orders? Footnotes are downloadable in Microsoft Word as well.
Annual Report on Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Domestic Violence in 1999 (pdf)
This report describes incidents of domestic violence in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community that were reported during the year 1999 to community-based anti-violence organizations in nine regions throughout the U.S.
Anti-Human Trafficking Manual for Criminal Justice Practitioners
"The purpose of this manual is to support criminal justice practitioners in the prevention of human trafficking, the protection of its victims, the prosecution of its culprits and in the international cooperation needed to achieve these goals. The manual is divided into fourteen modules which outline the indicators of human trafficking, the impact of abuse on victims, international cooperation in prosecuting cases, how to engage with trafficked persons, and victims’ needs and support mechanisms."
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Violence in 2002 (pdf)
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Violence in 2003 (pdf)
This report discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in 2003.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hate Crimes Report in 2003 (pdf)
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hate Crimes Report in 2004 (pdf)
Discusses hate crimes of violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hate Crimes Report in 2005 (pdf)
Discusses hate crimes of violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Violence in 2003 (pdf)
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Violence in 2004 (pdf)
This report is about bias related incidents targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals in the US.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Violence in 1998
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Violence in 1999
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Violence in 2000
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Anti-Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Violence in 2001
Discusses the trends in violence towards the lesbian, gay, transgender, and bisexual communities.
Are Heterosexual Men Also Victims of Intimate Partner Abuse?
This VAWnet document summarizes the research on rates of intimate partner abuse (IPA) committed by women against men and discusses the arguments that have been made to explain the significant discrepancies in scholars' interpretations of findings regarding women's use of violence against intimate partners. The authors also provide recommendations for research and practice.
An informative brochure on stalking created by the National Center for Victims of Crime with information on steps to take if you or someone you know is being stalked. They also offer help in creating a safety plan.
Are You Being Stalked? (Spanish)
An informative brochure on stalking created in Spanish by the National Center for Victims of Crime with information on steps to take if you or someone you know is being stalked. They also offer help in creating a safety plan.
Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Victims of Crime (pdf)
"This report focuses on the victimization experiences of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders in the United States. It examines nonfatal and fatal violent victimization and property victimization. It also includes comparisons between the victimization of Asians, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders and other racial or ethnic groups, as well as information on victimization trends."
Assault Advocacy Guide: An Advocate's Guide to Sexual Assault Policy
"This manual contains a variety of information around understanding the federal legislative process, including action tools such as tips for meeting with your legislator."
"This study's purpose was to test the multidimensionality of the Acceptance of Interpersonal Violence Scale (AIV). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on half a sample of 772 male participants and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the other half. EFA indicated a two-factor solution. Factors were labeled Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence. The CFA showed this model provided a good fit and was superior to the original one-factor model. Potential problems when using the single sum score and the applicability of the derived factor structure to violence research are discussed."
Assessing Child Exposure to Adult Domestic Violence (word)
This article addresses the current available assessment tools for measuring the level of exposure to domestic violence children have witnessed within the home. A brief review of the existing measurements is offered as well as the need for a more thoroughly refined assessment tool. Suggestions are offered.
Offers information to health care providers and counselors on the importance of screening for reproductive coercion. Also offers a framework for assessing and responding to sensitive reproductive information.
This document contains an assessment tool for jurisdictions to use in developing effective responses by law enforcement, prosecution, and the courts.
Assessing Risk To Children From Batterers (pdf)
This document provides an overview of potential sources of physical and psychological injury to children from contact with batterers, details recommendations for evaluating the risk to children and provides assessment guidelines that professionals can apply in cases where a batterer admits to a history of abusiveness by asserting that he has changed. Information is also provided regarding the necessary context for children's recovery from exposure to battering behavior.
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.
Assessment and evaluation of men who batter women
"Reviews research on characteristics of batterers and encourages ethnically and culturally sensitive approaches to assessment that are to plan effective interventions. Includes considerations regarding assessments for substance abuse, homicide, and more."
Assessment for Lifetime Exposure to Violence as a Pathway to Prevention
Provides a brief overview of the research on lifetime exposure to violence and the long-term health consequences of violence. It also examines how assessment for lifetime exposure to violence can create a pathway to prevention and addresses the long-term consequences of exposure to violence over the lifespan.
Assessment of U.S. Government Activities to Combat Trafficking in Persons (pdf)
Describes the U.S. government's successes in combating human trafficking and provides recommendations on ways to improve efforts.
Assisting Immigrant and Refugee Women Abused by Ther Sponsors: A Guide for Service Providers (pdf)
This guide is written for social service providers in Canada who deal with immigrant and refugee women who are abused by their visa sponsors under the family sponsorship program.
Attitudes of Jordanian Society Toward Wife Abuse
"This study was conducted among a sample of 260 Jordanian men and women, using self-administered open and closed questions to examine the participants' approach toward wife abuse. There was a strong tendency to consider wife abuse a personal and familial issue rather than a social and legal problem. The preferred method for coping with wife abuse and violence was the expectation that the abused wife should change her behavior and assume responsibility to change her husband followed by resorting to informal agents (family or community or religious figures). The implications of this study's findings for future research, interventions, and policy formulation are discussed."
Awareness and Attitudes About Domestic Violence
"This brief report summarizes findings from 2 focus groups and a telephone poll of 600 women in June, 2006 regarding their views about domestic violence. Demonstrates understanding of domestic violence and attitudes towards accountability and intervention."
Backlash and Whiplash: A Critique of Statistics Canada's 1999 General Social Survey on Victimization
Throughout North America and in many other countries, the late 1970s and early 1980s were marked by protests that not only was the criminal justice system stacked against battered women, but that researchers had completely ignored their plight. These earlier studies, including Statistics Canada’s own 1993 national Violence Against Women Survey (VAWS)1 and others like it are now the basis behind the claim that researchers were biased against men in the past. The main objective is to show that Statistics Canada made a specific effort to return newer studies to the late 1970s and early 1980s, when researchers methods that portrayed an inaccurate picture of relationship violence.
Balancing the Harms - Protecting Children
The author addresses the need for change in the child protection system and the current means through which children are removed from the home in domestic violence situations. The page provides a short video clip from the author's work-in-progress which addresses actual cases.
Barbara J. Hart's Collected Writings
18 of Barbara J. Hart's most recent writings. Barbara J. Hart is the Legal Director of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Associate Director of the Battered Women's Justice Project, and Legal Consultant to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence.
Barriers and Promising Approaches to Workforce and Youth Development for Young Offenders (pdf)
"This toolkit was created to address three objectives: identify barriers to success in juvenile justice -- both for the system and for the young people in it; survey innovative state and local policy initiatives; and showcase exemplary employment and development programs for court-involved youth."
Battered Immigrant Mexican Women’s Perspectives Regarding Abuse and Help-Seeking (pdf)
"A qualitative, pilot study employing in-depth ethno-graphic interviews was conducted to examine perceptions and attitudes towards abuse and the help-seeking behaviors of a sample of ten battered immigrant Mexican women. Findings indicated that participants’ attitudes about seeking help were influenced more by cultural factors (e.g., gender-role expectations, famialism) than by psycho-social stressors (e.g., immigrant status, financial dependency). Suggestions for further research and intervention with this population and a model of internal and external determinants of help-seeking behavior are presented."
Battered Immigrant Women Resources
This site provides a number of tools, books and brochures to help immigrant survivors of DV.
Battered Immigrants and U.S. Citizen Spouses (pdf)
Designed to help adjudicators who decide cases involving battered immigrant women to better understand and consider the evidence presented, this paper reviews and provided data about the dynamics of domestic violence experienced by immigrant women. The authors demonstrate how power and control over the immigration status of an immigrant partner enhances the likelihood and severity of abuse. Examples of immigration-related tactics of abuse are provided.
Battered Women and Their Children
Battered Women and Their Children is a website devoted to a professional and scholarly examination of the connections between domestic violence (woman abuse) and child maltreatment (child abuse and neglect).
Battered Women's Reports of Their Partner's and Children's Cruelty to Animals (pdf)
"This research study describes how abuse of pets is a method employed by batterers to control their partners, contributes to the impact on children exposed to violence, and may also be related to batterers' lethality."
Battered Women’s Protective Strategies
"This Applied Research paper adopts a holistic approach to understand battered women’s protective strategies, reviewing a wide range of strategies used by women to cope with numerous threats posed by battering, not just the threat of bodily harm."
Batterer Intervention Program Enrollment and Completion Among Immigrant Men in Massachusetts
"This study describes immigrant clients enrolled in Massachusetts batterer intervention (BI) programs from 2002 to 2004. The study seeks to describe the immigrant men enrolled in Massachusetts BI programs, investigate whether immigrants were more or less likely to complete BI programs than were nonimmigrants, and investigate whether immigrants in non-English, culturally specific groups were more or less likely to complete BI programs than were immigrants in mainstream groups."
Batterer Intervention Programs: Where Do We Go From Here? (pdf)
This report analyzes the possibility that previous batterer intervention program evaluations may be methodologically flawed and/or that something may be wrong with the programs themselves.
Batterer Intervention State Standards
This is an extensive directory of state and county standards for batterer intervention and domestic violence education.
Batterer Intervention: Program Approaches and Criminal Justice Strategies
This February 1998 report strives to improve the working relationship and mutual understanding between criminal justice personnel and batterer program staff. A secondary goal is to expand the debate about innovative batterer intervention approaches to include criminal justice personnel who work with batterers daily and criminal justice policymakers who are concerned with domestic violence. Published by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs at the National Institute of Justice.
Batterer Intervention: Where Do We Go From Here? - Workshop Notes
This article documents the main conversations held at the Batterer Intervention Workshop. Participants discussed several areas that need attention: the definition of a successful outcome, researcher-practitioner partnerships, determining which evaluation designs are most effective under which circumstances, and recruitment and attrition issues. The Workshop was held January 17, 2002.
Before it Occurs: Primary Prevention of Intimate Partner Violence and Abuse (pdf)
Focusing on primary prevention and applying lessons learned from past successes, our chapter presents a framework for meaningful health sector involvement in initiating the environmental change necessary to stop intimate partner violence and abuse before it occurs.
Behind Closed Doors: The Impact of Domestic Violence on Children (pdf)
This document is a collection of information about the extent of child exposure, the key finding of the research in this field, and recommendations for policymakers.
Benefits and Costs of Prevention and Early Intervention Programs for Youth
"This report describes findings and analysis regarding the cost-effectiveness of research-based prevention and early intervention programs for youth with a demonstrated ability to achieve 7 outcomes including reduction in child abuse and domestic violence."
Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action
Looks at the effectiveness of specific violence prevention practices in four key areas: parents and families; home visiting; social and conflict resolution skills; and mentoring.
Best Practices of Youth Violence Prevention: A Sourcebook for Community Action
Best Practices is the first of its kind to look at the effectiveness of specific violence prevention practices in four key areas: parents and families; home visiting; social and conflict resolution skills; and mentoring. These programs are drawn from real-world experiences of professionals and advocates who have successfully worked to prevent violence among children and adolescents. As a CDC publication, the sourcebook also documents the science behind each best practice and offers a comprehensive directory of resources for more information about programs that have used these practices. This publication is out of print and only available electronically. Copia en Espanol en .pdf
Beyond 'Drink Spiking': Drug and Alcohol Facilitated Sexual Assault (pdf)
"This report from Australia focuses on the issue of drug-facilitated sexual assault and "drink spiking", and the fact that it is problematic to overlook the real issues related to sexual assault, alcohol comsumption, and victim-blaming."
Beyond Child Labour, Affirming Rights (pdf)
Beyond Child Labour shows how UNICEF and its major partners are working to end child labour, a cause of poverty.
Beyond Observation: Considerations for Advancing Domestic Violence Practice in Supervised Visitation (pdf)
"This paper presents considerations for expanded practice in the Supervised Visitation Grant Program and describes interventions that go beyond observation in the supervised visitation setting."
"The domestic violence advocacy and family court communities have each grown dramatically over the last three decades. Although these professional communities share many values in common, they often find themselves at odds with one another on a host of issues. This article examines the practical, political, definitional, and ideological differences between the two communities and calls for them to join forces and collaborate on behalf of children and families."
Beyond Surviving: Toward a Movement of Preventing Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)
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.
"This manual is dedicated to answering a simple question: What do you do when a sexual assault victim walks through your door and asks for legal help?"
Bibliography of Sexual and Domestic Violence in the Jewish Community (pdf)
"In addition to providing a list of organizations working on this issue, this bibliography lists the following types of resources: Periodicals; Books; Journal Articles; Newspaper Articles; Newsletter Articles; and Directories."
Blame, Shame, and Community: Justice Responses to Violence Against Women
August 2000 speech delivered at the 108th annual APA meeting.
Blaming the Victim: Domestic Violence and the CoDependency Model (pdf)
This article addresses the hazards of applying a label of co-dependent upon a battered woman, and discusses the differences between being a victim of abuse and being co-dependent.
Blueprints for Violence Prevention
15-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Through the Blueprints for Violence Prevention Initiative, OJJDP provides information to communities on a broad array of violence prevention and intervention programs that have proven to be effective. This Bulletin describes the demanding criteria established by CSPV to designate model Blueprints programs and the activities of the 11 programs out of the more than 500 reviewed to date that have been found to meet those standards. Contact information is provided for each program, and replication and funding resources are discussed.
Blueprints for Violence Prevention (pdf)
This document describes the Blueprints for Violence Prevention initiative, presents lessons learned about program implementation, and provides recommendations for program designers, funders, and implementing agencies and organizations.After reviewing more than 600 violence prevention programs, the Blueprints initiative has identified 11 model programs and 21 promising programs that prevent violence and drug use and treat youth with problem behaviors.
Blueprints for Violence Prevention
This report by the OJJDP describes 11 model programs and 21 promising programs that demonstrated evidence of effectiveness in delinquency, violence, and substance abuse prevention and reduction. The report describes the Blueprints programs, presents lessons learned about program implementation and provides recommendations for program designers, funders, and implementing agencies and organizations.
Body Evidence: Intimate Violence against South Asian Women in America
"In Body Evidence, more than twenty scholars and public health professionals uncover the unique challenges faced by victims of violence in intimate spaces . . . within families, communities and trusted relationships in South Asian American communities. Topics include cultural obsession with women's chastity and virginity; the continued silence surrounding intimate violence among women who identify themselves as lesbian, bisexual, or transgender; the consequences of refusing marriage proposals or failing to meet dowry demands; and, ultimately, the ways in which the United States courts often confuse and exacerbate the plights of these women."
Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Children: Consequences of Emotional Neglect in Childhood (pdf)
This article is designed for parents, teachers and working professionals interested in learning about attachment and how it is affected by emotional absences in early development.
This curriculum guideline offers information, exercises and more to help batterer intervention programs to help fathers who have perpetrated family violence relate to their children in positive ways.
Breaking the Links Between Poverty and Violence against Women: A Resource Guide (pdf)
"This resource guide explores the ways in which poverty and violence are linked. It acknowledges the efforts of women’s groups, community organizations and service agencies that support low-income women to take control of and deal with the poverty and violence in their lives. Another area of focus is to inspire community-based groups to take action on poverty and violence issues by providing practical examples of what others are doing."
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."
Bridging the Gap: Financing Gender Equality (pdf)
"This booklet is intended for those who wish to better understand the links between gender equality, public policy formation and development financing. It highlights the importance of expanding policy choices in setting the framework for national development plans, and emphasizes the central role of strategies to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women in achieving development effectiveness."
Bringing the Greenbook to Life: a Resource Guide for Communities (pdf)
"This guide is designed for communities seeking to develop interventions that will improve their responses to families suffering both domestic violence and child maltreatment."
Broadening Our Understanding of Violence Against Women Among Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Minorities
This article documents the main discussions that evolved from a workshop. The document explores what is known and unknown about the dynamics of violence experienced by women from diverse communities and how criminal justice and social science providers can better respond to it. The workshop was held in October 2001 and attended by approximately 30 practitioners and researchers, including representatives from the Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services.
Broken Rainbow Conference Report 2002
The report summarizes the Broken Rainbow Conference, which was held in London, England on May 12, 2002 to discuss how to change the situation of LGBT people facing domestic violence and abuse.
Building Academic Capacity and Expertise in the HEALTH EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE (pdf)
This report was created from the Proceedings from a Pre-Conference Symposium at the Family Violence Prevention Fund which offers a blueprint on advancing professional health education from a perspective on the health effects on violence and abuse.
Building Bridges Between Domestic Violence Advocates and Healthcare Providers
This paper addresses the role of domestic violence advocates as they face new challenges in the field of health care, with growing demands to provide health care-based training, interventions, and policy initiatives.
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 Bridges Between Healthy Marriage, Responsible Fatherhood, and Domestic Violence Programs (pdf)
The authors discuss the disconnect between professionals working in domestic violence, healthy marriages, and responsible fatherhood and highlights the needs and benefits of collaboration.
Contents Include: Barriers Facing Immigrant Victims of Violence against Women; Effective Strategies for Reaching & Serving Immigrant Victims of Violence against Women; Promising Models for Reaching & Serving Immigrant Victims of Violence against Women. The .pdf file size is very large.
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."
This report provides recommendations regarding public health surveillance and research on violence against women developed during a workshop, "Building Data Systems for Monitoring and Responding to Violence Against Women." The Workshop, which was convened October 29--30, 1998, was co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Justice.
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.
Building Safety for Battered Women and Their Children into the Child Protection System (pdf)
This is a report based on three separate consultations by Praxis with communities wanting to explore the use of the Safety and Accountability Audit in child protection cases where there has been a history of domestic violence. This report shows how to use case files and focus groups to locate systemic problems in the handling of these cases. It is a preliminary examination of the problematic practices in working with battered women within a child protection case.
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
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.
Cambodia: Exodus to the Sex Trade? (pdf)
"This report suggests that the global financial crisis has led to an increase of women entering the sex trafficking industry in Cambodia. Women said they entered the sex trafficking industry mostly because of “difficult family circumstances,” and because they thought they could “easily earn a lot of money, in good working conditions." In order to combat this new trend, the report recommends strengthening social safety nets, linking women seeking jobs with alternative job placement assistance, targeted awareness raising and specific information outreach on accessing social services and how to utilize safer sources of loans and credit."
Campus Stalking (pdf)
"Highlights issues and suggests practical options for responding to stalking incidents that occur in college and university campus communities. Includes a review of the history, definitions, and statistics related to stalking, offering useful resources."
Canadian Domestic Violence Policy and Indian Immigrant Women
"This article explores the problems of Indian immigrant women who face cultural constraints in accessing the benefits of Canadian policies for domestically abused women. They expose the pressures of cultural, social, and family ties that prevent these women from getting necessary help for domestic violence. The limitations of Canadian policies and programs for these women and the means to improve their access to these policies and programs are discussed."
Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect: 2003 (pdf)
This report presents the major findings of the second cycle of the Canadian Incidence Study of Reported Child Abuse and Neglect (CIS-2003). In this initiative, data are collected every five years on child maltreatment reported to, and investigated by, child welfare agencies in Canada.
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.
Case Studies in Partner Violence
Discusses that interpersonal violence and abuse, especially between relatives and domestic partners, are leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Published in American Family Physician.
Casey Gwinn Blog, Family Justice Center Alliance
In his blog, he writes about the current work he is doing with the Family Justice Center on issues surrounding domestic violence. Casey Gwinn has played a key role in developing the President’s Family Justice Center Initiative and currently assists communities across America in developing Family Justice Centers.
Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse and Violence (video)
A 30-minute video containing true stories of teens, parents, and professionals who have been in or witnessed abusive relationships. They describe their experiences and insights so that teens and parents can recognize and prevent dating abuse in their own lives or in the lives of their friends.
This article explains the importance of coordingating system change activities in child welfare agencies with many collaborative activities."
This research report describes how and why two Midwestern domestic violence organizations use Internet and wireless communication technologies.
Characteristics of Batterers in A Multi-Site Evaluation of Batterer Intervention Systems
Includes: A summary of findings for a 12-month follow-up; A summary of findings for a 15-month follow-up; and List of Papers and Staff
Characteristics of Crimes Against Juveniles
12-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin reviews data from the 1997 NIBRS data file that pertain to juvenile victims.
Child Abuse and Accidents in Black Families: A Controlled Comparative Study
This study identified significant socioeconomic factors that increased the stress in families. Controlled comparative samples of children were used and matched on the basis of race, SES and age.
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 Abuse and Neglect Fatalities: Statistics and Interventions (pdf)
"This 2008 brief report presents statistical information on maltreatment-related fatalities of children including who are the victims and perpetrators and how communities often respond. "
Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention : Reports from the Field and Ideas for the Future (pdf)
"This report summarizes findings from a PPN project conducted for the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation's Child Abuse Prevention Program. The project sought to assess the current state of the child abuse and neglect prevention field as well as identify potential future directions for the field in terms of emerging priorities and prevention strategies."
Child Abuse and Neglect: Compendia of Civil and Criminal State Laws
"This compendia list how each state in the U.S. defines child abuse and neglect. The compendia of civil state laws are to help legal and non-legal professionals in the analysis, formulation, and implementation of child protection and child welfare legislation. The Compendia (previously titled State Statutes Elements) contain citations and text of key civil statutes pertaining to child maltreatment, child welfare, and domestic violence. The Compendia are intended as research tools and do not substitute for the official version of any statute."
Child Abuse and Pediatric Social Illness: An Epidemiological Analysis and Ecological Reformulation
This study discusses the findings as determined by a case-control study of children placed in the hospital for immediate medical attention and their caregivers who brought them there. The comparative samples are those who are suspected to have experienced a form of child abuse/neglect versus those children with comparable presenting symptoms but not likely to have experience child abuse/neglect.
Child Abuse Incidence and Reporting by Hospitals: Significance of Severity, Class, and Race
The study summarizes the data collected from a study that measured the variation in treatment and child protection cases reported by hospital workers. Findings suggested that race, the income and living situation of the family, alleged offender responsible for the child abuse, as well as the degree and type of abuse that occurred were all factors that dictated whether or not a hospital filed a report with child protection on behalf of the child's safety.
Child Abuse Prevention: Accomplishments and Challenges (pdf)
This paper begins by briefly outlining the theoretical framework that has shaped the development of prevention programming in the area of child abuse. It then summarizes the key program models emerging it this field and the empirical base regarding the relative effectiveness of these strategies.
Child Abuse Reported to the Police (pdf)
Describes how data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System can be used to depict police experience with child abuse.
Child abuse, child pornography and the internet (pdf)
This report seeks to determine to what extent the internet facilitates sexually abusive behavior in individuals. The report also discusses the role that child pornography can play in stimulating individuals with sexual interest in children to go on committing real life offences against children. The author concludes by proposing ways to increase protection for children using the internet and reduce the amount of child pornography being posted on the internet.
Child Abuse: Statistics, Research, and Resources
Gives historical contexts, sources of statistics, and statistical tools. Also includes official statistics on child abuse for the United States, Canada, Australia, and England. Discusses the prevalance of the sexual abuse of boys and the effects of child abuse, and gives resources for parents and caregivers.
Child Abuse: The Current Theory Base and Future Research Needs
This study briefly summarizes the literature findings on the effects and theories behind child abuse and then addresses implications for the future.
"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."
A surprising number of battered women lose custody of their children to their abusive partners. This document describes some of the legal and cultural trends surrounding custody and visitation decisions and the social science evidence supporting a need to consider domestic violence in these decisions.
Describes major legal and social trends surrounding custody and visitation decisions and the social science evidence supporting the need to consider domestic violence. Recommendations for custody and visitation decisions are explored.
"Describes major legal and social trends surrounding custody and visitation decisions and the social science evidence supporting the need to consider domestic violence. Recommendations for custody and visitation decisions are explored."
Child Development-Community Policing: Partnership in a Climate of Violence (pdf)
This article is available through the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The article discusses a unique collaborative program to address the psychological impact of the chronic exposure to community violence on children and families. The Child Development-CommunityPolicing (CD-CP) program brings police officers and mental health professionals together to provide each other with training, consultation, and support, and to provide direct interdisciplinary intervention to children who are victims, witnesses, or perpetrators of violent crime.
Child Exploitation Statutes and Legislation
Posted by the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the Criminal Division of the United States Department of Justice. Includes information on the Child Online Protection Act and Protection of Children from Sexual Predators Act.
Child Maltreatment 2006 Report (pdf)
"The latest Child Maltreatment annual report reports statistical data from the states on reports of maltreatment, characteristics of the children involved and their perpetrators, fatalities tied to maltreatment, and services provided to prevent maltreatment or to address the consequences of maltreatment."
Child Physical Abuse: A Problematic Rediscovery
This article addresses the waxing and waning attention that childhood physical abuse has received over the course of history.
Child Pornography: Findings From the National Incident-Based Reporting System (pdf)
This document presents findings from the FBI’s National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS). By collecting data on pornography/obscene material offenses from law enforcement jurisdictions, NIBRS enables researchers to draw conclusions about the number, locations, and characteristics of these crimes. NIBRS data suggest that approximately 2,900 crime incidents of pornography with juvenile involvement were known to state and local police in 2000; these offenses most often were committed by a lone adult male offender, occurred in a residence, and did not involve a computer. Currently, NIBRS data represent about 14 percent of the population. As more jurisdictions support uniform reporting of accurate data to NIBRS and as its codes become more refined, NIBRS will become even more useful in identifying and tracking trends in child pornography.
Child prostitution: global health burden, research needs, and interventions
"In this article we estimate morbidity and mortality among prostituted children, and propose research strategies and interventions to mitigate such health consequences."
Child Protection Information Sheets (pdf)
"This booklet comprises 14 information sheets which highlight how child protection is crucial to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Covering different forms of abuse, these sheets also outline how to build a protective environment for children and what UNICEF is doing on the ground to protect children."
Child Protective Services for Children of Battered Women: Practice and Controversy
1995. A look at the difficulties that child protection workers face when trying to make a situation safe for children who witness woman abuse.
Child Safety on the Information Highway
This document gives tips for becoming smart about the Web. Guidelines for parents are provided, along with 10 specific suggestions for safeguarding children's online activities and an explaination for how to deal with everything from suggestive or misleading content to possible online-arranged meetings with strangers.
Child Sexual Abuse and Subsequent Psychopathology: Results From the National Comorbidity Survey
"This study examines the relationship between child sexual abuse (CSA) and subsequent onset of psychiatric disorders, accounting for other childhood adversities, CSA type, and chronicity of the abuse."
Child Sexual Abuse: Child Survivors, Mothers, and Perpetrators Tell Their Stories (pdf)
This book is full of hard-to-find information about child sexual abuse and is based on interviews with children, mothers, and perpetrators. Through these interviews, questions many people have surrounding this issue are answered. This book reveals how our culture gangs up on child victims to the benefit of perpetrators.
Child Trafficking for Sexual Purposes Report (pdf)
End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes (ECPAT International) released a report in November 2008 on the global problem of child sex trafficking. The report sums up progress countries have made since passing laws to combat child sex trafficking. Finally, the report highlights key lessons learned and discusses six recommendations to improve strategies and policies.
Child Trafficking in the EU - Challenges, perspectives and good practices
A report on the spread of child trafficking in the EU member states. Few of several findings of the report include: children who disappear from shelters are more likely to fall victim to child trafficking, low number of convictions for child trafficking, and one of the factors leading to low convictions is that many victims of trafficking are not accurately identified as such. The report concludes with a recommendation that victims of trafficking should not be treated as criminals and charged with crimes and instead putting an end to these practices and protect victims.
Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Annual Report
Improved efforts are needed to ensure that child victims do not experience recurrence of abuse or neglect, according to this year´s annual report to Congress from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Children´s Bureau. While the overall performance of state child welfare services generally improved from 2000 to 2003, the 2006 report, Child Welfare Outcomes 2003: Annual Report to Congress, recognizes that particularly with regard to maltreatment of children, the reported data do not always include all instances of abuse or neglect. In measuring the recurrence of child abuse and neglect, the report notes that child victim rates varied considerably across states, ranging from 1.6 per 1,000 children in the state's population in Pennsylvania to 42.2 in Alaska, with a median of 10.6. In seven states, there were fewer than five child victims per 1,000 children (Arizona, Idaho, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington). In contrast, in six states, there were more than 20 child victims per 1,000 (Alaska, District of Columbia, Florida, Massachusetts, South Dakota, and West Virginia); in two of these six states (Alaska and Florida) there were more than 35 child victims per 1,000. The full report with state-by-state results plus nation-wide data can be downloaded from the Children's Bureau Web site above.
Child Welfare Practices for Cases with Domestic Violence (pdf)
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.
Child Welfare: Health & Human Services
This website provides a number of documents and related resources, particlarly for child welfare workers. Training resources and interventions are provided as well.
Child Witnesses in Canada (pdf)
This paper reviews the legal reforms of the 1980s that opened the courtrooms of Canada to hearing the evidence of children. Topics covered include best practice approaches, a research agenda for child witnesses, a "bill of rights" for children who have to testify, and the results of a follow-up with former clients 12 years after they were referred.
Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence - Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about child witnessing of domestic violence are answered along with information about how children are impacted, the long-term effects, and how to help.
Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence: A Meta-Analytic Review (pdf)
This study compared children exposed to domestic violence to children not so exposed. The results showed that child witnesses to domestic violence exhibit more negative outcomes.
"This report presents findings from the National Juvenile Online Victimization (N-JOV) Study describing arrests and characteristics of offenses and offenders for Internet-related sex crimes committed against minors."
Child/Youth Confidentiality in Domestic Violence Programs (pdf)
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 IV addresses ideas to consider when making decisions about children's confidentiality issues, provides "best practices" for direct services and schools and discusses teen-specific service considerations.
"Abuse studies from the author’s laboratory, studies of children in orphanages who lacked emotional contact, and a large number of animal deprivation and enrichment studies point to the need for children and young nonhuman mammals to have both stable emotional attachments with and touch from primary adult caregivers, and spontaneous interactions with peers. If these connections are lacking, brain development both of caring behavior and cognitive capacities is damaged in a lasting fashion. The effects of the childhood environment, favorable or unfavorable, interact with all the processes of neurodevelopment."
Childhood Sex Abuse Increases Risk for Drug Dependence in Adult Women
"The article briefly discusses the data results gathered from interviews of women revealing that those who experienced any type of sexual abuse in their childhood were roughly three times more likely than unabused girls to report drug dependence as adults."
This study confirms previous research that shows a strong relationship between all types of child abuse (physical, sexual, and emotional) and neglect and delinquency, adult criminality, and violent criminal behavior. The authors analyzed 877 substantiated cases of child maltreatment in court records from the mid-1980s and compared them with a control group of matched children.
Childhood Victimization: Early Adversity, Later Psychopathology (pdf)
This article examines the long-term consequences of childhood victimization and the processes linking it to outcomes later in life. This article discusses what is known from earlier studies and also presents the findings of more recent research.
Children Abducted by Family Members: National Estimates and Characteristics (pdf)
This document summarizes findings from the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART–2). The series offers national estimates of missing children based on surveys of households, juvenile residential facilities, and law enforcement agencies. It also presents statistical profiles of these children, including their demographic characteristics and the circumstances of their disappearance.
Children Abducted by Family Members: National Estimates and Characteristics (pdf)
This bulletin presents national estimates of children abducted by family members in 1999, their demographic characteristics, and the characteristics of perpetrators and episodes. The bulletin is part of a series summarizing findings from the second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Of the estimated 203,900 children who experienced a family abduction, 117,200 were classified as caretaker missing and 56,500 were reported as missing to law enforcement or other agencies. Younger children were at greatest risk of being abducted by a family member. Use of threats or physical force was uncommon. The bulletin also discusses policy implications of the findings.
Children and Domestic Violence
A variety of resources are provided for professionals and for any person interested in learning more about children and domestic violence, including books and training materials.
Children and Domestic Violence (pdf)
This document is based on a presentation done by Steve Cohen. It reviews the impact of exposure to domestic violence on children, the scope of the problem, and a variety of resources are also provided.
Children and Family Violence: The Unnoticed Victims
May 1994 report based on a New Zealand study. This document goes into detail about child exposure to domestic violence and the consequences of such witnessing.
May 2000. This 23-page Bulletin was derived from "Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 1999 National Report." It is one of a series of Bulletins designed to give readers quick access to some of the most critical data from the wealth of data in the 222-page Report, which was compiled for OJJDP by the National Center for Juvenile Justice. This Bulletin documents the impact of crime on society's most vulnerable victims--children.
Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (pdf)
In this brief, an outline is provided that details the domestic violence problem, how it effects children by age and gender, the connection between DV and child abuse, and Rhode Islands specific efforts to combat the problem.
Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
The information provided in this article centers on the effects of child exposure to domestic violence, parenting practices, the need for collaboration between domestic violence advocates and child protection workers, and interventions for exposed children.
Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence: Research Findings and Implications for Intervention
Prevalence rates are discussed in addition to moderating factors for childrens' responses to domestic violence. Group and individual interventions are reviewed in the context of witnessing DV.
This handbook is for domestic violence specialists and trainers in police departments. It is designed to increase the understanding of children’s exposure to domestic violence by officers responding to these situations.
This 26-page resource helps educators understand how violence affects children at different ages, what teachers may see in the classroom, teaching strategies, handling parent-attended events, and supporting students who disclose.
Children Exposed to Violence: Current Status, Gaps, and Research Priorities (pdf)
This is a workshop summary of the July 24-26, 2002 conference in Washington DC. It includes conference findings that explore the definition and conceptualization of child maltreatment, differentiating exposure to violence and child abuse, measuring violence exposure, services and interventions, and legal and policy issues.
Children Hurt Too: How You Can Help (pdf)
This booklet contains information put together by King County in Washington, that can help parents to talk to their children about the violence, and help children to recover from their experience so they don’t become abusers or victims themselves.
Children Who Witness Domestic Violence: The Invisible Victims (pdf)
A review of the effects of exposure to both domestic violence and community violence is the focus of this work, and the author discusses what is learned by children who witness such violence. Further directions for research are also included.
Children with Sexual Behavior Problems: Common Misconceptions vs. Current Findings (pdf)
"This fact sheet provides information about children who demonstrate developmentally inappropriate or aggressive sexual behavior. It addresses some common myths about this population and provides findings from research on the issue."
Children's Domestic Violence Assessment Tool (pdf)
"The purpose of this tool is to help assess safety, risk, strengths and needs. It may be used to assist in decision making and service planning during any stage of the CPS case (assessment through case planning and case management) in conjunction with required Structured Decision Making Tools. The tool is designed for use with the child(ren) in CPS cases involving domestic violence."
Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence
This article reviews the various effects, possible symptoms, protective factors, and the professional response.
Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: A Guide to Research and Resources (pdf)
Published in collaborative work with the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, this document outlines: the impace of domestic violence on children, the legal issues and system responses affecting children exposed to domestic violence, and provides useful resources which address this specific area of interest.
Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: Is It Child Abuse?
"Each year, millions of children are exposed to incidents of adult domestic violence. Children in violent households are at increased risk of physical abuse and often experience heightened levels of depression, anxiety and aggression. Policymakers are concerned about the effects of domestic violence on children's safety and well-being. Some are considering whether to treat exposure to domestic violence as child maltreatment and to require that such exposure be reported to and investigated by child welfare authorities. Some domestic violence experts have criticized this approach as unnecessary and counterproductive. This report reviews what states have done, summarizes the arguments for and against this new and controversial strategy, briefly reviews some alternative policy approaches to the problem, and identifies some key issues for legislators."
Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: Striving Toward an Ecological Framework for Interventions (pdf)
The authors discuss the implications for childhood exposure to domestic violence and reviews a myriad of interventions that have been shown to counteract some of the consequences.
Children's Exposure to Violence
This website provides access to research articles about a variety of topics related to child exposure to domestic violence. Articles can be searched for by topic.
Children's Exposure to Violence: The Safe Start Initiative
An April 2001 Factsheet presents an overview of the Safe Start Initiative. Researchers estimate that as many as 10 million U.S. children witness or are victims of violence in their homes or communities each year. The Safe Start Initiative, which was developed by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention in partnership with the Office of Justice Programs and the Department of Health and Human Services, is designed to prevent and reduce the impact of violence on young children and their families through the development of comprehensive and collaborative service delivery systems.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
TITLE XIII-Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998
This ToolKit includes information and materials to assist in a creating a program for children who have experienced trauma. Its design lends itself to using components individually or in combination. It can easily be customized to meet individual program needs.
Children's Witnessing of Adult Domestic Violence
This article focuses on understanding on how witnessing violence in defined, what we know about its effects on children, and how such information may be used or misused.
Children, Young People and Domestic Violence (pdf)
The author explores "the ways in which children and young people experience domestic violence," as well as the impact it has on child development and the response by professionals and the child protection system is also reviewed.
Children’s Exposure to Violence: A Comprehensive National Survey (pdf)
"This Bulletin discusses the National Survey of Children’s Exposure to Violence that measured the past-year and lifetime exposure to violence for children age 17 and younger across several major categories: conventional crime, child maltreatment, victimization by peers and siblings, sexual victimization, witnessing and indirect victimization (including exposure to community violence and family violence), school violence and threats, and Internet victimization."
Choose Respect Video Discussion Guide (pdf)
Discussion guide for parents, teachers, and other adults regarding the video "Causing Pain: Real Stories of Dating Abuse and Violence".
Choosing and Using Child Victimization Questionnaires
15-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin notes several benefits deriving from the use of standardized questionnaires. Specific guidelines are provided to help youth service professionals determine what type of victimization is to be measured, what questionnaire should be administered, whether the results need to correspond to crime and child protection categories, what period of time is being surveyed, what the children's ages are, and whether the results will be compared with national norms. Specific questionnaires are reviewed, and recommendations for further reading are offered.
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 II of the series provides well-documented information for policy development regarding criminal and civil responses to issues impacting children exposed to domestic violence that hold batterers accountable. The paper incudes a discussion of unintended consequences of these policies, a review of several state statutes and a model response and recommendations for Vermont.
Civil Tort Actions Filed by Victims of Sexual Assault: Promise and Perils
"This Applied Research paper examines tort actions for sexual assault - law suits that seek financial compensation for wrongs that cause injury to the victim. The paper also discusses benefits and drawbacks of tort litigation for sexual assault survivors."
This guide is inteded for use by qualified health care providers in developing protocols for the management of rape survivors.
Close the Book on Hate: Responding to Hate Motivated Behaviors in Schools
Discusses hate incidents and hate crimes. Gives lesson plans and teaching tips regarding responding to hate-motivated behavior in schools, holiday activities guidelines, anti-bias education, creating a positive environment in which to raise diversity issues, and resources.
Closing the Quality Chasm in Child Abuse Treatment: Identifying and Disseminating Best Practices (pdf)
Three intervention protocols emerged as clear, consensus choices as "Best Practices" in the field of child abuse treatment: 1. Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT); 2. Abuse Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (AF-CBT); 3. Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)
Coerced First Intercourse and Reproductive Health Among Adolescent Women in Rakai, Uganda
This paper addresses linkages between coerced first sex and selected reproductive health behaviors and outcomes in a sample of 575 sexually experienced adolescent women in rural Uganda.
