This report, developed with expert practitioners, researchers and policy analysts on the EVAW Prevention Network, England, sets out why we need a targeted and long term approach to preventing violence against women and girls. This report largely calls on schools and other educational institutions to play their part in creating a safer world for women and girls.
This publication serves as a handbook for prosecutors working with medical evidence and Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners (SANE) in cases of violence against adult victims of sexual assault. This monograph provides prosecutors with an understanding of how SANEs focused on patient care and appropriate support services and referrals, rather than a specific investigative agenda can positively impact victim engagement in the criminal prosecution of their perpetrator. A glossary of commonly used terms used in medical examination reports is also included.
Victim Advocate Guide: Intimate Partner Violence and Combat Experience (pdf)
This resource provides guidance on how to assess and respond to the heightened risk of severe violence, suicide, and homicide linked to the co-occurrence of combat trauma and Intimate Partner Violence.
"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 and asks the question of whether officers are properly identifying the primary aggressor in domestic violence cases. 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."
'I can't afford justice': Violence against women in Uganda continues unchecked and unpunished (pdf)
An Amnesty International Report that documents obstacles to justice in cases of rape and sexual violence against women in Uganda. The report found that the society’s strong adherence to traditional values impedes the enforcement of progressive laws. The report concludes with legal policy recommendations to better meet the needs of victims.
(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.
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 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military (pdf)
"This report discusses improvements to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) policy and programs, provides statistics and analysis of reported sexual assaults, and outlines plans to enhance support to victims and prevent the crime."
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.
2010 Family Violence Legislative Update (pdf)
Every year, the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges Family Violence Department writes a legislative update. This document provides legislative trends and new domestic violence related legislation for most states. Only those states which did not have legislative sessions in 2010 have no new reports.
2010 Femicide Report (pdf)
Each year, the Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women monitors information about women and children murdered in our state to educate the public about the lethality of domestic violence and child abuse. This report is compiled from news accounts and information provided by law enforcement agencies, county attorneys, court administrators, battered women's programs, and family members and friends of murder victims.
2010 National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) (pdf)
The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey is an ongoing, nationally representative survey that assesses experiences of sexual violence, stalking, and intimate partner violence among adult women and men in the United States and for each individual state. It measures lifetime victimization for these types of violence as well as victimization in the 12 months prior to taking the survey.
This report documents intimate partner violence (IPV) within lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and HIV-affected (LGBTQH) communities. It highlights the intricacies of IPV within LGBTQH communities, examines the barriers to safety for LGBTQH survivors, and outlines vital recommendations for responding to, preventing, and eradicating LGBTQH IPV.
File is large and may take a few minutes to download
2010 State Law Report Cards on Teen Dating Violence
A 2010 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.
2011 Minnesota Femicide Report (pdf)
The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women (MCBW) tracks all homicides in the State of Minnesota that result from domestic violence involving a current or former intimate partner. This is the 2011 reporting of those findings.
2011 Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner Examiniation Candidate Handbook (pdf)
Thinking about taking the SANE-A or SANE-P Certification Exam? This is a link to the 2011 SANE Certification Examination Handbook with updates to the test content outlines. Use this handbook to obtain information about the eligibility criteria, application process/form and testing instructions for the SANE (Adult and Pediatric) Certification Examinations.
52 Days of Domestic Violence Flu in America (pdf)
In this article, the author highlights that in the midst of public health concerns such as the swine flu, domestic violence is another pandemic that often goes unnoticed with majority of the fatalities involving men as the perpetrators of violence against women and children. The article concludes with a list of victims and their killers and serves as a reminder that domestic violence has been, and continues to be a concern for all to address.
"This paper examines the process Vermont used, including areas of both agreement and uncertainty, and introduces the protocol to a wider audience of interveners. It draws on a review of planning notes and other documents and a series of interviews with those who participated in shaping the process and the protocol. It provides a starting point for other communities to explore their own response to children at domestic violence incidents, as well as an approach that can be used to examine other aspects of intervention."
A Better Start: Child maltreatment as a public health priority (pdf)
Using a public health approach, the authors of this article promote the prevention of child maltreatment using strategies that offer a continuum of services & encorporate the individual, family, community, and societal levels to promote health and well-being.
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.
A Comparison of Domestic Violence Advocacy Models (pdf)
This document contains a chart comparing domestic violence advocacy models and serves as a reference for effective advocacy for Latinas.
"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.
A Development Approach to Working with Teen Victims (pdf)
This issue brief discusses the need for service providers to understand adolescent development in order to effectively provide interventions for teen victims of abuse.
Law review article on the use of expert testimony in adult victim sexual assault cases.
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 for Effective Issuance & Enforcement of Protection Orders (pdf)
"This publication, also known as the Burgundy Book, was developed to give communities and professionals precise tools and strategies they can implement to broaden the effectiveness of protection orders, both from a practical standpoint and from a philosophical perspective. This guide is intended for advocates, civil attorneys, courts and judiciary, law enforcement and prosecutors."
An online bilingual guide in English and Spanish for helping a girl caught in prostitution or sex trafficking. The guide includes warning signs, resources, how to get help from the justice system, what to do if the girl is arrested, what to do if the girl is found deceased and more. The guide is based on the view that mothers, grandmothers, and others close to prostituted girls have been a neglected, yet powerful resource in the fight to end sexual exploitation. The guide seeks to give them the tools they need.
A Guide to Addressing Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault in a School Setting (pdf)
"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 Guide to Assessing Your Community’s Youth Gang Problem (pdf)
This guide was developed to assist policymakers, practitioners, and community leaders in assessing and understanding their youth gang problems and developing an integrated plan to reduce gang crime in their community. The approach includes several essential elements including a steering committee, community assessment, targeting, an implementation plan, an intervention team, community capacity building, and ongoing data collection.
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 Health Handbook for Women with Disabilities (pdf)
This guide helps women with disabilities from around the world to overcome the barriers of social stigma and inadequate care to improve their general health, self-esteem, and independence as active members of their communities.
Chapter 14 specifically covers abuse, violence and self-defense. The chapter discusses different kinds of abuse, preventing abuse, support for women leaving violent partners, sexual violence, abuse in institutions, and what to do to be safer.
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 Judicial Guide to Child Safety in Custody Cases (pdf)
"This Judicial Guide contains 14 bench cards which provide an easy-to-use checklist system for judges at critical decision-making points throughout child custody cases, as well as a supplemental guide which provides additional information about in- and out-of-court behaviors, best interest of the child, and order issuance and enforcement. "
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.
A Legal Analysis: Street Harassment & Legal Recourse
This page from Hollaback! provides an informal resource around possible legal action for street harassment, but also highlights the many shortcomings of our current system.
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 National Protocol for Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examinations (pdf)
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 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 Parents' Guide to Cyberbullying and Cyberthreats (pdf)
This document provides insight and guidelines for cyber concerns to prevent your child from being victimized by or engaging in harmful behavior online. It also provides guidance on intervention actions.
"This report, based on interviews with women living in Argentina, Brazil, and Columbia, highlights the lack of short- and long-term housing for women seeking to leave abusive relationships. The women expressed a desire for their governments to provide domestic violence survivors access to permanent housing options, in addition to offering legal support to women attempting to obtain legal protection within frequently complex legal systems."
"This publication contains practical steps needed to integrate measures on gender based violence into reproductive health facilities. It is also meant to help a wider range of readers to understand the connections between reproductive and sexual health and violence. While the Programme Guide is targeting primarily health service providers, it can also be used as a reference guide for advocacy purposes or to undertake other activities in this area."