Collaborating for Family Safety: Results From the Greenbook Multisite Evaluation
"This special issue of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence features results from a multisite developmental evaluation of best practices at the intersection of child maltreatment and adult domestic violence."
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."
This article explains the importance of collaborative efforts to responding to families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment. The Greenbook Initiative provided a framework for developing a multisystem collaborative approach to working with families.
"This article describes the first national survey of violence against women in Pakistan from 2001 to 2004 covering 23,430 women. The training module for interviewers focused on empathy with respondents, notably increasing disclosure rates. The authors conclude that surveys of violence against women in Pakistan not using methods to minimize underreporting could seriously underestimate prevalence."
College Professors as Potential Victims of Stalking: Awareness and Prevention: National Implications (pdf)
"The stalking of professors by students can create considerable difficulty for both faculty and administration. Particular attributes of college and university environments contribute to potential stalking behaviors, especially among poorly adjusted students. Recommendations are made regarding materials with evidentiary value that should be collected if a professor believes she or he is being stalked. Behaviors that college instructors should avoid during student-instructor interactions are provided. Institutional policies regarding intimate relationships between faculty and students are also presented by the authors."
Discusses reasons for establishing a program, guidelines for employers, guidelines for law enforcement agencies and where to get additional information.
"This article uses multiple methods to compile information about research ethics with vulnerable participants as well as with recruitment and follow-up strategies, and shows how considering research ethics may actually enhance recruitment and follow-up strategies with women experiencing partner violence victimization."
Commodifying Honor in Female Sexuality: Honor Killings in Palestine
Discusses honor killings and the history of this practice in Palestine.
Common Myths and Misconceptions (pdf)
"Summary of myths and misconceptions about the definition of human trafficking and the types of human trafficking operations that exist in the U.S."
Community Action Kit - "Helping Preteens and Teens Build Healthy Relationships" (pdf)
Presents information and resources for adults and parents to help reduce dating violence.
Community Corrections Response To Domestic Violence: Guidelines For Practice (pdf)
"This document provides a series of guidelines for community corrections professionals that support a proactive community supervision approach for domestic violence cases. It pulls together in one place for community corrections professionals and allied justice system and community-based services the conceptual information and practical tools to develop or enhance effective programs."
Community Insights on Domestic Violence Among African Americans (pdf)
This document examines community perceptions of domestic violence in the lives of African Americans living in the San Francisco/Oakland, California area.
Community Survey Project: Factors That Influence Disclosure of Domestic Abuse to Providers
The Whatcom County Domestic Violence Comprehensive Plan, completed by the Bellingham-Whatcom County Commission Against Domestic Violence in June 2000, identified the need for increased knowledge about experiences of victims and survivors of domestic violence, as they interface with Whatcom County community and health care providers. To find out more about how victims experience the prospect of disclosing domestic violence to providers, the commission surveyed 1081 women in the county.
Compendium of Research on Violence Against Women, 1993-2008 (pdf)
"This is a comprehensive compilation of National Institute of Justice (NIJ)-funded research including a table of contents, index, and descriptions of projects available through the Violence Against Women & Family Violence (VAW&FV) program."
"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.
Confronting Sexual Violence in Conflict Situations (pdf)
"This document is one of four sections to be published in the organization's upcoming handbook, 'Women Claiming Justice: Using International Law in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations'. The report outlines the various manifestations of sexual violence frequently exhibited in conflict zones, specifically highlighting rape and sexual abuse, domestic violence, sexual exploitation, and trafficking. Also provides a “Peace Builders Action Toolkit” with resources for activists working to create peace and justice. "
Confronting the Sexual Abuse of Women with Disabilities
This VAWnet paper provides a brief summary of the research on sexual abuse of women with disabilities. The document also covers the origins of our knowledge concerning the sexual abuse of women with disabilities, the methodological quandaries related to sexual abuse research in general and the data on women with disabilities and the men who abuse them, and concludes with an exploration of the efforts of women with disabilities and their allies to counter sexual abuse.
Consensus and Difference Among Hospital Professionals in Evaluating Child Maltreatment
This article summarizes the findings revealed through multidisciplinary consultation assessing the severity of known child abuse cases, and reported their conclusions in survey-format. An exploratory factor analysis yielded five categories of maltreatment: physical abuse, sexual abuse, general failures in care, minor neglect/discipline, and lifestyles/values.
This study explored the cultural context of how intimate partner violence affects accessibility to services for Haitian women. The study revealed that the nature and context of intimate partner violence in this immigrant community contribute to the women's hesitation to pursue services and that mainstream services were not accessible to them as well. The author concludes by giving suggesstions on overcoming these barriers and improving service delivery.
Considering the Victim in the Implementation of Megan's Laws
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.
Controversies and Recent Studies of Batterer Intervention Program Effectiveness
This VAWnet document examines the effectiveness of batterer intervention programs and particularly addresses how they work, for whom do they work best, and which elements of the program are most important.
This document explores the attitudes and perceptions of women of color survivors with children. The overarching objective was to hear what women had to say about efforts to engage men and fathers of color as allies in stopping intimate partner violence and restoring health in partnership and parenting. The research was undertaken by the Family Violence Prevention Fund as part of the development of our national violence prevention campaign.
"The goal of this initiative was to increase community capacity to assist dually victimized families. This article focuses on the DV service organizations in the demonstration with regard to collaborations with other agencies and work within the DV system to respond to dually victimized families."
Corporal punishment as a Stressor Among Youth (pdf)
"This article addresses the impact of corporal punishment by parents on the psychological well being of youth. Based on the authors' findings, the research indicates a positive association between the frequency of corporal punishment and both psychological distress and depression."
"The author presents the results of meta-analyses of the association between parental corporal punishment and 11 child behaviors and experiences. Parental corporal punishment was associated with all child constructs, including higher levels of immediate compliance and aggression and lower levels of moral internalization and mental health. The author then presents a process– context model to explain how parental corporal punishment might cause particular child outcomes and considers alternative explanations. The article concludes by identifying 7 major remaining issues for future research."
"Using data on 4,401 couples who participated in the National Family Violence Survey, this article reports modeling of cultural norms or other processes that could account for the link between corporal punishment and partner violence. Because corporal punishment of adolescents occurs in over half of U.S. families, the findings suggest that elimination of this practice can reduce some of the psychological and social processes that increase the likelihood of future marital violence and perhaps other violence as well."
Corporal Punishment of Children and Adult Depression and Suicidal Ideation
Article that discusses the physical and psychological effects of child abuse.
Corporate Liability: Sharing The Blame for Workplace Violence
This document outlines several issues related to violence in the workplace, including: the consequences corporations may face, special programs for addressing occupational violence, as well as different initiatives that corporations may face.
Cost of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States (pdf)
This report describes briefly the development of the requested study; presents findings for the estimated incidence, prevalence, and costs of nonfatal and fatal IPV; identifies future research needs; and highlights CDC’s research priorities for IPV prevention.
This report summarizes studies that have estimated economic costs of intimate partner violence against women, and lays out a framework to measure the costs of intimate partner violence in developing countries, factoring in prevention, response, and opportunity costs.
Costs of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in the United States (pdf)
"Describes briefly the development of the requested study; presents findings for the estimated incidence, prevalence, and costs of nonfatal and fatal IPV; identifies future research needs; and highlights CDC's research priorities for IPV prevention."
Costs of Sexual Violence in Minnesota, July 2007 (pdf)
"The state's first-ever report on the estimated economic impact of rape and other forms of sexual assault, which reports costs of almost $8 billion in 2005, including medical and mental health care for victims, lost work and other quality of life issues, victim services, and criminal justice costs."
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices from 1999 til present
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices: 1999
This report discusses the status of internationally recognized human rights in various countries.
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.
Crafting the Greenbook: Framers Reflect on the Vision, Process, and Lessons Learned
"As part of the evaluation of the Greenbook initiative, the evaluation team asked the national experts who helped frame the Greenbook to reflect on the processes used and the decisions that shaped the document. In addition, the experts were asked to describe their expectations for the systems and communities that implemented the recommendations, including anticipated challenges."
Creating a Safe Place: Family Peacemaking Materials for Clergy, Lay Leaders, Staff & Laity
Family peacemaking materials for clergy, lay leaders, staff and laity. This manual has four parts with separate purposes and components that are interdependent. While the focus of these materials is Christian, it is hoped that other faith communities can modify the materials to reflect their particular faiths.
Creating an Effective Stalking Protocol (pdf)
This document addresses how law enforcement agencies can enhance its response to stalking. The focus is on collaborative community partnerships and protocols to help police department address stalking. It includes early intervention, preventive action, and proactive problem-solving in stalking cases.
Creating Safe Environments: Violence Prevention Strategies and Programs
This document addresses the increased need for specific primary prevention programs of various types of violence. Gang-violence, Sexual Violence, Adolescent and Adult Intimate Partner Violence, as well as others are addressed. Specific examples of promising programs and practices currently in existence throughout the United States are detailed.
Creating Social Change in Cyberspace: 10 Years Strong
Article published by the University of Minnesota Gateway to Reseach & Innovations regarding the success of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse in providing knowledge to prevent violence.
Crime and the Nation's Households, 2003
"Presents national prevalence estimates for the percentage of households with one or more persons who were victimized by crime as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey."
Crime and the Nation's Households, 2004 (pdf)
"Presents information on the percentage of households or persons in households who are victimized as measured by the National Crime Victimization Survey. Findings are presented by region; urban, suburban or rural location; and by household size."
Crime in the Schools: Reducing Conflict With Student Problem Solving
July 1999. This NIJ Research in Brief discusses an investigation of a student-based problem-solving model for reducing crime in the Nation's schools. Results of this study indicate that a guided group process can reduce school crime and improve the overall school climate. However, most of the conflicts uncovered during this project concerned everyday school interactions rather than gangs, drugs, and armed agitators.
Crime Index Trends, 2000 Preliminary Figures
"These statistics show the degree to which 'serious crimes' (murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) were reported to and filed by U.S. law enforcement."
Crimes Against Children by Babysitters
7-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin, part of OJJDP's Crimes Against Children Series, draws on the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to provide data on the frequency and nature of crimes against children committed by babysitters.
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.
Criminal Victimization, 2008 (pdf)
"The report includes data on violent crimes (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault), property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft and property theft), and personal theft (pocket picking and purse snatching), and the characteristics of victims of these crimes. The report also includes estimates of intimate partner violent crime and use of firearms and other weapons in the commission of violent crime overall."
Criminalization of Domestic Violence: Promises and Limits
This is a report to the National Institute of Justice, written January 1996.
Crisis Support Network Domestic Violence Hotline
This website from Washington state contains articles, information about safety planning, and check-lists regarding abuse, as well as a toll-free number to call for help.
Critique of the "Battered Woman Syndrome" Model
This document provides an overview of the concept "battered women syndrome" and examines the inadequacy of the model for describing battered women's experiences, whether it is used in expert testimony, counseling, or advocacy.
Cultural Beliefs and Service Utilization by Battered Arab Immigrant Women
"This study examines the relationship between cultural beliefs and the utilization of services among Arab immigrant women. Significant correlations were found between the holding of traditional attitudes toward gender in general and wife battering in particular by the women and the utilization of formal mental services. The study's limitations, policy implications, and the impacts of 9/11 on the Arab immigrant community and on their use of services are discussed."
This report provides an in-depth understanding of domestic violence and as well as the service utilization among eight ethnic minority communities and LGBT populations in King county, Washington.
"This Applied Research paper provides a review of the research focusing on LGBT survivors of sexual trauma and offers recommendations for culturally competent service provision to LGBT clients."
Culture Handbook (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."
Cumulative Experiences of Violence Among High-Risk Urban Youth
"This study examines type-specific and cumulative experiences of violence among a vulnerable population of youth. Sixty high-risk, shelter-dwelling, urban youth were interviewed regarding their history of childhood maltreatment, exposure to community violence (ECV), and experience with intimate partner violence (IPV). Results show a high prevalence and high degree of overlap among multiple types of violence exposure. Childhood physical, sexual (CSA), and emotional (CEA) abuse were interrelated and were associated with ECV. Findings suggest that cumulative exposures to violence create cumulative risk for experiencing more violence."
Current Trends in Psychological Assessment and Treatment Approaches for Survivors of Sexual Trauma (pdf)
This document provides a review and critique of current trends in mental health assessment and treatment for sexual trauma survivors with an emphasis on early intervention. Treatment approaches are restricted to psychotherapy.
This article addresses the likely and realistic outcome regarding custodial care decisions during divorce battles. It would seem apparent that the parent responsible for inflicting abuse upon their child is often the one to receive unsupervised visitation rights and often even full legal custody as well.
This tool, taken from the Identifying Risk Factors for Femicide in Violent Intimate Relationships website, assesses severity and frequency of battering by presenting women with a calendar of the past year. Women are asked to mark the approximate days when physically abusive incidents occurr, and to rank the severity of the incident on a 1 to 5 (1=slap, pushing, no injuries and/or lasting pain through 5=use of weapon, wounds from weapon) scale. The second part of the original DA is a 15-item yes/no dichotomous response format of risk factors associated with intimate partner homicide. Both portions of the instrument take a total of approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Danger Zone: Battered Mothers and Their Families in Supervised Visitation
"This paper outlines research conducted at a supervised visitation center specifically for serving families where domestic violence was the primary reason for referral. The authors have classified their experiences based on these main subjects: battered women in supervised visitation, how battering continues during supervised visitation, how the rules of the supervised visitation center evolved during the first 18 months of implementation, the importance of well-trained visit monitors, and the need to include supervised visitation centers within a larger context of coordinated community responses to domestic violence."
Data Collections for the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (pdf)
This report includes highlights of the legislation and addresses some of the complexities of collecting sensitive data from various correctional populations. The report also contains descriptions of new data collection efforts that BJS is undertaking in order to meet the requirements of the legislation.
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers answers to frequently asked questions on common date rape drugs, how to identify them and the effects of each. Also offers useful tips on how to protect yourself from being a victim, and what to do if you've been drugged.
Date Rape: A Hidden Crime (pdf)
"This Australian report provides an overview of main issues underlying date rape including: incidence, difficulties in measuring extent; complicated issues around sexual consent; impact on victims; and, obstacles and options in prevention and treatment."
Dealing with Workplace Violence: A Guide for Agency Planners
This handbook is the result of a cooperative effort of many federal agencies sharing their expertise in preventing and dealing with workplace violence. It is intended to assist those who are responsible for establishing workplace violence initiatives at their agencies. This is full-text online book available to read in its entirety or by chapters.
Debunking the Myths in the US Global AIDS Strategy: An Evidence Based Analysis (pdf)
This evidence based research document criticizes assumptions that American global strategies on AIDS stand on and describes how such assumptions harm women and girls.
Deciding Child Custody When There is Domestic Violence: A Benchbook for Pennsylvania Courts (2005)
A variety of links to documents and articles related to childhood exposure to domestic violence are provided on this website, as well as information pertaining to custody issues and the laws regarding child exposure.
"This report articulates a corporate strategy for working with governments and partners in promoting gender equality."
Desk Reference for Recognizing and Responding to Domestic Violence
Outlines a helpful intervention approach with victims in the workplace. This tool is designed for Human Resources and Employee Assistance Professionals.
Detecting the Potential for Violence
Checklist for Detecting the Potential for Violence is also available.
Detention Reform: An Effective Approach to Reduce Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Juvenile Justice (pdf)
"By prioritizing the reduction of racial and ethnic disparities as a core detention reform strategy, Casey’s Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative has reduced the odds of detention typically faced by African-American and Latino teens. This Detention Reform Brief details JDAI’s efforts at reducing the over-representation of minorities in detention."
Deterring Staff Sexual Abuse of Federal Inmates (pdf)
This report examines the prevalence of the sexual abuse of inmates by correctional staff and also analyzes the laws that exist to deter this type of abuse.
This handbook is intended for organizations of any size that are interested in developing a bilingual or multilingual legal referral hotline to assist recent immigrant communities with their legal needs. The handbook presents ten fundamental steps to guide any organization. The previous .pdf file containing the handbook is no longer available. The link is to an order form for those who are interested.
Developing Culturally-Relevant Responses to Domestic Abuse: Asha Family Services, Inc. (pdf)
A model program, Asha Family Services, Inc., is a comprehensive family violence intervention and prevention agency located in Milwaukee, WI. Asha, the first and only recognized culturally-specific family violence intervention and prevention program in Wisconsin, employs methods specific to African American families.
This guide provides best practice guidelines used by organizations to develop linguistically and culturally responsive materials for Latino survivors of domestic violence. The guide also includes a list of Spanish speaking agencieis.
Development and Evaluation of School-Based Violence Prevention Programs (pdf)
This article reviews practical issues in the development of school-based violence prevention programs.
Developmental Repair: A Training Manual (pdf)
Washburn Center for Children has recently completed a training manual on Developmental Repair – the treatment framework that has been developed and implemented in their Day Treatment Program under the clinical leadership of Anne Gearity PhD, LICSW. It is an intensive treatment model for working with young children who have experienced complex trauma and present with aggressive and disruptive symptoms.
Developmental Status and Early Intervention Service Needs of Maltreated Children (pdf)
"In this report, published by the Institute for Social and Economic Development, the authors analyze findings from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study and the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being. They provide information about the developmental status and early intervention service needs of children under age three who are substantiated for maltreatment. Topics include: 1) the extent to which maltreated children have developmental problems or are subject to factors associated with poor developmental outcomes; 2) the services maltreated children might be eligible for and ones they receive through the child welfare systems; 3) case characteristics, such as child welfare setting, that impact the effect of developmental services; and 4) existing barriers to services."
DID YOU KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH? (pdf)
A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.
DID YOU KNOW YOUR RELATIONSHIP AFFECTS YOUR HEALTH? (Spanish) (pdf)
A tri-fold patient safety card which contains a checklist to assess safety, healthy/unhealthy relationships, and children's exposure to violence. The card also provides resources and information on how to get help.
Discharge Criteria for Batterer Programs
Clinical judgement typically plays a central role in the discharge of the patients from alcohol and mental health treatment. Batterer programs instead rely almost exclusively on program attendance to determine discharge. This paper uses a 10-item set of criteria to rate participants in a 13-week court mandated batterer program. It concludes with a discussion of methodological limitations, practical issues, and alternative applications of discharge criteria.
Discipline vs. Punishment (pdf)
This document provides a list of weblinks to sites regarding healthy discipline strategies for parents.
Disclosing Sexual Assault to Parents: The Influence of Parental Messages About Sex
"This qualitative study explores the relation between parental discussion and messages about sex and women's decisions of whether to disclose sexual assault to parents. Participants were 18 women from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Findings indicate that women more often disclosed sexual assault to parents who discussed sex with them in a frank and positive manner. In addition to the role of disclosure in recovery, implications for sex and parent education are discussed."
Dissociative symptoms in relation to childhood physical and sexual abuse
"This study found that subjects with a history of childhood abuse reported higher levels of dissociative symptoms than those who did not."
Distracted by Drama: How California Newspapers Portray Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
"The publication describes the results of a study analyzing how violence is reported in two nationally prominent CA newspapers during the course of a year. Findings of the study are described in detail to reveal how contemporary reporting portrays IPV."
Diverting Children from a Life of Crime
Diverting Children from a Life of Crime: Measuring Costs and Benefits is a study from Rand, a public policy organization. The report looks at several prevention strategies to reduce youth involvement in the juvenile justice system. A few of the approaches studied are also utilized as child abuse prevention efforts.
This article examines the complexities of the question: "Do batterer's programs work?" It begins by exploring the word "works". It then scrutinizes published outcome data on the issue through various lenses of public debate on treatment effectiveness. It concludes with suggested policy and program directions for future interventions.
Do Children Sexually Abuse Other Children? (pdf)
This is a piece of education material intended for all audiences that overviews childhood sexual abuse and the high incidence rates of children under the age of 18 years that are perpetrators.
Do You Know a Woman Who is Being Abused: A Legal Rights Handbook (pdf)
This handbook is a guide to the legal system for women in abusive relationships.
Documenting Domestic Violence: How Health Care Providers Can Help Victims
This Research in Brief outlines how health care providers can improve the admissibility of evidence and strengthen the case of domestic violence victims.
Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate Handbook on Human Trafficking, 2nd Edition (pdf)
A handbook designed to aid domestic and sexual violence advocates in working with victims of trafficking and in better understanding the issues involved with trafficking. Contents include basic information and definitions, an overview of benefits available to victims of trafficking, relevant laws, tips and questions to consider when working with victims, a review of the role of domestic violence centers in responding to the issue, and additional resources and tips for advocacy. Although the booklet does include Florida-specific information, it contains information that can be utilized in many communities across the US.
This VAWnet document summarizes research addressing domestic abuse in later life, which is defined as male and female victims, age 50 and older, abused by someone in a trusted, ongoing relationship such as spouse or partner, family member, and/or some caregivers or older battered women. Fifty-four articles published from 1988 to 2002 were reviewed.
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.
Domestic Violence against Women (pdf)
"This briefing kit in Spanish provides concise information on violence against women (VAW) in Latin America and the Caribbean. It consists of fact sheets in easy-to understand language, and is aimed at parliamentarians to help them advance or amend legislation on VAW."
Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls
"Highlights issues of abuse; femicide; forced prostitution; sexual abuse of children; sex-selective abortion, female infanticide and differential access to food and medical care; and, traditional and cultural practices that affect women's health and lives."
Domestic Violence Against Women and Girls (pdf)
"UNICEF's report discusses the scope and magnitude of the problem, causes and consequences of domestic violence, the socio-economic costs of violence, strategies and interventions, and state obligations with regard to domestic violence."
Domestic Violence Against Women in Albania (pdf)
"This qualitative report examines the prevalence of domestic violence in Albania, including forms of domestic violence and complicating factors."
Domestic Violence and Child Welfare Services
Statistics and links to helpful resources and information related to child welfare and domestic violence are provided in this document.
Domestic Violence and Children (pdf)
The author discusses the consequences of domestic violence on children and empahsized the role that primary care providers play in forestalling child maltreatment and the negative impacts.
Domestic Violence and Children: A Children's Health Fund Report (pdf)
The author discusses domestic violence as a pediatric issue and as a valuable source for intervention.
Domestic Violence and children: Analysis and Recommendations (pdf)
This document reviews the prevalence of child exposure to domestic violence by documenting their existence in all segments of the community. The impact of exposure on children is also discussed.
Domestic Violence and Children: Creating a Public Response (pdf)
The authors of this paper address children's exposure to domestic violence as a factor in healthy development. Research findings suggest that children who witness domestic violence are often unnoticed and underserved by other agencies in the community. Principles serving as a guiding framework for policy and service are outlined, as well as recommendations for communities and governmental bodies to help children experiencing domestic violence.
Domestic Violence and Communities of Faith: An Information Packet (pdf)
This document provides a brief overview of how to recognize domestic violence in faith communities (mostly Christian), suggestions for intervention and resource guide.
Domestic Violence and Dependency Courts: The Greenbook Demonstration Experience
"This article focuses on the dependency court, where child maltreatment cases are heard, specifically court participation in collaborative activities and court practice improvements."
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.
"This article examined the prevalence of physical and sexual violence among 1,974 married women from 40 low-income communities in Chennai, India. The authors found a 99% and 75% lifetime prevalence of physical abuse and forced sex, respectively, whereas 65% of women experienced more than five episodes of physical abuse in the 3 months preceding the survey. These domestic violence rates exceed those in prior Indian reports, suggesting women in slums may be at increased risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections."
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 Homelessness (pdf)
"This fact sheet covers homelessness and DV, DV and poverty, and how women can be trapped by homelessness and violence. This piece encourages policy that reduces the risk of homeless for survivors through housing discrimination protection."
Domestic Violence and Homelessness Factsheet (pdf)
This is a clear and concise statement of the overlap between these two problems.
Domestic Violence and Housing (pdf)
"This fact sheet shows the risks of homelessness for DV survivors, the difficulty in obtaining permanent housing, and housing discrimination."
Domestic Violence and Poverty: The Narratives of Homeless Women
"This article is based on research conducted in homeless and domestic violence shelters in Phoenix, Arizona, from 1994 to 1996. The author’s report includes results of interviews with thirty-three women."
Domestic Violence and Probation
This article offers specialized management techniques that probation officers can use to monitor batterers and intervene in domestic violence cases more effectively. The author offers suggestions on how to manage offenders on probation, respond to common excuses, and handle those offenders least likely to be held accountable.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Data Collection Systems in the States, Final Report (pdf)
This report summarizes the findings of the domestic violence and sexual violence data collection systems. The report offers recommendations for further recording of data and how each of the States collect violenc related data.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence in Minnesota: Strategies for Prevention and Intervention (pdf)
This planning tool addresses the issue of domestic and sexual violence as they relate to health care and public health in Minnesota.
This article presents basic information about the extent of stalking in the U.S. and discusses the origin and current status of stalking laws. An analysis of the proposed NIJ anti-stalking code discusses their effectiveness and limitations from a domestic violence perspective.
The author looks at domestic violence among women on welfare, the impact on children who are exposed to violence in the home, and methods to increase the stability of marriages.
Domestic Violence and Welfare Reform
From the September 1997, issue of Issue Notes by the Welfare Information Network. Reports how various states approach welfare reform for victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence as a Form of Child Abuse: Identification and Prevention
By looking at the ways child exposure to domestic violence manifests itself during the various stages of a child's life, the author documents ways to identify problems in exposed children and discusses specific intervention strategies.
Domestic Violence Awareness Project: 2009 Resource Packet
The DVAP strives to develop and distribute resources and ideas relevant to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and educational activities that take place throughout the year. The 2009 packet includes a collection of informational materials, fact sheets, articles, and order forms for items available from the various organizations represented on the Project Advisory Group, as well as other national, statewide, and culturally specific organizations.
Domestic Violence Campus Organizing Guide for Health Professional Students and Faculty (pdf)
"This folio was created for professional health students and faculty to help raise awareness that domestic violence is a health care issue on campus and beyond. The folio provides recommendations on increasing student activism, curricular reform, on-campus trainings, community collaborations, faculty support, and provides examples of innovative approaches other professional health students have undertaken nationwide."
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.
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 Counts: NCDVS Census Report 2006
A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelters and services across the United States.
Domestic Violence Courts: A Desriptive Study
This study provides a description of what courts are doing to meet the challenge of domestic violence and suggests several areas for future consideration. This description of domestic violence courts is intended to serve as a summary of current court procedures and efforts to enhance the safety of children and victims, ensure the accountability of batterers, and improve the administration and accessibility of justice.
These factoids come from Richard J. Gelles's investigation of commonly-used statistics -- some turn out to be accurate while others are mere fantasy.
Domestic Violence Has a Significant and Lasting Impact on Our Community and Beyond
This document begins with statistics about domestic violence in the Chicago suburban area, then moves on to provide statistics on a state level, a national level, and a global level.
Domestic Violence Homicide: The Children Left Behind (pdf)
This is a link to an audio presentation given by the author regarding her research findings from interviews with adults who lost their parent(s) as children due to fatal acts of domestic violence. A powerpoint presentation is also available on this link that addresses the points discussed in her lecture.
These publications are designed to help researchers, students, human rights practitioners, and the general public gain a better understanding of human rights. Specifically, these publications address domestic violence issues affecting women in the countries that are listed.
Domestic Violence in Communities of Color (pdf)
"This "Facts & Stats Collection" paper highlights specific issues and distinguishing dynamics that confront different women of color, including African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American/Alaskan Indian women."
Domestic Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Communities: Participant Manual (pdf)
This manual gives health and human service providers the knowledge and skills necessary to sensitively and effectively respond to LGTB victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence in Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual Communities: Trainers Manual (pdf)
This manual gives trainers for health and human service providers the knowledge and skills necessary to sensitively and effectively respond to LGTB victims of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence in the Vietnamese Immigrant Community: An Exploratory Study
"This study examines domestic violence in Vietnamese American families, focusing on changes in socioeconomic structure and culture, to identify factors associated with wife abuse. "
Domestic Violence is associated with environmental suppression of IQ in young children
The researchers document the consequences of early childhood stress, such as exposure to domestic violence, on brain development, which subsequently can lead to a lower IQ.
Domestic Violence Law Map (pdf)
This US map shows which state accepts gender neutral law with regards to domestic violence.
Domestic violence laws in Australia
The report analyzes domestic violence legislation in all Australian States and Territories and in New Zealand in order to assist the Australian Government’s National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children. The report notes gaps and overlaps between State and Territory domestic violence protection orders and the Family Law Act 1975.
Domestic Violence Legislation Affecting Police and Prosecutor Responsibilities in the U.S.
This paper is available to read on-line or download from The Institute for Law and Justice at http://www.ilj.org/research.htm and click on 2004 Legislative Update, Domestic Violence at the lower right hand corner.
Domestic Violence Organizations Online: Risks, Ethical Dilemmas, and Liability Issues
The Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document outlines the risk and liability issues related to use of the Internet and suggests risk-management guidelines to protect organizations from liability. This paper also discusses the lack of empirical research in online service delivery and suggests research approaches for further understanding of the use of online services.
Domestic Violence Prevention Training: Participant Characteristics and Treatment Outcomes (pdf)
"The present study used intake assessments to identify family background, childhood memories and experiences with violence, substance abuse, male violence histories, and social interactions among the population who attended a Domestic Violence Prevention Training Program."
Domestic Violence Project of Santa Clara County, California
This website includes victim/survivor information (Domestic Information and Referral Handbook), domestic violence protocols on-line, local resources, a vast, indexed set of domestic violence research links, and numerous other useful domestic violence resources.
Domestic Violence Protocol for Law Enforcement (pdf)
This document, adopted in 2002, provides guidelines and establishes standards for public safety call takers, dispatchers, first responders and investigators in handling domestic violence incidents. The Protocol seeks to interpret and apply statutory and case law relating to domestic violence incident response and investigation. Particular attention is given to protecting victims of domestic violence, including children, other members of the household, and pets, through enforcement of restraining orders, provision of medical care, and working with support agencies to provide alternate shelter, relocation services, counseling and legal services.
Domestic Violence Reading List
"This reading list was compiled by experts in the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. It includes important recent work as well as classic books and articles on domestic violence by Network and other experts in the field."
Domestic Violence Resources for Professionals
Being knowledgeable about domestic violence services available to families, particularly children who have been exposed to violence in the home, has become increasingly important. This document offers an array of links, information, and resources related to such services.
A toolkit to aid African victims of domestic violence in Ireland. It contains information about support services for all types of domestic violence and culturally specific approaches unique to African migrants. The toolkit also addresses emerging issues facing African migrants in Ireland.
Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Youth Violence: Strategies for Prevention and Early Intervention
Another Family Violence Prevention Fund publication that argues for a collaborative, community-based approach to combatting child abuse, domestic violence and youth violence.
Domestic Violence, Child Abuse, and Youth Violence: Strategies for Prevention and Early Intervention
Another Family Violence Prevention Fund publication that argues for a collaborative, community-based approach to combatting child abuse, domestic violence and youth violence.
Domestic Violence, Mental Health & Trauma: Research Highlights (pdf)
"Provides statistical information and findings from several research reports. Statistics are provided on the prevalence of domestic violence and mental health in the U.S., followed by research findings supporting the connection between trauma and mental health."
A comprehensive training manual for rural Native American communities addressing domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking through training, research and educational programming. Note: This document provides a general overview. When developing a plan for your community, look to your own tribal codes and state and federal laws concerning confidentiality and explore methods which can be used in the civil or criminal justice arenas which would enhance victim safety.
Domestic Violence, Visitations and Custody Decisions in New York Family Courts (pdf)
The study reported here was designed to examine the extent to which visitation or custody was sought and granted in cases involving domestic violence, through a review of Family Court records in New York City.
Domestic Violence: A Primary Care Issue for Rural Women (pdf)
This article underscores the role of a primary health care provider for rural women who experience domestic violence.
Don't Turn Your Back On Girls: Sexual Violence Against Girls In Haiti (pdf)
A comprehensive report on sexual violence against girls in Haiti released by Amnesty International in late November of 2008. Over half of the 105 rapes reported in Haiti by the end of November were committed against girls under the age of 18, according to one of the few organizations in the country which collect rape statistics. The report includes findings on rape as a political weapon, the role of discrimination and poverty, and the state’s response.
Dossier on Domestic Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean
"This publication includes a detailed balance of the work developed in Latin American and the Caribbean to eliminate violence against women. The objective of the publication is to have a tool that will help to design future activities in a more accurate way that take into account the economic, cultural and geographical women's reality of the Region in order to eliminate domestic violence. It also contains guidelines and recommendations for the future work on women’s rights for a life free of violence."
Dowry and Its Link to Violence Against Women in India
"This article conducts a feminist psychological analysis of the dowry phenomenon, its link to domestic violence against women, and the role of the perpetrators. Existing and new explanations of the dowry system and its ramifications are explored. Psychologically based interventions and the implications of dowry related violence in the larger context of Asian Indians living in North America and the United Kingdom are discussed."
This study examined the effect immigration had on a sample of adolescents and their immigrant parents, as well as on the adolescents' adaptation to the organization of conflict in the neighborhood where their parents lived.
For community organizers fighting drug abuse and violence in their communities. Drug Resistant Properties includes identifying problems in the community, dealing with management and security issues, and how to gain participation from residents.
Drug-Facilitated Rape: Looking for the Missing Pieces (pdf)
"Describes rape-facilitating drugs and what is known about how often these drugs are used, efforts to reduce drug-facilitated rape, and specific strategies needed to respond including investigation policies and suggestions of future research."
Drug-facilitated, Incapacitated, and Forcible Rape: A National Study
"This study provides important information regarding the lifetime prevalence, past year prevalence, characteristics, and mental health impact of rape among adult women residing in U.S. households as well as among U.S. female college students."
Drugs, Alcohol and Domestic Violence in Memphis (pdf)
This 1997 report is posted by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS). Dr. Brookoff studied the prevalence of and contributing factors to domestic violence in Memphis. The summary suggests almost all of the assailants used drugs or alcohol the day of the assault, were on probation or parole at the time of the assault, and a majority of battering incidents involved the assailant's use of a weapon.
This is part of a series that 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 VI discusses actual and perceived conflicts of interest when service providers act in more than one role or relationship, providing recommendations on how to address these dilemmas/questions.
DVERT Training CD and Lesson Plan
Video clips and lesson plan from the DVERT Training CD, a video-rich program that provides a clear and succinct overview of the principles and practices the DVERT collaboration follows in combating domestic violence.
Dying of Sadness: Gender, Sexual Violence and the HIV Epidemic
This paper aims to explore the relationship between sexual violence and the HIV epidemic. The paper explores this complex phehomenon with multiple determinants, consequences and manifestations.
E-mail Use Among a Sample of Intimate Partner Violence Shelter Residents
"Although it is estimated that approximately 75% of U.S. adults have e-mail access, the proportion of battered women's shelter residents who use e-mail is currently unknown. Among a convenience sample of residents of 11 Massachusetts shelters (N = 57), the authors find that 47% had a current e-mail account. Among those with e-mail accounts, 89% used e-mail in locations other than their own homes; 81% reported that, to their knowledge, their e-mail accounts had never been accessed by unauthorized dating partners; and 88% reported that they thought it would be safe for the shelter to e-mail them following their departure. Additional research assessing the feasibility (i.e., safety, acceptability, and cost benefit) of remaining in contact with shelter residents via the Internet would be beneficial."
Early Identification of Risk Factors for Parental Abduction (pdf)
12-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The bulletin provides information regarding the risk factors associated with parental kidnaping and strategies that can be used to intervene with families at greatest risk. They address such critical factors as the characteristics of parents who abduct their own children, the role family violence plays in increasing the likelihood of parental abduction, ways of identifying children at risk of being abducted by a parent or other family member, and steps that can be taken to protect children from family abduction.
Early Precursors of Gang Membership: A Study of Seattle Youth
5-page Bulletin. Posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Seattle Social Development Study is a longitudinal study of youth living in high-crime neighborhoods. Its findings offer an opportunity to enhance understanding of the predictors of gang participation.
Economic Stress and Domestic Violence
This Applied Research paper provides data on domestic violence rates across social classes, highlights the relationship between economic stress and domestic violence, and explores employment, social support networks, and weaknesses in social services. The paper concludes by discussing strategies that may simultaneously address the intersecting problems of financial distress and DV, including universal screening for DV, responses by employers, and collaboration among social service providers.
Economic Violence To Women and Girls: Is It Receiving the Necessary Attention?
"This paper seeks to draw attention to the types of economic violence experienced by women, and describes its consequences on health and development. Recommendations for practice, policy, and research are also given."
Educating to End Domestic Violence: A Law School Report
This report stems from a meeting of a select group of law school professors who teach domestic violence seminars or clinical programs. They provide information about current law school practices and recommendations for the future.
Research Brief, No. 2, September 1997 of the Soros Foundation's newsletter Center on Crime, Communities, and Culture. This research brief presents data on the impact of education on crime and crime prevention, and examines the debate on providing higher education to inmates.
Educator Sexual Misconduct: A Synthesis of Existing Literature (pdf)
This literature review of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct responds to the mandate in Section 5414 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), as amended, to conduct a study of sexual abuse in U.S. schools. To satisfy this mandate, the Department of Education contracted with Dr. Charol Shakeshaft of Hofstra University. Using the limited research that is available in this area, her literature review describes, among other topics: prevalence of educator sexual misconduct, offender characteristics, targets of educator sexual misconduct, and recommendations for prevention of educator sexual misconduct.
Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence & Child Maltreatment Cases (Executive Summary)
This is an executive summary of the document "Effective Intervention in Domestic Violence & Child Maltreatment Cases: Guidelines for Policies and Practice." The aim of this document is to offer a more comprehensive set of responses to eliminate or decrease the enormous risks that individual battered mothers, caseworkers, and judges must take on behalf of children.
This 133 page publication addresses a number of issues relevant to family violence within the home and the community and specifically focuses on interventions.
This document examines 4,032 incidents in which males assaulted their female intimate partners, comparing the number of repeat offenses when batterers are and are not arrested.
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children
Binnie discusses the resulting behaviors and manifestations of child exposure to domestic violence, variables/demographics that impact the response, and patterns of abuse, with a focus on Iowa laws.
Effects of Domestic Violence on Children and Adolescents: An Overview
The article examines the prevalence and domestic violence as a cause of traumatic stress in children.
Effects of Domestic Violence on Women: FAQs
Commonly asked questions along with extensive and valuable answers are included in this document. A Safety Plan and a Children's Bill of Rights are provided as well.
Effects of Sexual Victimization
"This brief article lists some of the effects/symptoms that victims of sexual violence may experience."
A discussion about the impact of domestic violence characterizes this document, and is supplemented with a review of the impact at the various stages of child development.
Elder Abuse Fact Sheet (pdf)
Educates persons about the risk factors, consequences, and prevention of elder abuse.
Elder Abuse Prevention and Treatment Resources Page
The Administration on Aging's Elder Abuse Prevention and Treatment Resources Page contains fact sheets, statistics, a state-by-state listing of resources, and conference information.
Elder Abuse Speaker's Kit (pdf)
A resource kit for protecting older people and people with disabilities.