Also available in French and Russian
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 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.
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.
"This guidebook identifies key best practices to prevent and respond to sexual and intimate partner violence and stalking. It also provides short and long term action recommendations for colleges and universities to implement in four focused areas: preparedness, prevention, response and recovery."
A Struggle for Justice: Incest Victims in Pakistan (pdf)
This report highlights the difficulties women and girls are faced with in accessing justice in cases of sexual violence, particularly incest. Included in this report are a survey of incest cases in Pakistan, a summary of published legal opinions in incest cases, identification of obstacles to justice and a compilation of good practice examples from other countries that have addressed similar obstacles. The authors hope this report will be used as a guide towards making the Pakistani judicial system more supportive of future victims which will have a deterrent effect on perpetrators.
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."
"This review evaluates how parenting programs succeed at: 1) eliminating child abuse as manifest in official reports and in-person assessments; 2) altering parenting behaviors or attitudes associated with abuse; 3) enhancing parent-child relationships and positive parenting skills as buffers against abuse."
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 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 (pdf)
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 Fact Sheet. This Fact Sheet is intended to provide guidance to health and social service agencies and community-based organizations about eligibility for all the various programs and services funded by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
Accountability and Connection with Abusive Men (pdf)
"This document is an effort to remedy the excessive focus on mothers in cases involving domestic violence. It provides suggestions for connecting with and holding abusers accountable. It is a resource for child protection workers, supervisors, managers and others working with families involved in the child protection system."
Achieving Equity for Women: Policy Alternatives for the New Administration Symposium Report (pdf)
"This report summarizes the policy research symposium convened by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research and the Wellesley Centers for Women, held in Washington, DC on April 2, 2009. The symposium highlighted four policy areas in which public policy can work to improve the status of women in the United States: women and economic recovery; retirement, social security and aging; quality early care and education; and women and health care reform."
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 (pdf)
"This document was created by experts in the fields of child trauma research, clinical practice, policy and cultural diversity to serve as a resource for anyone who works with Latino families who have experienced traumatic events. There are 12 priority areas covered ranging from micro issues (assessment and provision of therapy) to macro issues (organizational competence and policy). Each one includes an overview of the priority area, recommendations for improving practice based on that priority area, and additional resources for further information. Portions of these guidelines are geared for advocates and therapists, while other priority areas are designed for program administrators and policy makers."
Additional Scripts for Clinic Assessment (pdf)
This document is created for healthcare professionals and provides a series of scripted questions and responses when working with victims of violence. The information is intended to help communicate all the information needed to give to a patient as well as responding to immediate safety issues and making referrals.
Addressing Conflict-Related Sexual Violence – An Analytical Inventory of Peacekeeping Practice (pdf)
"This document captures best practices and emerging elements for a more effective response by peacekeepers to women’s security concerns and catalogues direct and indirect efforts to combat sexual violence during and in the wake of war."
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, grounded in UNFPA's overarching goal of eliminating violence against women and girls, identifies particular areas where action is most urgently needed and proposes general policy frameworks for combating gender-based violence.
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.
This issue brief brings to light important differences between bullying and harassment and speaks to the priorities and responsibilities of school districts in understanding these differences.
Addressing the Intersection: Preventing Violence and Promoting Healthy Eating and Active Living (pdf)
"This document provides an explanation of the inter-relationship between violence and healthy eating and activity. The findings and recommendations offered in this paper can support practitioners and advocates in their work to prevent chronic disease in communities heavily impacted by violence. "
Addressing the Problem of Juvenile Bullying (pdf)
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 Violence against Women and Girls in Sexual and Reproductive Health Services
This article focuses on the integration of resources to address gender-based violence against women and girls into the existing health care services. The review of the literature aims to provide guidance to health sector program designers and managers in order to facilitate integration.
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: Common Misconceptions vs. Current Evidence (pdf)
"This fact sheet offers information on myths and facts about adolescent sex offenders."
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."
"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 Challenges in a CCR: Protecting Confidentiality While Promoting a Coordinated Response (pdf)
This article examines the conflict advocates face between the victims’ need for confidentiality and the broader need for collaboration in a CCR, and explores how an advocacy program balances these two seemingly competing interests. This article provides helpful insight into how an advocacy program remain an effective partner within a CCR while still protecting the confidentiality of the battered women it serves.
Advocacy in a Coordinated Community Response: Overview and Highlights of Three Programs
This article gives an overview of advocacy - namely individual advocacy and systems advocacy and describes them as an integral part of community response. It also stresses the importance of each type of advocacy working collectively in enabling battered women to overcome obstacles.
Advocacy Matters: Helping Mothers and Their Children Involved with the Child Protection System (pdf)
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 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.
AIDS Accountability Scorecard on Women 2009 (pdf)
"The first ever global scorecard analyzing country responses to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of women in the context of the AIDS epidemic. This independent assessment, developed through a comprehensive consultative process with global health experts and civil society representatives from across the world, evaluates data that all governments provide as part of the 2001 United Nations Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS."
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 Medical Association Violence Prevention Information
Link to section of AMA website that includes information on Preparing your Practice to Address Family Violence, AMA violence-related reports and policies, Youth Violence Prevention Training and Outreach Guide, and other violence and abuse resources.
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 (pdf)
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 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.
The aim of this study 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 young males with bullying behavior. After 6 months of therapy and a year follow up, 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. 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."
In this article Phil Arkow argues that it is important to use an ecological systems approach to better understand children’s interactions with animals. Understanding the role and impact of animals in the ecology of violent childhoods can help service providers to successfully address issues related to exposure to violence.
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 Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies 2009-2010 (pdf)
The annual report provides data and analysis on reported cases of sexual harassment and violence involving Academy personnel between June 1, 2009 and May 31, 2010. It also outlines progress made in prevention and response activities.
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-Human Trafficking Resources
A resource page that offers information for victims seeking help, concerned citizens who want to help, businesses, law enforcement officers, and service providers in order to identify and combat human trafficking.
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 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."
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.
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.
ASTRA Manual for Work on SOS Hotline for (potential) Victims of Human Trafficking (pdf)
"A manual discussing ASTRA's SOS trafficking telephone hotline. The hotline provides victims or potential victims of human trafficking in the Republic of Serbia various forms of resources and aid. The manual compiles data and statistics on human trafficking and outlines the protocol for answering calls."
Australian Institute of Criminology: Cyberstalking (pdf)
This article speaks to the different forms of stalking made possible with the use of the internet. Methods of intervention including legislation are discussed as well.
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 Acts: Keeping Children Safe in Congregations (pdf)
Here's a descriptive quote from the introduction: "It offers information and procedural suggestions for leaders faced with the difficult task of helping the congregation decide if and how to include a sexual offender in their religious community. The facts and circumstances of the particular situation you are dealing with are of critical importance as you seek to make the best decisions for all involved."
Balancing Obligations: Serving Teen Victims and Mandated Reporting of Statutory Rape (pdf)
This issue brief addresses the importance of preserving confidentiality while working with teen victims of abuse, at the same time fulfilling the service provider's legal duties.
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
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. This document contains 16 of her writings around issues of 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."
Baseline Survey on Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Rwanda (pdf)
"This study was conducted to shed light on the magnitude of sexual and gender-based violence in Rwanda, and to determine and analyze the perceptions that communities have about the nature, causes and consequences of incidents of violence. This study also explores the subsequent actions that survivors have taken, and evaluates the role of various stakeholders in preventing and fighting sexual and gender-based violence."
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 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).
"The purpose of this study was to learn how CPS can be more responsive to families experiencing domestic violence and child abuse and neglect; learn how domestic violence advocates can be more effective in helping clients to respond to allegations of or actual child abuse and neglect and CPS interventions; explore how community can be more responsive to partner abuse and child abuse and neglect and provide support to families involved with CPS; and experiment with a research design that accomplishes the first step of participatory research and at the same time empowers advocates and survivors."
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 Accountability: Responding to Child Maltreatment and Domestic Violence
"This paper outlines the philosophical basis of best practice that is rooted in batterer accountability - and it outlines the consequences to children when programs are not so rooted. The paper goes on to talk about all the things advocates can do to push system change that fully integrates batterer accountability, provides excellent advocacy to victims, supports CPS collaborators and looks at alternative models for dependencies and termination of parent rights."
Batterer Intervention Program Enrollment and Completion Among Immigrant Men in Massachusetts (pdf)
"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 (pdf)
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: Doing the Work and Measuring the Progress (pdf)
This report is the work of a gathering of practitioners, researchers, policymakers and other stakeholders to discuss challenging issues related to batterer intervention. It describes the experts roundtable, summarizes the key themes that emerged from the discussions, and recommends next steps for the field of batterer intervention.
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 To Address Community Gang Problems: OJJDP's Comprehensive Gang Model (pdf)
"This report provides guidance for communities that are considering how best to address a youth gang problem that already exists or threatens to become a reality. The guidance is based on the implementation of the Comprehensive Gang Model (Model), which was developed by Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). The Report also describes the research that produced the Model, notes essential findings from evaluations of several programs demonstrating the Model in a variety of environments, and outlines 'best practices' obtained from practitioners with years of experience in planning, implementing, and overseeing variations of the Model in their communities."
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."
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?"
Beyond Victimhood: Women's Peacebuilding in Sudan, Congo and Uganda (pdf)
"Crisis Group’s research in Sudan, Congo (DRC) and Uganda suggests that peace agreements, post-conflict reconstruction, and governance do better when women are involved. Women make a difference, in part because they adopt a more inclusive approach toward security and address key social and economic issues that would otherwise be ignored. But in all three countries, as different as each is, they remain marginalized in formal processes and under-represented in the security sector as a whole. They suggest that governments and the international community must do much more to support women peace activists."
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 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.
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.
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.
A paper on the impact of physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, and exposure to family violence on the sexual, reproductive, and parenting behaviors of young men.
Breaking Barriers: A Complete Guide to Legal Rights and Resources for Battered Immigrants
This manual seeks to explain the complex topics of domestic violence and immigration laws that are intended to assist immigrant survivors. The goal of this manual is to provide support and assistance to advocates and attorneys, arming them with the knowledge they need to confidently provide effective assistance to battered immigrant victims and the immigrant community.
Breaking the Cycle offers information, exercises and more to help batterer intervention programs begin these essential conversations. These curriculum guidelines were produced by the Family Violence Prevention Fund with generous support from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.
Breaking the Cycle: Part I
Breaking the Cycle: Part II
Breaking the Cycle: Tools
Audio Stories
Michael’s Story Part 1 (English, 2:08)
Michael’s Story Part 2 (English, 5:08)
Miguel’s Story Part 1 (Spanish, 2:15)
Miguel’s Story Part 2 (Spanish, 5:39)
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."
This document aims to serve as a policy tool for health departments, community based organizations, community partners, and policy makers interested in the health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities.
This document presents ideas, concepts, and strategies to encourage community-based domestic violence advocates and their law enforcement allies to consider new approaches to partnership and problem-solving.
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 Domestic Violence Best Practices to New York’s Town and Village Courts (pdf)
The purpose of this document is to gain a deeper understanding of the domestic violence policies and practices implemented in New York’s rural town and village courts and to measure the impact of trainings on these practices.
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 Trust: Elders, Family & Finances (pdf)
"This is a report of a collaborative study of elder financial abuse. The study examines the prevalence as well as characteristics of victims and perpetrators of financial elder abuse and offers suggestions for identifying and addressing this problem. "
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 Domestic Violence Health Care Responses: A Promising Practices Report (pdf)
"A new report that documents dramatic improvements in the health system’s response to domestic violence at Indian, Tribal and Urban health care facilities across the United States. It offers a series of recommendations to continue the progress and ensure that many more American Indian/Alaska Native domestic violence victims get the help that they need when they seek medical care at clinics and hospitals."
Building Opportunities for Battered Women's Safety and Self-Sufficiency
Practice paper from a series of papers for an initiative to provide technical assistance to state administrators and domestic violence advocates implementing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) in TANF and child support enforcement (CSE) contexts. This initiative is a partnership between the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRC) and the Administration for Children and Families, DHHS. This paper, Practice Paper #1, includes background information about domestic violence and the options battered women need to be safe and self-sufficient, and concise discussions of key implementation issues.
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.
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence".
This article is an issue brief for one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular article speaks to the critical need for practitioners to bring the interrelated areas of economic and emotional abuse, economic literacy, and wealth or asset building to the forefront of their direct, policy, and research practice agendas.
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
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 Sexual Violence Resource List
As part of the 2010 Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) Campaign, the NSVRC compiled a list of resources on campus primary prevention, policy, statistics, and education and training tools.
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 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 by case: news coverage of child sexual abuse
To understand how child sexual abuse is covered in the media, the researchers selected a representative sample of U.S. news over a span of three years, then coded the content in detail. Results on the content, language, how the act was characterized, who's voices are presented, etc. are all presented. The conclusion includes recommendations for advocates and reporters.
Case Closed: Rape and Human Rights in the Nordic Countries Summary Report (pdf)
"A report analyzing the legal framework for handling rape cases in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. The report recommends legislative changes for each country’s rape laws to increase the number of successful rape prosecutions, and to bring the laws into compliance with international law and international human rights standards."
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.
Changing Perceptions of Sexual Violence Over Time (pdf)
This VAWnet Applied Research Paper begins by providing a historical overview of societal perceptions of sexual violence. The author then reviews available research on perceptions held by the general public about sexual violence and how they have changed over time. She concludes with implications and recommendations for advocates future practice and future directions. *Applied Research papers synthesize and interpret current research on violence against women, offering a review of the literature and implications for policy and practice.
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.
Characteristics of Juvenile Suicide in Confinement (pdf)
"This bulletin provides the results of a survey on juvenile suicides occurring in confinement between 1995 and 1999. The study examined the demographic characteristics and social history of each victim, the characteristics of the incident, and the features of the juvenile facility in which the suicide took place. This OJJDP Bulletin provides suggestions for addressing the problem and recommendations for prevention planning."
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 Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence (pdf)
This manual provides background on this complex topic and addresses the following practice issues: The overlap between child maltreatment and domestic violence; The basics of domestic violence; Modifying child protection practice with families experiencing domestic violence; Enhancing caseworker safety and support in child protection cases involving domestic violence; and Building collaborative responses for families experiencing domestic violence. Appendices include a glossary of terms, child, victim, and alleged perpetrator domestic violence assessments, safety plans, and information about developing a memorandum of understanding.