Elder Abuse: A Well Kept Secret
This article focuses on defining the scope of the problem, addressing the related issue of self-neglect, and outlining community resources for caregivers of the elderly.
Elder Mistreatment: Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation in an Aging America
This full book link is provided courtesy of The National Academies Press. This is an online book and can be read in its entirety front to back, by chapter or skimmed by topic of interest. Published in 2002, this book details everything from the definitions and concepts of elder abuse to the public policy implications as well as to the types of interventions available for working with this population.
Electronic Bullying Among Middle School Students (pdf)
"This study examined the prevalence of electronic bullying among middle school students. The most common methods for electronic bullying (as reported by both victims and perpetrators) involved the use of instant messaging, chat rooms, and e-mail. As children’s use of electronic communications technologies is unlikely to wane in coming years, continued attention to electronic bullying is critical. Implications of these findings for youth, parents, and educators are discussed."
Electronic Media and Youth Violence: A CDC Issue Brief for Educators and Caregivers (pdf)
"The brief summarizes what is known about young people and electronic aggression, provides strategies for addressing the issue with young people, and discusses the implications for school staff, education policy makers, and parents and caregivers. "
Electronic Media, Violence, and Adolescents: An Emerging Public Health Problem (pdf)
"Attention is growing about the risk of adolescents to become victims of aggression perpetrated by peers with new technology. In September 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a panel of experts in technology and youth aggression to examine this specific risk. This article presents the data and recommendations for future directions discussed at the meeting. The data supports the argument that electronic aggression is an emerging public health problem in need of additional research to support the development and evaluation of effective prevention programs."
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."
Emerging Responses to Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
"This document reviews the new research, policies, and programs focused on children who have witnessed adult domestic violence. It argues that the diversity of children’s experiences requires equally diverse responses from those who serve them."
Emerging Strategies in the Prevention of Domestic Violence (pdf)
The author describes the strategies based in public health initiatives that could be used to combat domestic violence in a preventative way.
Employee Training on Addressing Sexual Harassment (word)
This module is intended to train in identifying the various forms of sexual harassment, encouraging employees to report it, and discussing options for addressing sexual harassment in the workplace.
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 Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence Survivors (pdf)
This fact sheet explains the rights and potential for double discrimination that lesbian, bisexual and transgender women may face in the workplace.
Empowering Women Migrant Workers in Asia: A Briefing Kit
"This briefing kit is informed by the experience of struggle, resilience and creative practice of women migrant workers and their support groups.It enhances an understanding of why and how prevention of discrimination and abuse of overseas women migrant workers should be addressed as issues of promoting gender equality; upholding basic human rights; promoting sustainable development and principles of good governance."
Ending Domestic Violence: Report from the Global Frontlines
"This publication shares inspiring stories of activists and advocates from 8 countries in diverse political contexts and societies: Brazil, Cambodia, China, India, Ireland, Russia, South Africa, and the United States. The countries highlighted here illustrate the many creative methods being applied by activists and advocates in very diverse political contexts and societies."
Ending Gender-Based Violence: A call for global action to involve men
In this report, seven masculinity researchers write about masculinity in different parts of the world and about how masculinity is often linked to violence. These acts of violence are committed not only against women and children, but also against other men. The writers suggest a number of ways in which men can be involved in working to combat men’s violence.
"Discusses gender-based violence as a major public health concern and a violation of human rights."
"Highlights the 2 most prevalent types of abuse in the lives of women and girls around the world: intimate partner violence and rape. Demonstrates how world-wide gender-based violence is a major public health concern, suggesting strategies to respond."
Engaging Bystanders in Sexual Violence Prevention (pdf)
"This book presents a compelling orientation to the importance of engaging bystanders in sexual violence prevention. The narrative provides background on the development of an approach that empowers each of us to be involved in prevention. It discusses various reasons why individuals who witness a range of inappropriate behaviors may or may not take action, and presents ways to encourage and develop greater bystander involvement. Finally, this book serves as an excellent training resource; it provides activities and trainer instructions throughout that make it a useful educational guide on bystander engagement in sexual violence prevention."
Engendering Change: Transforming Gender Roles in Asian & Pacific Islander Communities (pdf)
The introduction begins by providing a description of the societal context in which domestic violence occurs, and leads into a discussion about two batterer intervention programs for Asian men, and concludes with practice implications.
Enhancing Child Safety and Online Technologies
"A Final Report of the Internet Safety Technical Task Force to the Multi-State Working Group on Social Networking of State Attorneys General of the United States. The scope of the Task Force's inquiry was to consider those technologies that industry and end users - including parents - can use to help keep minors safer on the Internet."
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.
"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
Equality Wheel (pdf)
Developed by the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, the equality wheel shows different ways equality is defined in a relationship.
Equality Wheel (Spanish) (pdf)
Developed by the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, the equality wheel shows different ways equality is defined in a relationship. A Spanish format is now available, called Igualidad.
Estimate of the Incidence of Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault in the U.S. (pdf)
"This report provides an overview of a study that was done to determine the incidence rates of drug-facilitated sexual assault. It also seeks to examine the social aspects surrounding the issue."
"The present study was designed to examine the extent to which ethnic differences in the circumstances of abuse would be related to psychological outcomes and whether the relationship of ethnicity to psychological outcomes would be independent of ethnic differences in the circumstances of abuse."
European Parliament Report on Female Genital Mutilation in the European Union (pdf)
"This new report found that over 500,000 women in Europe, especially refugees and immigrants, have been subjected to female genital mutilation (FGM). The report highlights various reasons for the prevalence of FGM and incorporates different frameworks for addressing the problem, including the human rights perspective, a women’s rights view, and children’s rights."
EVALUATING CHILDREN’S ADVOCACY CENTERS’ RESPONSE TO CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE (pdf)
"With funding from OJJDP, researchers have now completed a four-site evaluation of CACs that, for the first time, contrasts them with comparison communities that did not have a CAC. This Bulletin presents an overview of the results. It examines how CACs affect forensic interviewing, child victim disclosures about abuse, children’s receipt of medical exams and mental health services, prosecution and conviction of offenders, removal of children from their homes, and family satisfaction with child abuse investigations."
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.
Evaluating Domestic Violence Programs
This quality assessment tool for the evaluation of hospital-based domestic violence programs was developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and cosponsored by the Family Violence Prevention Fund to improve the health care response to victims of domestic violence.
Evaluating G.R.E.A.T : A School-Based Gang Prevention Program (pdf)
Typical programs are directed at active gang members, and most target youths who are at risk for joining gangs. The G.R.E.A.T. program, in contrast, is presented to entire classrooms without attempting to predict which students are most likely to become involved with a gang. G.R.E.A.T. is aimed at middle school students and seeks to (1) reduce their involvement in gangs and delinquent behavior, (2) teach them consequences of gang involvement, and (3) help them develop positive relations with law enforcement. These three objectives are addressed through a nine hour curriculum taught in schools by uniformed law enforcement officers. Students are taught to set positive goals, resist negative pressures, resolve conflicts, and understand how gangs impact the quality of their lives. This report summarizes results of a five year study of the G.R.E.A.T. program. The study revealed that G.R.E.A.T. has modest positive effects on adolescents' attitudes and delinquency risk factors but no effects on their involvement in gangs and actual delinquent behaviors.
This VAWnet document presents the highlights of a guidebook that provides practical assistance and examples in designing and carrying out effective evaluation strategies specifically for domestic violence service providers. [Note: more than one format available.]
Evaluating Violence Against Women Research Reports
This VAWNET document provides introductory guidelines for the use and evaluation of research reports on violence against women.
"This study examines lifetime trauma exposure rates in women with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depressive disorder (MDD), or neither diagnosis and whether this is related to measures of PTSD, depression, hostility, health symptoms, and health care utilization. Findings indicate that multiple trauma exposures were prevalent in this sample and PTSD and MDD groups reported greater past year health conditions and health care utilization."
Evaluation of Violence Prevention Programs in Middle Schools
This 1995 report is found on the website of the National Justice Information Center.
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.
Everything Left Behind: Internal Displacement in Colombia (pdf)
"According to a new report there are currently between 3 and 4 million internally displaced people in Colombia, among the highest in the world. Internal displacement disproportionately affects women who are indigenous, Afro-descendant, or peasant farmers. For displaced women and girls, sexual assault, exploitation, and abuse are constant threats from armed groups or people who believe the women and girls are involved with armed groups. Displaced women and girls face discrimination from the communities they move to, presenting a significant barrier to assistance for victims of violence."
This document examines the rates of child maltreatment in the United States and whether these rates differ by race, ethnicity and income level.
Examining the Characteristics of Male Sexual Assault Targets in a Southern Maximum-Security Prison (pdf)
"This study seeks to examine the demographic and behavioral characteristics of male inmate sexual assault targets in order to expand the current knowledge on this issue and offer information for providing a safe environment for all inmates."
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.
"This article presents results from focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with pregnant and never pregnant sexually active female adolescents residing in Rakai District, Uganda, to examine sexual coercion, its context, and the links between coercion and adolescent reproductive health outcomes, including early sexual debut and pregnancy. Sexual coercion was perceived to be a normal part of intimate relationships; in particular, informants felt that a woman’s lack of decision-making authority, including choices on sexual encounters, was implicit to marriage. This information may help violence prevention programs develop a range of strategies for addressing sexual coercion among adolescents."
"This qualitative study examined understandings of sponsorship and marital/resettlement experiences among English-proficient and non-English-proficient South Asian brides who entered Canada after recent immigration policy changes to reduce sponsored women's vulnerability to maltreatment. The author found that English-proficient women were aware of their rights and permanent resident status, and reported significant integration support. In contrast, non-English-proficient women misunderstood sponsorship and faced multiple barriers to participation in Canadian life, along with severe abuse and neglect."
Exploitation of Trafficked Women (pdf)
"This guide describes the problem of exploiting women who have been trafficked into the United States and the aspects of human trafficking that contribute to it. The guide focuses on the final period in the process of trafficking at which women are further exploited by those into whose hands they are passed. Finally, it reviews responses to the exploitation of trafficked women and examines what is known about the effectiveness of these responses from research and police practice. "
This paper examines the relationship between HIV and sexual coercion in Tanzania.
"The study examined several behavioral mechanisms that link gender-based violence (GBV) to STD among detained, sexually active adolescent girls. GBV was related to chlamydia directly and indirectly through condom failures and through having sexual intercourse while high on drugs and/or alcohol. The study found that sexual risk reduction programs may benefit this population by addressing the role of GBV and its association with STD-associated behaviors."
Exposure to Interparental Violence in Childhood and Psychosocial Adjustment in Young Adulthood (pdf)
The authors discuss how exposure to domestic violence as children manifests itself during the adolescent period. The article concludes that young adults who were exposed to domestic violence during their childhood had increased rates of mental health disorders, substance abuse usage, and criminal recrods.
Exposure to Violence: Psychological and Academic Correlates in Child Witnesses
2001 Report. Inner-city children are frequently exposed to violence; however, there are few data regarding the psychological and academic correlates of such exposure in young children at school entry. This study aims to document exposure to violence in inner-city children aged 7 years; assess their feelings of distress; and evaluate the relationships of exposure to violence with school performance, behavior, and self-esteem.
Exposure to Violence: Psychological and Academic Correlates in Child Witnesses
2001 Report. Inner-city children are frequently exposed to violence; however, there are few data regarding the psychological and academic correlates of such exposure in young children at school entry. This study aims to document exposure to violence in inner-city children aged 7 years; assess their feelings of distress; and evaluate the relationships of exposure to violence with school performance, behavior, and self-esteem.
Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
"Presents findings from the NVAW Survey on the extent, nature, and consequences of IPV in the US. The survey compares victimization rates among women and men, specific racial groups, Hispanics and non-Hispanics, and same-sex and opposite-sex cohabitants. "
Despite widespread public education, rape remains a largely underreported crime; and despite increased levels of research over the past few decades, significant gaps remain in understanding rape victimization. This NIJ Special Report takes a detailed look at the National Violence Against Women Survey findings and the researchers' recommendations for future research.
Facing Down Violence is a response to the 1998 tragedy in Littleton, Colorado. An accompanying piece, Violent Persons Construct Their own Worlds from Materials We Give Them is also available.
This article discusses the growing trend toward mandating women into batterer intervention programs and discusses why it occurs.
Fact Sheet: Domestic Violence and Pregnancy (pdf)
"Highlights the prevalence, risks, and lethality of violence against pregnant women."
Fact Sheet: Domestic Violence in the Military (pdf)
"This fact sheet includes statistics that reflect recent research concerning domestic violence in the military."
Fact Sheet: The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children (pdf)
"Addresses the impact of domestic violence on children and the likelihood that men who abuse their partners will also abuse their children. Lists statistics that reflect the most recent research concerning the effects of domestic violence on children."
Factors Associated with the Use of Violence among Urban Black Adolescents (pdf)
The researchers examine the variables that are connected to violence involvement among black teenagers. They looked at how previous exposure to violence, family conflict, degree of corporal discipline,and victimization in the community influenced the use and nonuse of violence among black adolescents.
Factors Associated With Women’s Risk of Rape in the Military Environment (pdf)
"This study assessed military environmental factors associated with rape occurring during military service, while controlling for pre-military trauma experiences. The goal of this exploratory study was to describe characteristics of rape victims and perpetrators and to attempt to identify workplace environmental factors associated with rape occurring during military service."
Facts About Child Sex Tourism (pdf)
This provides a brief overview of the sexual exploitation of children worldwide. This fact sheet includes a definition of child sex tourism, both the global and U.S. response, and suggestions for what governments, citizens and business can do to combat child sex tourism.
Facts About Intimate Partner Stalking in Minnesota and the United States (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.
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.
Facts About Law and the Elderly
Facts about Law and the Elderly contains information about Law and the Elderly. Also available from the American Bar Association is a listing of web links about elder abuse.
Facts about Violence: U.S. Statistics & Global
"The article lists 45 facts about violence against women in the U.S. and globally along with their sources."
Facts on Trauma and Homeless Children (pdf)
"This document gives a brief overview of homelessness, the impact of trauma on homeless children, and ways homeless shelter programs can provide services to homeless families who have been exposed to trauma."
Facts: Intimate Partner Violence for the World Report on Violence and Health
"Describes the global epidemic of IPV in the following categories: The Extent of the Problem; The Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence; What are the Risk Factors for Intimate Partner Violence?; & What Can be Done to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence?"
Facts: Sexual Violence for the World Report on Violence and Health
"Pulls from selected national studies to describe the global epidemic of sexual violence: The Extent of the Problem; The Consequences of Sexual Violence; What are the Risk Factors for Sexual Violence?; What Can be Done to Prevent Sexual Violence? "
"The article begins by reviewing up-to-date research suggesting that the rate of false reporting for sexual assault is in the range of 2-8%. It also critiques prior research suggesting that the rate of false reporting is far higher, and explores the reasons why this issue is so challenging for professionals in the field. The article concludes with a discussion of how professionals can work to overcome these challenges, and how to handle the frustrating reality of "real" false reports. "
Family Abductors: Descriptive Profiles and Preventive Interventions
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Bulletin describes the common characteristics of abducting parents and profiles parents at risk for abducting their children. Constructive interventions are offered for each of the six profiles provided.
Family Violence Handbook for the Dental Community
This is a guide for all members of the dental team. It deals with how to address family violence issues in dental practice, the educational setting, the professional association, and the community at large.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2004 (pdf)
This annual report provides the most current data on the nature and extent of family violence in Canada, as well as trends over time, as part of an ongoing initiative to inform policy makers and the public about the issue of family violence.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile 2006 (pdf)
Recent report from Canada Centre for Justice Statistics on the profile of family violence and its associates.
Family Violence in the Military: A Review of the Literature
"This literature review critically reviews studies that examine child maltreatment and spouse abuse among military families and compares family violence in military versus nonmilitary populations."
Family Violence Intervention: The Role of the Dental Team in Recognition and Referral
Designed by students at the New Jersey Dental School. It addresses the issues of child abuse, elder abuse, and domestic violence.
Family Violence Nursing Curriculum
While nurses must be able to respond skillfully to victims of all types of violence, responding to victims of family violence requires sensitivity rooted in understanding how it differs from other types of violence. The content of this curriculum, which grew out of the 1999 American Association of Colleges of Nursing competencies, was developed in response to those findings to provide Minnesota nursing faculty essential curricular information to develop student competence in preventing, assessing, and responding to family violence across the lifespan.
Family Violence Protocol Development
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 practice paper provides detailed guidance on developing family violence protocols for: the disclosure of domestic violence information; TANF/CSE program response to such disclosures; and the safe enforcement of child support when family violence may be a risk.
Family Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management Framework (pdf)
Developed by independent experts and Victorian service providers, the framework includes three practical guides on identifying and assessing family violence, and includes case studies.
Family Violence Statistics: Including Statistics on Strangers and Acquaintances
This study compares family and nonfamily violence statistics from victimization through the different stages of the justice system. Family violence is defined as all types of violent crime committed by an offender who is related to the victim and includes spouse abuse, parental violence against a child, and violence among other family members. Nonfamily relationships used for comparison include boyfriends and girlfriends, friends and acquaintances, and strangers. Data are drawn from victimization surveys, official police statistics, State and Federal court statistics, and surveys of inmates in State prisons and local jails.
Family Violence: A Review of the Dysfunctional Behavior Patterns
December 2000 article. This Study examines family violence and the commonality of mental illness and other psychological problems experienced by the victims.
Family Violence: A Statistical Profile
June 1999 report. Provides and examines Canada's violence statistics to provide the most up-to-date data on the nature and extent of family violence in Canada. The report, which is produced annually as a part of the Canadian Government's Family Violence Initiative, monitors trends over time and offers statistics from a variety of sources on domestic violence, as well as child and elder abuse and family homicide. For more information on this report, please visit Statistics Canada.
Family Violence: An Intervention Model for Dental Professionals (pdf)
Efforts to strengthen responses by health care professionals to family violence have increased dramatically in recent years. As a result, more health care providers are able to recognize the signs of abuse and assist patients who are victims. However, dental professionals appear to be the least likely of all clinicians to suspect and intervene in family violence, even though injuries to the head and neck are present in 60 percent or more of abuse cases. Although they may see abuse-related injuries during patient visits, dental professionals typically have not been trained to recognize the causes of these injuries or how to offer intervention and referrals to patients. This bulletin describes a training model that teaches dental professionals how to recognize symptoms and patterns of abuse, create a safe environment for disclosure, intervene appropriately, refer patients to appropriate services, and file mandatory reports. The bulletin also underscores the importance of including dental professionals in community efforts to coordinate response to family violence.
Family Violence: Clinical Guidelines for Nurses
These guidelines are designed to provide current information about family violence and to address prevailing myths; to provide clear direction to nurses in a variety of settings; and to raise the awareness and comfort level of individual nurses as we deal with this complex issue.
Family Violence: Open Directory Project
This page is a comprehensive list of links to various organizations and websites that provide information and resources about children and domestic violence.
Overviews from frequently asked violence against elderly persons.
Federal Housing and Domestic Violence: Introduction to Programs, Policy, and Advocacy Opportunities
This paper provides a basic overview of the laws and policies governing the principal federal housing programs and discusses key policy issues these programs raise for battered women.
Federal Interstate Stalking Law
Provides definitions and interpretations of the Federal Interstate Stalking Law.
Female Delinquency Cases, 1997
2-page Fact Sheet posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Fact Sheet describes the types of offenses committed by juvenile female offenders and provides additional data on detention, intake decisions, waiver to criminal court, and adjudication and disposition.
Female Gangs: A Focus on Research
12-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin represents a step toward rectifying the deficiencies of prior research. It summarizes past and present research and tracks the rise in the number of female gangs and the increased public recognition of female gang involvement as a significant social problem. The authors consider the motivations for female gang membership, assess the delinquency and criminal activity of female gang members, examine the influence of ethnicity and gender norms on female gang behavior, and discuss the long-term consequences of gang membership. Recommendations for future research are also offered.
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers answers to frequently asked questions on female genital cutting, the origin of its practices, current laws, and links to finding more information on the topic.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A statistical exploration
"This publication analyzes available statistics on female genital mutilation/cutting, with the aim of improving understanding of related issues in the wider context of gender equality and social change."
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: Data and Trends (pdf)
The Population Reference Bureau estimates that between 100 and 140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) and more than 3 million girls are at risk for cutting each year on the African continent alone. Global and national efforts to end FGM and cutting have supported legislation targeting excisors, medical professionals, and families who perpetuate the practice, but political will and implementation remain an issue.
This student manual is part of a set of training materials which has been prepared by the World Health Organization to facilitate training of health professionals on female genital mutilations.
This teacher's guide is part of a set of training materials prepared by the World Health Organization to facilitate training of health professionals on female genital mutilation.
Femicide Report: Women and Children Murdered (pdf)
MCBW monitors information about women and children murdered in Minnesota to educate the public about the lethality of woman abuse and child abuse. They pledge to remember the women, children, and family members and/or friends who die each year from domestic violence and the woman and children who die while being used in prostitution - a system of violence against women and children. Included in these Femicide Reports are the names of the women and children who have died from woman abuse and child abuse in Minnesota in that year. When you enter the MCBW website, click on the "Femicide" button, then click on the link to the year's report that you wish to read. Reports begin with 1989 and end with 2001.
"International labor migration has emerged as an increasingly regionalized phenomenon, with flows within East and Southeast Asia having gained great momentum. This article examines the debates and issues concerning intersections between women migrant workers' experiences of specifically gender-based violence and violations of their more generalized workers', human, and citizenship rights."
Final Report on the project entitled: Animal Welfare and Domestic Violence (pdf)
"This study assesses animal maltreatment in samples of women seeking safety at shelters and community samples of women. Women in shelter were much more likely (54%) to report partners' hurting or killing of their pets than women not in shelter (3.5%)."
Final Report: Focus Group on Public Law 280 and the Sexual Assault of Native Women
"The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) hosted a focus group in Green Bay, Wisconsin to discuss challenges to, and opportunities for, collaboration between states and tribes in Public Law 280 jurisdictions to address sexual assault in Indian country."
"Themes from this meeting hosted by the Government of Norway in Oslo include: macroeconomic policies, public finance and gender-responsive budgeting, bilateral and multilateral aid, and funding the women’s movement."
Findings About Partner Violence From the Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study
July 1999. This NIJ Research in Brief examines the continual nature of antisocial behavior from adolescence through adulthood in an attempt to explain partner violence. Results are derived from a longitudinal study of a birth cohort from Dunedin, New Zealand, conducted over the past 21 years. Among the findings discussed are that partner violence can be linked to a variety of mental illnesses, family adversity, lack of schooling, and conviction of various crimes.
First Response to Victims of Crime Who Have a Disability (pdf)
"This handbook was created for law enforcement officers on how to approach and help crime victims with disabilities. It offers guidance and tips on approaching and interacting with victims who have Alzheimer’s disease, mental illness, or mental retardation, or who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing."
Five Years On: No Justice for Sexual Violence in Darfur
"Drawing on various data sources, this report covers: Sexual Violence in Darfur in 2007-08; Government's Response; International Response; and Sudan's Obligation to Prevent, Investigate and Punish Sexual Violence."
Focus Groups of African-American Men: Perspectives on Addressing Domestic Violence
This study is the first step toward a larger, multi-site project that would obtain valuable information about how to help African-American men prevent or eliminate violence in relationships. The purpose of this paper is to identify realistic approaches by which African-American men can confront friends, neighbors, relatives, co-workers or strangers, who are African-American men who batter. What is unique about this study is that African-American men are the key informants.
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.
Forced Sexual Intercourse Among Young Adult Women Fact Sheet (pdf)
"This Fact Sheet uses nationally representative data to describe the types of force used during forced sexual intercourse. Variations in rates of forced sexual intercourse by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and sexual history are also examined."
Forensic Evidence Collection and Care of the Sexual Assault Survivor: The SANE-SART Response
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document outlines the components of a coordinated Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) model and illustrates the techniques and implementation strategies that should be utilized when gathering forensic evidence post sexual assualt.
This report summarizes the dialogues from the Women of Color Network (WOCN) focus groups on domestic violence and child welfare. Over one hundred (100) domestic violence and sexual assault activists of color participated in these focus groups. The report includes a set of recommendations and highlights from their conversations regarding issues and barriers for battered women with children from communities of color.
Form for Evaluating Police Response to Domestic Violence: For Use by Victims and Advocates
This form was put together for use by domestic violence victims and their advocates. It's
designed to assist in evaluating the police
response and the police report on domestic
violence calls. The form should help identify
problems in police response so that these problems can be corrected. It can
also be used provide feedback to the
police department and to the community on how
well police are responding to domestic violence
cases.
This form is also availabe in PDF format http://www.justicewomen.com/police_evaluation.pdf
This form is also available in Spanish at http://www.justicewomen.com/help_police_evaluation_sp.html (HTML version) and http://www.justicewomen.com/police_evaluation_sp.pdf (PDF version).
Spanish translation of article - "Bonding and Attachment in Maltreated Chidren: Consequences of Emotional Neglect in Childhood"
Fractured Families, Fragile Children - The Sexual Vulnerability of Girls in the Aftermath of Divorce
" This article examines overwhelming empirical evidence in countries as geographically and culturally diverse as Costa Rica, Finland, South Africa and Taiwan confirming that divorce magnifies a girl's risk of molestation. This evidence shows that a female child faces a significantly elevated risk of being sexually abused after her parents divorce, either at the hands of a parent, a parent's partner or someone outside the home. Because courts have failed to grasp the extent to which girls in fractured families are at risk of sexual abuse, this article seeks to provide a framework for understanding the link between marital breakdown and subsequent sexual abuse."
"This study estimated the frequency and correlates of intimate partner violence by type (physical, sexual, battering, or emotional abuse) among women seeking primary health care. Efforts to universally screen for partner violence and to effectively intervene to reduce the impact of such violence on women’s lives must be a public health priority."
"This study documented the frequency and perceived effectiveness of battered Mexican-origin women's usage of formal and informal help and personal strategies to survive abuse. This study illuminates battered Mexican-origin women's strengths and barriers that impede their survival efforts."
Frequently Asked Questions on Safe School Policies for LGBT Students (pdf)
Fact sheet designed to address many of the frequently asked questions about how schools can best protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students from harassement and discrimination while at the same time protect themselves from potential liability.
From the Courthouse to the Schoolhouse: Making a Successful Transition
A 16-page bulletin from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes effective approaches to reintegrating youth from juvenile justice system settings into the education mainstream and provides information about promising programs, practices, and resources.
From Words To Weapons: The Violence Surrounding Our Schools
Report from a study where 1,802 students of the Los Angeles Unified School District were surveyed on a range of issues related to their experiences with violence, their own and their friends' weapons possession and their suggestions for ways to lessen violence, racial tension and conflict. (This report is 1.5Mb and must be downloaded and read with Acrobat Reader)
Fuerza Unida: A Manual For Engaging Communities
"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."
Full Faith and Credit Enabling Legislation and Registry Information
The following document provides information about individual states' laws and policies regarding restraining orders, the registration thereof and reciprocity between states. Registry information is also provided for the District of Columbia.
Full Faith and Credit Implementation: Challenges and Solutions
This chapter identifies some of the stumbling blocks to implementation of full faith and credit, including xenophobia, reluctance to change, and procedure-driven traditions of law enforcement. It offers an outline for a problem-solving approach.
Full Faith and Credit Scenarios
Case scenarios with fourteen questions to test your knowledge about full faith and credit issues.
Funding for Collaborative Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Programs (pdf)
This paper identifies different sources to assist Greenbook sites and other communities to create new and sustain ongoing efforts.
Gender Approaches in Conflict and Post-Conflict Situations (pdf)
This manual aims to increase effectiveness of humanitarian and recovery interventions through integration of a gender perspective in conflict and post-conflict situations. It includes a chart to depict different levels of possible gender violence dimensions along the timeline of pre-conflict and post-conflict.
Gender Based Violence: Emerging Issues in Programs Serving Displaced Populations (pdf)
This report provides background and current information about gender-based violence programming with populations affected by armed conflict. It gives concrete advice and examples of programming addressing gender-based violence, and lists valuable resources for further information.
Gender Dimensions of Racial Discrimination (pdf)
This publication produced by the United Nations describes gender and racial discrimination women face and the efforts to combat it with recommendations of action.
This report is generated from a two-day meeting held in Seattle February 7 – 8, 2004 by an ad-hoc INCITE! Community Accountability in Organizations Working Group. This group specifically gathered to address gender oppression including patriarchical political and work environments, sexual harassment, domestic violence, and sexual assault committed against women/girls/women-identified persons of color within progressive, radical and revolutionary people of color organizations and movement.
Gender Responsive Budgeting in Practice: A Training Manual
"This training manual was produced under a UNFPA/UNIFEM strategic partnership aimed at developing a coordinated approach for effective technical assistance to gender-responsive budgeting (GRB)."
This report intends to improve international and local capacities when addressing gender-based violence in refugee, internally-displaced and conflict settings.
General Domestic Violence Statistics Packet: Using Statistics and Evaluating Research (pdf)
"Offers key issues on selecting statistics and questions to ask when reviewing a dataset or research study. Includes an annotated list of various statistics, a chart comparing four national datasets, a bibliography and extensive web site resource list."
Getting Safe and Sober: Real Tools You Can Use (pdf)
"A practical tool kit for use with women who have substance abuse or chemical dependence problems and who are, or have been, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or sexual abuse. The kit also can be used to train service providers about the needs of women whose experience includes both substance abuse and victimization."
Girls and Violence: Is the Gender Gap Closing?
This VAWnet document summarizes the current research on girls' use of violence and reviews evidence regarding youthful female violence. It makes suggestions about what is occurring and briefly suggests ways to address the issue positively.
Girls Count: A Global Investment & Action Agenda
"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."
Global Consultation on Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (pdf)
A report on the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM) and analyzes shifting global patterns of FGM and methods used to eliminate its occurrence. The report also illustrates the effects of FGM on maternal and infant health and notes law enforcement and non-profit agency efforts to combat FGM.
Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence: Findings from the World Report on Violence and Health (pdf)
This document is a summary of findings specific to sexual violence included in the World Report on Violence and Health (released in 2002 by the World Health Organization). The document seeks to offer a glimpse of the "serious global public health problem" that is sexual violence as well as promising practices and opportunities for those working to end sexual violence.
Global War and Violence: Implications for US Social Workers
The Center for Victims of Torture has published a curriculum for social work instructors who want to prepare their students to work with torture survivors and war-traumatized refugees.
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.
"This article (a) provides an overview of the contemporary IMB (International Marriage Broker) industry, including a discussion of reasons underlying women's choices to use IMB agencies to meet and marry U.S.-based spouses, (b) discusses how this industry's marketing of marriages potentially endangers many women recruits, and (c) offers an update and analysis of new provisions under U.S. immigration law that strengthen protections available for women who immigrate as fiancés and spouses of U.S. citizens, including those in marriages arranged by IMBs."
Greater Cincinnati Human Trafficking Report (pdf)
"The report summarizes research and analysis of laws, ordinances, and regulations applicable to human trafficking in greater Cincinnati. It also includes findings from an extensive survey of law enforcement officials, social service providers, healthcare providers, attorneys, city and county leaders, non-governmental organizations, media, and faith-based organizations. Finally, it recommends three first steps the city and community leaders may take to begin addressing human trafficking."
Guatemala’s Femicide Law: Progress Against Impunity? (pdf)
This report places femicide within a particular historical, cultural and socio-political context describing the 36-year internal conflict that resulted in rape, torture and murder of tens of thousands of Guatemalan women and girls. Although the government has made some progress in implementing some aspects of the Law Against Femicide, the report also points out that the lack of understanding of the law, continued social unrest, poor media portrayal, and inadequate efforts to implement the law stand in the way of serious progress. The report concludes with recommendations for the government including improving investigation and prosecution of crimes of violence against women, and protection of the victims of violence and their children.
Guide for Preventing and Responding to School Violence (pdf)
Outlines strategies and approaches for members of school communities to consider when creating safer learning environments. Offers guideance for school violence prevention and response in the following areas: preventing student violence, preparing a threat assessment strategy, planning and training for actual crises, responding to a crisis, considering legal and legislative issues, and covering the crisis in the media. A list of Web sites pertaining to school safety and violence reduction is included.
Guide to the Optional Protocol on the involvement of children in armed conflict (pdf)
"A guide to the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child related to children in armed conflict. It describes the context surrounding its adoption, efforts supporting its objectives, key provisions and the legislative processes involved for signature and ratification or accession."
Guidebook on Vicarious Trauma: Recommended Solutions for Anti-Violence Workers (pdf)
This guidebook explains vicarious trauma, associated effects and consequences, and effective coping strategies. It is designed to assist anti-violence workers to recognize and address their own vicarious trauma experiences.
Guidelines for Conducting Family Team Conferences When There is a History of Domestic Violence (pdf)
These guidelines are meant to assist workers who are participating in or facilitating FTCs when there has been a history of domestic violence. The goal is to ensure that the safety of all family members is addressed in a supportive and empowering manner throughout the process of FTC.
HIV counseling and testing offer numerous opportunities for providers to introduce the issue of domestic violence and to ask persons seeking testing relevant screening questions.
Guidelines for Medico-Legal Care for Victim of Sexual Violence (pdf)
These guidelines are designed for healthcare workers to provide comprehensive care for medical, psychological and forensic needs of survivors of sexual assault. The guidelines are currently being pilot tested in various countries.
Guidelines for Men Who Batter Programs
Developed by the People Who Work With People Who Batter, Minneapolis, Minnesota. 1997. It is intended that these guidelines be a guide for new and existing programs toward the development and delivery of services to men involved in heterosexual relationships who have acted abusively toward a partner or spouse.
Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Health Care & Social Service Workers
This informational booklet provides a general overview of a particular topic related to OSHA standards.
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.
Guidelines for Responding to the Co-occurrence of Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence (pdf)
The purpose of these Guidelines is to provide direction to child protection staff when responding to situations in which child maltreatment and domestic violence are both occurring.
Handbook for legislation on violence against women (pdf)
Based on the work of an expert group meeting in Vienna, United Nations Division for the Advancement of Women of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs developed a Handbook for Legislation on Violence against Women. This Handbook intends to provide all stakeholders with detailed guidance to support the adoption and effective implementation of legislation which prevents violence against women, punishes perpetrators, and ensures the rights of survivors everywhere.
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."
This handbook is designed to help health professionals address the health care needs of adult female survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It provides background information about childhood sexual abuse and its effects on survivors. It also introduces the principles of sensitive practice and provides practical suggestions that health professionals can incorporate into their clinical practice.
Hate Crime in America Summit Recommendations
The 1998 IACP Hate Crime in America Summit produced 46 recommendations to: Prevent Hate Crime; Respond to Hate Crime; and Measure the Effectiveness of Prevention and Response Efforts.
Hate Crimes Against People with Disabilities
This paper examines hate crimes perpetrated against people with disabilities. The paper outlines some of the differences between hate crimes committed against people with disabilities and those committed against other members of the community.
Hate Violence against Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People in the United States (pdf)
This is a report about bias-motivated incidents targeting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender, queer, and questioning (LGBT) individuals in the U.S. during the year 2008. The report includes statistics on violence against LGBT people, stories from survivors, information on where to get help, safety tips, and information on hate crime laws.
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.
Based on in-depth interviews with 140 youth and 130 teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and youth service providers in seven states, this report offers the first comprehensive look at the human rights abuses suffered by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students at the hands of their peers. Teachers and administrators frequently turn their backs on these abuses, refusing to take reports of harassment or hold accountable those who commit these acts; in some instances, officials encourage or themselves participate in these abuses.
He Got Himself Drunk — What Did He Think Was Going to Happen?
This article discusses holding the sexual perpetrator accountable for sexual assault, rather than pointing the finger at the victim, particularly when alcohol is involved. He stresses that alcohol is not an excuse for sexual assault, nor is it a reason to put the blame on the victim.
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.
Healing the Hate: A National Hate Crime Prevention Curriculum (pdf)
Originally designed to be used in classroom settings, these materials have also proven useful in a variety of other venues: working with youth who commit hate crimes, working with schools experiencing specific bias crime problems, in after-school programs, and in teacher training settings.
Healing the Invisible Wounds: Children's Exposure to Violence A Guide for Families (pdf)
"This booklet helps parents and other caregivers understand the potential impact of exposure to violence on the development of their children, and provides practical suggestions for supporting the healing process."
"In this paper, the author will examine both the effectiveness of feminist therapy and its limitations when counseling immigrant and racially visible women who have been abused. The author will also describe the reality of domestic violence among these women and how their needs differ from women in the dominant culture. Strategies for a more inclusive form of feminist therapy will also be offered as alternatives to existing modes of practice and assessment."
Health Care Costs Associated with Violence in Pennsylvania (pdf)
"Reports the impact of violence in Pennsylvania including interpersonal violence (homicide, aggravated assault, rape) domestic violence (partner, child and elder abuse) and self-directed violence (suicide and attempted suicide)."
Health Concerns Across a Woman's Lifespan: CMWF 1998 Survey of Women's Health
This study shows that while more women are receiving preventive care and taking better care of their health, they are still experiencing alarmingly high rates of violence and abuse.
"Presents an overview of the problem of interpersonal violence in the U.S. and the role of treating physician and other health professionals."
Health Privacy Principles for Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence
Since women often interact with the health care system for routine or emergency care before they turn to law enforcement or other domestic violence services, health care professionals are in the unique position to identify abuse and intervene early on. This report discusses working with domestic violence advocates and service providers to respond to victims of domestic violence through screening, assessment, documentation, intervention, and referral.
These packets provide support to those interested in developing a comprehensive health care response to domestic violence (e.g., routine screening, protocols, regular staff trainings and resource materials) in all health care settings. The HRC has several information packets which are available free of charge. Topics include "Battering During Pregnancy," "Domestic Violence Health Care Protocols," "Responding to Diversity," and "Screen Patients for Domestic Violence."
Healthy Marriage and the Legacy of Child Maltreatment: A Child Welfare Perspective (pdf)
"This brief explores how childhood experiences, specifically child maltreatment and involvement with the child welfare system, impact the potential for a healthy, lasting marriage. The author also offers recommendations for addressing the unique needs of couples in which one or both partners have experienced childhood maltreatment."
Help-Seeking Behavior Among Abused Immigrant Women: A Case of Vietnamese American Women
"The present study examines help-seeking behavior among abused Vietnamese American women to understand factors associated with their decisions to seek help. The study found that abused Vietnamese American women have sought help from their personal networks, the criminal justice system, and various victim service agencies. Data analyses suggest that the decisions of Vietnamese American women to reach out are complex and diverse and are shaped by various structural, cultural, and organizational factors."
Helpful or Harmful?: How Innovative Communication Technology Affects Survivors of Intimate Violence
This paper explores: 1) the prevalence of web usage by both survivors of intimate violence and the organizations that serve them; 2) the ways in which batterers misuse communication technology to monitor and control their partners activities; and 3) precautions that survivors and organizations can employ to safeguard themselves from liability, harm, and ethical conundrums.
Helping Children Affected by Domestic Violence (pdf)
This is a comprehensive document about children who have been exposed to domestic violence and is supplemented with specific interventions that have shown to help palliate the impact.