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 Explained (for concerned parents)
Full overview of the aspects of child sexual abuse including rape, molestation, child pornography. Describes the preferential and situational offender and who they target. Available online or in print in English, Irish, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Hebrew. Free: Name and address info@abusewatch.net
Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Risk Reduction: Literature Review for Parents and Guardians (pdf)
This literature review examines research on prevention efforts targeting parents to support or reject three hypotheses: (1) Prevention efforts intended for parents increase their knowledge of CSA, (2) such prevention efforts motivate parents to educate and protect children from CSA, and (3) such efforts result in lower rates of child sexual victimization.
Child Sexual Abuse: Coping with the Emotional Stress of the Legal System (pdf)
This professionally designed fact sheet for parents and caregivers of child sexual abuse survivors provides a unique perspective on coping with the emotional stresses of the legal system, and was created by legal, mental health, and medical professionals for NCTSN's website. It helps explain the different purposes of civil and criminal child sexual abuse cases. It also identifies common fears and coping solutions, and takes the family step by step through before, during and after a child sexual abuse case goes to court.
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 Support Protocol: A Guide for Integrated Domestic Violence Courts (pdf)
A best practices guide for legal professionals who oversee integrated domestic violence court cases involving child custody issues.
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 (pdf)
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.
Child Witnesses to Domestic Violence: Summary of State Laws (pdf)
Currently, approximately 22 States and Puerto Rico address in statute the issue of children who witness domestic violence in their homes. This document is a summary of those laws. Quickly find statute information for a particular State, here- www.childwelfare.gov/systemwide/laws_policies/state/index.cfm
"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 examines outcomes later in life.
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.
This research examines both the notification process for children's exposure to violence itself and the subsequent service pathways followed by families brought to the attention of children’s social services in this way. It also explores which other agencies contribute to services for families experiencing domestic violence and captures young people’s, survivors’ and perpetrators’ views of services.
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.
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 in Australia (pdf)
In this paper, current knowledge about the extent of children's exposure to domestic violence in Australia is described, along with the documented impacts that this exposure can have on children. Current legislative and policy initiatives are then described and some community-based programs that have been introduced in Australia to address the problem of children's exposure to domestic violence are highlighted.
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 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 (pdf)
This 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
Children's Witnessing of Adult Domestic Violence (pdf)
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 and Adolescents’ Participation and Protection from Sexual Abuse and Exploitation (pdf)
"A paper reviewing government commitments to strengthen participation by children and adolescents to protect them from sexual abuse and exploitation. The paper provides recommendations for further research, policy development, and programming to support advocacy and practice with and by children and adolescents. "
Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence and Other Family Violence (pdf)
This report explores the results of the the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV)and presents information regarding the types of exposure to family violence, the gender of the perpetrator, the relationship of the child witness to the perpetrator, and youth's reactions to the incident. It also discusses the implications of the survey data for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers and makes policy recommendations.
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."
Chinese Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Chinese translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
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 intended 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)
This article examines the co-occurrence of five subtypes of peer victimization and the effects of increased co-occurrences of victimization types on physical and psychological health.
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.
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."
Colonization and Violence against Women (pdf)
This article was created from the Proceedings from the National Summit on Domestic Violence in Asian and Pacific Islander Communities, which was held in June 2002. The article highlights various myths around the Asian and Pacific Islander cultures and colonization's role, as it relates to violence against women.
Combating Acid Violence in Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia (pdf)
Acid violence is the “intentional act of violence in which perpetrators throw, spray, or pour acid onto victims' faces and bodies.” The report finds that acid violence is a form of gender-based violence because it disproportionately affects women, which is prohibited by the Convention on Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia are all parties to CEDAW and are under a legal obligation to undertake measures to prevent acid violence.
The report calls for the governments of Bangladesh, India, and Cambodia to fulfill their obligation to CEDAW in a number of ways. This includes the adoption of legislation to prevent attacks, provide punishment of perpetrators, and compensate victims. In all three countries, survivors face immense challenges in obtaining adequate healthcare.
Combating Workplace Violence (pdf)
Discusses reasons for establishing a program, guidelines for employers, guidelines for law enforcement agencies and where to get additional information.
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 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 Engagement Curriculum Guide (pdf)
This training curriculum is based on a report from the API Institute on Domestic Violence titled "The Community Engagement Continuum: Outreach, Mobilization, Organizing and Accountability to Address Violence Against Women in Asian & Pacific Islander Communities".
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 Policing and Domestic Violence: Five Promising Practices (pdf)
This document provides a background and history of community policing and outlines promising practices in the area of collaboration between police and communities. Case studies from Chicago, Marin County, Duluth, and London are also presented.
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.
"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."
"Two studies were conducted to identify the incidence (Study 1) and characteristics (Study 2) of juvenile prostitution cases known to law enforcement agencies in the United States. Findings indicate law enforcement responses to juvenile prostitution are influential in determining whether such youth are viewed as victims of commercial sexual exploitation or as delinquents."
Confidentiality & Information Sharing (pdf)
This document addresses the legal and confidentiality issues advocates face when working with the child protection system and juvenile courts. It also encourages advocacy, and focuses on the information issues advocates face when they counsel battered mothers whose children have been placed in the child protection system. Advocates need to know what to do with the information they gather from victims of domestic violence and what the laws say about how they use that information. Each section offers tips and suggestions for advocates, questions for their consideration, and examples of effective practices. The appendix features worksheets that expand upon the topics addressed in each section.
Confidentiality: An Advocates Guide (pdf)
Confidentiality and privilege are key to keeping battered women safe and represent the cornerstones of all successful advocacy and shelter programs. This guide is intended to familiarize advocates with a variety of laws, policies, requirements, and best practices on the topic of confidentiality .
Conflict Resolution Tools for Domestic Violence Shelter Staff
"This special collection includes selected materials and resources intended to equip advocates with a contextual framework and practical skills to better resolve conflicts that often arise within a shelter environment."
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.
Connecting the Dots: Children’s Exposure to Violence and Home Visiting Programs
The goal of this article, which is part of the Spring 2011 issue of Family Violence Prevention Fund's e-Journal: Family Violence Prevention and Health Practice, is to raise awareness and provide practical suggestions to bridge the disconnect between home visiting programs and addressing the needs of children exposed to domestic violence and their families.
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.
Consequences of Childhood Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence
The findings presented in this report indicate that intimate partner violence has a significant and negative effect on externalizing child behavior, internalizing child behavior, general behavior problems, and drinking among children.
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."
Core Services and Characteristics of Rape Crisis Centers: A Review of State Service Standards (pdf)
This guide was produced to inform and inspire ongoing discussion in the field about what it is that defines a rape crisis center. Fifteen states are profiled, with analysis of philosophical approach, clients, advocacy, counseling, and organizational standards.
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."
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 (pdf)
"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 (pdf)
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.
Crimes Against Children by Babysitters (pdf)
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.
Crimes Against People with Disabilities, 2007 (pdf)
"Using 2007 National Crime Victimization Survey data, the study found that persons with disabilities were victims of about 47,000 rapes. Rates of rape and sexual assault were more than twice those for people without disabilities. In addition, youth with a disability ages 12 to 19 experienced violence at nearly twice the rate as those without a disability."
Criminal Domestic Violence Case Processing: A Case Study of the Five Boroughs of New York City (pdf)
A study of the five boroughs of New York City in which domestic violence criminal case processing exist. The study seeks to establish what the policies and practices of the domestic violence courts are, to understand their underlying rationale, and to learn what the stakeholders perceive as their strengths and weaknesses.
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 report begins with a brief history of the development of modern legal reforms in domestic violence and examines their theoretical underpinnings. Next, it reviews the empirical evidence on the deterrent effects of criminal and civil legal sanctions for domestic violence. Then, the unique contexts of domestic violence are examined to identify factors that influence the deterrent effects of criminal justice reforms. The paper concludes with an agenda for building an empirical base for knowledge and policy to control domestic violence."
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.
This publication provides information about the use of cross-system dialogue to facilitate communication among representatives working in the domestic violence, child welfare, and court system. Strategies for professionals responding to family violence and child maltreatment are also provided.
The crosssystem dialogue is an approach that promotes and helps to facilitate communication among representatives working in the domestic violence, child welfare, and court system. It provides a formal structure to address conflict in a productive manner.
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."
Usted sospecha que un niño que conoce ha visto o vivido la violencia? Quizás usted teme que conozca un niño dañado o affectado por la violencia. O quizás teme que algo no le pase bien a este niño, pero usted no sabe que. Puede ser dificil de suponer que pasa. Posiblemente no haya señales físicas, como moratones o cortes. Los niños suelen sufrir de "lesiones invisibles" que pueden afectarles emocionalmente y psicologicamente.
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.
Cyberstalking: A New Challenge for Law Enforcement and Industry
This report explores the nature and extent of cyberstalking; surveys the steps law enforcement, industry, victims groups, and others currently are taking to address the problem; analyzes the adequacy of current federal and state laws; and provides recommendations on how to improve efforts to combat this growing problem.
Danger Zone: Battered Mothers and Their Families in Supervised Visitation (pdf)
"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 (2008) (pdf)
Jointly prepared and published by the Women’s Law Project and the Support Center for Child Advocates, this Benchbook has been distributed to family law judges throughout Pennsylvania to assist them in making custody decisions about children in families where there is domestic violence.
Defining Child Exposure to Domestic Violence as Neglect: Minnesota's Difficult Experience (pdf)
The 1999 the Minnesota legislature amended the definition of child neglect to include a child's exposure to family violence. This article reconstructs how Minnesota's legislature made this change, its consequences, and the lessons that may be drawn from this experience.
Delinquency Cases in Juvenile Court, 2005 (pdf)
"This fact sheet, based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report, presents statistics on delinquency cases handled in U.S. juvenile courts between 1985 and 2005."
Delinquency Cases Waived to Criminal Court, 2005 (pdf)
"This fact sheet, based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report, presents statistics on petitioned delinquency cases waived to criminal court between 1985 and 2005."
"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.
Detained and at Risk: Sexual Abuse and Harassment in United States Immigration Detention (pdf)
This 24-page report describes documented incidents and allegations of sexual assault, abuse, and harassment in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention. The report shows evidence of a disturbing pattern of abuse, and points to an urgent need for investigation and action to correct glaring gaps in detention policy and practice. Human Rights Watch emphasizes that the agency should make improvements swiftly to improve oversight of the entire detention system and the ensure accountability.
Detecting the Potential for Violence
Checklist for Detecting the Potential for Violence is also available.
Detecting, Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse in Residential Care Facilities (pdf)
"This study focused on detection, investigation, and resolution of elder abuse and neglect complaints in what are known as residential care facilities."
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 agencies.
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."
Diamonds: Stories of Women in The Asia-Pacific Network of People Living with HIV (pdf)
"Diamonds is a compilation of the personal narratives of ten women and one girl who are HIV-positive in the Asia Pacific region. The publication is accompanied by a documentary that focuses on four of these stories."
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.
Discussion Paper on IACPʹs Policy on Domestic Violence by Police Officers (pdf)
The International Association of Chiefs of Police most recent document relating to the issues and concepts of creating policy around domestic violence perpetrated by police officers.
Disproportionate Minority Contact (pdf)
"This publication provides an overview of OJJDP’s efforts to reduce disproportionate minority contact (DMC). Includes a description of OJJDP’s DMC Reduction Model which helps states determine whether disproportionality exists and, if it does, guides the establishment of multipronged intervention strategies to ensure equal treatment of all youth. The fact sheet also includes a summary of states’ DMC-reduction activities derived from compliance plans submitted in fiscal year 2008."
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.
Do Batterer Program Length or Approach Affect Completion or Re-Arrest Rates? (pdf)
This study compared outcomes between defendants sentenced to two batterer programs in Brooklyn, New York. A literature review on batterer programs is presented followed by the research methodology. The findings suggest that neither underlying program philosophy nor program length alone predict either program completion or future violence.
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 a case for domestic violence victims.
Domestic Abuse Act: 2011 Minnesota Statutes
Section 518B.01 of Minnesota’s statutes, the Domestic Abuse Act, contains the legal language behind an Order for Protection (OFP)in the state of MN. It designates the procedures that must be followed in applying for and granting an OFP, and describes the kind of relief that can be granted.
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 Assault: 2011 Minnesota Statutes
Statute 609.2242, Domestic Assault, criminalizes domestic violence in the state of MN as a misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, or felony depending on the charges. For example, penalties are increased when the perpetrator has previously committed one or more domestic assaults within a certain time period.
Domestic Violence & Human Trafficking Fact Sheet (pdf)
Simple, strait-forward fact sheet on human trafficking including overview, impact, legal definition, needs of survivors and safety planning.
Domestic Violence Advocates and the Unauthorized Practice of Law (pdf)
This document is intended for both volunteer and paid staff of nongovernmental domestic violence programs who work directly with victims of domestic violence currently engaged in one or more legal matters related to their battering. This document is intended to highlight the possible issues for advocates and provide suggestions for better advocacy practice; it is not intended as, and should not be construed as, the provision of legal advice in any capacity.
Domestic Violence 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 (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 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 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 Birth Control Sabotage: A Report from the Teen Parent Project
This study explores to what extent pregnancy among low income teens was due to coerced and unprotected sexual relations, sabotage of birth control arrangements and the general pressure to choose between having children and the continuation of the relationship
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 highlighting the number of children exposed to domestic violence each year and the consequences of such exposure.
Domestic Violence and children: Analysis and Recommendations
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.
Domestic Violence and Financial Well-Being: How Research Can Advance Practice and Policy (pdf)
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence".
This article is an issue brief for one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular article summarizes current thinking about how to assess the impact of domestic violence (DV) on women’s financial well-being.
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
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 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 violence 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.
Domestic Violence and the Gay Community: A Right to Peace and Safety
An article on the myths and realities about domestic violence in the LGBT community. Also included is a list of resources for LGBT victims of domestic violence.
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: 2010 Resource Packet
The Domestic Violence Awareness Project strives to develop and distribute resources and ideas relevant to Domestic Violence Awareness Month and educational activities that take place throughout the year. The 2010 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. The packet is available on their website to download free of charge.
Domestic Violence Civil Protection Orders (CPOs) By State (pdf)
A chart that lists domestic violence civil protection orders (CPOs) by state.
Domestic Violence Counts 2008: A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelters and services
This report is the most recent data documenting the number of individuals who seek services in a 24 hour period, the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive tirelessly to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Also contains a state by state report on services requested and provided.
Domestic Violence Counts 2009: A 24-Hour Census of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services
"A one-day report, documenting the number of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S., the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Also provides a state by state summary of services requested and provided. "
Domestic Violence Counts 2010: A 24-hour census of domestic violence shelters and services (pdf)
For the fifth consecutive year, NNEDV conducted the one-day, unduplicated count of adults and children seeking domestic violence services in the U.S., documenting the number of individuals who sought services, the types of services requested, the number of service requests that went unmet because of lack of resources, and the issues and barriers that domestic violence programs are facing as they strive to provide services to victims of domestic violence. The results are published in this report.