Helping Children Cope with the Stresses of War: A Manual for Parents and Teachers (pdf)
"A tool for parents and teachers in helping children cope with the stresses of war and other forms of systematic violence. This book provides illustrative drawings by children portraying experiences of stress. Guidelines on handling problematic behaviors with which children of various ages respond to stress are also provided."
Helping Children Cope with Violence: A School-Based Program That Works (pdf)
Violence is one of our most significant public health issues. Children exposed to violence frequently develop post-traumatic stress symptoms. They are more likely to have behavioral problems, poorer school performance, more days of school absence, and feelings of depression and anxiety. School officials are often willing to provide help at school. But these professionals face an important question: What works? There have been no randomized controlled trials of intervention effectiveness with which to answer this question. To fill this gap, a team of clinician-researchers from several institutions collaborated to develop, implement, and evaluate an intervention designed to help children traumatized by violence. The team included professionals from the RAND Corporation, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA), and the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD).
Helping Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Law Enforcement and Community Partnerships (pdf)
March 2001 report. Discusses law enforcement and community responses to children who have been exposed 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 distribued 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 to Prevent Child Abuse and Future Criminal Consequences: Hawaii's Healthy Start (pdf)
This is an October, 1995 paper posted by the National Criminal Justice Reference Service. This article discusses ways to prevent child abuse through a novel program in Hawaii. A focus on criminal consequences should child abuse continue to be ignored is also provided.
Helping Traumatized Children: A Brief Overview for Caregivers (pdf)
This article, designed largely with a child's caregiver in mind, addresses how to talk to children who have experienced trauma and what these experiences may have been like.
Helping with Domestic Violence: Legal Barriers to Serving Teens in Illinois (pdf)
November 2000. Report based on focus groups and interviews with a total of 110 service providers and teen groups in 1999-2000 to determine why so few services were available for teen victims of domestic violence. This research isolated a variety of Illinois laws and regulations that served as barriers. Subsequent review of laws in other states found that on some issues Illinois laws were more helpful to minors, but that in several key instances Illinois laws are in need of change. This report focuses on legal barriers to providing services to teen victims of domestic violence, specifically those that affect access to transitional and long-term housing, orders of protection for domestic violence, and health and mental health services.
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.
A screening tool designed to be used by professionals who are not TBI experts, but can assess for possible head trauma or injury resulting from domestic violence.
Hennepin County Minnesota Community Indicators: 2004 (pdf)
The 2002 Community Indicators Report provides a snapshot of
community well-being. The indicators that are related to violence include:
Indicator 7: Child Abuse and Neglect (Maltreatment,
Indicator 8: Permanency for Children in Placement Settings,
Indicator 9: Crime,
Indicator 10: Domestic Abuse and Violence,
Indicator 11: Vulnerable Adult Abuse and Neglect (Maltreatment).
Her Story of Domestic Violence: A Timeline of the Battered Women's Movement
A timeline of the Battered Women's Movement from 753 B.C. to 1999.
Here is 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.
This document describes the abuse of migrant domestic workers in the United States as well as laws, guidelines, procedures, and regulations concerning special visas and their enforcement.
Hidden Slaves: Forced Labor in the United States
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the history and current US laws and regulations against forced labor and trafficking. It illuminates differences between US and international anti-trafficking legal framework. It also includes recomendations for improvement in US policy and legal and social service providers.
Hiding in Plain Sight: A Practical Guide to Identifying Victims of Trafficking in the U.S. (pdf)
A guide which places particular emphasis on identifying victims of sexual trafficking as defined by the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000. The document offers a definition of trafficking and suggests how and where one might find a victim of sexual trafficking. The guide also addresses reporting procedures for both the general public and mandated reporters, and concludes by describing the services available to victims of trafficking.
Linda v. Lyle - A Case Study. Looks at the possibility that some or all high-conflict divorces are actually the manifestation of stalking behaviors by wealthy domestic abusers. Part I compares and contrasts the research on batterers and stalkers to the literature on high-conflict divorce. In Part II, an actual high-conflict case is described. Part III explores the lack of consumer protection. Part IV offers a modest proposal that may discourage protracted Family Court litigation and calls for studies that apply stalking and battering dynamics to high-conflict divorce so stalking by way of Family Court can be quantified and illuminated.
Highlights of the 1999 National Youth Gang Survey
2-page Fact Sheet posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The 1999 National Youth Gang Survey is the fifth annual survey conducted by NYGC. The 1999 survey used the same sample as the surveys done from 1996 through 1998 to facilitate comparative and trend analysis.
Hispanic Victims of Violent Crime, 1993-2000 (word)
"Examines violent crimes committed against Hispanic victims including rape, sexual assault, robbery, and aggravated and simple assault. Crime victimizations are compared with those of four non-Hispanic groups: whites, blacks, American Indians, and Asians."
HIV Positive Women Report More Partner Violence (pdf)
The paper examines violence as a risk factor for HIV infection that must be addressed through multilevel prevention approaches.
This report focuses on female migrant workers from Bangladesh, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka, who worked in the host countries of Bahrain, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates. Researchers' key findings concluded that female migrant workers are vulnerable to HIV during all stages of employment abroad. They face sexual assault, sexual exploitation and being trafficked into the commercial sex industry while applying for or being recruited into employment, or during transit between home countries and host countries. Home countries' policies can also contribute to the problem as banning women from working abroad serves to push worker migration underground.
Homeless in Minnesota 2003 (pdf)
Drawn from interviews with more than 3,000 homeless adults and youth throughout Minnesota, this research describes some of the causes, effects, and circumstances surrounding homelessness. It identifies relationships between homelessness, sexual abuse and domestic violence.
This article, of the Research and Advocacy Digest from the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs, focuses on the intersection between sexual victimization and homeless youth, and provides an overview of research on this topic area. Numerous abstracts are detailed and discussed within this context.
Homelessness and Family Trauma: The Case for Early Intervention (pdf)
A publication of Health Care for the Homeless Clinician's Network, National Health Care for the Homeless Council. This article focuses on the impact that homelessness has on children, especially for those who have experienced sexual, physical and/or emotional abuse or are in environments where this abuse is occurring. The issue addresses the need for early intervention and provides clinicians with tips on identifying signs of trauma in homeless children as well as when and how to intervene.
Homicide Trends in the United States
Posted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics, this report contains a series of charts that describe homicide patterns and trends in the United States since 1976. Includes a section on intimate homicide.
Homicides of Children and Youth
October 2001 Bulletin report. Provides a statistical portrait of juvenile homicide victimization by drawing on FBI and other data. As part of OJJDP's Crimes Against Children Series, the Bulletin offers detailed information about overall crime patterns and victim age groups. Specific types of juvenile homicide, including maltreatment homicides, abduction homicides, and school homicides, are discussed in further detail. The Bulletin also explores initiatives designed to prevent homicides of children and youth.
Honor Killings: An Islamic Perspective
Discussion of honor killings how the prevailing view that devalues and belittles women is derived from sociocultural factors that are justified by a distorted and erroneous interpretation of religion, especially of Islam.
This report documents how local corruption and the complicity of international officials in Bosnia have allowed a trafficking network to flourish, in which women are tricked, threatened, physically assaulted and sold as chattel.
"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.
How Children Are Involved in Adult Domestic Violence: Results From a Four City Telephone Survey (pdf)
This article, which was published in Vol. 18, No. 1 of the Journal of Interpersonal Violence (2003), summarizes a study that collected direct reports on domestic violence events. Information was gathered through anonymous telephone interviews with 114 battered mothers in four metropolitan areas across the United States, eliciting detailed information from the women on their children’s observations and responses to the violence being committed against the mothers. The article concludes with recommendations for a greater emphasis on careful assessment of children’s involvement in domestic violence incidents and on assisting mothers to achieve economic stability as well as safety.
How to Answer the Question: "Does Sex Offender Treatment Work?"
This article discusses whether or not sex offender treatments work, and points to consider when assessing treatment outcomes.
How To Integrate Assessment for Violence and Reproductive Coercion Into Clinical Practice (pdf)
A resource for healthcare providers which outlines points to train staff working with victims of violence and reproductive coercion.
How to Investigate Domestic Violence Homicide
A guide for investigating the path leading up to domestic violence homicides, for friends, activists, journalists, and all who care.
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.
The Human Rights Brief, a student-run publication of the Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, reports on developments in international human rights and humanitarian law and provides concise legal analysis of cutting edge human rights issues.
Human Rights Dialogue: Violence Against Women (pdf)
This special edition of the magazine explores how women's advocates are challenging the public/private divide, the cultural and religious objections to granting women's rights, and the common blindness to linkages between violence against women and the deprivation of other rights, specifically economic and social rights.
Human Rights Protections Applicable to Women Migrant Workers: A UNIFEM Briefing Paper (pdf)
"This briefing paper is intended to provide some tools for human rights advocates working to advance the rights of women migrant workers using the five most relevant major human rights conventions: Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), and the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Their Families (MWC). The publication concludes by providing examples of steps states may be required to take to ensure women migrant workers can enjoy their human rights."
Human Rights Watch: Reports on Violence Against Women
Lists a series of articles from around the world focusing on violence against women issues.
The political and human rights issues related to human trafficking are discussed in this document. Critical thinking questions are posed, along with facts sheets and policy initiatives.
Human Trafficking Cheat Sheet (pdf)
"Two page sheet that defines human trafficking and gives you basic facts about the issues, including statistics."
Human Trafficking in Minnesota, A Report to the Minnesota Legislature (pdf)
"In 2005, the Minnesota legislature passed Minnesota Statute 299A.785, requiring the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to complete annual studies on the extent and type of human trafficking occurring in our state. The first report was completed in September 2006 and this current report is the second annual report in response to that legislation."
Human Trafficking of Children in the United States: A Fact Sheet for Schools
"This fact sheet was developed for those working in school settings and provides an overview of human trafficking, how it affects schools, tips for identifying victims, and steps for reporting human trafficking."
Human Trafficking Service Provider Manual for Certified Domestic Violence Centers (pdf)
This is a manual designed to assist domestic violence advocates in working with victims of trafficking. The manual details considerations and recommendations for service provision, benefits available to victims of trafficking, legal issues, criminal prosecution of traffickers, working with the media, potential funding sources, and additional anti-trafficking resources.
"This is a preliminary report from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center on the first six months of data collection on sexual violence committed in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita."
Husband Abuse: An Overview of Research and Perspectives (pdf)
"This discussion paper provides insight into the issue of abuse against men by their intimate partners. It summarizes information from three sources, offers resources and services for male victims, and describes policy implications."
This report aims to bring attention to medical, psychosocial and socio-economic consequences of sexual violence in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The report is based on medical data and testimonies collected in MSF's work in Eastern DRC.
The guidelines offered here provide specific recommendations for screening and responding to domestic violence in child health settings, which provide a unique and important opportunity to screen for domestic violence and to educate parents about the impact of such violence on children. These guidelines also speak to the need for child health providers to engage in, model, and take leadership in delivering effective primary prevention of domestic violence, as well as other types of family and community violence, by highlighting violence prevention during well child and other routine visits, as a component of routine anticipatory guidance.
The report includes: our most current domestic violence fatality statistics; detailed findings and recommendations based on cases reviewed over the past years; an exploratory study of the connection between domestic violence and suicide; copy-ready pages summarizing key findings and recommendations; and an index of the topic areas covered in all four Fatality Review reports.
"The goal of the current study was to evaluate victimization acknowledgment status as a predictor of posttraumatic stress disorder symptomatology using structural equation modeling among a sample of 346 college rape victims. Results showed that whereas acknowledged victims reported more symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder, acknowledgment status did not add to the prediction of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in a model including assault violence and other important predictors of these symptoms."
If You Want Legal Assistance But Cannot Afford a Lawyer
Information and referrals. Also on this site is information about safety planning and important resource phone numbers to have.
Immigrant and Refugee Power and Control Wheel
Throughout the world, women are victims of domestic violence just as there are battered women in the United States. Immigrant and refugee women know that in their countries of origin, women have been tortured with sexual abuse by the army/rebels, kidnapped into prostitution, forced into marriages, killed in honor killings, used for sexual slavery, stoned to death and often experience other gender related abuses. This Immigrant and Refugee Power and Control Wheel is an adaptation of the Duluth Power and Conrol wheel created by attendees Immigrant & Refugee Women Support Group in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Immigrant Populations as Victims: Toward a Multicultural Criminal Justice System (pdf)
"This report summarizes findings from a study about the criminal justice system's approach to immigrant victims of crime and barriers that prohibit immigrants from reporting crimes."
Immigrant South Asian Women at Greater Risk for Injury From Intimate Partner Violence
"Factors related to immigration may place South Asian immigrant women at increased risk for intimate partner violence. The purpose of the current study was to assess the relations between immigration-related factors and intimate partner violence among a sample of South Asian women residing in the United States."
Immigrant Victims of Domestic Violence: Cultural Challenges and Available Legal Protections
This VAWNET document raises awareness of both the challenges faced by battered immigrant women and some of the legal protections now available to them.
Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence
This special collection highlights the common experiences of immigrant women who are in abusive relationships, the legal protections and public benefits available, and practices and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of services provided to immigrant women.
Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence: Common Experiences in Different Countries
"In this article, the authors assess the still limited literature on domestic violence among immigrant women in major receiving countries so as to begin delineating a framework to explain how immigrant specific factors exacerbate the already vulnerable position - as dictated by class, gender, and race - of immigrant women in domestic violence situations."
Immigrant Women and Sexual Violence
A collection of documents that highlight the common experiences of immigrant women who are victims of sexual violence, the legal protections and public benefits available, and practices and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of services provided to immigrant women. Also included are resources and tools for immigrant women and service providers who assist them, such as advocates, lawyers, and medical professionals.
Immigration Reporting Laws: Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatric Practice
"This study assessed the potential impact of immigration reporting requirements on pediatricians' referrals to child protective services. The study concluded that Pediatricians, as mandated reporters of child abuse, will face ethical dilemmas if laws requiring reporting of immigration status is enacted."
Immigration, Domestic Violence, and the Military: The Case of "Military Brides"
"This study addresses the abuse experiences of immigrant women married or engaged to U.S. servicemen and the response of military social service and legal systems.The findings confirm the role of military context, culture, and priorities in the abuse and the military systems' responses. The immigration circumstances and status interact with the military context to compound the abuse, further marginalize victims/survivors, and weaken the military social service and legal systems' response. The implications of the findings for military efforts to address domestic violence within the ranks are discussed."
This preliminary evaluation of The Fourth R comprehensive school program is based on a randomized controlled trial with 20 schools in the Thames Valley District School Board in London, Ontario Canada.
Impact: Feature Issue on Violence Against Women with Developmental or Other Disabilities
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.
Implementation of the Intensive Community-Based Aftercare Program
19-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin provides an overview of the IAP model and describes its implementation over the first 3 years by participating sites in Colorado, Nevada, New Jersey, and Virginia.
Implementation of the Bulgarian Law (pdf)
"Throughout 2007, The Advocates' Women's Human Rights Program and BGRF conducted human rights monitoring to investigate implementation of the law by all principals, including the state, police, judges, prosecutors, media and NGOs. This report presents the findings and makes recommendations to improve implementation of the law. The report was produced with the support of the Oak Foundation and UNIFEM."
Implementing Evidence-Based Practice in Treatment Foster Care (pdf)
The guide highlights valuable information, references, resources, and tools for implementing Evidence-based Practices (EBPs) in Treatment Foster Care (TFC) service settings. The Resource Guide identifies specific models, interventions, and tools that TFC providers can use to deliver effective services to the children, youth, and families in their care. It also provides “how-to” information to help TFC providers successfully implement desired EBPs in their programs.
"The implementation of a screening and referral system for supplemental mental health treatment among batterer program participants was investigated in a 2-year formative evaluation. The research team conducted direct observation of the agency procedures, participation in training and supervision meetings, debriefing interviews with administrators, and informal conversations with staff and clients. Inconsistencies and breakdowns associated with nearly every step of the screening and referral process were identified. Several underlying issues were also exposed: administrative absenteeism and turnover, administrative-staff gaps, client overload, and differing agency priorities. These issues reinforce the challenges facing coordinated community response."
Improving Judicial Response to Sexual Harassment in the Courtroom (word)
This module is intended for judges, court personnel, and other legal professionals to strategize about improving the judicial response to sexual harassment in the courtroom and in their profession generally.
Improving the Health Care Response to Domestic Violence: A Resource Manual for Health Care Providers
This manual provides health care providers with a wide range of information and tools necessary to become more effective in domestic violence identification, intervention and prevention.
"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."
Impulsive Corporal Punishment by Mothers and Antisocial Behavior and Impulsiveness of Children
"This study tested the hypothesis that corporal punish- ment (CP), such as spanking or slapping a child for purposes of correcting misbehavior, is associated with antisocial behavior (ASB) and impulsiveness by the child. It was found that the more CP experienced by the child, the greater the tendency for the child to engage in ASB and to act impulsively. The results of this study suggest that CP is an important risk factor for children developing a pattern of impulsive and antisocial behavior which, in turn, may contribute to the level of violence and other crime in society."
Impunity: Sexual Abuse in Women’s Prisons (pdf)
This article describes sexual abuse of female prisoners in the United States as ubiquitous and legal remedies as wholly inadequate, and emphasizes the racial dimensions of abuses perpetrated against female prisoners, the majority of whom are African-American and/or Latina.
In Our Own Backyard: Human Rights in the Heartland
This report is designed to educate American Midwestners about the crucial role of human rights protections and to reveal gaps between human rights standands and realities in the American Midwest.
This is a briefing paper prepared for a Wingspread Conference of a similar title. It discusses family violence, specifically against women and children, barriers to helping the victims, and the importance of collaboration to effect change.
In Their Own Words (pdf)
"One page sheet with excerpts of survivor testimonies from sex and labor trafficking."
This document highlights the differences between two of the largest U.S. surveys that attempt to measure violence against women, and explores the factors that attribute to the differences in incidence rates of violence in each study. The surveys examined are the National Crime Victimization Survey and the National Family Violence Survey. Includes a discussion about what each survey tells us about men's and women's use of violence.
Incorporating Evaluation into Media Campaign Design
"This Applied Research paper provides information on core concepts relevant to media campaign evaluation strategies and showcases several sexual violence prevention campaigns that have completed evaluations at various stages of the implementation process."
Increasing Agency Accessibility for People with Disabilities: DV Agency Self-Assessment Guide
The Coalition developed this tool specifically for domestic violence organizations to increase their program’s ability to work with people with disabilities. This self-assessment guide is intended to assist domestic violence programs in evaluating their accessibility to victims with disabilities in their community.
Increasing School Safety Through Juvenile Accountability
16-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The author of this Bulletin, part of OJJDP's JAIBG Best Practices Series, recommends a comprehensive, collaborative approach that involves students, parents, and school officials. The Bulletin describes key elements of effective school-based accountability programs, delineates the steps essential to successful program implementation, and provides examples of promising programs and best practices.
Increasing Your Safety: Full Faith and Credit for Protection Orders
This guide explains Full Faith and Credit law and offers ideas about where to get help if you have problems with enforcement of a protection order.
Indicators of School Crime and Safety, 1999
Reports data on crime at school from the perspective of students, teachers, principals, and the general population.
Indicators of School Crime and Safety: 2004 (pdf)
This 2004 report is designed to provide an annual snapshot of school crime and safety indicators, covering topics such as victimization, fights, bullying, disorder, teacher injury, weapons, and student perceptions of school safety. In addition to covering a wide range of topics, the indicators are based on information drawn from various sources, including surveys of students, teachers, and principals, and data collections by federal agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The 2004 report also presents data on crime away from school to place school crime in the context of crime in the larger society. The 2004 report includes data from last year's Indicators of School Crime and Safety on principal reports of selected crimes, principal reports of disciplinary problems and actions at school, and fatal student victimization. The report also provides updated data on nonfatal student victimization; nonfatal victimization of teachers; students' perceptions of personal safety; gangs; students' reports of being bullied, avoiding places, being called hate-related words, and seeing hate-related graffiti; and students' reports of being threatened or injured with a weapon, being in fights, carrying weapons at school, using alcohol and marijuana, and having access to drugs on school property.
Individual Development Accounts (IDAs)
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 Individual Development Accounts (IDAs) and how they relate to ending violence against women...Direct links to the documents are provided from this page.
Individual-Systemic Violence: Disabled Women's Standpoint (pdf)
"This article explores reasons for the systemic omission of women with disabilities from mainstream research and from services addressing non-disabled women's experiences."
Infant Exposure to Domestic Violence Predicts Heightened Sensitivity to Adult Verbal Conflict (pdf)
The results of this article found that infants do respond negatively to verbal conflict in the environment.
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.
Information for Victims in Trafficking of People and Forced Labor
Factsheet. Describes acts which may constitute trafficking in persons and forced labor and encourages victims of trafficking to report their situation. Information about governmental and non-governmental resources for victims is provided.
Information Sharing in Collaborative Relationship: Domestic Violence and Child Protection (pdf)
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 III provides general guidance and possibilities for policy development regarding information sharing between systems and presents avenues for effective inquiry where these issues intersect.
The entire report (executive summary and full report) may be downloaded as a MicroSoft Word 6.0 document.
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.
Integrating Community Building and Violence Prevention (pdf)
This report, which synthesizes the information gleaned from the key informant interviews and national strategy meeting, lays out a rationale for why it is important to simultaneously engage the two fields of violence prevention and community building, outlines to what extent the fields currently build from similar principles or philosophies and/or share practices, and explores how perceptions about each field create impediments to integration.
Intergenerational Transmission of Partner Violence: A 20-Year Prospective Study (pdf)
An unselected sample of 543 children was followed over 20 years to test the independent effects of parenting, exposure to domestic violence between parents (ETDV), maltreatment, adolescent disruptive behavior disorders, and emerging adult substance abuse disorders (SUDs) on the risk of violence to and from an adult partner.
International Criminal Justice, Conflict and Its Response to Gender-Based Violence (pdf)
This article illustrates and analyzes the need for accountability and healing for women who suffered gender-based violence during armed conflict.
International Online Resources on Stalking
Annotated list of international stalking resources.
A Nov. 1999 Intelligence Monograph. This article finds that the trafficking of women and children "for the sex industry and for labor" is prevalent in all regions in the U.S. Victims have traditionally come from Southeast Asia and Latin America, but now victims are coming from Central and Eastern Europe as well.
Article on how to erase history lists and cache files on your browser.
Interpersonal and Physical Dating Violence among Teens
"Approximately one in three adolescent girls in the United States is a victim of physical, emotional or verbal abuse from a dating partner – a figure that far exceeds victimization rates for other types of violence affecting youth. This “shockingly common behavior among adolescents” is the subject of a new Focus Report from the National Council on Crime and Delinquency. The research finds that girls exposed to interpersonal violence are more likely to be exposed to other forms of violence, show a greater propensity for unsafe sexual activity, and a higher incidence of substance abuse and suicide than either boys or non-abused girls. The report also offers recommendations for primary prevention programs."
Interpersonal Violence and Alcohol and Other Drug Use
This 2008 updated article presents facts about the interaction between alcohol and drug use and violence affecting colleges and universities. This site also provides a list of resources for more information on this topic.
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."
Interrupting the Cycle of Violence: Addressing Domestic Violence Through the Workplace
Ramsey County Initiative for Violence-Free Families and Communities has outlined steps corporations can take to address the issue of detecting domestic violence in the workplace.
Intersecting Inequalities: Immigrant Women of Colour, Violence and Health Care
This report focuses on racialized immigrant women who have experienced intimate violence and their access to the health care system. The paper reviews current literature and identifies key variables that contribute to immigrant women's vulnerability to violence and lack of access to health care. The response of health care service providers is also examined.
Intersection of Child Abuse and Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence
"This review addresses research on the overlap in physical child abuse and domestic violence, the prediction of child outcomes, and resilience in children exposed to family violence."
Intersections of Harm and Health: A Qualitative Study of Intimate Partner Violence in Women's Lives
The purpose of this study was to determine how recent exposure to intimate partner violence affects women's health. An observation of a series of women's focus groups revealed that intimate partner violence led to adverse health effects, worsening already existing health problems, and increasing dependency on abusive partners where women are ill or disabled.
Intervention for Men Who Batter: A Review of Research
This chapter appears in the book Understanding partner violence: Prevalence, causes, consequences and solutions, edited by S. Stith and M. Straus (1995). Minneapolis, MN: National Council on Family Relations.
Intervention Strategies with Child Maltreating Men (pdf)
This document outlines the importance of healthy parenting following child maltreatment and adds to our understanding of adult male maltreatment intervention by offering some important insights and actionable recommendations.
Intimate and Caregiver Violence Against Women with Disabilities (pdf)
This commissioned article by the Battered Women's Justice Project provides an overview of the intersection of domestic violence and disability by defining it, describing its scope, reviewing tactics of abuse, and providing recommendations for responding to women with disabilities experiencing domestic violence.
Intimate or Childhood Sexual Abuse and Obesity in Kentucky
This study concluded that sexual abuse, whether experienced as an adult or child, was associated with a 32% increase in obesity among 4,391 women in Kentucky. The study also found that intimate partner violence and obesity are common health threats for women. The authors suggest that efforts to prevent physical and sexual abuse and mental health consequences of abuse on victims can have implications to improve women's health.
Intimate Partner Homicide (pdf)
This issue of the NIJ Journal focuses on a single important topic—homicides committed by the victim’s spouse or other intimate partner. Women are most likely to be the victim in these cases of intimate partner homicide. An overview on page 2 reflects the range of ideas the authors discuss, from aspects of the problem (such as risk factors and the effect of alcohol abuse) to possible steps toward reducing the number of incidents (such as the effectiveness of domestic violence services and the use of fatality reviews). The articles shed new light on a type of crime that continues to have serious social consequences and to present challenges to law enforcement and health providers.
May 1999. Provides information on violence by intimates. Covers trends in intimate violence, characteristics of victims, where victims tend to live, types of crime, and trends for reporting to police. Intimate victimizations measured include rape, sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault. Data on murder by intimates are also given.
"A survey instrument mirroring the National Violence Against Women Survey was administered in person to measure the incidence and prevalence of intimate partner violence against Athabaskan women residing in the interior of Alaska.Findings revealed that intimate partner assault victimization is more prevalent and is considerably more frequent when compared to that reported for American women in general."
Intimate Partner Violence Among Male and Female Russian University Students
"This article reports data from three Russian sites of the International Dating Violence Study. Using a sample of 338 university students (54% female) from three Russian university sites, four different types of partner violence are examined: physical assault, physical injury, sexual coercion, and psychological aggression. The study found that male and female students were about equally likely to be victims and perpetrators of all violent and aggressive actions and that high prevalence rates were found for all types of violence, aggression, and coercion. Recommendations for prevention are made in the conclusions."
Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, 1993-99
October 2001. Provides estimates of violence by intimates (current or former spouses, girlfriends, and boyfriends) against females with an emphasis on victim's age, 1993-99. Included are 1999 rates of intimate partner violence against females overall, rates for specific violent crimes, and 1993-1999 trends in fatal and nonfatal intimate partner violence. Also presented are 1993-99 aggregate rates of intimate partner violence by victim's age focusing further on victim's race, Hispanic origin, annual household income and marital status. Additional statistics on domestic violence provided include the percentage of same-sex intimate partner violence, presence of weapons, injuries to victims, type of intimates who offend, and reporting to police.
Intimate Partner Violence and Healthy People 2010 Fact Sheet (pdf)
This paper draws statistics from a growing body of research that has linked intimate partner violence (IPV) to many of the leading health indicators defined in the federal Healthy People 2010 initiative. The Healthy People 2010 Leading Health Indicators covered in this fact sheet include: Overweight and Obesity, Tobacco Use, Substance Abuse, Responsible Sexual Behavior, Mental Health, Injury and Violence, Immunization, and Access to Health Care.
This 118 page PDF file describes 36 sets of training materials designed to show healthcare providers how to treat domestic violence and sexual assault cases. The materials described include manuals, videos, scripted lectures with slides, information packets and handbooks. This is a PDF file and must be viewed with Adobe Acrobrat reader.
"This compilation includes existing tools for assessing intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence (SV) victimization in clinical/healthcare settings. The purpose of this compilation is to provide practitioners and clinicians with the most current inventory of assessment tools for determining IPV and/or SV victimization and to inform decisions about which instruments are most appropriate for use with a given population. This document will aid in the selection of assessment instruments to identify victims requiring additional services. This can help practitioners make appropriate referrals for both victims and perpetrators. "
Intimate Partner Violence in China: National Prevalence, Risk Factors and Associated Health Problems
This paper presents the country’s first national estimates of domestic violence. The authors find that sexual jealousy, alcohol consumption, low female contribution to the household income and low socioeconomic status are among a range of factors that make violence more likely.
Intimate Partner Violence in Disadvantaged Neighborhoods (pdf)
This article discusses who is most at risk and details the role that economic policies and employment practices might play in reducing the risk of intimate violence.
"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."
"This study provides descriptive statistics on women who access the services of the Women's Crisis Centre, a nongovernmental organization in Kingston, Jamaica, whose mission is to provide 24-hour counseling and shelter for women who are the victims of domestic violence. Results revealed a high level of physical injury and a low level of reporting violent incidents to the police. Multisectoral support to strengthen and expand the services of the Women's Crisis Centre is recommended."
Intimate Partner Violence in the United States
"On Thursday evening, the Bureau of Justice Statistics, U.S. Department of Justice released the latest edition of “Intimate Partner Violence in the United States,” updated with 2005 data. Overall, the report shows little change in rates of violence from 2004 to 2005."
Intimate Partner Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements (pdf)
This 114 page PDF file describes the need to improve the quality of available data about violence against women. The National Center for Injury Prevention and Control of the Center for Disease Control narrowed the scope to concentrate developing data elements for surveillance of intimate partner violence.
Intimate Partner Violence, 1993-2001 (pdf)
Updating Intimate Partner Violence (May 2000, NCJ 178247), these findings are based on NCVS data collected by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Intimate Partner Violence, Technology, and Stalking
"This research note describes the use of a broad range of technologies in intimate partner stalking, including cordless and cellular telephones, fax machines, e-mail, Internet-based harassment, global positioning systems, spy ware, video cameras, and online databases. The concept of “stalking with technology” is reviewed, and the need for an expanded definition of cyberstalking is presented. Legal issues and advocacy-centered responses, including training, legal remedies, public policy issues, and technology industry practices, are discussed."
Intimate Partner Violence: High Costs to Households and Communities (pdf)
A report on the cost of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Bangladesh, Morocco and Uganda. These three countries were specifically studied because they have high rates of IPV and their governments recently began to address this problem through new programs and laws. The researchers found that most women did not utilize services after experiencing IPV. The study concluded that IPV imposes huge direct costs on women and service providers in all three countries, including health, justice, police, local traditional authorities and social services, and indirect costs on women and families through lost wages and lower productivity.
Introducing Expert Testimony to Explain Victim Behavior in Sexual and Domestic Violence Prosecutions
"This monograph sets forth recommended practices for addressing victims behavior in a sexual or domestic violence prosecution, and providing an accurate context in which a jury can evaluate a victim's behavior."
Inventory of National Injury Data Systems
A list of 43 different federal data systems operated by 16 difference agencies and 3 private injury registry systems that provide nationwide injury-related data. Each data system is listed along with the agency or organization and associated web sites. You can get additional information about survey/surveillance methods and findings by clicking on the URL. Data systems are organized according by topic. Some data systems are listed more than once relevant to different violence- and injury-related topics. Data systems that have state-based data are noted with an asterisk (*).
Inventory of Workplace Interventions Designed to Prevent Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
This project was developed with the intention of subsequent information initiating continued evaluation of the impact of programs and their level of cost-effectiveness for companies. It is anticipated that the compiled statistics will benefit not only employees and their safety, but will provide guidance on the most effective use of time and money by the employers as well. RTI International researchers anticipate that this will be a helpful and important tool for both understanding and addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) and its impact on the workplace.
Is Domestic Violence Screening Helpful? (pdf)
An article published by the Journal of the American Medical Association in which the author reviews the uncertainty in determining whether screening for domestic violence effectively works to the benefit of families.
Is Stalking Legislation Effective in Protecting Stalking Victims? (pdf)
The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the stalking legislation on the criminal justice system in the four years from its introduction in Victoria in 1994. This report presents the findings of the study. It examines the implementation criminal and civil components of stalking legislation in the four years since its introduction.
Is This Stalking: A Comparison Between Legal and Community Definitions of Stalking (pdf)
The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which the meaning of some of the ideas within stalking laws match the understanding of stalking in the community and whether these laws reflect the interests of those whom they are supposed to protect.
Issues in Resolving Cases of International Child Abduction by Parents (pdf)
Dec. 2001 Bulletin. Presents key findings from a study funded by OJJDP to identify barriers encountered by those seeking to resolve cases of international child abduction by parents. Conducted by the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, the study explored experiences of left-behind parents, practices of Hague Convention Central Authorities (agencies responsible for handling international abduction cases), and promising strategies for law enforcement personnel and other professionals. The Bulletin features highlights from the study, including survey results, best practices, and recommendations. It also provides background information on international parental abductions and the legal framework that affects these cases.
It's in Our Hands: Stop Violence Against Women
This report investigates causes, forms, and remedies of violence against women, and highlights the responsibility of the state, community and individuals for taking action to end it.
Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative
Provides an overview of the Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative and a summary of each of its three demonstration sites.
Just Die Quietly: Domestic Violence and Women's Vulnerability to HIV in Uganda
The accounts in this report reveal that Ugandan women are becoming infected with HIV, and will eventually die of AIDS, because the state is failing to protect them from domestic violence. The report informs us that HIV/AIDS programs focusing on fidelity, abstinence, and condom use do not account for the ways in which domestic violence inhibits women's control over sexual matters in marriage. The report urges the Ugandan government to enact domestic violence legislation, and to make women's health, physical integrity, and equal rights in marriage a central focus of AIDS programming.
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.
Justice, Change and Human Rights: International Research and Responses to Domestic Violence (pdf)
This paper is an analytical document synthesizing the findings across PROWID (Promoting Women In Development) supported by Office of Women In Development, USAID. Paper contributes further understanding of international prevalence of domestic violence and factors associated with them. It also examined the state of community responses to domestic violence.
12-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Report provides a summary and analysis of national and State juvenile arrest data presented in the FBI report "Crime in the United States 1999." The Bulletin includes helpful tables and graphs and identifies trends that can help to tailor responses and target resources more effectively in order to support the development of healthy, law-abiding youth.
Juvenile Delinquency and Serious Injury Victimization
7-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin draws on data from two OJJDP longitudinal studies on the causes and correlates of delinquency, the Denver Youth Survey and the Pittsburgh Youth Study, to enhance our appreciation of the interrelationship between delinquency and victimization.
Juvenile Mentoring Program: A Progress Review
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin lists the parameters under which the current 164 JUMP projects operate and describes the scope and methodology of JUMP's ongoing national evaluation. This Bulletin provides information and additional resources that will enable readers to assess JUMP's merits for their communities.
Juvenile Offenders and Victims: 2006 National Report
This OJJDP Report presents a comprehensive, reliable, user-friendly account of juvenile offending, victimization of juveniles, and the justice system's response to these problems. National Report readers will find baseline information on juvenile population trends; patterns of juvenile victimization, including homicide, suicide, and maltreatment; the nature and extent of juvenile offending, including data on antisocial behavior and arrest rates; and the structure, procedures, and activities of the juvenile justice system, including law enforcement agencies, courts, and corrections. The Report also offers the latest information on topics such as school crime, missing children, youth gangs, racial disparity in the juvenile justice system, reentry, and recidivism.
This is a compilation of literature on male and female juvenile sex offenders and resources on general child development.
Juveniles and the Death Penalty
16-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin examines the history of capital punishment and Supreme Court decisions related to its use with juveniles. It also includes profiles of those sentenced to death for crimes committed as juveniles and notes the international movement toward abolishing this sanction.
Juveniles Facing Criminal Sanctions: Three States That Changed the Rules (pdf)
This Report, posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), examines the use of adult criminal sanctions by three States: Minnesota, New Mexico, and Wisconsin. The Report provides case studies of each State's approach to reform. The particular reform is detailed, its significance is noted, and its goals are elucidated. The impact of the reform on the juvenile justice and criminal justice systems is also described.
Juveniles Who Have Sexually Offended: A Review of the Professional Literature
Posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). A comprehensive and annotated account of the characteristics of juveniles who commit sex offenses and their families and the type of offenses they commit. A broad array of clinical assessment tools, including psychological testing, are described, and a thorough discussion of recidivism rates and issues is presented. The Report concludes with a review of treatment approaches and settings and a look at program assessment.
Keeping Battered Women Safe During the Welfare Reform: New Challenges
This paper reviews the growing body of research literature on the relationship of domestic violence to welfare. As a result of the federal Family Violence Option, most state welfare plans allow battered women on welfare more time and specialized services before mandating work in order to keep them and their children safe. Recent research and monitoring have shown, however, that the majority of battered women on welfare do not tell their welfare workers about the violence. Ending the isolation of these battered women and helping them with domestic violence services pose difficult challenges. Women's health providers may be in a better position to accomplish this task than welfare department personnel.
Keeping Children Safe When Parents Are Arrested: Local Approaches That Work
This report presents protocols developed by four California communities that coordinated responses between child welfare services and law enforcement when parents are arrested. The report found that there were decreased trauma rates in the communities, fewer children taken into custody by child protective services, and increased positive interaction between parents, communities, and law enforcement.
Keeping Children Safe: OJJDP's Child Protection Division
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes CPD and its efforts to safeguard children by supporting research and programs on child victimization and exposure to violence; providing information and training and technical assistance to State, local, and community-based agencies; and developing and demonstrating effective child protection initiatives. The Bulletin also discusses the rationale for OJJDP's work in the areas of missing and exploited children and child maltreatment and describes the scope of the division's activities.
Keeping Watch 1999 Minnesota Crime Survey (pdf)
This report details findings from a statewide survey on citizens' perceptions of crime and law enforcement in their communities, as well as personal experiences with crime in 1998. Methodologies used and the survey itself is also included.
Kenyan Laws and Harmful Customs Curtail Women’s Equal Enjoyment of ICESCR Rights (pdf)
"The Federation of Women Lawyers Kenya (FIDA Kenya) and the International Women’s Human Rights Clinic (IWHRC) at Georgetown University released this report as a supplement to Kenya’s latest periodic report under the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). The report finds that Kenyan laws and practices prevent women from attaining economic, social and cultural Rights."
Kidnaping of Juveniles: Patterns From NIBRS
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes the offense of kidnaping of juveniles using 1997 NIBRS data. Among other significant findings, the analysis reveals that such abductions are relatively uncommon; that there are three distinct kinds of perpetrators; and that the rate of juvenile kidnaping peaks in the afternoon.
This system of KIDS COUNT compiled indicators of child well-being released by the 2000 U.S. Census has been updated as of October, 2001 with select data from the 2000 Census Short-Form (Census SF1). New data is available for: Age and Sex; Race; Hispanic Origin Status; and Living arrangements. New geographic regions include: The United States; Individual states; The nation's largest cities; Counties; Metropolitan areas; Congressional districts (for the 106th congress); and New England Towns.