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.
Domestic Violence Has a Significant and Lasting Impact on Our Community and Beyond (pdf)
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.
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 Filipino Communities (pdf)
A fact sheet on domestic violence in the Filipino communities and includes a selected list of translated materials and resources in the Tagalog and Ilocano languages.
Domestic violence in gay and lesbian relationships: An overview (pdf)
Domestic violence in lesbian and gay relationships has typically been an under-researched area.This overview highlights issues and implications of domestic violence in lesbian relationships and makes reference to general issues and to issues confronting gay men where these are useful.
Domestic Violence in Hmong and Laotian Communities (pdf)
A fact sheet on domestic violence in the Hmong and Laotian communities and includes a list of translated materials in their respective languages.
Domestic Violence in Korean Communities (pdf)
A fact sheet on domestic violence in Korean communities and provides a selected list of translated materials and resources in Korean.
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 South Asian Communities (pdf)
A fact sheet with statistics on domestic violence in Bangladeshi, Bhutanese, Indian, Nepali, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan communities. Also includes a selected list of translated materials in Bengali, Gujrati, Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, and Urdu languages.
Domestic Violence in Vietnamese Communities (pdf)
A fact sheet that provides statistics on domestic violence in Vietnamese communities, a selection of translated materials for victims and service providers, as well as directories for international resources.
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 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 review can serve as a reference for state legislators concerned with domestic violence (including stalking), especially in defining the responsibilities of law enforcement and prosecutor agencies. It can also serve as a source of ideas for advocates interested in promoting legislative reforms directed at reducing domestic violence. Finally, this review can help researchers and evaluators better understand the legal context (and constraints) in which local justice agencies operate in responding to domestic violence."
Domestic Violence Materials in Asian & Pacific Islander Languages (pdf)
A list of websites and weblinks containing domestic violence related resources in various Asian and Pacific Islander languages.
Domestic violence model policy for the law enforcement community (pdf)
The purpose of this document from the International Association of Chiefs of Police is to establish guidelines for law enforcement officers in response to domestic violence calls. Clearly lays out the policy, definitions, and procedures.
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 Perpetrator Programs: What Counts as Success? (pdf)
This research briefing is an exploration of what we mean by "success" when speaking about Domestic Violence Perpetrator Programs. Women, men, practitioners and funders all contributed to this stage of the work.
Domestic Violence Perpetrators: Working with the Cause of the Problem
Respect has put together this document to make the case for increasing the work done with domestic violence perpetrators.
Domestic Violence Programs and Children's Records: Issues of Confidentiality and Release (pdf)
Preserving confidentiality for battered women and their children is central to ensuring their safety and allowing them to regain and retain control over their lives. The vital services of a shelter or domestic violence program mean nothing if anyone can access their records, putting battered women and their children in danger of being located. This paper endeavors to provide guidance to domestic violence programs regarding children's records and to serve as a starting place for internal policy development on this issue.
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 Risk Assessment Bench Guide
"A research-based bench guide for use by Minnesota judges at all stages of family, Order for Protection, civil or criminal cases involving domestic 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."
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."
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.
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 kidnapping 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 (pdf)
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? (pdf)
"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."
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. It is intended to offer communities a guiding framework to develop interventions and measure progress as they seek to improve their responses to families experiencing domestic violence and child maltreatment.
Effective Police Responses to Violence Against Women (pdf)
This Handbook is designed to assist and guide police officers in the prevention of,
and response to, violence against women. While it has global applications, it is
designed primarily for use by police in transitional and developing countries where
institutional means to protect women from violence have not yet been created or
implemented.
This handbook was also created in conjunction with a Training Curriculum
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.
This document provides an overview of elder abuse including types of abuse, risk factors, and prevention and intervention strategies for individuals, families, and communities.
Elder Abuse and Neglect Basics: Elder Abuse Laws
This page provides a brief overview of the major areas of federal and state law related to services for elder abuse victims, civil remedies for elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, and the prosecution of crimes against elderly people.
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 Abuse: A Women’s Issue (pdf)
"This report brings together experts and organizations that work to combat the problem of elder abuse, sharing its many dimensions and complexities, how it affects women in a disproportionate manner, and seeking effective solutions."
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 the Rape Kit Backlog
"This special online collection provides information to help victim service professionals engage in a multi-disciplinary dialogue about the issues and challenges involved with addressing the backlog of untested rape kits."
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 Issues Facing Tweens and Teens (pdf)
Emerging issues like sexting, sexual coercion and bullying are creating a serious problem for millions of youth. This is a short fact sheet on some of these emerging problems.
Emerging issues in domestic/family violence research
"This paper presents an overview of the key emerging issues in Australian domestic and family violence research in the context of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities; the elderly; those with disabilities; people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; Indigenous communities; homelessness; the impact on children; and issues around perpetrator programs."
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.
Employment Rights for Victims of Domestic Violence
This site contains a wealth of information for survivors, employers, and attorneys/advocates on employment rights for survivors of domestic violence. Included are resources, reference guides, guides to state laws, and model employment policy amongst many other helpful articles.
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 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."
Ending Violence Against Women: Programming for Prevention, Protection and Care (pdf)
"This handbook, intended primarily for development practitioners, provides practical points to consider when designing and implementing projects addressing violence against women. It is a collection of good practices drawn from ten case studies."
Enforcing Domestic Violence Firearm Prohibitions: A Report on Promising Practices (pdf)
"This report highlights promising practices currently employed around the United States and in tribal jurisdictions that represent innovative approaches to enforcing domestic violence firearm prohibitions. It provides brief descriptions of programs that are located primarily in law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, courts, and probation departments."
Engaging Boys and Men in Gender Transformation: The Group Education Manual (pdf)
"This manual offers trainers an array of participatory experiential exercises to reach men (and their partners), exploring gender socialization and its impact on HIV prevention and care. Piloted in Ethiopia, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania, the manual is designed to assist trainers in developing curricula to work with men and boys on gender, HIV and AIDS issues."
Engaging Bystanders in Sexual Violence Prevention (pdf)
This booklet reviews the concept of bystander intervention and some factors that lead people to act; it considers who bystanders are and some circumstances that would motivate people to get involved. The document also includes relevant research, future directions, helpful tools, resources, and training activities.
The project - “Engaging Young Men through Social Media for the Prevention of Violence against Women” – aims to connect and inspire young people to take action to end gender-based violence and will be carried out in China, Indonesia, and India. The “Social media for social change” meeting brought together the organizations selected to work on this project to share and learn from each other, and to take part in a ‘social media clinic’ with a global expert on social media. Participants explored what social media tools are available and how they can be used creatively to reach out to boys and men to take action to violence against women in Asia and the Pacific.
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
Envisioning a Regional Curriculum: Working with Boys and Men for Gender-based Violence Prevention (pdf)
This consultation brought together 21 participants from 11 countries in East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The overall objective was to discuss a coordinated regional approach to capacity development for the region with the following goals:
-Explore the body of knowledge and training materials on masculinity, gender and violence prevention
-Discuss an outline of an adaptable training curriculum to be used for subsequent capacity development activities in the region
-Define a regional approach to training /capacity development and outline next steps
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."
Ethnic Identity and Exposure to Maltreatment in Childhood: Evidence from a New Zealand Birth Cohort
"The present study examined the associations between ethnic identity and exposure to childhood maltreatment among a longitudinal birth cohort of individuals born in Christchurch in 1977. Participants of Maori ethnicity reported higher rates of exposure to physical punishment and inter-parental violence, but did not report higher rates of exposure to sexual 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 report, published by the US Department of Justice, examines the effectiveness of one state’s (South Carolina) sex offender registration and notification policy in reducing sexual violence. According to the report, first time offenses were reduced, online registries appear to have no impact on recidivism, and failure to register did not predict recidivism.
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 manual is designed to help violence prevention organizations hire an empowerment evaluator who will assist them in building their evaluation capacity through a learn-by-doing process of evaluating their own strategies. It is for state and local leaders and staff members of organizations, coalitions, government agencies, and/or partnerships working to prevent sexual violence, intimate partner violence, youth violence, suicide, and/or child maltreatment."
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."
Evidence-Based Practices for Children Exposed to Violence: A Selection from Federal Databases (pdf)
This document summarizes findings from federal reviews of research studies and program evaluations to help communities improve outcomes for children exposed to violence. It cites evidence-based practices that practitioners and policymakers can use to implement prevention services and activities for these children.
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."
Exiting Prostitution: An Integrated Model (pdf)
"This article reviews two general models and two prostitution-specific models and their applicability to the exiting process. Barriers encountered as women attempt to leave the streets are identified. Based on the four models, the barriers, the prostitution literature, and the authors’ experience with prostituted women, a new integrated six-stage model that is comprehensive in scope and sensitive to women’s attempts to exit prostitution is offered as a foundation for continued research on the process of women leaving the streets."
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.
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. "
Exploring the Intersections between Empowerment, HIV, and Violence against Women in Latin America and the Caribbean.
This paper examines the relationship between HIV and sexual coercion in Tanzania.
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.
Facilitating Savings and Asset Ownership Among Domestic Violence Survivors (pdf)
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence"
This article is an issue brief for one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular articles addresses the need to assist women who have been in violent relationships to develop economic independence through asset building and savings.
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
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 for Non-Immigrant Visa Application Process (pdf)
Provides information on T visas which aim to provide temporary immigration benefits to foreigners in the U.S. who are victims of severe forms of trafficking in persons, and their immediate family members, as appropriate.
Fact Sheet on Domestic Violence in Muslim Communities (pdf)
This four page fact sheet bullet points domestic violence information and statistics from a variety of studies on Muslim communities and Arab populations. Some resources are also provided.
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 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 & Stats: Domestic Violence in Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Homes (pdf)
"Facts & Stats raises awareness about the experiences of Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander battered women; counters denial about the problem; emphasizes the need for socio-culturally effective prevention and intervention; and serves to guide future research and inform public policy."
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? "
Failure to Thrive: A Controlled Study of Familial Characteristics
The findings from this case-controlled study reveal that current assumptions regarding inadequate mothering as the cause of failure to thrive among infants is inaccurate. The findings instead suggest that mothers of infants with a FTT possess fewer familial/community support, and were less educated when compared to matched controls.
"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 and Intimate Partner Homicide Virginia, 2007 (pdf)
The first report to analyze fatal cases of intimate-partner and family violence in the state of Virginia over a nine-year period. Risk factors, specific populations, and other findings are discussed.
Family Court Statistics: an overview of Family Court Statistics in New Zealand 2004 to 2008
This bulletin analyzes, between 2004 and 2008, the four main areas that come under the jurisdiction of the Family Court in New Zealand, including family violence and child protection.
Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers (pdf)
This handbook is developed through worldwide collaboration and provides evidence-based guidance to all levels of health care workers. It offers clinic-based health care professionals in developing countries the latest guidance on providing with the full range of contraceptive methods.
Family Team Conferences in Domestic Violence Cases: Guidelines for Practice (2nd Edition) (pdf)
These guidelines lay out steps to decide whether a family with a history of domestic violence is a good candidate for a Family Team Conference, and to prepare and conduct a conference that results in the best possible child welfare decision and safety for all. Case scenarios offer examples of different circumstances involving domestic violence and describe how an FTC, if planned and structured properly, can safely address case goals.
Family Violence Death Review Committee First Annual Report (pdf)
The Family Violence Death Review Committee's overarching goal is to contribute to the prevention of family violence and family violence deaths in New Zealand. The report outlines the objectives and achievements for the first year as well as goals and recommendations for the following year.
Family Violence Handbook for the Dental Community (pdf)
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 2006 (pdf)
Annual report from Canada Center for Justice Statistics on the profile of family violence and its associates.
Family Violence in Canada: A Statistical Profile: 2009
This is the twelfth annual Family Violence in Canada report produced by the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics under the Federal Family Violence Initiative. 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 the ongoing initiative to inform policy makers and the public about family violence issues. Each year the report has a different focus. This year, the focus of the report is a profile of shelters that provide residential services to women and children fleeing abusive situations. Data for this profile come from the Transition Home Survey, a biennial census of residential facilities for female victims of family violence in Canada. In addition, using police-reported data, the report also presents fact sheets, data tables and figures examining spousal violence, family violence against children and youth, family violence against seniors (aged 65 years and older), and family-related homicides.
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 Prevention and Health Practice Winter 2010 Issue
This issue includes topics such as dating violence, recent domestic and sexual violence related research, and the intersection between domestic violence, poverty, substance abuse, and mental health.
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 National Legal Response Final Report (pdf)
This full Report by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) and the New South Wales Law
Reform Commission (the Commissions) sets out in detail the issues raised by the Terms of Reference, and the research and evidence base upon which the Commissions’ recommendations were formulated, including a thorough discussion of stakeholder views and the Commissions’ conclusions.
For an accessible overview of the policy framework and recommendations outlined in this two-volume final report, see Family Violence- A National Legal Response Summary Report.
Family Violence- A National Legal Response Summary Report (pdf)
This 76-page Summary Report provides an accessible overview of the policy framework and recommendations in the two-volume Final Report, Family Violence - A National Legal Response. It offers a consideration of the framework for the reform, including a description of the development of the key principles underpinning the 187 final recommendations. The recommendations are then considered as an expression of two principal themes—improving legal frameworks and improving practice, concluding with a summary of the net effect of the recommendations.
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: 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.
Farsi Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
Farsi translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. It locates a range of abuses and abusers in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration.
Fathering After Violence: Working with Abusive Fathers in Supervised Visitation (pdf)
This guide is intended to assist the grantees of the Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program that want to enhance the safety and well-being of women and children by working more deliberately with abusive fathers who use the centers to visit their children.
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 Gangs: A Focus on Research
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.
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."
Final Report: Sexual Assault Among Latinas (SALAS) Study (pdf)
A national study focusing on Latino women’s victimization involving sexual assault. The report highlights victimization experiences, help-seeking efforts, and cultural factors. Implications for policy and future research are discussed.
Financial Capability and Domestic Violence Prevention (pdf)
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence".
This article is an issue brief for one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular article speaks to the importance of expanding financial education programs for survivors of domestic violence.
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
"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.
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 Marriage in Immigrant Communities in the United States: 2011 National Survey Results (pdf)
This resource was developed from information gained through a national survey on the state of forced marriage in the United States. The survey was the first of its kind conducted in the United States and was designed to understand the scope and nature of forced marriage among immigrant communities.
Forced Marriage: Prevalence and Service Response (pdf)
This research paper reports on the findings of a Government study in the UK that aimed to improve the understanding of the prevalence of forced marriages, and to examine the way in which services are currently responding to the issue.
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.
Forensic Nursing: Primary Sexual Violence Prevention
Information and resources on primary prevention of sexual violence, especially as it relates to the profession of forensic nursing.