This report outlines ways to address youth violence. It is a response to the current acts of violence in our schools.
Know Your Rights: For Victims of Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Based on California law, this indexed document provides summaries, full legal texts, and notes, on seven key victims' rights for victims of rape, domestic violence, and child abuse. Accompanying the discussion of each right is a section on what to do if the right is violated by officials. The English language document is linked to the full Spanish translation of the same document.
Knowledge and Epidemiology of Child Abuse: A Critical Review of Concepts
"By identifying and clarifying concepts underlying present knowledge of child abuse, this article may provide the reader with critical tools for understanding it. We shall focus on the magnitude of the problem and probe the meaning of present data and practice...There is reason to question the nature and quality of knowledge about child abuse." - taken from article introduction
Law Enforcement Referral of At-Risk Youth: The SHIELD Program
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes how the SHIELD program mobilizes these assets to identify youth at risk of involvement in violent behavior, substance abuse, and gang activity and to address their needs through a multidisciplinary team approach involving representatives from the community, schools, and service agencies.
Law of Protection from Family Violence in Peru
Discusses domestic violence and the Law of Protection from Family Violence in Peru.
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.
Learning to Listen, Learning to Help: Understanding Woman Abuse and Its Effects on Children (pdf)
A concise handbook for students and volunteers entering the helping professions, to prepare them to recognize and respond to families in which there is or was violence at home. Topics include background material on the dynamics of woman abuse, the concept of power and control, facts and figures, how to support women and help them find appropriate resources, how children are affected by violence, how children cope with violence at home, how to respond to child disclosure of abuse and neglect, standards of professional conduct, taking stock of your own attitudes, and suggestions for how you can make a difference to end violence.
Leave or Stay?: Battered Women's Decision After Intimate Partner Violence
"Using data from the Domestic Violence Experience in Omaha, Nebraska, a discrete-time hazard model was employed to examine a woman's decision to leave or stay based on four factors: financial independence, witness of parental violence, psychological factors, and the police response to the domestic violence call."
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in 2001 (pdf)
"Provides a definition of dv inclusive to LGBT survivors; a state-by-state analysis of legal protections for LGBT survivors; U.S. statistics highlighting LGBT experiences of domestic violence; survivor stories and local reports from member agencies."
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence in 2002 (pdf)
"This report describes incidents of domestic violence (DV) in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community that were reported during the year 2002 to community-based anti-violence organizations in eleven regions throughout the U.S."
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Domestic Violence: 2003 Supplement (pdf)
"Summarizes information about incidents of domestic violence reported in 2003 by members and affiliates of NCAVP, a network of 24 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community-based anti-violence organizations and programs in US & Canada."
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Domestic Violence in the United States in 2006 (pdf)
The report describes within the LGBT community the statistics and numbers for murders, violence, victimizations, sexual orientation of victims, age, race, etc and breaks them down by various cities. The report ends with recommendations.
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."
Let's Talk: Adults Talking to Adults about Child Sexual Abuse (pdf)
The brochure also outlines what someone can do in three very different circumstances:how to report if someone finds out that abuse has been perpetrated, how to add in protective factors if no child has been abused, but someone is at risk to abuse, and how to talk about healthy sexual development when the lines of communication need to be opened.
Lethality Assessment Tools: A Critical Analysis
This document critiques several lethality assessment tools and examines the link between these instruments and research on domestic homicide. Includes a discussion on the antecedents of lethal violence and the utility of dangeousness assessment tools in promoting the safety of battered women.
Lethality Assessments as Integral Parts of Providing Full Faith and Credit Guarantees
Exiting violent relationships can be extremely dangerous for battered women and their children. Women who flee across state lines engage in an act of separation which heightens the potential for lethal violence from their abusers.
This report details 173 incidents of rape and other forms of sexual violence, involving 625 girls and women, committed by Burmese army troops in Shan State, mostly between 1996 and 2001. The report reveals that the Burmese military regime is allowing its troops systematically and on a widespread scale to commit rape with impunity in order to terrorize and subjugate the ethnic peoples of Shan State. The report illustrates there is a strong case that war crimes and crimes against humanity, in the form of sexual violence, have occurred and continue to occur in Shan State.
Limits and Risks of Programs for Wife Batterers
This extensive and multi-part 1995 paper was assembled by the Montreal Men Against Sexism. Due to it's size (approx. 100 pages total), the Microsoft Word version will take some time to download.
Little eyes, little ears: How violence against a mother shapes children as they grow (pdf)
This comprehensive 44 page document is divided by topics that cover facts and figures, types of abuse against women and children, ways a child can be impacted by domestic violence, myths about women and abuse, copin strategies, and responding and reporting, among others.
Lives Blown Apart: Crimes Against Women in Times of Conflict
This report attempts to explore some of the underlying reasons for this violence. Evidence gathered by Amnesty International in recent years supports the view that conflict reinforces and exacerbates existing patterns of discrimination and violence against women.
Local Police Enforcement of Immigration Laws and its Effects on Victims of Domestic Violence (word)
This paper warns that local police and prosecutors should be prepared for the predictable reduction in reporting of serious crimes if law enforcement officers chose to expand their duties to include the policing of immigration matters. The author argues roles of local police is not enforcing immigration law in securing safety for victims of domestic violence.
Long-term Care Ombudsman Program: State Enabling Statutes (pdf)
State laws detailing the statutes associated with Elder Abuse.
Low-Level Violence: A Neglected Aspect of School Culture
"A largely neglected aspect of school violence is low-level, underlying violence in schools that includes bullying, peer sexual harassment, victimization based on sexual orientation, and the psychological maltreatment of students by teachers. Low-level violence angers and alienates many students and contributes to a hostile school environment. This article examines the extent of low-level violence in U.S. public schools and its impact on students’ school performance. The authors argue that the one way of reducing low-level violence in schools is to create a more positive school culture and climate. Guidelines for preventing or minimizing low-level violence in schools are presented."
Making a Difference: State Injury and Violence Prevention Programs (pdf)
The publication includes a profile of each state, highlighting the state’s self-identified top injury issue, describing its programs and results, and the explaining the potential impact additional funding on the state’s injury prevention efforts.
Making a Difference: Strategic Communications to End Violence Against Women (pdf)
A toolkit for planning strategic communications to raise awareness about and combat gender-based violence around the world. It gives step-by-step information on developing a media campaign. Alternate version available in Russian.
Making Sense of Rape In America: Where Do the Numbers Come From and What Do They Mean? (pdf)
This paper assists public policy officials, health care professionals, and other pertinent professionals in understanding how rape in America is measured, what the numbers mean, and the limitations of existing research.
"This manual was published by Transforming Communities, a California-based organization creating sustainable community-based approaches to preventing violence against women and girls. The authors provides a step-by-step approach to understanding how cost-benefit thinking can be applied to domestic violence prevention in order to persuade funders and policy makers of the need for programs. Contents include descriptions of specific prevention programs and their impact using a cost-benefit perspective, as well as guidance in building tools to strengthen and justify your prevention program to obtain funding and support."
"This report from the FRIENDS National Resource Center for Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention provides and overview of a range of prevention strategies that have been found to have some evidence of being able to preventing child abuse and neglect. "
Making Women's Shelters Accessible to Transgendered Women
This manual was written to assist shelters for abused women in making the changes required to provide transgendered women with the respectful and supportive services that all women deserve.
"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."
Male Survivors of Sexual Assault and Rape (pdf)
"This document provides an overview of the research on male survivors of sexual assault and takes a closer look at the role that communities have in addressing this issue."
Male Victims of Domestic Violence: A Substantive and Methodological Research Review (pdf)
"This paper explores claims of gender symmetry in intimate partners' use of violence by reviewing the empirical foundations of the research and critiquing existing sources of data on domestic violence. "
Man to Man: A Guidebook to Men in Abusive Relationships (pdf)
This is a 50-page easy to read book with personal accounts and a few basic exercises to get men started working on change and reinforce domestic violence counseling. The book has five small chapters including: Facing the Facts. But I'm not Abusive!; It's Not My Fault!; What Can I Do about Abuse?; and How Do I Change?
Managing Adult Sex Offenders in the Community
This report details the results of a national telephone survey identifying how probation and parole agencies managed adult sex offenders and a description of a model management process for containing sex offenders serving community sentences.
"This report examines how the media influences sexual knowledge, attitudes, and behavior, both positively and negatively. Topics include: (1) an overview of what is currently known about the effects of sexual content in the entertainment media young people typically use; (2) a review of 25 evaluated, peer-reviewed interventions from 19 countries on how effective media interventions have been in addressing adolescents' reproductive health and recommendations to consider when developing media interventions; and (3) a review of more than 20 media-based-interventions for sexual and reproductive health that have been conducted in the United States."
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect: State Statutes and Professional Ethics (pdf)
A comprehensive listing of state statutes on mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect. Also included is a listing of reporting requirements and code of ethics for professionals in various fields.
Manual for estimating the economic costs of injuries due to interpersonal and self-directed violence (pdf)
"The manual provides a standardized set of recommendations to estimate the direct and indirect economic costs of interpersonal and self-directed violence."
Marital Rape (pdf)
This VAWnet report provides an overview of the research on marital rape with (1) a brief legal history of marital rape; (2) a discussion of the occurrence of marital rape;(3) a summary of the effects of marital rape; and (4) an analysis of practitioners' interventions with marital rape survivors.
Marital Rape: New Research and Directions
Provides an overview of the research on marital rape including a brief legal history of marital rape; a discussion of the occurrence of marital rape; a summary of the effects of marital rape; and an analysis of practitioners' intervention with marital rape survivors.
Maxillofacial Injuries and Violence Against Women
The purpose of this study was to determine if patterns of facial injuries differed between those of female assault victims with maxillofacial injuries and those of female patients with maxillofacial injuries from other causes. The study indicates that periorbital injuries positively correlate with IPV (intimate partner violence) and that women assaulted by unidentified or unknown assailants had a higher than expected incidence of mandible fractures than other female facial trauma patients. The study concludes that universal screening and examination can assist medical professionals in identifying these patients and initiating appropriate medical and social intervention.
Maze of Injustice: The failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence in the USA
"Amnesty International hopes that this report can contribute to and support the work of the many Native American and Alaska Native women’s organizations and activists who have been at the forefront of efforts to protect and serve women... By supporting initiatives developed and directed by Indigenous women, Amnesty International seeks to provide an additional platform for discussion about sexual violence against Indigenous women."
Measuring Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration: A Compendium of Assessment Tools (pdf)
"This compendium provides researchers and prevention specialists with a set of assessment tools with demonstrated reliability and validity for measuring the self-reported incidence and prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence victimization and perpetration. The information is presented to help researchers and practitioners make informed decisions when choosing scales to use in their work."
Measuring Intimate Partner Violence Victimization and Perpetration: A Compendium of Assessment Tools (pdf)
"This compendium provides researchers and prevention specialists with a set of assessment tools with demonstrated reliability and validity for measuring the self-reported incidence and prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence victimization and perpetration. The information is presented to help researchers and practitioners make informed decisions when choosing scales to use in their work."
This guide is written for program managers responsible for improving the delivery of safety, security, and access to justice in any part of the world. Its intended audience is a wide variety of government officials and anyone interested in pursuing a disciplined course of institutional reform in the safety and justice sector. The guide does not prescribe the use of particular indicators for measuring progress toward safety and justice. The choice of appropriate indicators must be the result of a process undertaken in each country and program.
This document offers a critique of the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS), a commonly-used measurement instrument designed to estimate the extent of violence against women, and the revised version of the instrument (CTS2). The authors examine several limitations to the CTS and CTS2 and describe the need for multiple measures of woman abuse to supplement these measurement instruments.
Measuring Victimization Inside Prisons: Questioning the Questions
"Violence and victimizaton in prisons are accepted facts but the information on their prevalence remains uncertain. This study focuses on questions used in the prison victimization literature to elicit information on victimization from inmates, compared to questions used in the general victimization literature. Rates of victimization were found to vary significantly by specificity of the question, definition of perpetrator, and clustering of behaviors. Facts about victimization inside prison will become more certain when the methodology becomes more standardized and consistent with definitions of victimization."
"This compendium provides researchers and prevention specialists with a set of tools to assess violence-related beliefs, behaviors, and influences, as well as to evaluate programs to prevent youth violence. If you are new to the field of youth violence prevention and unfamiliar with available measures, you may find this compendium to be particularly useful. If you are an experienced researcher, this compendium may serve as a resource to identify additional measures to assess the factors associated with violence among youths. Most of the measures in this compendium are intended for use with youths between the ages of 11 and 24 years, to assess such factors as serious violent and delinquent behavior, conflict resolution strategies, social and emotional competencies, peer influences, parental monitoring and supervision, family relationships, exposure to violence, collective efficacy, and neighborhood characteristics. The compendium also contains a number of scales and assessments developed for use with children between the ages of 5 and 10 years, to measure factors such as aggressive fantasies, beliefs supportive of aggression, attributional biases, prosocial behavior, and aggressive behavior. When parent and teacher versions of assessments are available, they are included as well." - CDC & NCIPC
Medicaid Fraud Annual Report - 2003 (pdf)
Medicaid fraud is federally recognized form of elder abuse. This report details case examples from 2003 of patient abuse and neglect.
Meeting Survivors' Needs: A Multi-State Study of Domestic Violence Shelter Experiences
This study provides important insights into the role that shelters play in survivors' efforts to escape violence and abuse. Results capture the voices and experiences of over 3,400 shelter residents in 215 programs across eight states. The website includes links to the press statement announcing the study's release, the Research in Brief, the Executive Summary, and the full report.
Meeting the Needs of Prison Rape Victims
This guide is intended to support rape crisis counselors and advocates in providing services to victims of prison rape. To that end, the guide includes an overview of the problem of prison rape, outreach strategies, ethical discussions, and things to keep in mind when working in a prison setting.
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. "
"The controversy over the commitment of sex offenders is fueled by different interpretations of sexually violent person (SVP) laws. SVP laws require that a sex offender has a mental condition that predisposes them to commit sex offenses and poses a high risk to reoffend because of serious difficulty controlling behavior. This article reviews those constructs; evaluates them from clinical, epidemiologic, and legal perspectives; and proposes interpretations that address both the major criticisms of civil commitment and the challenges in SVP assessment."
Mental Health and Domestic Violence: Collaborative Initiatives, Service Models, and Curricula
This document, geared toward professionals, contains information and guidelines for addressing the mental health impact of domestic violence and trauma. It examines collaborative treatment and service delivery models and reviews a few well respected training curricula.
Contact Info: Jennifer Ginsburg, M.S.S.W.
Information Specialist
Domestic Violence and Mental Health Policy Initiatve
1900 W. Polk Street, Rm 924
Chicago, IL 60612
jginsburg@dvmhpi.org
312/633-3223
Mental Health Services for Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
Abstract of article that discusses the growing body of empirical research that demonstrates that exposure to domestic violence deleteriously affects children's social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Mental Health Services for Children Who Witness Domestic Violence
This article discusses the effects of exposure to domestic violence, identification and assessment, and mental health interventions.
Mental Health Services for Rape Survivors: Current Issues in Therapeutic Practice
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document reviews three critical issues for mental health practitioners working with rape survivors. First, current research suggests that victims experience a variety of negative mental health effects from sexual assault, including, but not limited to, post-traumatic stress symptoms. Second, empirical evaluations of therapeutic techniques suggest that cognitive behavioral therapies (CBT) can be effective in reducing short-term post-rape fear and anxiety symptoms. Finally, it is not uncommon that mental health practitioners who work with rape survivors experience distressing emotions similar to those of the survivors. Self care strategies are particularly important for therapists engaged in this kind of work.
Methods for Estimating Medical Expenditures Attributable to Intimate Partner Violence
"This article compares three methods for estimating the medical cost burden of intimate partner violence against U.S. adult women (18 years and older), 1 year postvictimization. Estimates of the medical cost burden of intimate partner violence within the first 12 months after victimization range from $2.3 billion to $7.0 billion, depending on the method used. Each method reveals that intimate partner violence imposes a substantial burden on the health care system."
Mexico: Amnesty International Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
An Amnesty International report submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council in February 2009. The report highlighted problems in the area of violence against women, in particular, the prevalence of domestic violence in Mexico and the femicides in Ciudad Juarez along the U.S.-Mexican border.
Migrant Thai Women Subjected to Slavery-Like Abuses in Japan
"This article explores the system of coercion employed by trafficking networks to exploit migrant Thai women's labor in the Japanese sex industry and identifies other factors that contribute to trafficked women's inability to protect themselves from further abuse."
Migration, Sexual Exploitation, and Women's Health: A Case Report From a Community Health Center
"This article presents a case of a trafficked woman identified in the U.S. health system and describes the vulnerabilities to forced prostitution as a result of trafficking and the challenges in providing an effective and comprehensive response to meet safety and health care needs. Health care providers are in a unique position to identify and support U.S. sex trafficking victims; thus, education and training for health care professionals on trafficking is needed."
Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
"The mission of the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA) is to support research, education, and access to violence related resources."
Minnesota Department of Health Report On Sexual Violence (pdf)
"This report describes the prevalence of sexual violence in Minnesota from 2002 to 2007, comparing data on hospitalization and emergency-department treatment, two community surveys, and criminal justice data on reports to law enforcements and arrests."
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."
Model Code On Domestic and Family Violence
Model Code on Domestic and Family Violence is a brief description of the Model Code (1994), which is available from the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and posted by the American Bar Association.
Model Domestic Violence Policy for Counties: State of New York
A January, 1998 manual for New York State Counties.
Model Full Faith and Credit State Code
This newly revised document reviews the Model Full Faith and Credit State Code. It presents information on: a valid protection order, exclusion from Full Faith and Credit, Statewide Protection Order Registry, filing, and custody. It also provides crucial and relevant information for law enforcement officers regarding protection orders.
Model Guidelines for the Effective Prosecution of Crimes Against Children (pdf)
Discusses what should be observed in all areas of prosecution of crimes against children.
Model Law against Trafficking in Persons (pdf)
"The model law is a comprehensive tool for use in drafting legislation on trafficking in persons. It includes sections on definitions, criminal provisions, victim protection and assistance, and cooperation between government agencies. The model also provides extensive commentary on each section. The commentary generally includes alternative language and optional provisions, examples of laws from various countries, and clarification on international standards to combat trafficking in persons."
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 Safety Planning for Domestic Violence Victims with Disabilities
The goal of this protocol and recommended policies is to support domestic violence agencies: to increase their safety planning services to people with disabilities and advance self-determination for people with disabilities by offering safety planning that is cognizant of environmental and social barriers. This protocol builds on the existing safety planning knowledge of domestic violence programs. Basic safety planning strategies will not be reviewed in this document.
Model Protocol on Screening Practices for Domestic Violence Victims with Disabilities
The goal of this protocol is to support domestic violence agencies in the State of Washington in examining and revising their intake and screening process to include questions about disability issues. Inquiring if a victim has a disability that requires accommodation gives the program information that enables them to provide appropriate accessible services.
This protocol/policy model intends to support domestic violence agencies in the state of Washington to increase and extend the services to immigrant and refugee women whose primary language is not English. However, this information will be relevant to any agency that is a recipient of federal funding.
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.
Model Tribal Domestic Violence Full Faith and Credit Ordinance
A sample document of a tribal domestic violence full faith and credit ordinance.
Modern-Day Comfort Women: The U.S. Military, Transnational Crime, and the Trafficking of Women
"The U.S. military bases in South Korea were found to form a hub for the transnational trafficking of women from the Asia Pacific and Eurasia to South Korea and the United States. This study, conducted in 2002, examined three types of trafficking that were connected to U.S. military bases in South Korea: domestic trafficking of Korean women to clubs around the military bases in South Korea, transnational trafficking of women to clubs around military bases in South Korea, and transnational trafficking of women from South Korea to massage parlors in the United States."
More Than A Name: State Sponsored Homophobia and Its Consequences in Southern Africa (pdf)
This report evaluates the effects of State-sponsored homophobia on the human rights of sexual and gender minorities in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Mothers and Children: Understanding the Links Between Woman Battering and Child Abuse
This is a briefing paper for a strategic planning meeting on the Violence Against Women Act. "This paper focuses on an important gap in our current understandings of family violence: the link between woman battering and child abuse. It is surprising that after so many years of public attention it is only in recent years that a discussion of this link has begun to appear in the literature. At present, there is much more we need to know about the overlap between woman and child abuse."
Mothers of Sexually Abused Children: Trauma and Repair in Longitudinal Perspective
This study addressed the increase in maternal psychological stress that develops following the disclosure of their child's sexual abuse. A mother's stress is often correlated and associated with the child's coping skills and level of stress, thus it is extremely important to work with mother on relieving/alleviating their stress so as to in turn work the child at healing from their sexual trauma.
Moving From Them to Us: Challenges in Reframing Violence Among Youth (pdf)
"This paper explores how youth and violence have been framed in the media, how the issue of race complicates depictions of youth and violence, and how public attitudes about government can inhibit public support for strategies to effectively prevent violence. This paper makes recommendations for the next steps in re-framing violence among youth."
Moving Upstream (pdf)
"The theme of this issue is "Revisiting Healthy Sexuality and Sexual Violence Prevention". The feature article profiles two programs using a healthy sexuality approach, and also reports on key policy and practice developments that have come to light since the original healthy sexuality articles were published in 2005. There is also an article examining how one local Virginia agency implemented the Care For Kids child sexual abuse prevention program in their community. "
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.
Must Boys Be Boys? Ending Sexual Exploitation & Abuse in UN Peacekeeping Missions (pdf)
This report argues that a hyper-masculine culture has evolved within UN peacekeeping missions that breeds a tolerance for such extreme behaviors. The report calls on the UN to insure that the necessary funding and resources are made available to fully address the problem.
"This study was conducted on university students in heterosexual relationships and examines the racial/ethnic and sex differences in the prevalence of mutual intimate partner violence (IPV) and mental health symptoms. Analyses were conducted on four different racial/ethnic groups (African Americans, Asian Americans, Latinos, and European Americans) and men reported stronger correlations between IPV perpetration and IPV victimization. The authors conclude that experiencing higher partner and coercive violence was significantly related to increased mental health symptoms for both members of the couple in the majority of the groups studied."
Myths and Facts About Sex Offenders (pdf)
"This document contains important information on common assumptions, both true and false, about sex offenders and their victims."
National Center for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Domestic Violence
A review of relevant websites, statistics, and current literature is provided in this document.
National Consensus Guildlines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization
This document presents recommendations on how screening for domestic violence victimization, and assessment, documentation, intervention and referrals should occur in multiple settings, and in various professional disciplines. They do not however, address screening for perpetration.
National Crime Victimization Survey Criminal Victimization, 2007 (pdf)
"Presents estimates of rates and levels of personal and property victimization for 2007 and describes the substantial fluctuations in the survey measures of the crime rates from 2005 through 2007. The report includes data on violent crimes (rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault), property crimes (burglary, motor vehicle theft and property theft), and personal theft (pocket picking and purse snatching), and the characteristics of victims of these crimes."
National Crime Victimization Survey: Criminal Victimization, 2004 (pdf)
This report presents estimates of national levels and rates of personal and property victimization for the year 2004. Rates and levels are provided for personal and property victimization by victim characteristics, type of crime, victim-offender relationship, use of weapons, and reporting to police. A special section is devoted to trends in victimization from 1993 to 2004. Estimates are from data collected using the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS), an ongoing survey of households that interviews about 76,000 persons in 42,000 households twice annually. Violent crimes included in the report are rape/sexual assault, robbery, aggravated assault and simple assault (from the NCVS), and homicide (from the FBI's UCR program). Property crimes examined are burglary, motor vehicle theft, and property theft.
National Elder Abuse Incidence Study - 1998 (pdf)
An incidence report detailing the definitions of elder abuse, the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of elder abuse, and the findings of this survey project.
National Institute of Justice Journal, Issue Number 229
This Journal highlights the issue of youth violence. The journal is found on the website of the National Justice Information Center.
National Prison Rape Elimination Commission Report (pdf)
"This report discusses the National Prison Rape Elimination Commission's nine findings on sexual abuse in correctional facilities as well as policies and practices that must be mandatory in remedying these problems; recommendations address what leaders in government outside the corrections profession can do to support solutions."
National Trends in Intimate Partner Homicides: Explaining Declines in Canada, 1976 to 2001
"In the past decade, research has begun to identify factors that may be contributing to declines in spousal homicide. The authors address two gaps in the Canadian literature: (a) the documentation of trends, including subgroup variations, and (b) the identification of factors that may be associated with declines. Results indicate that shifts in relative employment and divorce rates appear to be associated with declining rates for women, whereas shifts in men's education and divorce rates appear to be associated with declining rates of spousal homicide for men."
2-page Fact Sheet, May 2000, posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). To create a central point of contact for youth court programs, OJJDP established NYCC in 1999 at the American Probation and Parole Association in Lexington, KY. The Center provides training, technical assistance, and resource materials to developing and established youth courts. This Fact Sheet describes NYCC and its services.
National Youth Gang Survey Trends From 1996 to 2000 (pdf)
2-page Fact Sheet. Posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Fact Sheet highlights findings from the five National Youth Gang Surveys conducted annually since 1996 by the National Youth Gang Center (NYGC), which is funded by OJJDP. The survey polls a nationally representative sample of more than 3,000 law enforcement agencies.
NCEA Releases New Study on Abuse of Adults Age 60+ (pdf)
The 2004 Survey of Adult Protective Services, the most rigorous national study of state-level APS data conducted to date, offers important new insights into the troubling elder abuse problem.
Neighborhood Disorganization, Substance Use, and Violence Among Adolescents in Puerto Rico
"This study investigates the role of neighborhoods in adolescent violence in poor neighborhoods in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The study is part of a larger longitudinal project examining risk and resilience in adolescents' ages 12 to 15 years old and their caregivers. The authors assessed violent behaviors among participants across demographics, characteristics, and neighborhood social disorganization using the concepts of physical disorders and social disorder. The study found that Adolescent violence was positively associated with social disorder."
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 Directions from the Field: Victims Rights and Services for the 21st Century
Deals with victims rights and services in the business environment, and contains a section on workplace violence and provides practical advice for the business community on assisting the victims of workplace violence. This is a full-text online book.
New Special Collection on Researching Violence Against Women Online
"The Internet offers an abundance of information about violence against women, including millions of websites, blogs, and other online resources. However, sifting through web content and finding accurate and useful information can be challenging. This Special Collection offers guidance that is meant to enhance skills and confidence on the Web, teaching ways to efficiently produce meaningful, relevant results."
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.
Nine Critical Elements of Promising Violence Prevention Programs
The purpose of this article was "to identify approaches to school based violence prevention that are the most promising and those that may not be effective."
No Easy Answers: Sex Offender Laws in the US
"This report takes an in-depth look into the current sex offender laws in the US and offers a critique of such laws as well as recommendations and model programs."
No Escape: Male Rape in US Prisons
This report explores the reality of male sexual assault in US prisons. The reports are based on interviews with over 200 prisoners.
"In partnership with the National Employment Law Project, the ACLU Women’s Rights Project is pleased to introduce a litigation guide entitled No Free Pass to Harass: Protecting the Rights of Undocumented Immigrant Women Workers in Sexual Harassment Cases."
No Refuge Here: A First Look At Sexual Abuse in Immigration Detention (pdf)
This report explores prevalence and extent of sexual abuse in immigration detention centers in the United States.
No Safe Place: Sexual Assault in the Lives of Homeless Women
Homelessness is an enormous social problem in the United States. Homeless women — including the “hidden homeless” — are particularly vulnerable to multiple forms of victimization including forced, coerced, or manipulated sexual activity. Levels of victimization that women endure before, during, and after episodes of homelessness remain enormously high, often occurring in multiple settings at the hands of multiple perpetrators.
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.
Not Part of My Sentence: Violations of Human Rights of Women in Custody
This document, produced as part of the USA campaign, gives details of the human rights abuses suffered by women in custody for breaking criminal laws. These abuses include the use of restaints, poor health provison, sexual abuse by prison staff and the isolation of women held in high security units.
Nowhere to Hide: Retaliation Against Women in Michigan State Prisons
This report is specifically focused on retaliatory behavior that appeared to be connected to women's roles as plaintiffs in class action suits about the sexual assault of women in prison.
Nursing Education and Violence Prevention, Detection and Intervention (pdf)
This document presents an overview of the recent literature on the education of nurses in the area of violence prevention, detection and intervention. The goal is to inform educators, researchers and policy makers about gaps in educations services and areas of needed research.
12-page Bulletin from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes how parenting patterns are learned and how the Nurturing Parenting Programs help to stop the generational cycle of abuse and neglect by building nurturing parenting skills.
Off Balance: Youth, Race, and Crime in the News
April 2001. Study of newspaper and television crime coverage found that news media unduly connect youth with crime and violence and that minority youth are overrepresented as perpetrators and underrepresented as victims of crime. Among other things, the study found that: Crime coverage has increased, while crime rates have decreased; News media report crime but provide inadequate information about its context; Few studies examine new media portrayals of youth; Violence against youth is underreported.
Ohio Elderly Abuse Interdisciplinary Team Manual (pdf)
This manual outlines how to create interdisplinary teams to deal with issues of elder abuse. The manual provides best practice models and scenarios.
Older Women: Hidden Sexual Abuse Victims
"Defines elder abuse and discusses what there is to know about the prevalence of sexual abuse against older women including offenders, common types of elder sexual abuse, and, U.S. legal exemptions in some states regarding marital rape."
One Life Lost as a Result of Domestic Violence is One Too Many: 2004 Domestc Fatality Report (pdf)
This document analyzes domestic fatality cases in Hennepin county and reviews public policies and procedures and tries to eliminate opportunities for future homicides. Through the analysis, the author developed opportunities for intervention in which they suggest best practices that could be replicated within Hennepin County and other jurisdictions.
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."
Online Victimization of Youth: Five Years Later (pdf)
"This second groundbreaking national survey of 1,500 youth aged 10 to 17 documented their use of the Internet and experiences while online including unwanted exposure to sexual solicitation, sexual material, and harassment. It was produced in cooperation with OJJDP and the University of New Hampshire’s Crimes against Children Research Center and includes recommendations to help make the Internet safer for children."
Online Victimization: A Report on the Nation's Youth
Study that looks at the online victimization of youths, the affect that this abuse has on children, and how to keep children safe.
Operationalizing Accountability: The Domains and Bases of Accountability (pdf)
In this article, the authors focus on batterer accountability from a personal accountability standpoint. They created a working definition of accountability that was both theoretically sound and user friendly for participants. The authors concluded that learning how to be accountable in the domains of their daily life is important in facilitating their understanding of accountability in ways that will be useful to them in the future.
Note: This document may take a few moments to load completely. This joint report by the National Center and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency analyzes existing, but largely unnoticed, research and data on the crime experiences of teenagers, ages 12 to 19, who make up 14 percent of the general population, but represent 25 percent of victims of violent crime. The report also outlines promising prevention and intervention strategies.
The report provides a review of existing research on teen victimization and its impact on youth in America as well as information on promising prevention and intervention techniques.
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."
Overlap of Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment in U.S. State Civil and Criminal Statutes
This April 2000 table lists statutes alphabetically by state.
Overview of the Portable Guides to Investigating Child Abuse: Update 2000
This 10-page Bulletin is available from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). It covers the recognition of injuries caused by abuse, techniques for collecting evidence and for interviewing victims and witnesses, formation of multidisciplinary investigative teams, and the use of computers in the sexual victimization of children.
Owed Justice: Thai Women Trafficked into Debt Bondage in Japan
This report is based on interviews conducted in Thailand and Japan over a six year period from 1994 to 1999, during which the authors documented serious abuses in the course of trafficked women's recruitment, travel, job placement, and subsequent employment. The interviews in 1999 reveal a clear continuation of the abuses the authors first documented in 1994; indicating that, despite the increased awareness demonstrated by Japanese and Thai officials regarding the abuses trafficked women suffer, these governments have failed as yet to take adequate steps to respond effectively to the problem.
Pakistan: Honor Killings of Girls and Women
January 1999. First Amnesty International report ever to focus on human rights violations not committed by government agents. Reveals that hundreds of women in Pakistan are murdered each year in the name of "honor." Offers recommendations for discouraging "honor killings."
Parent Abuse: The Abuse of Parents by Their Teenage Children (pdf)
Posted by the National Clearinghouse on Family Violence. Defines parent abuse and discusses how wide spread it is. Discusses who is likely to be abusive, who is likely to be abused, the effects it has on the family, and how to get help for the abusive youth.
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.
Parenting in the Context of Domestic Violence (pdf)
This report describes children’s exposure to domestic violence, the needs of both parents and children in the context of domestic violence events, and the resources available to help them.
Partner Violence and Sexual Jealousy in China: A Population-Based Survey
"This article examines the prevalence and risk factors for partner violence with a special focus on the important role of sexual jealousy. Comparison shows that the Chinese prevalence is modestly below the overall median for other societies. Net of other factors, jealousy exacerbates hitting for both men and women in a reactive pattern, with the jealous partner getting hit. This suggests a rethinking of the role of sexual jealousy in spousal violence in some social settings."
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.
Pathways to School Improvement
A page offering research based information on creating safe and drug-free schools. The sections "at risk" and "safe and drug free" provide the most information.
Patriarchal Beliefs and Perceptions of Abuse among South Asian Immigrant Women
"This study investigates the relationship between South Asian immigrant women’s patriarchal beliefs and their perceptions of spousal abuse. Twenty-minute telephone surveys were conducted with 47 women.As hypothesized, higher agreement with patriarchal social norms predicted a decreased likelihood of identifying the woman in the vignette as a victim of spousal abuse. This finding is discussed in terms of its application to violence against women educational programs in the South Asian immigrant community."
Pediatric Social Illness: Toward an Etiologic Classification
"Child abuse is associated with more extreme stresses in all categories studied; failure to thrive with maternal historical stresses, perceived sickness of the index child, and contemporary social isolation; and accidents with contemporary household crises." excerpt from abstract
Descriptions of statutes and penalties for violations.
Personal Safety for Children: A Guide for Parents (pdf)
"This guide gives tips to help parents keep their children safer at home, at school, and in the community. Available in English and Spanish."
Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students - United States, 2003
A surveillance report in brief of physical dating violence among high school students and selected characteristics.
Physical Dating Violence Among High School Students --- United States, 2003
This article in brief addresses the incidence of physical dating violence among high school adolescents and introduces risk as well as protective factors.
Physicians and Domestic Violence: Challenges for Prevention (pdf)
The author discusses a need for health care professionals to invest their efforts in the fight against domestic violence.
Platform for Action: Towards the Abandonment of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) (pdf)
This Platform for Action summarizes the key elements on the programmatic approach to support the abandonment of the FGM/C practice and make a major difference for girls and women worldwide.
Player’s Ball Information (pdf)
"Pimping is a form of human trafficking. Get the hard facts on the Players Ball, a real life event that pimps across the country hold each year to glorify pimping."
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.
Police Family Violence Fact Sheet
"Highlights statistics of Police Officers' personal (not-job related) involvement in domestic violence situations. The fact sheet mentions several studies have found that 40% of police officer families experience domestic violence."
Police in the Lives of Young Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (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 explores the important roles the police officer can play in assisting children and families experiencing domestic violence.
Police Officer Domestic Violence Model Policy (pdf)
1999 Report. Police Officer Violence Concepts and Issues Paper (1999) is also available.
This study examines the risks posed to transvestite sex workers in Serbia. Violence, especially police violence was reported as a primary concern in connection to broader social forces of discrimination.
Population Reports: Ending Violence Against Women
"This publication discusses gender-based violence from a feminist-based, ecological perspective. It examines the dynamics of abuse, cultural context, impact on women's health & how health care providers can contribute to social change efforts."
Pornography and Sexual Violence
This paper explores possible connections between men's use of pornography and sexual violence, and highlights definitions of terms, appropriate methods of investigation, relevant aspects of current disputes, and how pornography reinforces and sexualizes a subordinate status of women.
Positively Informed: Lesson Plans and Guidance for Sexuality Educators and Advocates
A resource kit of lesson plans and guidance for comprehensive sexuality educators. Positively Informed provides a handpicked selection of some of the best English-language sexuality education materials out there. Intended to serve as a source of ideas, examples, and inspiration for educators developing their own sexuality education curricula, the lesson plans use creative, interactive, learner-centered teaching strategies, and are adaptable to diverse cultural settings. They address gender issues, challenge discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, and present sexuality as a positive part of life rather than something to be feared and shrouded in taboos. These lessons are appropriate for 10- to 19-year-olds and are classroom ready.
"A study on the association between exposure to family violence during childhood and adolescence and adult posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The findings indicate that the more participants witnessed and experienced family violence, the more they exhibited PTSD symptoms. Findings also indicate that participants’ exposure to family violence explains a significant amount of the variance in their PTSD over and above the variance that can be attributed to their sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, number of siblings, and family’s socioeconomic status) and to their perceptions of the environment and functioning of their families. The limitations of the study and recommendations for future research are discussed."
Poverty and Sexual Violence: Building Prevention and Intervention Responses (pdf)
"The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape announces a new resource, Poverty and Sexual Violence: Building Prevention and Intervention Responses. There is a complex and often reciprocal relationship between poverty and sexual violence. This guide is intended to support rape crisis centers in their economic advocacy efforts at all levels of the organization, using the Spectrum of Violence Prevention as a blueprint in responding to the needs of victims, survivors, and communities. To these ends, the guide includes: a definition and discussion of terms, literature review, discussion of the philosophical framework for economic advocacy, ways to apply economic advocacy to the work, tools and resources, and fact sheets."
Poverty, Welfare and Battered Women: What Does the Research Tell Us?
This paper provides a brief summary of several very recent studies, focusing on the extent and impact of domestic violence among poor women and women on welfare. The overview concludes with implications of this research for the new TANF welfare program.
"This statistical brief highlights data on the official poverty rate, the numbers of people in poverty, poverty rates by ethnicity and race, and poverty rates by age."
Power and Control Wheel (pdf)
The Power and Control Wheel was developed by battered women in Duluth who had been abused by their male partners and were attending women's education groups sponsored by the women's shelter. The Wheel used in our curriculum for men who have used violence against their female partners. While we recognize that there are women who use violence against men, and that there are men and women in same-sex relationships who use violence, this wheel is meant specifically to illustrate men's abusive behaviors toward women. The Equality Wheel was also developed for use with the same curriculum
Power and Control Wheel (Spanish) (pdf)
The power and control wheel was developed by battered women in Duluth, specifically for men who use violence against their female partners. A Spanish version is now available, called Poder Y Control.
Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research, Part I: Law Enforcement
"The first of a 3-part study focuses on what the research tells law enforcement officers about the perpetrators and victims of domestic violence, the outcomes of current law enforcement responses, and what the findings mean for daily law enforcement tasks."
Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research, Part II: Prosecution
"This second part of a 3-part study of the practical implications of domestic violence research for criminal justice personnel focuses on prosecutors' policies and procedures."
Practical Implications of Current Domestic Violence Research, Part III: Judges
"This third part of a three-part study of the practical implications of domestic violence research for criminal justice personnel focuses on judges' policies and practices."
"The purpose of this work is to describe to practitioners what the research tells us about domestic violence, including its perpetrators and victims, the impact of current responses to it and, more particularly, the implications of that research for day-to-day, real-world responses to domestic violence by law enforcement officers, prosecutors and judges."
This GAO report found that, among other things, the DOD has failed to provide adequate guidance on implementing sexual assault prevention and response programs, leaving many servicemembers at greater risk for assault.
Prevalence and Determinants of Intimate Partner Abuse Among Public Hospital Primary Care Patients (pdf)
"The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence, sociodemographic determinants, and depression correlates of intimate partner abuse among an ethnically diverse population of women patients."
Prevalence and Effects of Child Exposure to Domestic Violence (pdf)
A review of the problems associated with making valid and reliable estimates concerning the prevlance of child exposure to domestic violence in included in this document. Additionally, the impact of such exposure is discussed and the document ends with a discussion surrounding the need for more empirical research in order to effectively intervene with exposed children.
Prevalence and Predictors of Internet Bullying (pdf)
"The purpose of the present study was to contrast the prevalence of Internet bullying with physical and verbal bullying among elementary, middle, and high school boys and girls, and to examine whether key predictors of physical and verbal bullying also predicted Internet bullying."
Prevalence and Predictors of Physical Partner Abuse Among Mexican American Women
"This study determined the lifetime prevalence of physical abuse by a current partner among women of Mexican origin and assessed factors associated with abuse."
Prevalence of Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence: Implications for Prevention and Intervention (pdf)
A discussion surrounding the problems with defining domestic violence and the difficulty in determining prevlance rates as a result constitutes the bulk of this document. The implications of this problem are also looked at.
Prevalence, Incidence, and Consequences of Violence Against Women
A November 1998 report that summarizes the results of a national survey on men's and women's experiences with violence. This research brief is issued jointly by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Includes information about rape, stalking, and rate of injury. The report is available to download as either an ASCII text file or an Adobe Acrobat file.
The findings from this second in a series of reports issued jointly by the National Institute of Justice and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paint a picture of the violence against women as seen daily by emergency room, law enforcement, and court professionals.
Prevent Child Sexual Abuse: Facts About Abuse and Those Who Might Commit It (pdf)
A booklet that provides information about people who may commit child sexual abuse. Additional facts regarding what to look for in children who may have been abused and the need to develop a safety plan are included.
Preventing Adolescent Gang Involvement
12-page Bulletin is posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin examines the youth gang problem in the larger context of juvenile violence. While there are no simple solutions to ending the youth gang problem, the Bulletin provides the reader with information to better understand its complexity, while dispelling common gang stereotypes. The Bulletin offers a solid foundation on which to build a comprehensive strategy to prevent youth gang involvement.
Preventing and Responding to Disruptive, Threatening, or Violent Behavior
Presents information designed to highlight stresses and risks in the work environment, to enhance workplace safety, and to reduce and prevent disruption and violence.
Preventing and Responding to Teen Dating Violence
"This special collection emphasizes collaborative and multilevel approaches to the prevention of and response to teen dating violence. It draws on the work of many organizations and organizes the resources on TDV prevention and responses by different populations."
Preventing Delinquency Through Improved Child Protection Services (pdf)
2001 Bulletin examines a potentially powerful, yet often overlooked, delinquency prevention strategy: efforts to reduce the incidence of childhood maltreatment.
Preventing Domestic Violence: Clinical Guidelines on Routine Screening (pdf)
In this document, the Family Violence Prevention Fund presents recommendations for how domestic violence screening should occur within the health care system and recommends that all health care institutions and practitioners follow these guidelines which include both a general policy statement and specific recommendations.
Preventing Family Violence: Community Engagement Makes the Difference (pdf)
The FVPF identified organizations and systems across the country that are using community mobilization strategies to reach out to families that need help and to involve community residents, service providers and institutions in preventing family violence.This report looks at some of the lessons learned from these efforts and will inform and facilitate more successful engagement strategies to prevent family violence across the country. The report discusses five goals that emerged and includes descriptions of programs addressing each goal. Additionally, the report identifies practical guidelines that are critical to effective efforts to prevent family violence.
Preventing Homicide in the Workplace
This report states that workers in certain industries and occupations are at increased risk of homicide.
Preventing Student Sexual Harassment
December 2000 report posted on the Eric Clearinghouse on Urban Education.
"This article discusses the challenges that Hispanic immigrant families face and reviews the potential negative consequences of these challenges for Hispanic adolescents. The article outlines the theoretical background, goals, and intervention components of Familias Unidas, a substance-abuse-prevention program for poor immigrant Hispanic adolescents and their parents. Familias Unidas is an ecodevelopmentally based, parent-centered intervention delivered by way of parent participatory-learning groups, parent-adolescent discussion circles, and periodic home visits."
Preventing violence and reducing its impact: How development agencies can help (pdf)
This document makes the case for increased attention on the impact of violence on development by international development agencies. A key aim is to stimulate dialogue on the role of international development agencies in the prevention of violence globally, and ultimately to increase investment in a commonly agreed set of applied violence prevention strategies. The primary audience for this document is policy-makers, high-level planners, and others in the international development field.
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.
Preventing Violence by Elementary School Children
November 1999 report posted on the Eric Clearinghouse on Urban Education.
Preventing Violence in Our Schools
Resource that gives advice and resources to parents and educators on preventing youth violence.
Preventing Violence in the Workplace
Addresses the procedures and protocols behind working with persons who have experienced or perpetrated occupational violence. Additional information pertinent to educating the staff is given.
Preventing Violence the Problem-Solving Way
April 1999. Analyzes intervention methods based on the hypothesis that behavior can be modified by focusing on thought processes rather than on behaviors.
Preventing Youth Hate Crimes: A Manual for Schools and Communities, 1998
Promotes the discussion, planning, immediate action, and long-term responses of hate crime to assist schools and communities in confronting and eliminating harassment, intimidation, violence, and other hate-motivated behavior among young people.
Preventing Youth Violence in Schools: An Essay Collection (pdf)
A collection of articles edited by Wendy Schwartz. Included in the collection is the article "Gang Activity at School: Prevention Strategies" by Shirley Lal. These resources are found on the ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education.
Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
This VAWnet document summarizes the development of prevention initiatives related to domestic violence and sexual assault. It points out trends, promising developments, and suggestions for prevention strategies.
Prevention of Serious and Violent Juvenile Offending
Prevention of Serious and Violent Juvenile Offending is a 15-page Bulletin by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes some of the developmental precursors to such offending and offers effective approaches to its prevention that are family, parent, and child focused. Examples of well-designed intervention programs are also provided.
Primary Prevention and Adult Domestic Violence (pdf)
This paper briefly examines the available research and practice literature on frameworks for understanding domestic violence, risk and protective factors for adult domestic violence, and the few efforts geared toward primary prevention in this domain. It mentions secondary and tertiary prevention efforts in this field but does not review them. It ends by pointing to program and policy directions for future primary prevention efforts.
Primer on the Male Demand for Prostitution (pdf)
This Primer was originally developed to assist European antitrafficking projects in the Baltic States in challenging the legalization and decriminalization of prostitution industries and in focusing on the demand. In this version, it has been adapted for use in a more general, international context.
Prison Rape and Sexual Coercion Behind Bars (pdf)
"This issue provides an overview of some of the research that exists on the topic of prisoner rape."
Privacy of Victims' Counseling Communications
This document provides an overview of state laws and current issues related to the privacy of communications between victims and their counselors. Although several state legislatures have enacted laws on this issue, statutes vary greatly depending on the type of counselor covered by the privilege and the extent of the protection afforded crime victims.This bulletin and the others in the Legal Series highlight various circumstances in which relevant laws are applied, emphasizing their successful implementation. This document is also available for download as a PDF file at http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/publications/bulletins/legalseries/bulletin8/ncj192264.pdf.
Profiling Domestic Violence: A Multi-Country Study
"This study examines the prevalence and correlates of domestic violence and its health consequences using nationally representative data from nine countries: Cambodia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, Haiti, India, Nicaragua, Peru, and Zambia."
Profiting from abuse: An investigation into the sexual exploitation of children (pdf)
"Highlights ways children are sexually exploited around the world, factors contributing to this exploitation, and responses various states, communities, organizations, and individuals have taken to respond to/prevent/decrease child sexual exploitation."
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 South Asian Women 2005 (pdf)
"The document presents a snapshot of women's situation in South Asia, an overview of the processes at work promoting the advancement of women, and identifies gaps during the period 2000–2005. Some of the challenges noted are disproportionate returns to contributions, the added "burden of care," a declining sex ratio, increased gender-based violence, trafficking of women and girls, and the spread of HIV/AIDS."
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.
Progress of the World's Women 2002, Volume 2: Gender Equality and the Millennium Development Goals
This is the second edition of a biennial publication to track and measure the world's commitment to gender equality. It examines progress for women, or the lack of it, in education, literacy, non-agricultural wage employment and parliamentary representation.
Progress Report on Full Faith and Credit Enabling Legislation: 2000
Although the full faith and credit provision of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) explicitly directs states, union territories, and Indian tribes to enforce protection orders issued by sister states, territories, and tribes, it does not prescribe any specific enforcement procedures but instructs them to establish their own. This chapter provides a comprehensive view of the impact of the provision upon various jurisdictions.
Promoting Court Capacity to Improve Outcomes for Abused and Neglected Children (pdf)
"Written for the National Conference of State Legislators, this report outlines strategies for elected officials to raise public awareness of the court’s role in the lives of vulnerable children and families, and strengthen the collaboration between courts and the child welfare system."
Promoting gender equality to prevent violence against women (pdf)
"The World Health Organization has released a briefing highlighting the importance of the role gender plays in interpersonal violent situations, community- and school-based initiatives to empower women, the role of the media in altering gender norms, and the importance of engaging with men to combat violence against women. The briefing is one of an eight-part series on how to prevent interpersonal and self-directed violence."
"The Technology Safety Project of the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence was designed to increase awareness and knowledge of technology safety issues for domestic violence victims, survivors, and advocacy staff. Evaluation of the project suggests that the program is needed, useful, and effective. Consumer satisfaction was high, and there was perceived improvement in computer confidence and knowledge of computer safety. Areas for future program development and further research are discussed."
Prosecuting Alcohol-Facilitated Sexual Assault
"This monograph discusses the prosecution of alcohol-facilitated sexual assault (AFSA) with a specific focus on AFSA when the victim is voluntarily intoxicated."
Prosecuting Child Physical Cases: Lessons Learned from the San Diego Experience (pdf)
This document looks at the need for prosecutors to collaborate with other agencies so as to successfully prosecute cases of child physical abuse, a problem often ignored by the legal system.
Prosecuting Conflict-Related Sexual Violence at the International Criminal Court (pdf)
"The report assesses the effectiveness of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in reducing acts of sexual violence in armed conflict. The report explores whether the existence of the ICC acts as a deterrent for gender-based violence in conflict situations, and whether perpetrators of sexual violence can be brought to justice under provisions of the Rome Statute specifically addressing gender violence. The report also offers recommendations for improving the ICC’s ability to actually and symbolically reduce violence against women by characterizing gender-based violence in conflict situations as an international war crime."
Prosecutors, Kids, and Domestic Violence Cases (pdf)
"This article describes some of the issues prosecutors should be aware of when they handle domestic violence cases involving children, especially in light of recent legislation aiming to protect children."
Prostitution is Sexual Violence
The article addresses the incorrect presumptions that prostitution is a for of work and not a form violence. The author uses research and personal interviews to argue that prostitution is a serious form of sexual violence with serious mental and physical consequences, much like all other forms of sexual violence. She also addresses the realtionship between prostitution and trafficking.
Prostitution of Children and Child-Sex Tourism: An Analysis of Domestic and International Responses (pdf)
"This paper addresses both domestic and international responses to the prostitution of children within the United States and abroad. The author highlights policy and practice issues regarding the legal system and social-service responses to prostituted children."
Prostitution, Violence, and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
"In this paper, the authors discuss a study of the violence experienced by people working as prostitutes in a city in the USA., and some of the consequent harm to physical and emotional health."
This 145 page article is a comprehensive review and critical discussion about the laws and child protection responses that have shown to be effective.
Protecting Children in Cyberspace: The ICAC Task Force Program (pdf)
January 2002 Bulletin. Discusses efforts by OJJDP's Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force Program that address emerging online threats, such as computer-facilitated sex crimes, directed at children and teenagers. The ICAC Task Force Program helps State and local law enforcement agencies develop effective responses to online enticement and child pornography offenses. Responses include investigative, forensic, community education, and victim service components. The information in this OJJDP Bulletin is intended to help parents, policymakers, and practitioners create an Internet environment in which children can participate safely.
This document reviews the full faith and credit component of the 1994 Violence Against Women Act. It provides crucial information on orders of protection for law enforcement officers who play a significant role in stopping domestic violence. This project was supported by a Cooperative Agreement awarded by the Violence Against Women Grants Office, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, to the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
This report examines innovative partnership designed to assist the employment needs of immigrant women who are survivors of domestic violence.
Providing Services to Immigrant Women in Atlantic Canada (pdf)
"This article describes some of the findings of research conducted in 2005 and 2006, which found that being an immigrant was a factor not only in immigrant women’s experiences of violence in Atlantic Canada, but also in their access to support services. Immigrant women and the professionals who provide services to them describe some of the barriers they face and conclude that fully funded and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and services to immigrant women are needed in Atlantic Canada."
Psychological Abuse: A Discussion Paper (pdf)
"This paper is a review of research on psychological abuse in interpersonal and family relationships including in settings such as long-term care residences.The paper presents research findings on the personal, economic and health related costs of psychological abuse to the individual and to society, and briefly outlines legal recourses for victims. It concludes by exploring ways to recognize and address psychological abuse, while emphasizing the importance of developing holistic approaches "
Psychological Maltreatment of Women Inventory
This tool was created by Dr. Tolman for use in research on woman abuse. The questionnaire (PMWI-Female version) asks about actions that women experience in their relationships with their intimate partner.
Psychological Profiles of Internet Sexual Offenders: Comparisons With Contact Sexual Offenders
"A sample of Internet sex offenders and contact sex offenders were compared on a range of psychological measures relating to offense-supportive beliefs, empathic concern, interpersonal functioning, and emotional management. Among several findings, results indicated that contact offenders were found to have significantly more victim empathy distortions and cognitive distortions than Internet offenders. Internet offenders were found to have significantly higher identification with fictional characters than contact offenders. The findings are discussed in the context of the etiology of sexual offending and the authors also give recommendations for further research on this population."
Public Health Policy for Preventing Violence (pdf)
"In this paper we discuss the new vision for violence prevention embodied in the public health approach."
Public Health, Mental Health and Violence Against Women Report
This monograph canvasses the most recent global, national and Victorian research which examines the nature and incidence of violence against women. It also enumerates the costs of this violence, in terms of mental and physical health, and the social and economic costs borne by the whole of the community as a consequence of the combination of cultural and individual factors that give rise to violence against women. This document also takes up the challenges made by the WHO Report on Violence and Health and makes recommendations about potential areas of activity that VicHealth may wish to consider for development through the mental health promotion strategy.
Public Housing Occupency Guidebook (pdf)
In July 2003, HUD issued a revised Public Housing Occupancy Guidebook. The Guidebook includes a new chapter (Part 7, Chapter 19) on domestic violence. The chapter discusses the seriousness and pervasiveness of domestic violence and the need for affordable housing faced by victims of abuse. The chapter further describes the measures that HUD and Congress have taken to address this problem, and actions that HUD urges Public Housing Authorities to take. The DV chapter starts at p. 216 of the Guidebook, which is p. 225 in the PDF document.
Put in Harm's Way: The Neglected Health Consequences of Sex Trafficking in the United States
This is the article from POLICING THE NATIONAL BODY: Sex, Race, and Criminalization, edited by Jael Silliman and Anannya Bhattacharjee and published by South End Press, 2002. The chapter examines definition of trafficking, factors to promote trafficking and health burdens to women from trafficking.
This document provides guidelines for research on domestic violence against women.
Race, Ethnicity, and Serious and Violent Juvenile Offending
June 2000. Discusses racial and ethnic differences in the rates of serious and violent offending among juveniles. Discribes various data sources and notes their relative strengths and weaknesses for purposes of identifying racial and ethnic patterns. Summarizes statistics on national trends in juvenile offending by race and ethnicity, discusses research findings on racial and ethnic differences among chronic offenders, and offers various explanations of the patterns observed. It also presents recommendations for understanding these patterns and discusses implications for prevention and intervention efforts.
Raising Children to Resist Violence: What You Can Do
Raising Children to Resist Violence: What You Can Do is a six-page guide from the American Psychological Association.
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.
Raising Public Awareness on Domestic Violence in Indian Country (pdf)
In collaboration with the South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, its member organizations and Native American advocates throughout the state, Cangleska, Inc., the violence against women intervention and shelter program on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota, developed domestic violence public awareness materials focusing specifically on rural and Native American communities. Materials included posters, public service announcements used in radio talk shows and an updated version of a domestic violence handbook for Lakota communities.
Rape and Sexual Assault: Reporting to Police and Medical Attention: 1992-2000 (pdf)
This 2002 document provides information on the consequences of completed rape, attempted rape, and sexual assault of females that were reported to police from 1992-2000.
Rape for Profit: Trafficking of Nepali Girls and Women to India's Brothels
June 1995. This report focuses on the trafficking of girls and women from Nepal to brothels in Bombay, where nongovernmental organizations say they comprise up to half of the city's estimated 100,000 brothel workers. Twenty percent of Bombay's brothel population is thought to be girls under the age of eighteen, and half of that population may be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Rape Myths (pdf)
This document looks at several articles that examine widely held prejudicial beliefs about rape, rape victims, and perpetrators and the role these myths play in justifying and perpetuating sexual violence.
Rape Prevention and Risk Reduction: Review of the Research Literature for Practitioners
"This Applied Research paper examines both single- and mixed-gender rape prevention and risk reduction programs, and provides suggestions for practitioners to design, implement, and evaluate programs."
Rate of family violence dropped by more than one-half from 1993 to 2002
The rate of family violence fell by more than one-half between 1993 and 2002, from an estimated 5.4 victims to 2.1 victims per 1,000 U.S. residents 12 years old and older, reflecting the general decline in crimes against people during the same period.
Rationale for and Development of the Computerized Intimate Partner Violence Screen for Primary Care (pdf)
Computerized screening for intimate partner violence has the potential of overcoming significant barriers to routine screening in the primary care setting. Opportunities, challenges, and experiences with implementing a computerized intimate partner violence screen are described in this article.
Re-Examining ‘Battering’: Are All Acts of Violence Against Intimate Partners the Same? (pdf)
"This article differentiates among five categories of domestic violence by analyzing the dynamics, nuance and components of intimate partner violence, with the idea that this critical comprehension is vital in creating intervention and prevention models that befit the behavior. Grasping important differences in partner violence is crucial for researchers, practitioners and advocates for developing effective interventions for victims and perpetrators."
Reaching and Serving Teen Victims: A Practical Handbook (pdf)
A resource for victim advocates/service providers by National Crime Prevention Council and the National Center for Victims of Crime that discusses adolescent development, the unique impact of victimization on teens, and strategies for assessing local teen victimization, creating effective outreach activities, making service environments teen-friendly, and interacting with teens in helpful and productive ways. The guide also includes guidance on parent and family involvement and mandatory reporting.
Reaching and Serving Teen Victims: A Practical Handbook
A resource for victim advocates/service providers that discusses adolescent development, the unique impact of victimization on teens, and strategies for assessing local teen victimization, creating effective outreach activities, making service environments teen-friendly, and interacting with teens in helpful and productive ways. The guide also includes guidance on parent and family involvement and mandatory reporting. This handbook can only be found in hardcopy - FREE from McGruff Bookstore.
Recent Trends in Violence-Related Behaviors Among High School Students in the United States
An abstract from JAMA, the Journal of the American Medicine Association.
Recidivism of Sex Offenders (pdf)
"Summarizes current research on the reoffense rates of sex offenders and explores issues in defining recidivism. Focuses primarily on adult male offenders, describing factors and conditions that appear to be associated with reduced sexual offending."
Recommendations for Establishing and Maintaining Successful Researcher-Practitioner Collaborations (pdf)
This document summarizes advice and information collected from the perspectives of victim advocates, practitioners, and researchers about ways to create effective collaborations that produce the most useful research on issues relevant to ending violence against women.
Recommendations for Workplace Violence Prevention Programs in Late-Night Retail Establishments (pdf)
Analyzes and Evaluates retail locations hazards and means of protecting its employees. Additional prevention and intervention strategies are suggested as to reducing violence in the workplace as well as the risk of being victimized.
Recommendations to State Medical Boards for Improving the Management of Physician
A Report created in May 1995 by the Consultation Group on Physician Sexual Misconduct for the Minnesota Board of Medical Practice.
Recommended Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexual Assault Response and Prevention on Campus
Guidelines "to provide college and university campuses with an outline of recommendations and strategies for developing a multidisciplinary sexual assault response policy and protocol." The list covers a number of topics including definitions of prevention and cultural competency, medical and counseling response, and campus and community collaboration.
Recruitment and Retention in Intimate Partner Violence Research (pdf)
This report focuses on methods of recruitment and retention in intimate partner violence research with particular attention to attrition in batterer treatment programs and retention in longitudinal studies. Case studies highlighting recruitment and retention methods in five different intimate partner violence research programs are described by their respective investigators. A set of guidelines is offered for recruitment and retention in intimate partner violence research, which is intended to help guide the field by offering suggestions that can lead to successful recruitment and retention efforts in a way that maintains the safety of participants and researchers alike.
2002 Report. Discusses national, state, and local issues and statistics in partner abuse and strategies for the prevention of domestic violence. Also available is a Power Point slide show that accompanies the report.
Reducing the Literal and Human Cost of Child Abuse: Impact of a New Hospital Management System
This article summarizes a study that assessed the medical care costs as well as human total cost of child abuse both before and after the implementation of a new system of care. This new system involved multiple disciplines caring for each child simultaneously as well as involved frequent consultation on an interdisciplinary level.
"This study of a group of women engaged in sex work at a popular truck stop in South Africa was undertaken to explore the social context that places them at high risk for HIV infection, and to assess how this context influences their ability to reduce their risk."
Reentry: Helping Former Prisoners Return to Communities (pdf)
"This guide offers Making Connections site teams and local partners a way to think about and reduce the negative impact of incarceration on their communities. It presents an overview of the issue, describes challenges that sites are likely to face when tackling this work, describes promising approaches, and offers resources for finding further information. Part of the TARC Resource Guide series."
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."
Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women Affected by Rape or Sexual Violence: a Literature Review (pdf)
"The review summarizes the learning from the Refugee Council Vulnerable Women’s Project and situates that learning within the wider context of what is known about rape and sexual violence. It provides a summary of evidence that is available about the prevalence of sexual violence against refugee women, and about access to justice in some of the countries from which the Project’s clients have fled."
Registering Harm: How Sex Offense Registries Fail Youth Communities
"This report published by the Justice Policy Institute explores the negative impact that state compliance with the Adam Walsh Act will have on youth, communities, and states. "
Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP)
This school-based domestic violence prevention curiculum teaches students to recognize and prevent teen relationship abuse. Lesson plans include a variey of exercises. Parent workshop information and school staff development materials are also included.
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document provides a critical overview of the current research on the contexts, dynamics, and impact of relationship violence within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (lgbtq) communities. This document also identifies several barriers that still exist within support services when responding to this form of violence. The paper concludes by offering recommendations and considerations for the criminal justice and social service community and provides examples of innovative responses and programs that have been developed within lgbtq communities.
This paper provides a critical overview of some of the current research that has been done to better understand the contexts, dynamics and impact of relationship violence within lgbtq communities and also identifies several barriers that still exist within support services when responding to this form of violence. The paper concludes by offering recommendations and considerations for the criminal justice and social service community and provides examples of innovative responses and programs that have been developed within lgbtq communities that might serve as models.
Religious Influence on Parental Attitudes Toward the Use of Corporal Punishment (pdf)
"The purpose of this research was to determine if persons affiliated with religious denominations which emphasized a literal belief in the Bible would demonstrate less appropriate attitudes with regard to disciplining children than their counterparts who were affiliated with religious denominations which do not subscribe to a literal interpretation of the Bible. Statistically significant differences were noted with persons, regardless of gender or their level of education, who were members of churches subscribing to a literal belief in the Bible preferring the use of corporal punishment over alternate methods of discipline as compared to their nonliteral counterparts."
Report Cards on Teen Dating Violence 2008 (pdf)
Break the Cycle issued the first-ever state-by-state report cards evaluating the level of legal protection each state offers young victims of domestic and dating violence. The report was issued in conjunction with National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week, February 4-8, 2008.
Report Concerning the Assessment of USAF Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (pdf)
"Provides an assessment of the Air Force's capability to prevent and respond to sexual assault. This assessment was conducted in response to allegations made in January 2003 of sexual assault at the United States Air Force Academy."
"In 2002 RTI conducted an environmental scan to identify programs in the relatively new field of prevention of first-time perpetration of sexual violence. The current report provides updated information on 23 of the original 37 programs and adds information on 36 new programs that have been developed since the 2003 report. This report offers a catalogue of programs targeting prevention of first-time male perpetration of sexual violence."
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants
The author points out that female children are extremely vulnerable to gender-based violence during migration. Migration is often difficult and dangerous for female children due to “additional restrictions on travel” girls may face due to “male guardianships.” Female children are also vulnerable to human trafficking for sexual exploitation or forced labor during migration. The report concludes with recommendations for policy improvements on migration legislation.
Report on Research on Rape and Violence (pdf)
"This report is a compendium of research on issues related to rape, sexual assault, and violence. While efforts have been made to include research from as many sources as possible, it is inevitable that other valuable sources of research may contain information no included in this report."
Report on the Taliban's War Against Women
Released November 17, 2001. Includes an Executive Summary, information on the Taliban's War Against Women; quotes by and about women in Afghanistan; and electronic resources on women in Afghanistan.
Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: A Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters (pdf)
This guide is designed to help mandated reporters better understand the statute and to outline appropriate action that should be taken if there is a suspicion of child abuse or neglect.
Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors: Minnesota Statute 626.556
Posted by the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Discusses public policy, definitions, persons mandated to report, report of deprivation of parental rights or kidnapping, agency responsible for assessing or investigating reports of maltreatment, agency responsible for assessing or investigating reports of maltreatment, immunity from liability, retaliation prohibited, failure to report, and more.
Reporting of Suspicious Wounds by Health Professionals: Minnesota Statute 626.52
Posted by the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Discusses the statute, the fact that health professionals are required to report suspicious wounds and burns, and immunity from liability.
This document provides an overview of state laws enacted in recent years to address violence in U.S. schools, particularly those laws concerning the collection of data and reporting of such incidents.
Reproductive Health for Communities in Crisis (pdf)
This document illustrates that communities that face natural disaster, war and internal conflicts are likely to experience violence against women and reproductive health challenges. The document explores how to address sexual violence, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, and how to maintain safety in prolonged crisis.
Reproductive Health in Refugee Situations: An Inter-Agency Field Manual
The purpose of the Field Manual is to serve as a tool to facilitate discussion and decision-making in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health (RH) interventions. Chapters in the manual include: sexual and gender based violence, reproductive health concerns, and legal information.
This paper examines the context of intimate partner violence in Sub-Saharan Africa, outlines the intersections between partner violence and reproductive health, and considers the opportunities for linkage at the program and service levels. In addition, it explores the opportunities and challenges related to developing an active response to domestic violence within reproductive health services in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Research and Practice in Child Interviewing: Implications for Children Exposed to Domestic Violence (pdf)
"This article argues that methods employed in interviewing children about child maltreatment can be applied to interviewing children about exposure to domestic violence. The article describes how cognitive interviewing, narrative elaboration, and event segmentation can be employed when talking to children about domestic violence. In addition, the article discusses how focused questions related to child maltreatment and child endangerment can be used to elicit information from children about domestic violence."
This document, comprised of research from many leading experts in the field of domestic violence, lays out the case that the majority of high conflict child custody disputes have a history of domestic violence.
Research Violence Against Women: A Practical Guide for Researchers and Activists (pdf)
An in depth look at the issue of violence against women as a health issue and suggests tools for using research and developing data assessing this issue.
Resilient Girls—Factors That Protect Against Delinquency (pdf)
The Girls Study Group Series examines issues such as patterns of offending among adolescents and how they differ for girls and boys; risk and protective factors associated with delinquency, including gender differences; and the causes and correlates of girls’ delinquency.
"This study evaluated the short-term impact of a school-based violence prevention initiative on developmental processes thought to place children at risk for future aggression and violence and examined the influence of classrooms and neighborhood contexts on the effectiveness of the violence prevention initiative."
Resources: Health Report Card 2000
State-By-State Report Card on health care laws and domestic violence is an at-a-glance evaluation of state activity in passing laws to improve the health care response to domestic violence.
Responding to Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence
This article discusses the ongoing debate between child protection workers and domestic abuse advocates. It also outlines the similarities between the two groups as they work towards similar goals.
Responding to Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Research Informing Practice and Policy (pdf)
This article discusses the political and practical ramifications of disparate disciplines, theories, and movements on the response to children exposed to domestic violence.
Responding to Domestic Violence: Where Federal Employees Can Find Help
This guide provides concise, up-to-date information on domestic violence, with concrete advice for the employee who are victims, for friends and co-workers, and for their supervisors. It also guides the supervisor through an array of resources and management tools that can be brought to bear in a workplace violence situation.
Responding to the Co-occurrence of Child Maltreatment and Adult Domestic Violence in Hennepin County
In this report, Drs. Edleson and Beeman and their research assistants detail information collected from a variety of sources during the first half of 1999. Information collection included detailed reporting by child protection screeners and investigators in the Hennepin County Department of Children and Family Services (HCDCFS), consulting with national experts in this area, reviewing published materials on prominent demonstration projects from around the United States and Canada, and holding a series of stakeholder meetings throughout Hennepin County.
Responding to Violence and Abuse: Educating Minnesota Professionals for the Future
1995 report of four statewide task forces convened to review, revise and recommend violence education for nine professional areas (61 pages).
Response and Follow-up by Responding Police Officers
This is a Fact Sheet posted by the Metro Nashville Police Department, Domestic Violence Division. Also available is Response and Follow-up by Domestic Violence Investigators.
Restorative Justice and Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
This Applied Research document discusses the role of victims within restorative justice, reviews the research on restorative justice, and discusses the potential harms and benefits of using restorative justice in cases of intimate partner violence.
Restorative Justice Responses to Sexual Assault
This VAWnet Applied Research paper examines restorative justice for sexual assault from the perspective of survivors. A large international literature promotes restorative justice options as satisfying and empowering to crime victims.
Restraining Order Violators, Corrective Programming and Recidivism (pdf)
Produced by the Massachusetts Trial Court - Office of the Commissioner of Probation in 2004. This document is the summarized results of a study regarding the ongoings of a domestic violence perpetrator/offender in the criminal courts. Highlights include, the relationship between victime and offender, batterer intervention programs, as well as other forms of treatment/management.
Returning Children Home: Clinical Decision Making in Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect
Interesting findings from this study conclude that race, type of injury (physical or non-physical), as well as class are all significant characteristics that determined whether or not a child was removed from the home and placed with a foster family.
Review of Research On Child Maltreatment and Violence in Youth
"This review addresses research regarding associations between child maltreatment and youth violence perpetration. The authors explore current findings on the direct effects of child maltreatment on later youth violence and possible gender and ethnic differences. The study concluded that the most consistent predictor of youth violence is physical abuse."
Reviewing Domestic Violence Fatalities: Summarizing National Developments
This document brings together information on domestic violence fatality reviews from across the country. It defines domestic violence, provides a state-by-state matrix of domestic violence death review initiatives, introduces teams' philosophies and the purposes and goals of teams, addresses team membership, explores death review team protocols, confronts concerns regarding confidentiality, liability, and immunity, offers a selection of investigative methods already used by teams as they conduct death reviews, and talks about the issue of effecting change through the process of reviewing domestic fatalities.
Risk Factors for Abusive Relationships: A Study of Vietnamese American Immigrant Women
"This study identifies risk factors for Vietnamese American women's abuse. Patriarchal gender arrangements in the family, arguments about fulfilling gender and family roles, and partner's threat that divorce would compromise the participant's immigration status put women at risk for each type of abuse. "Picture brides" were at heightened risk for sexual abuse. For women with limited resources, education and interventions within the ethnic immigrant community are critical to addressing wife abuse."
Risk Factors for Injury to Women from Domestic Violence
This study concluded that women at greatest risk for injury from domestic violence include those with male partners who abuse alcohol or use drugs, are unemployed or intermittently employed, have less than a high-school education, and are former husbands, estranged husbands, or former boyfriends of the women.
"The current study assessed the nature and extent of minor and severe injuries among a help-seeking sample of battered women. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted to assess the unique roles of physical violence, sexual coercion, psychological abuse, and stalking to the prediction of minor and severe injuries in battered women. Results are discussed in terms of implications for future research and intervention with battered women."
Routinely Targeted: Attacks on Civilians in Somalia
"The report documents sexual violence and killing of Somali civilians by Ethiopian troops, militias, and Transitional Federal Government (TFG) forces."
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.
Safe from the Start: Reducing Children's Exposure to Violence (pdf)
This is a very comprehensive review of promising strategies and programs. It serves as a resource guide and includes evaluation tools and funding resources information.
Safe From the Start: Taking Action on Children Exposed to Violence
Document posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Click on the "Table of Contents" to view the entire document.
Safe Harbor: A School-Based Victim Assistance/Violence Prevention Program
The Safe Harbor program addresses violence prevention and victim assistance in school-based settings.
Safe Start Promising Approaches Communities: Working Together to Help Children Exposed to Violence (pdf)
Launched by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention(OJJDP) and its Federal partners in the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, the initiative is designed as a national framework which seeks to address the needs of children exposed to violence. This booklet describes each of the 15 Safe Start Promising Approaches communities and outlines how these programs are integrating evidence-based or promising practices as well as other complementary interventions within their geographical, agency, and community contexts.
Safe States, 2003 edition (pdf)
This document explains how state health department injury prevention programs apply the public health model every day, achieving results that reduce injuries and save tens of thousands of lives.
Safety and Accountability: The Underpinnings of a Just Justice System
This paper first briefly describes domestic violence. It then discusses the constructs of safety and accountability. Finally it examines how court administration and the judiciary might fully respond to these underpinings of justice for adult and child victims of domestic violence.
This report examines the complexities of relationships between the criminal justice system and women's anti-violence movement. It also provides strategies for preventing violence against women in the future.
This sample order, which is based on Pennsylvania law, is a guide to assist in the drafting of Final Protection Orders in different jurisdictions. The relief available will depend on the laws of each particular state or jurisdiction.
Sample Notice to Defendant Filing of Protective Order
A sample notice to a defendant filing a protective order.
Sample Universal Certification Form for Restraining Orders
A universally recognized and utilized certification form for civil protection/restraining orders will both normalize and expedite full faith and credit of these orders in non-issuing states, pursuant to the provisions of the VAWA. This is a sample order with attached rationale for the benefits of a universally recognized form.
San Diego County Sexual Assault Response Team Standards of Practice (pdf)
"This manual provides extensive standards of practice for members of interdisciplinary sexual assault response teams. "
San Diego Police Department: Domestic Violence Operations Manual (pdf)
This is the Domestic Violence manual used by the Police Department in San Diego. It is about 220 pages and all are printable.
Scared at School: Sexual Violence against Girls in South African Schools
This report documents school-based sexual violence in South Africa; reviews school and state responses to sexual violence; explains the discriminatory impact on girls' education rights when the government does not respond adequately and effectively to gender-based violence; and sets forth recommendations to rectify these problems.
School Connectedness: Strategies for Increasing Protective Factors Among Youth (pdf)
"This longitudinal study found that family, school, and individual factors such as school connectedness, parent-family connectedness, high parental expectations for academic achievement, and the adolescent’s level of involvement in religious activities and perceived importance of religion and prayer were protective against a range of adverse behaviors. School connectedness was found to be the strongest protective factor for both boys and girls to decrease substance use, school absenteeism, early sexual initiation, violence, and risk of unintentional injury."
Page that discusses school crisis preparedness. Gives steps to enhance preparedness and links to sample guidelines.
School Disaster: Planning and Initial Interventions
This paper examines the roles and responses of administrators, teachers and staff, and parents as well as those of children following disaster. The following issues will be discussed: 1) primary intervention; 2) secondary intervention; 3) the intervention team; 4)administrators and staff; 5)parents and children; and psychological first aid.
School Violence Prevention: Strategies to Keep Schools Safe
Policy Study No. 234, January 1998. Posted by the Reason Foundation. Discusses the many faces of violence and the different methods of violence prevention.
School Violence: Prevalence, Fears, and Prevention
2001 paper. Describes the options that are currently available for schools. An analysis of the key components of various approaches in terms of their potential positive and negative effects can assist in the selection of policies, programs, and procedures while we wait for evaluations to be conducted.
Screening and Assessment Tools for Child Welfare
Offers an alphabetical listing of screening and assessment tools for child welfare. These tools can be used by workers directly with families, building a common understanding regarding the family's needs, strengths, and resources, and that can be used to measure progress on goals over time.
Screening Can Identify Women at Risk for Abuse
From Speaking Up Vol 7 Issue 21, November 2, 2001. Summary of the new report, Predictive Validity of a Screen for Partner Violence Against Women, posted in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. This study is one of the first studies to evaluate whether screening for domestic violence can identify women at risk for future abuse. The study finds that screening can identify a subset of women "at high risk for verbal, physical and sexual partner abuse over the following four months."
Screening for Domestic Violence Changed My Practice: An Interview with Leigh Kimberg, MD
Health Alert: Strengthening the Health Care System's Response to Domestic Violence. Volume 6, No. 2. Internist Leigh Kimberg, MD is the Attending Physician at Maxine Hall Health Center, a San Francisco public health clinic. She has served as the Coordinator of Domestic Violence Services at the San Francisco Department of Public Health Community Public Health Service. In 1994, she was appointed Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. Dr. Kimberg is a graduate of Harvard Medical School. In 1999, the Health Resource Center sat down with Dr. Kimberg to ask her about her screening practices.
Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in Medical Settings
"This article examines the potential impact of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendations for IPV screening and the emerging literature supporting measurable health benefits resulting from screening interventions in medical settings. "
Screening for Sexual Violence: Gaps in Research and Recommendations for Change (pdf)
"This Applied Research paper provides a review of the current literature on screening women for sexual violence in health care facilities, and discusses the reasoning and rationale behind screening women for sexual violence."
Second Chances: Giving Kids a Chance To Make a Better Choice (pdf)
28-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Drawing on a recently published book, "Second Chances 100 Years of the Children's Court: Giving Kids a Chance To Make a Better Choice," the Bulletin profiles successful "graduates" of the juvenile justice system.
Second Comprehensive Study of Missing Children
A 6-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The design of the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART 2) study is described in this Bulletin, which outlines how it will provide vital data on the incidence of missing children in seven categories: runaway/thrownaway, nonfamily abduction, family abduction, custodial interference, lost and involuntarily missing, missing due to injury, missing due to false alarm situations, as well as children who have been sexually assaulted.
Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Domestic Violence Advocates: Workplace Risk and Protective Factors
"This study identified workplace factors associated with secondary traumatic stress (STS) in a sample of 148 domestic violence advocates working in diverse settings. Findings indicate that coworker support and quality clinical supervision are critical to emotional well-being and that an environment in which there is shared power—that is, respect for diversity, mutuality, and consensual decision making—provides better protection for advocates than more traditional, hierarchical organizational models. The discussion includes implications for practice and policy as well as directions for future research."
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.
Sedating substances and sexual assault: the connection
"The article talks about perpetrators and why they might use substances, the different types of drugs that are used, and their side effects. Includes risk reduction strategies as well as what to do if you suspect that you or someone else has been drugged."
Seeking Protection: Addressing Sexual and Domestic Violence in Tanzania's Refugee Camps
This report documents how Burundian refugee women confront daily violence in Tanzanian refugee camps.
Self-reported Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Data Brief (pdf)
"Summarizes intimate partner and sexual violence victimization from three different Minnesota surveys and one national survey."
Serving Women with Developmental Disabilities: Strategies for the Justice System
Women with developmental disabilities experiencie a far higher rate of sexual assault and rape than other women, and experience this victimization repeatedly. This article explores some of the issues facing police, prosecutors, judges, advocates, and other members of the criminal justice system, and provide some suggestions for how they can better serve women with developmental disabilities.
Sex Offender Registries as a Tool for Public Safety: Views from Registered Offenders
"This research report explores the use and effectiveness of sex offender registries. Data for this research was collected from a sample of registered sex offenders."
Sex Offenses and Offenders: An Analysis of Data on Rape and Sexual Assault
This report draws on more than two dozen statistical datasets maintained by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and the Uniform Crime Reporting program of the FBI to provide a comprehensive overview of current knowledge about the incidence and prevalence of violent victimization by sexual assault, the response of the justice system to such crimes, and the characteristics of those who prey on victims of all ages by committing sexual assault or rape.
Sex trading and psychological distress among women recruited from the streets of Harlem
"This study examines the relationship between sex trading and psychological distress and the implications of that relationship for prevention of human immunodeficiency virus among a sample of young women recruited from the streets of Harlem."
Sex Trafficking Into The United States: A Literature Review
"This study is an investigation of the literature relating to the trafficking of women and children into the United States for sexual exploitation. The intent is to discover the extent and complexity of the problem, the cost in both human and economic terms, and research directions toward the development of probable political, legal, economic, and social solutions.Recommendations are given for state statute creation, police training and paradigm change, and increased/broadened victims’ services."
Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota
This 2008 report, focuses on trafficking for commercial sex exploitation and prostitution, highlights successes in combating sex trafficking and suggests ways to improve responses to this complex problem in Minnesota.
Sexual Abuse of Males: Prevalence, Lasting Effects, and Resources
Discusses the mythology, prevalence, and lasting effects surrounding sexual abuse of males. Posted resources include a bibliography and a page on Giving and receiving hope.
Sexual Assault Among Male Veterans
"This article takes a look at the literature on male sexual assault as well as recent findings about sexual assault among male veterans. Treatment issues are also discussed."
Sexual Assault and Current Mental Health: The Role of Help-Seeking and Police Response
In this study, the authors examine the extent to which seeking help from social service agencies, family and friends, reporting to the police, or responses by the police might buffer or exacerbate the impact of sexual assault on mental health outcomes among sexual assault victims. The authors found that in many cases help-seeking and police response exacerbates the impact of sexual assault victimization. Also the association of depression and rape penetration was greater among those seeking help from social services and those reporting their victimization to the police.
Sexual Assault and the Body (pdf)
This article explores the multifaceted effects of sexual assault on the victim’s body through articles on such diverse topics as negative self image, impaired sexual function, compulsive weightlifting and dental fear.
This book provides Michigan's criminal sexual conduct offenses, research findings on offenders, community resources for victims, special courtroom procedures and other useful resources for legal practitioners.
This document is a listing of sexual assault coalitions for each state.
Compiled by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, this page offers useful information on sexual assault, what to do if you've been sexually assaulted, and offers a list of resources for more information on this topic.
Sexual Assault in Indian Country: Confronting Sexual Violence (pdf)
This document highlights certain types of sexual assault evidence and presents it within the historical treatment of native populations, jurisdictional problems and prevalence of violence.
Sexual Assault in Rural Communities
This article addresses the current level of understanding of sexual assault in rural areas as it affects both victims and rural service providers. It recognizes that sexually victimized rural populations are largely underserved, understudied, and often overlooked. This document reviews literature by practitioners, researchers, and others who wish to provide assistance.
Presents findings from the National Incident-Based Reporting System regarding sexual assault, especially young children.
Sexual Assault Risk Reduction Curriculum
The curriculum was specifically developed to reduce the incidence of adolescent sexual assault through risk-reduction educational strategies. It is a powerful tool to assist school personnel, police, and community agency staff in their efforts to implement high-quality educational programs. The curriculum includes lessons for high school and middle school aged youth and can be used in either school or non-school settings.
Sexual Intercourse Among Adolescents Maltreated Before Age 12: A Prospective Investigation (pdf)
"This study found that maltreatment (regardless of type) predicts sexual intercourse by 14 and 16. Emotional distress explains the relationship by 14. By 16, other factors likely contribute to intercourse. Maltreated children are at risk for early initiation of sexual intercourse and sexually active adolescents should be evaluated for possible maltreatment."
Sexual Orientation and Human Rights in the Americas (pdf)
This document highlights the human rights violations (institutional and individual) of sexual minorities in the Americas.
Sexual Victimization in Indian Country: Barriers and Resources for Native Women Seeking Help
This paper summarizes the barriers facing and resources available to American Indian victims of sexual victimization, with a focus on systemic barriers found in the organizations and communities most likely to serve native women. Additionally, the paper reviews how an understanding of these issues can enhance services and help eliminate violence against future generations of American Indian women.
Sexual Victimization of College Women (pdf)
December 2000 Report. Assesses the extent and nature of the sexual victimization of college women. Based on the study findings, it is estimated that more than 350 rapes per year may occur on a campus with a population of 10,000 female students.
Sexual Violence Against Adolescent Girls: Influences of Immigration and Acculturation
"This study investigates associations between immigration and acculturation with sexual assault among a large, representative sample of high school girls. The study found that being an immigrant was associated with recurring sexual assault victimization; this effect was not consistent across age and racial/ethnic groups. Immigrant status conferred risk among adolescent girls aged 15 and younger, Black adolescent girls, and sexually active Hispanic girls. No differences were detected in sexual assault victimization based on acculturation."
Sexual Violence Against Refugees: Guidelines on Prevention and Response (pdf)
These guidelines provide basic advice on appropriate action, particularly preventive action to end sexual violence against refugees.
Sexual Violence Against Women and Children in Chinese Societies
"This article provides a comprehensive overview of the reported patterns of sexual violence against women and children in China. It reviews the prevalence of and risk factors for various types of sexual violence and discusses community knowledge and perceptions of these violent acts.It also critically examines three major problems of sexual violence research in China. Recommendations for future research are also discussed."
"This briefing paper was prepared for the Symposium on Sexual Violence in Conflict and Beyond, which took place in June 2006. It provides information on the nature and scope of the problem as well as evaluation of efforts to combat it."
Sexual Violence Against Women: Impact on High-Risk Health Behaviors and Reproductive Health
"This Applied Research paper provides a brief overview of research on the impact of sexual violence on females' high-risk health behaviors and reproductive health, focusing on studies of sexual assault or rape experienced primarily during adulthood."
Sexual Violence and Adolescents
The paper offers a review of the current state of the science regarding sexual violence occurring in adolescent dating and acquaintance relationships and an analysis of the factors associated with sexual victimization in adolescence as well as the consequences. The limitations of current data as well as recommendations for future research, practice, policy, and advocacy is provided.
Sexual Violence and HIV: A Technical Assistance Guide for Victim Service Providers
"This guide provides information on the prevalence of sexual violence and HIV, types of available HIV testing and treatment, benefits and risks of such testing and treatment."
Sexual Violence and Homelessness (pdf)
This fact sheet provides information on the link between homelessness and sexual violence, the barriers homeless face in receiving services, and what rape crisis centers can do to meet the needs of the homeless. It provides general information on the topic as well as information and statistics specific to Pennsylvania.
Sexual Violence and its Consequences among Displaced Persons in Darfur and Chad
This briefing paper documents how the Sudanese security forces, including police deployed to protect displaced persons, and allied Janjaweed militias continue to commit rape and sexual violence on daily basis. Even as refugees in Chad, women and girls fleeing the violence in Darfur continued to face the risk of rape and assault by civilians or militia members when collecting water, fuel or animal fodder near the border.
Sexual Violence and the Spectrum of Prevention: Towards a Community Solution (pdf)
This article emphasizes the importance of primary prevention to change norms and reshape environments - including homes, neighborhoods, schools and workplaces - to prevent sexual violence. It highlights the Spectrum of Prevention, a tool for developing a comprehensive prevention strategy, and details effective primary prevention activities at all six Spectrum levels, including innovative examples from throughout the country.
Sexual Violence Data Brief 2002 - 2007 (pdf)
"Describes the prevalence of sexual violence in Minnesota from 2002 to 2007, comparing data on hospitalization and emergency-department treatment, two community surveys, and criminal justice data on reports to law enforcements and arrests."
Sexual Violence Data Brief: 1999 to 2001 (pdf)
This data brief outlines the hospital care in Minnesota due to sexual violence, patient demographics, patient injuries, charges, costs and payers, and perpetrators.
Sexual Violence in Communities of Color (pdf)
"This "Facts & Stats Collection" paper highlights specific issues and distinguishing dynamics that confront different women of color, including African American, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, and Native American/Alaskan Indian women."
Sexual Violence in Disasters: A Planning Guide for Prevention and Response (pdf)
"Offers readers important information about sexual violence and disasters that will help communities to understand the connection and develop better disaster responses. It presents a range of recommendations from suggesting small changes to developing comprehensive plans, making preparations, and coordinating far-reaching policy change. The guide is arranged according to phases of a disaster, and the color-coded phases offer a multitude of things to consider. The "Getting Started" work sheets in the back have been designed to facilitate the process of disaster planning."
Sexual Violence in the Lives of African American Women: Risk, Response, and Resilience
"This paper synthesizes information on African American female victim/survivors. It addresses historical context, survivor traits, risk factors, health consequences, culturally sensitive responses, and resilience of survivors."
Sexual Violence Prevention (pdf)
This excellent 'primer' article highlights the foundations of effective sexual violence prevention that draw from both the feminist movement and from research based approaches in field such as public health. Examples of prevention programs include The Student Connections Club in Harrisonburg, VA, Washington Middle School Project in Washington State, and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault's MyStrength Campaign.
Sexual Violence Public Policy Topics
"This area contains topic-specific resources related to public policy and systems advocacy. Current topics include: civil legal rights, clergy sexual abuse, DNA, drug-facilitated sexual assault, indigenous issues, marital rape, privacy & confidentiality, public health, sex offender, sexual harassment, sexual violence in military, prisons and on campus, and trafficking."
Sexual Violence Reported by Correctional Authorities, 2004 (pdf)
This paper includes the results of a first-ever national survey of administrative records on sexual violence in adult and juvenile correctional facilities. Although data are limited to incidents reported to correctional authorities during 2004, the survey provides an understanding of how administrators respond to sexual violence. The survey also collects basic counts of substantiated incidents, characteristics of victims and perpetrators, and sanctions imposed.
Sexual Violence Research Agenda
"The Sexual Violence Research Initiative recently published the Sexual Violence Research Agenda. The publication recognizes eight key focus areas for research: nature, prevalence, social context and risk factors associated with sexual violence; appropriateness and effectiveness of sexual violence services; sexual violence prevention; sexual violence and restorative justice; sexual violence in conflict and emergency settings; child sexual abuse; human trafficking for sexual exploitation; and female genital cutting."
Sexual Violence Resource List (pdf)
This document, developed by the Sexual Violence Working Group of IPAS, is an annotated bibliography of literature regarding gender-based violence, and sexual violence in particular, throughout the world.
Sexual Violence Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements (pdf)
This document contains definitions and data elements that can be used to create instruments for surveillance.
Sexual Violence: Fact Sheet (pdf)
"Highlights findings from various studies on sexual assault and rape. The data reviewed indicates that a vast majority of all rapes were committed by known assailants, with many sexual assaults perpetrated by friends, acquaintances and intimate partners."
Sexually Assaulted Children - National Estimates and Characteristics (pdf)
"This bulletin provides information on the estimated number and characteristics of children who were sexually assaulted in the United States in 1999, based on interviews with victims and their families. It also presents statistical profiles of these children, including their demographic characteristics, according to the Second National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children (NISMART-2.)"
"The long-standing civil conflict in the Shan States of Burma is investigated as a contributing cause to the trafficking of ethnic Shan women and girls into the Southeast Asian sex industry, and to the subsequent high rates of HIV infection found among these women. The context of chronic human rights abuses in the Shan states is explored, as well as the effects of recent forced population transfers on the part of the Burmese Military Regime."
Sharwline Nicholson v. Nicholas Scoppetta - Appeals Decision
This document outlines the Appeals decision regarding the case of Nicholson (filed as a class action in federal court in 2001). This history of this decision is based on the class action lawsuit in which battered mothers and their children in New York City successfully challenged the City child welfare agency's practice and policy of removing children from battered mothers and charging the mothers with child neglect due to domestic violence. The federal court ruled that the practice is unconstitutional under federal law. The case went up on appeal.
Shattered Hearts: The Commercial Sexual Exploitation of American Indian Women and Girls in Minnesota (pdf)
A groundbreaking report released by the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) highlights the alarming and pervasive sex trafficking of American Indian women and girls in Minnesota. The first comprehensive report of its kind, it highlights risk factors for victims that include poverty, a disproportionate number of American Indian homeless, high incidences of overall sexual assault, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) and pervasive multi-generational trauma.
Shattered Lives: Immediate medical care for victims of sexual violence
A recently released report depicting the experiences of victims of sexual violence, as well as those who provide immediate care to victims. The report focuses on the individual stories of those who have been sexually assaulted, and those who provide medical, counseling, and other types of support services to victims. Through these stories,the organization hopes to convey the importance of making emergency medical and other services immediately and readily accessible to victims.
Shelter Rules: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
This document details both the positive and negative dynamics of shelters for battered women. It provides a critical analysis of the outcomes of shelter rules and guidelines.
Should Childhood Exposure to Adult Domestic Violence Be Defined as Child Maltreatment Under the Law?
Published as a chapter in Protecting Children From Domestic Violence: Strategies for Community Intervention (2004), this article reviews the research on childhood exposure to domestic violence and emerging laws aimed at protecting these children. The author concludes with an argument against assuming that childhood exposure to violence is automatically a form of child maltreatment and suggests the need to modify child protection services and the expansion of primarily voluntary community-based responses to these children and their families.
Should the Use of Corporal Punishment by Parents Be Considered Child Abuse? (pdf)
Whether corporal punishment should be considered child abuse is a highly controversial issue, one that often involves cultural considerations. This articles argues against the conclusion that corporal punishment should be determined as child abuse and provide their explanations.
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 Epidemic: A Survey of Violence Among Young Asian American Women
This report examines the impact of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking on young Asian American women. The study also examines levels of awareness, prevalence, and access to services. It also addresses cultural and institutional barriers that Asian American victims of sexual violence, intimate partner violence and stalking may face.
Silent Victims Revisited: The Special Case of Domestic Violence
The authors discuss the current knowledge base on children exposed to domestic violence, the impact of such violence, and practice implications.
Sisters Speak Out: The Lives and Needs of Prostituted Women in Chicago
This report provides information from interviews with 222 women in prostitution in the Chicago metropolitan area, reflecting their experiences with violence from customers, managers, pimps, and police, substance abuse, homelessness, and physical and mental health problems. The women were located and interviewed by prostitution survivors familiar with the prostitution industry.
Sita’s Trousseau: Restorative Justice, Domestic Violence, and South Asian Culture
"This article focuses on the particular cultural factors that affect South Asian women who are abused and immigrant South Asian women who are abused, in particular, in the restorative justice process. By exploring cultural practices and the icon of Sita, the mythological heroine of the Ramayana, this article demonstrates how the South Asian ideals of womanhood and wifehood help to create a mind-set whereby South Asian women are reluctant to advocate for themselves and are reluctant to leave."
So Much to Fear: War Crimes and the Devastation of Somalia (pdf)
A Human Rights Watch report on the human rights violations being committed in the ongoing conflict in Somalia. It studies the conflict since late 2006, when the Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) came to the aid to Somalia’s Transitional Federal Government (TFG) to overthrow the Islamic Courts Union (ICU). The report also includes several recommendations to the parties, as well as the African and European Unions, and the United Nations.
Social Development of Commercial Sex Workers in India: An Essential Step in HIV/AIDS Prevention
"This paper discusses HIV/AIDS prevention issues that relate to CSWs in India; issues that play a vital role in initiation, perpetuation, and expansion of economic activity of CSWs; and those factors that influence the HIV/AIDS preventive practices of CSWs."
Social Support Among Afro-Trinidadian Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence
"This study examines the types of, availability of, use of, and satisfaction with informal and formal social supports among Afro-Trinidadian women who have experienced intimate partner violence. The findings suggest that despite male dominance and control, women were able to maintain some contact with family and friends. Although some women felt they had family and friends to turn to, many were dissatisfied with the support. Women also expressed dissatisfaction with legal and social services."
Socioeconomic Factors and Processes Associated With Domestic Violence in Rural Bangladesh
This document examines the types and severity of domestic violence, and explores the pathways through which women's social and economic circumstances may influence their vulnerability to violence in marriage in rural Bangladesh.
Sorority Participation and Sexual Assault Risk
"This study tested the relationship between sexual assault victimization, sorority membership, and participation in a range of sorority activities, using data from a large-sample (N = 779) survey conducted at a midsize public university. A total of 29% of sorority women reported having been sexually assaulted while in college, four times the rate (7%) among nonsorority members. Among sorority members, participation in social events not involving alcohol correlated negatively with sexual assault, indicating a possible protective effect."
South Asian Women's NETwork (SAWNET)
List of North American resources for South Asian Women who are victims of domestic violence.
Sovereignty of the Soul: Exploring the Intersection of Rape Law Reform and Federal Indian Law
This article focuses on the legal challenge of addressing sexual violence in the tribal justice system. The author provides an in-depth analysis of the intersection between sexual violence and Federal Indian law and discusses statistical information, the historical context and the challenges facing the tribal governments in addressing the problem.
Special Education and the Juvenile Justice System
16-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This bulletin is intended to inform judges, attorneys, advocates, probation officers, institutional staff, and other youth-serving professionals about the impact of special education issues on juvenile justice matters. The Bulletin summarizes the provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and analyzes their relevance to the juvenile justice process from intake and initial interview to institutional placement and secure confinement.
This guide is for rape victims and for all who want to help them. Because a number of other sources cover basic information on rape, the guide focuses on providing information that will help you get support, protection, and justice in the aftermath of rape or sexual assault.
Specialized Criminal Domestic Violence Courts
National Center for State Courts surveyed courts by mail in 1998 and received approximately 200 responses indicating that the court had some type of specialized procedures for domestic violence cases. This article provides a basic overview of issues involved in the specialization of criminal domestic courts.
This report evaluates key features of Brooklyn's Felony Domestic Violence Court Model. It traces the Court's development, implementation, challenges, evolution, and expansion. A pre/post evaluation study examined how the model influences case processing, outcomes, and recidivism. The report is based on qualitative research methods, including interviews with key court and partner agency personnel, observation of courtroom proceedings, and attendance at coordination meetings.
This article aims to conceptualize spiritual abuse as an additional dimension to physical, psychological, sexual, and economic abuse. Three levels of intensity are identified. The concept and its typology are illustrated by means of examples from the women’s abusive experiences and may be of theoretical and therapeutic worldwide relevance.
Spousal Rape Laws 20 Years Later
Report that discusses the history of the spousal rape laws and what is recognized now.
Spouse Assault Replication Program: Studies of Effects of Arrest on Domestic Violence
"Reviews NIJ studies on arrest policies for misdemeanor domestic assault, an attempt to replicate the Minneapolis Domestic Violence Experiment (1984), which found that arrest was almost twice as effective as other police actions in preventing re-arrest."
Stalking and Domestic Violence Report to Congress (pdf)
"This report to Congress is part of an ongoing commitment to share information about strategies that show promise in the field and about the development of laws addressing stalking. It is produced in response to Subtitle F of VAWA, which directs the U.S. Attorney General to submit a report on these issues. The report includes information on cyberstalking, victim needs, law enforcement responses to stalking, and a bibliography."
Stalking and Domestic Violence: Views of Queensland Magistrates (pdf)
This paper reviews the current law on stalking and the factors that led to amendments being made to the Queensland Criminal Code in 1999. It also presents a detailed analysis of Magistrates responses to the issue of stalking in the context of making domestic violence orders.
Stalking and the Infliction of Mental Harm (pdf)
"Victoria’s stalking laws were introduced just over 5 years ago and this article examines some areas of difficulty raised by the legislation: firstly, that of criminal responsibility and secondly the problem of what is meant by "physical or mental harm” and also considers some of the decisions in the area, both in Victoria and other jurisdictions."
"This fact sheet cites statistics about stalking in America, the impact of stalking on victims, behavior of stalkers, stalking and intimate partner femicide, state laws, and stalking on campus."
"This fact sheet created in Spanish, cites statistics about stalking in America, the impact of stalking on victims, behavior of stalkers, stalking and intimate partner femicide, state laws, and stalking on campus."
Stalking in America: Findings From the National Violence Against Women Survey
This is a comprehensive summary of the stalking information gathered in the recently completed National Violence Against Women Survey.
Stalking in Domestic Relationships: Preliminary Analysis of the Intrusiveness Scale (pdf)
The Intrusiveness Scale is a self-report survey specifically designed to measure the incidence/frequency of intrusive behaviour that may occur within the context of interpersonal relationships.
Stalking in Texas (pdf)
"This report presents information on stalking victimization among Texas residents. The data for this report came from a telephone survey of a random sample of Texas residents. Recommendations were made about the need for continuing educational efforts for the public and for people who work with victims of this crime. The importance of victim input in investigating this crime was underscored, as were suggestions for thoroughly investigating reports of stalking and the provision of support services for victims."
Compiled by the Stalking Resource Center and the National Center for Victims of Crime, this site contains up to date information on stalking laws at the tribal, state, and federal level.
Stalking Laws and Implementation Practices: A National Review for Policymakers and Practitioners
This report presents findings from a review of prior research on stalking and some original information gathering, resulting in a reassessment of the significance of stalking as a policy issue for criminal justice. The review also examines stalking's definitions, prevalence, and impact on victims. It provides an examination of criminal law, namely, the enactment of stalking laws and their reception in the courts and concludes with recommendations for legislators, agency administrators, funders, and researchers.
The executive summary is also available.
A fact sheet pointing out common myths and attitudes about stalking and provides information on the realities of this crime.
Stalking Resource Center Statistics
The Stalking Resource Center website offers various links to research,fact sheets, and statistics on stalking related crimes.
Stalking Victimization in the United States, 2009 Report
This document provides statistics on studies done in a 12 month span on the various forms of stalking. The study focuses on the intersection between stalking and victim and offender characteristics such as race, class, age, and gender. The study finds that women are nearly three times more likely than men to be stalked, and young people age 18 to 24 experience the highest rates of stalking.
Stalking, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence: What's in a Name? (pdf)
This paper explores whether the introduction of the crime of stalking and the ability to apply for intervention orders on the basis of stalking regardless of the relationship with the stalker, has hidden the reality of women’s experiences of violence. We want to explore the ‘gendered nature’ of stalking and place behaviours identified as stalking firmly in the context of part of the continuum of violence perpetrated by men against women.
Stalking: Criminal Justice Responses in Australia (pdf)
This paper examines current stalking legislation, police and court data within the Australian context. While the data can only be considered as indicative, rather than explanatory, the trends outlined suggest important differences in the treatment of stalking across Australian jurisdictions. Potential explanations for these differences are provided, and suggestions for future research are outlined.
Much is unknown about stalking occurring in non-western countries to determine whether it is a global phenomenon mainly because many countries have not enacted legislation that protects against this form of harassment. Cross-cultural subgroups of victims and stalkers and the co-occurrence of other crimes are to be explored as a research area. The author suggests implications for policy, practice, and research.
Stalking: Problem-Oriented Guide for Policing
This guide summarizes knowledge about how police can reduce the harm caused by stalking. This comes in a series of guides to prevention and to improving the overall response to incidents, not to investigating offenses or handling specific incidents. The guide is written for police of whatever rank or assignment who must address the problem of stalking.
Stalking: Ramifications and Preventative Strategies for Professionals (pdf)
This paper is divided into four sections: The first section gives the historical background of the psychologist’s eight year period of being stalked. Details of places and names have been altered to protect the privacy and confidentiality of those involved. Where the use of gender based descriptions are used, this is in relation to the situation described, and it is recognised that stalkers may be males or females and that the victims of stalking may be males or females. This section also looks at the experience of being stalked in connection with the legal system and the professional bodies concerned. The second section examines the impact on the victim, their family, neighbours, colleagues and peers. The third section concerns treatment and what the victim found was helpful and unhelpful in dealing with the experience. The fourth section includes recommendations relating to legislation, professional bodies, and training and orientation of students and new professionals.
STAMP: Survivors Take Action Agasint Abuse by Military Personnel
This site provides support to, and struggle for justice for, those who have survived abuse or mistreatment at the hands of military personnel. The page include testimonies of survivors, advocacy tips, legal information network and support group information.
Standards For Batterers Intervention Programs
Batterer Intervention Program in the Central Indiana Program, Certified by the Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A site dedicated to helping persons seek information, counseling and other resources which aim to intervene in both male and female batterers lives.
"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."
Starting Smart: How Early Experiences Affect Brain Development
"This report provides a straightforward summary of the interactions between early brain development, childhood emotional experiences and trauma. Drawing from this research, it concludes by making a case for increased services to counter the disadvantages faced by children who experience trauma or neglect."
State Court Processing of Domestic Violence Cases
"Report on a study comparing domestic violence and non-domestic violence sexual and aggravated assault cases filed in state courts of 15 large urban counties during May 2002 on 11 prosecution, conviction and sentencing outcome measures."
State Housing Laws and Legislation to Ensure Housing Rights for Survivors of Violence Against Women
"Providing comprehensive information on current, pending and unsuccessfully proposed legislation protecting the housing rights of survivors of domestic violence, this document is intended for use by advocates, attorneys and organizations."
State Legislators: Handbook for Statutory Rape Issues
This handbook is designed to help State legislators develop effective and enforceable statutory rape laws that can and will be used to prosecute offenders and prevent occurrences of the crime.
State of World Population 2008 Reaching Common Ground: Culture, Gender, and Human Rights (pdf)
"This report gives an overview of the conceptual human rights frameworks as well as the practice of development, looking at the everyday events that make up people’s experience of development. The report presents some of the challenges and dilemmas of culturally sensitive strategies and suggests how partnerships can address them. The focus is on discussing and showcasing how culturally sensitive approaches are critical for the realization of human rights in general and women’s rights in particular."
Statistics Surrounding Child Sexual Abuse
"This one-pager presents statistics surrounding the issue of child sexual abuse."
Statutory Rape Known to Law Enforcement
The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)presents this four-page Bulletin, which draws on the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System to provide a comprehensive view of statutory rape. Deriving its data from reports from law enforcement agencies in 21 states for the period 1996 to 2000, the Bulletin characterizes victim and offender attributes and law enforcement responses to incidents of statutory rape.
Still a Movement After All These Years?: Current Tensions in the Domestic Violence Movement
"Through interviews with advocates, the current study explores the degree to which domestic violence work can still be characterized as a social change movement, illuminates some central tensions within the movement, and lays a foundation for debate among those responding to domestic violence. This research also highlights movement leaders' visions for a reenergized movement."
Stolen Sisters: Discrimination and Violence Against Indigenous Women in Canada
This report examines the role of discrimination in acts of violence carried out against Indigenous women in Canadian towns and cities. This discrimination takes the form both of overt cultural prejudice and of implicit or systemic biases in the policies and actions of government officials and agencies, or of society as a whole. This discrimination has played out in policies and practices that have helped put Indigenous women in harm’s way and in the failure to provide Indigenous women the protection from violence that is every woman’s human right.
This website is a tool for the promotion of women's human rights in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and in the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This site addresses violence against women as one of the most pervasive human rights abuses worldwide. The STOPVAW site provides women's rights advocates with information focused on ending the most endemic forms of violence against women in the region
Stopping the Violence Against Women: The Movement from Intervention to Prevention (pdf)
This safety program report outlines the history of gender violence within the U.S. and offers suggestions for how to move beyond this problem towards prevention. Strategies for moving forward and a sample program are addressed.
Stories from Women with Disabilities
Real stories from women with disabilities. Each of them has survived abuse. Some talk about how they were abused by a parent or family member, others tell about abuse by a partner or husband, or by someone else. Some women already had a disability when they were abused, while for others, the abuse caused a disability.
Strategies to Improve Supervised Visitation Services in Domestic Violence Cases
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document describes the evolution of supervised visitation services for domestic violence cases, notes legal trends in these cases, describes practice concerns, and presents strategies to improve the safety of participants when supervised visitation, due to domestic violence, is court-ordered.
Strengthening Anti-Stalking Statutes
This document provides an overview of state legislation and current issues related to stalking. Although stalking is a crime in all 50 states, significant variation exists among statutes as to the type of behavior prohibited, the intent of the stalker, whether a threat is required, and the reaction of the victim to the stalking. In particular this report highlights various circumstances in which relevant laws are applied, emphasizing their successful implementation.
Study Reveals Unique Issues Faced by Deaf Victims of Sexual Assault (pdf)
"Describes findings of a study describing some of the unique barriers faced by deaf victims seeking help and offering recommendations for improving the relationship between law enforcement and the deaf community."
Substance Abuse Among Southeast Asians in the U.S.: Implications for Practice and Research
"The literature on Asian-American substance use has shown a general increase in consumption and related problems due, in part, to the effects of acculturation toward U.S. drinking norms. Southeast Asians arc the most recent of Asian groups to come to the U.S., and have done so following an immigration and refugee experience that was among the most traumatic in recent memory resulting in significant levels of psychosocial distress. The combined influences of mental health disorders, which frequently co-occur with substance abuse, and acculturation pressures suggest that a significant increase in substance abuse problems may be in progress for Southeast Asian immigrants. The current article outlines the literature on substance abuse among Vietnamese, Cambodians and Laotians in the U.S., and makes tentative recommendations for assessment, treatment and future research."
Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence
This paper discusses the link between substance abuse(SA) and intimate partner violence(IPV), the co-occurrence of SA and IPV, highlight the special role of men’s drunkenness in IPV, examine substance abuse by victims, and briefly present issues related to coordination and integration of SA and IPV services.
Substance Abuse and Woman Abuse by Male Partners
This piece explores the overlap between substance abuse and battering. The author examines various perspectives regarding the relationship between substance abuse and violence, explores research on substance abuse by batterers, and discusses substance abuse by battered women. Includes recommendations for improving interventions with batterers who also abuse substances.
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy (pdf)
"This article discusses the results of a study and concludes that substance abuse treatment programs should incorporate violence exposure questions into clinical use as a matter of policy."
Substance Abuse, High-Risk Sex, and Sexual Violence: What's the Connection?
"The article summarizes some of the research that demonstrates having experienced sexual violence is strongly associated with later substance abuse, high-risk sex, and other harmful behaviors."
Substance Addiction and Sexual Assault Survivors (pdf)
"This one page document provides statistics on the relationship between substance addiction and sexual assault survivors."
Suggestions for Starting or Refocusing a Women of Color Caucus
The Women of Color Leadership project created suggestions for Women of Color who are considering or have decided to start a Women of Color Caucus. Caucuses have long been recognized as an effective mechanism for people who share a common identity, experience or commitment to an issue to network and build support.
Supervised Visitation: Information for Mothers Who Have Been Abused (pdf)
"This Guide should be given directly to mothers who have experienced abuse and whose children are in supervised visitation programs. It will tell mothers basic information about how supervised visitation programs work and how she can prepare herself and her children for the experience. If she is afraid of her children’s father or was abused by him, then the information in this Guide will be particularly helpful to her."
Surveillance for Homicide Among Intimate Partners -- United States, 1981--1998
Report released Oct 2001 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Discusses that between 1981 to 1998, women were more than 60 percent more likely to be killed by their intimate partners than men. This report analyzes statistics from the FBI's Supplemental Homicide Reports, finding that intimate partner homicides dropped during the period from 1981 to 1998, but the decline mirrors the nationwide drop in the overall crime rate. The report calculates state rates of intimate partner homicide, as well as national intimate partner homicide rates for white Americans, African Americans, Asian or Pacific Islander and American Indian/Alaska Native.
Surveillance for Violent Deaths -- National Violent Death Reporting System, 16 States, 2005
"This report summarizes data from CDC's National Violent Death Reporting System (NVDRS) regarding violent deaths from 16 U.S. states for 2005. Results are reported by sex, age group, race/ethnicity, marital status, location of injury, method of injury, circumstances of injury, and other selected characteristics."
"This survey is provided as a service for legal practitioners and advocates who may find it useful to include current statistical data in their arguments to the court. It is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of research in the area of domestic violence. All citations conform to the format for court documents described in The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (18th Ed.)."
Surviving Violence and Poverty (pdf)
This document examines the link between domestic and sexual violence, women's poverty and welfare. This report contains a statistical overview of the problem and recommendations for future policy change.
Survivor: I Have Been Her Kind
An story written about a woman as she experiences domestic violence, realizing her children are witnessing the violence, and shows the obstacles she faces in getting out.
Survivors of Intimate Violence Seek Help Online: Implications of Responding to Increasing Requests
March 19, 2001. This article documents a one-year study of unsolicited email requests sent to Violence Against Women Online Resources. This article explores some of the implications of responding to requests from survivors online; and seeks to raise awareness about one particular website's increasing number of electronic help-seeking requests. The author calls for a national discussion on responding to such requests and underscores the importance of developing a strategic plan to address the issue.
Sustainability 101: Creating A Business Plan For Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (pdf)
This guide reviews the basic steps of developing a business plan and explains the components needed for SANE services to be successful. It is identified as a critical tool for starting and sustaining existing healthcare services.
Sustainability 101: Fostering Collaboration Between SANE Program Coordinators and Medical Directors (pdf)
In addition to collaboration between Sexual Assault Response Teams (SARTs), community partners and other agencies, this document talks about the importance of collaboration between SANEs and physician colleagues to assist with the credibility and sustainability of a SANE Program.
Sustainability 101: Long Range Thinking for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Program Managers
"The first in a series of bulletins related to Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) program sustainability, this publication provides information gathered from the NSVRC SANE Sustainability Technical Assistance Project. It discusses six key areas related to sustainability: investing in people, understanding budgeting, reframing education, mentoring future leaders, creating strategic alliances and program evaluation."
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.
This report examines the links between eating disorders and violence against women and girls. It is based on information gathered from published literature as well as consultations with community workers, health practitioners, and mental health professionals. “Swallowing the Hurt” has been designed for use by frontline workers, health care and social service professionals, educators, and researchers who offer services directly for or who may interact with women and girls experiencing eating disorders or violence.
Tackling Domestic Violence: Providing Support for Children Who Have Witnessed Domestic Violence (pdf)
"This report provides good practice recommendations and suggestions for a range of practitioners and professionals who have a role in commissioning, developing, or delivering initiatives to support children who have in the past or are currently witenssing domestic violence."
Taking Stock: What do we know about interpersonal violence? (pdf)
A comprehensive report covering the history, prevalence, scope and laws concerning interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, in the United Kingdom.
Article regarding bullies in school and on the school bus and how parents and teachers can put a stop to this kind of behavior.
Posted by the Women's Justice Center, this quiz and fact sheet about rape also comes in Spanish.
Task Force Report on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault (pdf)
This report presents the findings of a 90-day review of all sexual assault policies and programs among the Services and Department of Defense. The report identifies 35 key findings relevant to current sexual assault policies and proposes nine broad recommendations for immediate, near-term and long-term corrective action. It recommends changes to increase prevention, promote reporting, enhance the quality and support provided to victims, especially within combat, and improve accountability for offender actions.
Teachers' Resource: Child Abuse and Domestic Violence (pdf)
Guidelines, particularly for teachers, are provided to help professionals respond to children who have been exposed to domestic violence and abuse. Mini-stories are included and are followed by suggestions as to how one should respond.
Technological Safety for Domestic Violence Survivors
"Technological tools such as phones, computers, and searchable databases are being used to monitor, harass, and threaten current or former intimate partners. This forum will explore the safety risks and benefits of technology and cover areas of confidentiality, co-location, and data sharing. The host for this forum is Anzala Alozie. Anzala is the Director of Services at the New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and provides management of the statewide Domestic & Sexual Violence Hotline, Women of Color Leadership, Economic Justice, Technology Safety, and Training projects."
Technology and Youth: Protecting your Child from Electronic Aggression Tip Sheet (pdf)
"This tipsheet provides an overview of electronic aggression, any type of harassment or bullying that occurs through e-mail, a chat room, instant messaging, a website (including blogs), or text messaging. It provides parents and caregivers with strategies for protecting children from this type of violence. "
A recent study found that approximately one in three teens have experienced verbal, physical or sexual abuse in their dating relationships and that there is a direct relationship between the declining economy and the increase of teen dating violence. The study also found that not enough parents recognize behaviors that may be warning signs of abuse.
Teen Dating Violence: A Review of Risk Factors and Prevention Efforts (pdf)
This article provides a critical review of the dating violence literature with respect to potential risk factors for both perpetrators and victims and examines the empirical research regarding the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs targeting teen dating violence. The document also provides recommendations for future research and potential policy implications.
Teen Dating Violence: Information and Resources (pdf)
This is an information packet developed by the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV) as an introduction to the dynamics, prevalence and consequences of teen dating violence. The packet explores issues specific to teen dating violence, examines current provision of support services for teens and presents information about a variety of promising prevention /intervention strategies. The intent of packet contents is to examine some of the key dating violence issues currently facing teens and their advocates.
Television Violence: Content, Context, and Consequences
An ERIC digest report, published in 1997, on the findings on violent television content, the recently developed television ratings system, and suggestions for parental mediation of children's television viewing.
A quantitative summary of the domestic violence fatality cases tracked and reviewed in depth. This report contains descriptive information about the fatalities, such as who was killed, their ages and races, how frequently homicidal domestic violence abusers were also suicidal and what weapons were used. This report is the second of two that were issued. The first report, Honoring Their Lives, Learning from Their Deaths, was released in December 2000. The findings and recommendations from the 2000 report continue to be relevant; this report should be considered its companion, not its replacement.
Ten Things You Need to Know about Stalking
An informative sheet created by the Stalking Resource Center and the National Center for Victims of Crime providing statistics and information on ways stalking is perpetrated.
Ten Things You Need to Know about Stalking (Spanish)
An informative sheet created in Spanish by the Stalking Resource Center and the National Center for Victims of Crime providing statistics and information on ways stalking is perpetrated.
Testing Justice The Rape Kit Backlog in Los Angeles City and County (pdf)
"A March 2009 report from Human Rights Watch revealed that 12,669 rape kits containing DNA and other evidence of rapes remain untested in the city and county of Los Angeles, California. The report highlights the nature and scope of the backlog, consequences of untested kits, and responses from professionals."
The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of domestic violence among female patients and to identify clinical characteristics that are associated with current domestic violence.
"The author provides an overview of the history of congressional involvement with the Violence Against Women Act's (VAWA) provisions to protect immigrant victims of domestic violence and other forms of violence against women. He also outlines the reasoning behind, and purpose of, the most recent enhancements in legal protections for immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, trafficking, and foreign fiancés and spouses that were included in the recently reauthorized VAWA 2005, also describing the bipartisan work that resulted in this newest piece of legislation."
The 2006 Trafficking in Persons Report (pdf)
"This report highlights the efforts of the international community to combat human trafficking and encourages foreign governments to take action against all forms of human trafficking."
The 8% Solution (pdf)
November 2001 Factsheet. The Orange County (CA) Probation Department found that a small percentage (8 percent) of juveniles arrested repeatedly accounted for most (55 percent) of the repeat cases. This 2-page Fact Sheet describes the California 8% Solution study, which assesses the needs of such youth, and the 8% Early Intervention Program, which provides them with treatment services.
The Abuse of Animals and Domestic Violence: A National Survey of Shelters for Women Who Are Battered
Published in the journal Society and Animals: Social Scientific Sudies of the Human Experience of Other Animals. This journal is put out by the Psychologists For the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
This new study commissioned by NCEA highlights data sources on elder abuse in the health care, long term care, criminal justice, fiduciary, and legal services arenas, beyond adult protective services data. Such data are required as a basis for informed and enlightened social policy on the prevention and treatment of elder abuse.
The Business Case for Domestic Violence Programs in Health Care Settings
Physicians for a Violence-Free Society and the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) worked together to develop this model business case for domestic violence programs. The business case includes a power point presentation you can use to give an overview of domestic violence and make the case for health care response programs. It also includes the Excel-based return on investment (ROI) tool that facilitates analysis of the financial returns that can be anticipated with a domestic violence program. In addition, this guidebook is designed to help users of the ROI tool make the best estimates of costs for their own unique circumstances.
This document displays the results of a comparative overview of the child welfare response within Canadian boundaries to child exposure to domestic violence. Implications for policy are discussed.
This article addresses the ins and outs of talking openly with children about the grief and loss they experience as a result of exposure to a traumatic death. FAQs about how and when to talk with children are addressed as is a discussion of what these experiences may mean to the children who have been exposed to violent trauma.
The Clothesline Project is a collection of more than 300 local, national and international displays including about 35,000 shirts. Each shirt was designed as a personal tribute to a victim of violence. This site provides both a history of the project and information about becoming involved.
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 Comprehensive Strategy: Lessons Learned From the Pilot Sites
This is a 12-page Bulletin from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Derived from extensive research, the OJJDP's Comprehensive Strategy was developed to assist States and local communities in preventing at-risk youth from becoming serious, violent, and chronic juvenile offenders and in crafting an appropriate response to those who do. This Bulletin offers an overview of the Comprehensive Strategy, describes its implementation in the three pilot sites, and discusses the lessons learned in that process.
The Cost of Violence in the United States
"The items on this fact sheet provide evidence of the large health and economic burden of violence in the US as reported in the journal article, Medical Costs and Productivity Losses Due to Interpersonal Violence and Self- Directed Violence."
The Costs Of Child Abuse vs. Child Abuse Prevention: Michigan's Experience
This report is a cost-benefit analysis of child abuse prevention.
The Criminal Justice System's Response to Parental Abduction
15-page Bulletin. Posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). As research has demonstrated, the most prevalent form of child abduction in the United States is parental kidnapping. This Bulletin draws on findings of a study conducted for OJJDP by the American Bar Association's Center on Children and the Law and Westat to examine the criminal justice system's response to parental abduction.
The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur (pdf)
This report is based on Mecidins Sans Frontieres' work in Darfur between 2004-2005. The report illustrates evidences of repeated sexual violence against women and girl children in Darfur.
The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur
This report offers a glimpse into the ongoing violence against women in Darfur and includes statistics and short stories from survivors. It concludes by giving recommendations for stopping the rapes in Darfur and in the conflicts throughout the world.
The Dangers of Detention: The Impact of Incarcerating Youth in Detention and Other Secure Facilities (pdf)
"This policy brief reviews the existing literature on the efficacy of detention and looks at the consequences of detention on young people, their families, and communities."
The Decline in Child Sexual Abuse Cases (pdf)
This document presents evidence about the decline in reported and substantiated child sexual abuse cases since the early 1990’s. Several explanations for the decline are considered, and corresponding policy implications are discussed.
The DELTA Program: At A Glance
"Describes the authorizing legislation for the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) Program, provides examples of prevention work from various states, and serves to raise awareness, interest, and support."
The DELTA Program: At A Glance
"Describes the authorizing legislation for the Domestic Violence Prevention Enhancements and Leadership Through Alliances (DELTA) Program, provides examples of prevention work from various states, and serves to raise awareness, interest, and support."
The Economic Dimensions of Interpersonal Violence (pdf)
This document examines the economic effects of interpersonal violence, including sexual violence, as well as the economic effects of interventions seeking to reduce violence and the ways in which economic factors such as poverty and income inequality contribute to 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."
The effect of lifetime victimization on the mental health on children and adolescents (pdf)
This paper examines the cumulative prevalence of victimization and its impact on mental health in a nationally representative sample of 2030 children aged 2-17. This article is printed in a peer reviewed journal, made available with the efforts of the Child Welfare Information Gateway.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) Programs
This VAWnet document provides a brief summary of the structure and functions of SANE programs as they currently exist in the United States and presents the current research on the effectiveness of SANE programs in three areas: 1) providing care in an empowering setting that addresses survivors’ emotional and medical needs 2) improving the quality of forensic evidence collection relative to the methods traditionally used in hospital emergency departments 3) increasing prosecution rates in their community, due to the meticulous documenting of injuries and physical evidence.
The Effectiveness of Sexual Assault Services in Multi-Service Agencies
"This Applied Research paper examines whether organizational affiliation and structure affect the quantity and quality of sexual assault services. The paper offers recommendations for future research evaluating the effectiveness of rape crisis centers."
"This report provides a summary of findings from a review of evidence concerning the effectiveness of universal school-based violence prevention programs."
The Effects of Childhood Stress on Health Across the Lifespan
"This document summarizes the available research on childhood stress and its long-term consequences. Of particular interest is the stress caused by child abuse, neglect, and repeated exposure to intimate partner violence."
The Effects of Domestic Violence on Children: Resources for Children
Ways to keep children safe, ways exposed children can cope, and statistics are provided in this document.
The Effects of Family and Community Violence on Children
This document is a review of the current literature on the impact that various types of violence exposure has on children.
The Effects of Violence on Women's Employment
This is an abstract of a paper by Susan Lloyd of the Joint Center for Poverty Research of the Macarthur Foundation. The paper addresses whether women who are experiencing or have experienced domestic violence have lower employment rates than women who have not.
The Elusive Search for Definitive Evidence on Routine Screening for Intimate Partner Violence
The authors suggest that three problematic assumptions have impeded progress on the impact of routine screening for intimate partner violence. They conclude that a range of study designs is required and a rethink of assumptions is needed in researching this area.
The Epidemiology of Trauma and Trauma-Related Disorders in Children and Youth (pdf)
"This publication reviews general population studies, disaster research, child maltreatment studies, and special population studies that report the prevalence of PTSD in children, adolescents, and young adults. It includes a brief discussion of the cumulative adverse effects of traumatic stress experienced from infancy through adolescence."
The evaluation of sexual abuse in children
Sexually abused children are seen by pediatricians and family care practitioners in a variety of circumstances, but the diagnosis of sexual abuse and the protection of the child from additional harm depend in part on the provider's willingness to consider abuse as a possibility. Sexually abused children who have not disclosed abuse may present with a variety of symptoms and signs. Released by the National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC), the Evaluation of Sexual Abuse in Children was developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics to assist pediatric and family care providers in effectively evaluating and caring for children who are sexually abused.
This report documents the findings from the Phase II evaluation of the coordinated response to domestic violence in Omaha and Douglas County.
"This national survey of youth, ages 10 to 17, and their caretakers has several implications for the current debate about young people and Internet pornography. Twenty five percent of youth had unwanted exposure to sexual pictures on the Internet in the past year, challenging the prevalent assumption that the problem is primarily about young people motivated to actively seek out pornography. Most youth had no negative reactions to their unwanted exposure, but one quarter said they were very or extremely upset, suggesting a priority need for more research on and interventions directed toward such negative effects. The authors urge that social scientific research be undertaken to inform this highly contentious public policy controversy."
The Extensive Sexual Violation and Sexual Abuse Histories of Incarcerated Women
"This study used the Sexual Abuse Checklist (designed by the first author) and a modified version of the Sexual Experiences Survey (SES) to obtain a detailed account of 391 incarcerated women's self-reported sexual violation and abuse histories. Seventy percent of the women reported at least one violation consistent with what qualifies as "rape" in most states in the United States today, and half of the women reported child sexual abuse victimization. The most prevalent victim–offender relationships were male strangers, male lovers or boyfriends, male dates, husbands, uncles, brothers, male cousins, and stepfathers."
The Facts About Child Sex Tourism (pdf)
"This fact sheet includes a definition of child sex tourism, both the global and U.S. response, and suggestions for what governments, citizens and business can do to combat child sex tourism."
The Facts on Children and Domestic Violence (pdf)
Outlined in this document is a list of statistics related to domestic violence and its impact on children and pregnancy.
The Facts on Health Care & Domestic Violence (pdf)
"Statistics on dv incidents highlighting health consequences to the victim, children's health issues, hospital and other health service costs, identification and screening practices in health care settings, and domestic violence during and after pregnancy."
The Facts on Reproductive Health and Violence Against Women (pdf)
This fact sheet provides information and statistics on teen and adult unintended pregnancies, contraception use, sexually transmitted infections, and violence during pregnancy.
The Facts On Teen Dating Violence (pdf)
A fact sheet created by FVPF on the prevalence and consequences of teen dating violence.
The Federal Domestic Violence Laws and the Enforcement of These Laws
This chapter provides a concise summary of the federal offenses/statutes now available in both the Violence Against Women Act and the Gun Control Act to prosecute domestic violence offenders in the federal courts. It also provides a summary of selected prosecutions under each statute and a checklist of charges which may be brought buy state and local law enforcement authorities to charge offenders.
The Four R's of Prevention: Back to School Safety In & Out of the Classroom by Stop It Now!
"This article offers a review for adults of the Four R's of preventing child sexual abuse - Rules, Reading, Respect, and Responsibility - and offers tips on each one."
The Full Faith and Credit Project
An overview of the Full Faith and Credit Project, including their history, mission, and plans for the future. Updated June 2000.
The Girls Study Group - Charting the Way to Delinquency Prevention for Girls (pdf)
"The Girls Study Group, convened by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), conducted a study to determine the cause of delinquency and increased arrests among female adolescents, factors that influence delinquency, and effective programs in preventing girls’ delinquency."
With this report, Minnesota Advocates highlights many of the innovative programs and legislative initiatives that advance the safety of battered refugee and immigrant women and the serious obstacles they face when accessing protection from domestic violence and in pursuing accountability for their abusers. Minnesota Advocates findings are derived from over 150 interviews, primarily in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, with judges, lawyers, prosecutors, public defenders, advocates, probation officers, immigration officials, medical service providers, interpreters, child protection employees and others regarding their interaction with refugee and immigrant women who have been battered. This report includes an analysis of governments compliance with their obligation to protect the human rights, safety and security of refugee and immigrant women who are victims of violence.
The Greatest Escape: Special for Victims of Domestic Violence
Includes things to think about and resources for help as a survivor of domestic violence plans to leave their abusive relationship. Also available in Spanish.
The Growth of Youth Gang Problems in the United States: 1970-1998
Report posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Comprehensive study of the growth of youth gang problems in the United States from 1970 to 1998. The Report's trend and rate analyses are used to project prospects for future gang locality trends. Forecasting a leveling off or even reduction in the prevalence of youth gang problems, the author advises that comprehensive quality gang surveys should continue to be conducted to monitor progress.
The project seeks to increase the identification of violence against women in international parental child abduction cases processed in U.S. Courts. That identification will allow the American legal community to help protect battered mothers and their children as they cross international borders to safety in the United States. Specifically, this Web site provides information and resources for individuals, attorneys and non-lawyers who litigate or participate in cases involving the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction where domestic violence is an issue.
The Health Cost of Violence: Measuring the Cost of Violence Caused by Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
This publication is a summary of a study conducted to assess the health impact of intimate partner violence on women. While focussing on health, it complements a vast body of evidence demonstrating the serious social and economic consequences of intimate partner violence for individuals, families and communities.
The Health Costs of Violence: Measuring the burden of disease caused by intimate partner violence (pdf)
"Summary of a study conducted to assess the health impact of intimate partner violence on women."
The Health Impacts on Adult Women of Childhood Sexual Violence Before the Age of Twelve Years
This is a 1998 report by seven authors of Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. The authors describe the health consequences in adulthood that often emerge as a consequence of childhood sexual violence. High rates of depression and dissociation resulted, as well as a low rate of school completion. The experiences of women when they sought help are described.
The Hofstede Committee Report: Juvenile Prostitution in Minnesota (pdf)
This report provides an overview of juvenile prostitution, the sex industry in Minnesota, and efforts to end juvenile prostitution. This report also recommends tougher penalties for people who exploit children and teenagers.
The Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls (pdf)
This report of a consultative meeting is intended to contribute to the United Nations study on the Impact of Armed Conflict on Women and Girls, requested by the United Nations Security Council. This report reflects the purpose of the meeting which was twofold: first, to examine and explore the impact of armed conflict on women and girls; and, second, to formulate strategies and tools to ensure that reproductive health programmes accurately reflect this population’s needs, specifically by addressing them through a comprehensive, gendersensitive approach.
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 Impact of Domestic Violence on Urban Preschool Children: Battered Mother's Perspectives (pdf)
"This article explores urban battered mothers' perceptions of their preschool children's exposure to domestic violence. It also examines mothers' reports about their young children's functioning and traumatic stress symptoms and the connections women make between their own experiences of victimization by partners and their children's difficulties."
The Impact of Electronic Media Violence: Scientific Theory and Research (pdf)
"Research evidence suggests that exposure to violence through various forms of media increases the risk of violent behavior on the viewer’s part, just as growing up in an environment filled with real violence increases the risk of them behaving violently. In this article, this research evidence is critically assessed and the psychological theory that explains why exposure to violence has detrimental effects for both the short and long-term is elaborated. Finally the size of the “media violence effect” is compared with some other well-known threats to society to estimate how important a threat it should be considered."
The Impact of Hate Violence on Victims: Emotional and Behavioral Responses to Attacks
From Social Work, May 1994, pp. 247-251, posted by the National Asssociation of Social Workers. This study explored the nature of hate attacks and victims' responses to them. The sample consisted of 59 victims and included black, white, and Southeast Asian people. Data were obtained through focus group meetings, individual interviews, and questionnaires. More than half of the victims reported experiencing a series of attacks rather than a single attack. Anger, fear, and sadness were the emotional responses most frequently reported by victims. About one-third of the victims reported behavioral responses such as moving from the neighborhood or purchasing a gun. The responses of hate violence victims were similar to those of victims of other types of personal crime. Implications for social work intervention are discussed.
Summary of an evaluation of the court review process for men referred to batterer counseling from the Domestic Violence Court in Pittsburgh.
The Impact of Minnesota's Felony Strangulation Law: A WATCH Report (pdf)
This report documents Hennepin County's responses to the passage of strangulation as a felony offense. Documentations from judges, advocates, and victims are given so as to give account to the benefits persons attain as a result of this passage. County breakdowns as well as the costs to implementation are also presented.
The Incidence and Nature of Stalking Victimisation (pdf)
Paper presented at the Stalking: Criminal Justice Responses Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology and held in Sydney 7-8 December 2000. This study examines the incidence of stalking behaviours in the community, the association between stalking and other forms of violence and factors which mediate the type and duration of stalking.
The Internet and Cyberstalking (pdf)
This paper focuses upon cyberstalking because in this way it becomes possible to discern what is special about criminality that takes advantage of the unique possibilities offered by the Internet.
"This article provides an overview of the current recommendations for HIV testing and counseling and IPV screening and discusses issues germane to providing services to persons at risk for both HIV and IPV. The article concludes with considerations for practice and policy."
The Invisible Exodus: North Koreans in the People's Republic of China.
This report presents a comprehensive overview of this human rights disaster, grounded in first-hand accounts of North Koreans who escaped to the South, and humanitarian workers who aided them and many less fortunate. It examines the complex and harrowing decision of migrants to leave, an illegal act often deemed tantamount to treason; the months and even years of hiding in China; the desperate circumstances that lead women to sell themselves as sexual companions; and the vulnerability these migrants have that open them to every and any abuse.
"This article examines evidence that quantifies the contribution of drugs in instances of alleged DFSA (drug facilitated sexual abuse), identifies the substances involved, and discusses the implications of these findings. "
The Links Between Prostitution and SexTrafficking: A Briefing Handbook (pdf)
A handbook promoting preventative measures to combat trafficking in human beings for sexual exploitation; an international perspective.
"This study on adolescents and young adults examines the prevalence of physical violence inflicted by an intimate partner and its relationship with psychiatric disorders and psychosocial functioning. Physical dating violence was associated with poorer psychosocial functioning, substance dependence and comorbid Axis I diagnoses at 6-month follow-up. These findings suggest that youth mental health services are well positioned not only to screen for dating violence but to intervene to ameliorate the mental health consequences of abuse and to prevent further violence."
The mental and physical health of female sex workers: a comparative study
"The objective of this study was to compare the mental and physical health, adult abuse experiences and social networks of female sex workers with data previously collected from two large community samples of age-matched women."
The Military Response to Victims of Domestic Violence: Tools for Civilian Advocates
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 Misuse of Police Powers in Officer Involved Domestic Violence
This document outlines some of the basics of the police culture and police training in order to gain insight into the victim’s experience. Being “culturally sensitive” helps to place in context some of the types of abuse only batterers within law enforcement inflict, how these abusers minimize and justify their behavior, and their sense of entitlement to exercise power and control over their victims.
The Model Stalking Code Revisited: Responding to the New Realities of Stalking (pdf)
This document was developed to assist states that are working to strengthen their stalking laws and report recommends updates to the 1993 Model Anti-Stalking Code for the States developed at the direction of Congress by the National Institute of Justice, U.S. Department of Justice.
The Multiple Faces of the Intersections between HIV and Violence Against Women (pdf)
"The report compiles various articles that describe the intersection of and links between violence against women and the increasing number of HIV/AIDS transmissions among women. The publishers hope to prompt discussion and efforts focused on creating integrated policies and programs that address violence against women and HIV."
The Multiple Faces of the Intersections between HIV and Violence Against Women (Spanish) (pdf)
"The report compiles various articles that describe the intersection of and links between violence against women and the increasing number of HIV/AIDS transmissions among women. The publishers hope to prompt discussion and efforts focused on creating integrated policies and programs that address violence against women and HIV."
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Factsheet (pdf)
The Fact Sheet describes recent achievements of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which works in partnership with OJJDP to offer prevention and intervention services to families and support law enforcement agencies at the Federal, State, and local levels in cases involving missing or exploited children. For further information about the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, you may visit the Center's Web site at http://www.missingkids.com/.
The National Plan to Prevent the Sexual Exploitation of Children (pdf)
This document addresses the need to reduce the societal demand for commercial and individual exploitation of children on a national level and outlines a strategy to prevent children from being perceived and used as sexual commodities.
The National Report on Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking: America’s Prostituted Children (pdf)
"The report reveals findings of three years of intensive research on the issue of child sex trafficking in America from ten locations across the U.S. The study found that at least 100,000 children are used in prostitution every year in the United States and that the average age of entry into prostitution is 13 years old. Also, prostituted girls are often controlled by a pimp who recruits them into sex trafficking by posing as a boyfriend, caretaker, and protector."
The NEATS: A Child & Family Assessment
"The NEATS is a child and family assessment that focuses on five areas that research has established as fundamental to human functioning and development. These areas are neurobiology, executive function, attachment, trauma, and self regulation. The goal of a NEATS assessment is the development of case plans characterized by interventions that build on client strengths. The result is a case plan that uses resources to help manage risk and adversities and thus to promote optimal child and family functioning."
The New Welfare Law: Child Support Enforcement
This paper is the last in the series and provides a brief overview of family violence issues in the context of child support enforcement and the establishment of paternity.
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 New Welfare Law: State Implementation and Use of the Family Violence Option
This paper is the last in a series and provides a brief overview of family violence issues in the context of child support enforcement and the establishment of paternity. It also provide accurate information about the "Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996" and the issues likely to surround its implications.
The Overlap Between Child Maltreatment and Woman Abuse
Reviews over 35 studies on the overlap between child maltreatment and woman battering in the same families. This paper has now been published in Violence Against Women, 1999, 5(2), pp. 134-154 and is no longer available on this site. This link, however, goes to a brief VAWnet paper on the topic.
The Perception of Elder Sexual Abuse in the Courtroom
This study explored mock juror perceptions of elder sexual mistreatment (ESM). The study found that women were more pro-prosecution than men in case judgments. The study provides evidence that mock jurors may question the credibility of elders in ESM cases.
Power to Change is a new European resource to help victims of domestic violence. It is a practical guide to running support groups and self-help groups with victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The Prevalence and Circumstances of Child Sexual Abuse among Latina Women
"This study examined the prevalence and circumstances of child sexual abuse in a community sample of Latina women, 18 to 50 years of age. Chi-square tests of independence and t-test procedures were used to assess the prevalence, characteristics of the victim, assault, perpetrator, disclosure, and long-term effects. One in three Latina women reported incidents of sexual abuse, regardless of acculturation or citizenship status. More than one third of the women also experienced revictimization, with more than 80% of initial incidents occurring from the age of 7 years. Treatment implications and community-based interventions for Latina survivors of child sexual abuse are discussed."
"This integrative review synthesizes the findings of 16 cross-sectional surveys (25 hypotheses) on the prevalence of child abuse among nonclinical, North American samples. Given the large human costs, both personal and social, of child abuse, and the identified gap in the requisite knowledge needed to steer effective preventive and treatment interventions, it is time to invest in a large, methodologically rigorous, population-based study of child abuse which, if it does nothing else, spares no expense in ensuring very high participation."
The Probation Response to Supervision of Women Who Are Abused
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on probation's supervision of women who are abused. The document provides specific information on the role of probation in response to domestic violence cases, safety strategies for women who are abused during probation supervision, and considerations for court ordered referrals that are dangerous.
This report provides an overview of feasibility studies, validation results, and ongoing research regarding the use of technology to facilitate screening for intimate partner violence and stimulate provider-patient discussions in the Emergency Department.
The Prostitution of Women and Girls in Metropolitan Chicago: A Preliminary Prevalence Report (pdf)
This report represents the first research to determine the number of girls and women involved in prostitution in the Chicago metropolitan area, and completes the first phase of a multi-phase project designed to ascertain how many girls and women in prostitution are being affected by problems of violence, abuse, substance abuse, and homelessness.
The Psychological Consequences of Sexual Trauma (pdf)
This document describes current research findings on the effects of childhood and adulthood sexual victimization on women's mental health. Existing data on understudied communities and risk factors for mental health problems are discussed.
The Psychological Maltreatment of Children -Technical Report (2002)
"Psychological maltreatment is a common consequence of physical and sexual abuse but also may occur as a distinct entity. Until recently, there has been controversy regarding the definition and consequences of psychological maltreatment. Sufficient research and consensus now exist about the incidence, definition, risk factors, and consequences of psychological maltreatment."
The Race Dimensions of Trafficking in Persons – Especially Women and Children
A brief paper that presents links between trafficking and racial bias.
The Relationship Between Domestic Violence and Child Abuse (pdf)
"Cites surveys and reports published between 1987 and 1996, briefly describing: what is domestic violence; what is child abuse; how does domestic violence affect children; and similarities/correlations between domestic violence and/or child abuse."
This document examines the relationship between intimate partner violence and unintended pregnancy. This paper also calls on reproductive health programs to incorporate screenings for intimate partner violence among patients.
The Relationship Between Violence in the Family of Origin and Dating Violence Among College Students
"This research examines the relationship between experiencing and perpetrating dating violence and exposure to violence in the family of origin. Specifically, the current research examines gender differences in the relationship between exposure to violence during childhood and physical and psychological abuse perpetration and victimization. The implications of the current research on policy are discussed."
The Response to Sexual Assault: Removing Barriers to Services and Justice (pdf)
2001 Report. Recommendations about best practices (addressing a change in policy, protocol, or respone) and legislative or fiscal change in Michigan's services for survivors of sexual assault.
The Right to Survive: Sexual Violence, Women and HIV/AIDS
This report describes the unparalleled situation experienced by women who were raped and infected with HIV/AIDS during the Rwandan genocide.
An article discussing legal concerns and tips for employers. It is one of many articles addressing a variety of legal topics provided by Venable, a business law firm.
The Role of Educators in Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse and Neglect (pdf)
This manual, designed to examine the roles that teachers, school counselors, school social workers, school nurses, special education professionals, administrators, and other school personnel have in helping maltreated children, provides the basis for the involvement of educators in combating the problem of child abuse and neglect. It also may be used by other professionals involved in child abuse and neglect interventions, such as child protective services, mental health, law enforcement, health care, and early childhood professionals, to gain a better understanding of the role of educators in child protection.
This document introduces international law and its uses against sex-based and gender-based violence against refugee women.
The Role of Judges in Enforcing Full Faith and Credit
It is incumbent upon judges to ensure that the process of issuing valid protection orders meets the constitutional requirements of due process so as to ensure that those orders are enforceable nationwide. This chapter defines a valid protection order and delineates the judge's role in both certification of compliance and enforcement of VAWA across state and tribal jurisdictions.
The Role of Men and Boys in Achieving Gender Equality (pdf)
A United Nations report that recognizes eliminating violence against women through the promotion of gender equality. The report outlines obstacles men and boys face in this struggle and identifies ways in which they can be involved in preventing violence against women.
The Role of Restorative Justice in the Battered Women's Movement
This article provides a comparison of the principles and practices of the restorative justice and battered women's movements. It provides an analysis and critique of each movement's response to domestic violence, and proposes an interpretation of what is effective, redemptive and liberating about the practices of each. Ultimately the paper provides suggested directions for future work within both fields.
The Role of Restorative Justice in the Battered Women’s Movement (pdf)
This article provides a comparison of the principles and practices of the restorative justice and battered women's movements. It provides an analysis and critique of each movement's response to domestic violence, and proposes an interpretation of what is effective, redemptive and liberating about the practices of each. Ultimately the paper provides suggested directions for future work within both fields.
"This study seeks to (a) identify and measure the lifetime exposure to community violence of 137 African American and Latino middle school students from a low income neighborhood and apply numerical weights to each violent event; (b) examine the relationship between the objective severity of child self reported violence exposure and the child's subjective perception of the most bothersome event; and (c) examine the relationship between child's exposure and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)."
The Roots of Resistance to Women's Self-Defense
"In this article, the author discusses three major types of resistance to women's self-defense (and to women's resistance to violence more generally): the belief that women's resistance is impossible, that it is too dangerous, and that it risks blaming the victim. The author argues that one source of these reactions is people's taken-for-granted beliefs about gender, which limit their ability to understand the research on women's resistance and self-defense—and, indeed, prevent them from being able to conceptualize women as strong and competent social actors."
The Safe Start Center Series on Children Exposed to Violence: Pediatric Care Settings (pdf)
This issue brief translates emerging research and program practice into action steps for practitioners in pediatric care settings to design and implement programs that meet the needs of children who are exposed to violence.
The Sex Trade Industry's Worldwide Exploitation of Children
"This study examines the current state of international trafficking of children and other child sexual exploitation."
The Sexual Victimization of College Women
This study contributes data to our understanding about the prevalence and nature of violence against women in the United States.
The Sexual Victimization of College Women (pdf)
Women attending colleges are at greater risk for rape and other forms of sexual assault than the general population or in another comparable age group. The study found that many women do not characterize their sexual victimization as a crime for a number of reasons including blaming themselves.The study reinforces the importance of many organizations’ efforts to improve education and knowledge about sexual assault.
A project that gathered statistics and vignettes from states, tribes and local communities, in order to highlight changes that have occurred as a result of funding through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
The Social Construction of Wife Abuse: Experiences of Asian Indian Women in the United States
"The terms wife abuse and battered woman were coined in the 1970s. Although such naming is meaningful, these social constructions are restrictive so that only a narrow range of behaviors and people fit these labels. With the help of interviews with Hindu Asian Indian immigrants, this article highlights the importance of including the experiences of diverse groups of women in any analysis of domestic violence. The study challenges the popular perception of abused women, specifically South Asian battered women, as passive victims."
The State of the World Population 2005: The Promise of Equality (pdf)
A report on the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) derived from the United Nations Millennium Summit's declaration to reduce poverty. The report is an outgrowth of the UN Millennium Project's conclusion that gender equality is a human right that is key to achieving the other seven goals. Chapter 7, "Gender-Based Violence: A Price Too High," specifically highlights a global picture of violence against women, affirming that "freedom from violence, especially for girls and women" is a core right and essential to the ability to lead a productive life.
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 Structured Decision Making Model: An Evidenced-based Approach to Human Services
Structured Decision Making (SDM) is an evidence-based model designed to help agencies and caseworkers make accurate risk assessments about families and children. A new guide from the Children's Research Center (CRC), a division of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, reviews the principles of the SDM model and provides updated information on its use in jurisdictions around the country.
The Tactical Topography of Stalking Victimization and Management
"This study conducted reported the average proportion of female victims across studies was 75%, and 77% of stalking emerged from a prior acquaintance, with 49% from intimate relationships. New typologies of stalking behavior, coping responses to stalking, and symptomology due to stalking victimization are reported and the author ends by presenting how these typologies should serve to influence new policy, practice, and research."
The Traumatic Impact of Child Sexual Abuse: A Conceptualization (pdf)
"In this paper a framework is proposed for a more systematic understanding of the effects of child sexual abuse. Four traumagenic dynamics – traumatic sexualization, betrayal, stigmatization, and powerlessness – are identified as the core of the psychological injury inflicted by abuse. These dynamics can be used to make assessments of victimized children and to anticipate problems to which these children may be vulnerable subsequently. Implications for research are also considered."
The Troubling Admission of Supervised Visitation Records in Custody Proceedings
This document, originally published in Vol. 75, No.2 of the Temple Law Review, explores the purpose of supervised visitation programs and the legal community's call for their development. At the core of this document is an examination of the standards and guidelines of these programs, as well as the issues surrounding the use and admissibility of observation reports used by these programs.
The Use of Expert Testimony on Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
"This Applied Research paper presents an overview of the uses of expert testimony, the qualifications and roles of experts, the literature on the use of testimony on the effects of battering, and considerations for future research."
The Use of Expert Witnesses in Cases Involving Sexual Assault
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document summarizes the existing knowledge on the use of expert witnesses in cases involving sexual assault. The author uses both published literature and contributions provided by numerous experts in the field to discuss the use of expert testimony, the general dynamics of sexual assault, and common reactions of victims in the prosecution of criminal sexual assault cases. Specific information on who, what, when and how to use expert witnesses, along with the effects of expert witnesses on jurors is provided.
The Use of Technology to Stalk
This page provides links to various sites detailing how the use of technology can facilitate stalking, provides tips on keeping safe, and provides information on laws pertaining to stalking.
The Use of Truth-Telling Devices in Sexual Assault Investigations (pdf)
"This guide examines the use of polygraph tests and other truth-telling devices (sometimes called “lie-detector tests”) in sexual assault investigations. This guide examines special issues relevant to using truth-telling devices with sexual assault victims. Legislative and judicial actions that have been taken as a result of this debate will also be discussed. Victim advocates, law enforcement officers, and policy makers may use this guide to develop policies, practices, and procedures and to improve collaborations regarding the use of truth-telling devices as the VAWA 2005 provision is adopted across the United States."
The Uses And Impacts Of Medico-Legal Evidence In Sexual Assault Cases: A Global Review
"The review outlines the historical and contemporary medico-legal responses to sexual assault victims, broadly describing the professionals, protocols and procedures involved in the collection and processing of medico-legal evidence."
The Validity and Use of Evidence Concerning Battering and Its Effects in Criminal Trials (pdf)
"This report is actually three reports in one: Validity of 'Battered Woman Syndrome' in Criminal Cases; Trends in Expert Testimony on Battering; & Impact of Evidence Concerning Battering and its Effects in Criminal Trials Involving Battered Women."
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.
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 document is a historical examination of the first ten years of the Violence Against Women Act, with an emphasis on current gaps in public policy related to sexual violence. The paper provides policy recommendations for strengthening the Act's response to victims of sexual violence, including core services for victims.
The Violence Against Women Act: Commemorating 15 Years of Working Together to End Violence
With the help of advocates, coalitions, and community partners around the country, VAWA (Violence Against Women Act) was federally enacted in 1994. VAWA recognized the devastating consequences that violence has on women, families, and society as a whole. Countless lives have been saved, the voices of survivors have been heard, families have been protected, and the criminal justice community has been trained on the complex responses to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking. The United States Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women celebrates 15 years since the passage of VAWA.
The War Within the War: Sexual Violence Against Women and Girls in Eastern Congo
This report documents the frequent and sometimes systematic use of rape and other forms of sexual violence in the Rwandan-occupied areas of eastern Congo. This report focuses on crimes of sexual violence committed by soldiers and other combatants. But rape and other sexual crimes are not just carried out by armed factions but also increasingly by police and others in positions of authority and power, and by opportunistic common criminals and bandits, taking advantage of the prevailing climate of impunity and the culture of violence against women and girls.
"This briefing paper addresses the needs of the women of the Gulf Coast region and uncovers the multiple disadvantages experienced by women affected by both hurricane Katrina and Rita."
The “Natasha” Trade: (pdf)
This paper focuses primarily on the sending country of Ukraine, now the second largest country in Europe, and currently, one of the largest suppliers of women for prostitution. The scope of the problem of trafficking is discussed and the definition of the term trafficking is reviewed. The role of transnational crime networks in the trafficking of women is examined with a few illustrative cases. A section on the methods of recruitment and trafficking describes how women are recruited from their hometowns and transported to sex industries in other countries.
1998. Review of the literature on the causes of family violence to determine the current level of empirical support for the various theory-derived explanations and, by extention, the treatment programs derived from them.
Third Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Report 2007 (pdf)
"By 2007, three of the six WHO regional committees had adopted violence prevention resolutions, more than 25 countries had developed reports and/or plans of action on violence and health, and more than 100 officially appointed health ministry focal persons were in place to prevent violence, the report finds.The report offers a five year agenda to follow-up on key recommendations."
Third Milestones of a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention Report 2007: Scaling Up
"Reviews progress that has been made in violence prevention since October 2002 and sets out what the World Health Organization and its partners can do over the next 5 years to expand programming and to demonstrate the impact of violence prevention."
"Using semi-structured interviewing of female domestic abuse survivors and health care providers, this study investigated relationships between female domestic abuse victims' (1) abusive environments, (2) health perceptions and needs, and (3) access to and use of health care services. The results provide evidence that the abusive partner and the health care system are the two major barriers that women face in seeking medical attention for abuse- and non-abuse-related illnesses."
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.
"This study examined college students' attitudes toward spanking as a function of the situational context and age of the child. Respondents were more likely to find spanking appropriate for preschool (ages 3–4) and early school age children (ages 7–8) than for older children (ages 11–12). Physical punishment was also viewed as more suitable when the child's misbehavior was disrespectful, or violated strongly held norms, and less appropriate for age-related or less serious misbehavior. Gender and race differences emerged, with males and blacks showing more support for corporal punishment than females and whites. In general, findings revealed strong support for spanking, although there was evidence of some ambivalence, especially among white and female respondents. Implications of the findings are discussed."
Toolkit for Integrating Domestic Violence Activities into Programming in Europe and Asia (pdf)
"A manual designed to address violence against women, and specifically domestic violence, as a global human rights violation. Additionally, it explores the connections between domestic violence and human trafficking and analyzes different programming models for addressing the needs of survivors in (United States Agency for International Development) USAID programs. The toolkit is intended for USAID workers, donor organizations, and local organizations working to combat violence against women in countries where USAID operates."
Tools for Change: An Introduction to the Primary Prevention of Sexual Assault (pdf)
"This document will introduce readers to primary prevention and to the concepts, terms and models that comprise this approach. It will explore the movement’s history for lessons learned and talk about how the work of preventing sexual violence connects directly and indirectly to the work that each of us in the movement does. Finally, it will help you talk the talk. We will explore the public health model and associated terminology so that you can use it if you need it (e.g., when talking with funders), but it will not be a main focus."
Tools for Service Providers Working with Victims of Gender-Based Violence
This document provides tools to improve the quality of health care services for assisting survivors of sexual violence.
Total Estimated Cost of Child Abuse and Neglect in the United States (pdf)
2001 Report posted on the Prevent Child Abuse website. The data in this report attempts to document the nationwide direct and indirect costs of child abuse and neglect.
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."
"This paper describes patterns of trafficking from and within South-Eastern Europe, with particular attention to traffickers and their activities. To date, attention has primarily been paid to victims of trafficking — who they are and what makes them vulnerable — in an effort to develop counter-trafficking interventions. To complement these studies of victims, studies of traffickers and their operations are also required."
This article's main emphasis is on the trafficking of Nigerian women and girls to Italy, and gives an overview of the trafficking problem for prostitution into Italy. Changes in trafficking patterns, activities carried out by the Italian government and non-governmental organizations in assisting victims, the legal policies used to combat trafficking, and government proposals to legalize brothels are examined.
Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation (pdf)
"This fact sheet provides a brief overview of sex trafficking of women and children in the Americas and explores the life-threatening health consequences of this type of human trafficking."
Trafficking in persons monitoring report July 2007 – December 2008 (pdf)
This report details governmental responses to trafficking, comparing Australia’s approach to those of other Asia-Pacific countries. The report identifies factors that contribute to high levels of trafficking within a country, and highlights economic instability as a major obstacle to effectively identifying and preventing trafficking activities. Finally, the report offers recommendations for continuing to prevent and prosecute trafficking activities.
Trafficking in Persons Report (pdf)
This is the second annual report to congress, as required by the act on the status of severe forms of trafficking worldwide from April 2001-March 2002.
Trafficking in Persons Report 2008