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.
Forging New Collaborations: A Guide for Rape Crisis, Domestic Violence, and Disability Organizations (pdf)
This document was created as a roadmap for bringing together agencies at the intersection of violence and disability so that they can create a new and effective approach to safety, healing, and accessibility to services for their clients.
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"
Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect (NIS-4)
"The NIS is a congressionally mandated, periodic research effort to assess the incidence of child abuse and neglect in the United States. The NIS gathers information from multiple sources to estimate the number of children who are abused or neglected, providing information about the nature and severity of the maltreatment, the characteristics of the children, perpetrators, and families, and the extent of changes in the incidence or distribution of child maltreatment since the time of the last national incidence study."
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."
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.
This report exposes the difficulties domestic violence survivor-defendants have in receiving fair sentencing when they are prosecuted for crimes related to their abuse. Using an international human rights framework, the report obliges the U.S. government to “prevent, investigate, and punish violence against women.”
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 (pdf)
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.
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.
Garden of Truth: The Prostitution and Trafficking of Native Women in Minnesota (pdf)
Garden of Truth is the first study detailing the personal experiences of Native women who have been prostituted and trafficked in Minnesota and is based on personal interviews and stories of 105 Native women in the Twin Cities, Duluth, and Bemidji.
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.
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."
Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Report (pdf)
The Report analyzes single-victim homicides and near-deadly assaults, provides strategies for ending domestic violence, and spotlights communities that have successfully implemented recommendations from previous reports.
Get the Facts - Domestic Violence and Children (pdf)
Statistics and numbers are provided to give an idea of trends in the United States related to children and exposure to domestic violence.
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."
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.
"A new Grants 101 resource from the Office of Justice Programs. This online guide provides: An overview of the OJP grant process for competitive and non-competitive programs; Tips on how to find funding opportunities and write strong applications; A description of the application review process and; Links to other resources, including the OJP Financial Guide and sample application materials."
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.
Guidance for Veterinarians to Respond to Suspected Cruelty, Abuse and Neglect (pdf)
This document was created to help veterinarians who see cases of suspected animal abuse and neglect in practice to respond effectively. It is intended to aid veterinarians in establishing individual, practice-specific policies and procedures that best serve the needs of the animal and the client. Topics covered include documentation, decision making, model policies, client questionnaires, legal reporting requirements, liability and confidentiality, and sources of training and resources.
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 guidance for school violence prevention and response in the following areas: prevention, threat assessment, planning and preparation, during a crisis, after a crisis, legal considerations, and working with the media. A list of Web sites pertaining to school safety and violence reduction is included.
Guide for Starting a Support Group for Victims of Stalking
The purpose of this handbook is to guide victim service providers, volunteers, and other concerned community members on how to initiate and implement a stalking support group. Also, this guide provides recommendations on how to locate partners and community support, identify resources, and engage victims who would like to participate in a stalking support group.
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.
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.
Guiding Principles for Promising Female Programming
This guide describes practical policy, program development processes, and promising program models aimed at preventing and treating female juvenile delinquency. Also includes a profile of female juvenile offenders, the problems they present, their needs, and ways to address them.
Guiding Principles for Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Safe Exchange Grant Program (pdf)
"This document was designed to guide the development and administration of Supervised Visitation Program centers with an eye toward addressing the needs of child(ren) and adult victims of domestic violence in visitation and exchange settings. The Guiding Principles look beyond the visitation setting to address how communities funded under the Supervised Visitation Program should address domestic violence in the larger community."
Haiti: After the Earthquake: Initial Mission Findings, March 2010 (pdf)
Amnesty International created this brief to draw attention of the Haitian government and the international community supporting Haiti, regarding the prevention of and response to sexual violence against women and girls.
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."
Handbook on Restorative Justice Programmes (pdf)
"This handbook offers, in a quick reference format, an overview of key considerations in the implementation of participatory responses to
crime based on a restorative justice approach. Its focus is on a range of measures and programmes, inspired by restorative justice values, that are flexible in their adaptation to criminal justice systems and that complement
them while taking into account varying legal, social and cultural circumstances.
It was prepared for the use of criminal justice officials, non-governmental organizations and community groups who are working together to improve current responses to crime and conflict in their community."
Also available in French
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.
Hate Violence against the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Communities (pdf)
"This reports documents hate-motivated violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) people in 2009 in the United States as reported to member organizations of the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP). It includes statistics, trends, narratives and responses and recommendations for change."
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? (pdf)
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 Cares About Domestic Violence Day: Organizing Packet
Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day) is a nationally recognized awareness-raising day that takes place annually on the second Wednesday of October. It aims to reach members of the healthcare community and educate them about the critical importance of assessing for domestic violence, as well as the long term health implications of domestic violence and lifetime exposure to violence. While the information provided in this packet is targeted for one specific day, much of the information can be used for awareness and training throughout the year as well.
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.
Healthcare Issues and Survivors of Sexual Violence
This bulletin speaks to the long-term consequences of sexual assault and the importance of the advocacy role that medical providers must take on when working with survivors of sexual violence.
Healthy Development: A Summit on Children’s Mental Health (pdf)
"This report was compiled from a 2009 Summit that brought together a comprehensive group of stakeholders in child and family mental health with the goal of promoting children’s mental health. The report addresses issues such as the prevalence of children’s mental health, gaps in service, current research and public perceptions of mental health, and provides recommendations."
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."
Healthy sexuality: A guide for advocates, counselors and prevention educators (pdf)
This guide provides guidance and practical tools for discussing healthy sexuality within the context of sexual violence for advocates, counselors, prevention educators, and activists. It explores healthy sexuality across the life span and connects this information with a primary prevention tools for local sexual violence programs.
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 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 distributed as an adjunct to individual or group interventions on woman abuse or on parenting.
Helping Culturally Diverse Victims of Interpersonal Violence: Avoiding Stereotypes & Meetings Needs
"This forum discusses the need to take people's culture into account when providing them with services for interpersonal violence and avoiding the trap of treating people in a cookie-cutter way, based on stereotypes about their culture. This forum is hosted by Lisa Aronson Fontes, PhD. Lisa is a Core Faculty Member in Union Institute & University's Psy.D. Program in Clinical Psychology and has dedicated almost 20 years to making the social service and mental health systems more responsive to culturally diverse people."
Helping to Prevent Child Abuse and Future Criminal Consequences: Hawaii's Healthy Start (pdf)
Hawaii's Healthy Start program uses home visitors from the community to provide services to at-risk families and to specifically reduce family stress, improve family functioning and parenting skills, enhance child health and development, and prevent child abuse and neglect.
Helping Traumatized Children at School
A paper that discusses school interventions for traumatized children. It provides some of the guidelines and resources for use when youth's traumas affect their ability to function at school.
The research and policy agenda is for parents, teachers, schools, administrators and law makers interested in the effects of family violence trauma on children. This document is meant to guide and map out steps that can be taken to ensure that children who are victims and/or witnesses of domestic violence do not fall behind and out of the system.
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 Traumatized Children: Tips for Judges (pdf)
"This fact sheet for judges and other court personnel outlines the impact of trauma on children's development, beliefs, and behaviors. It is designed to help professionals in the juvenile justice and family court system become more effective in addressing the unique needs and challenges of the traumatized children and adolescents they work with."
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: 2006
The 2006 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).
Here's Where We Start (pdf)
This booklet informs men of the extent of sexual and domestic violence and provides them with concrete ideas on how they can become part of the solution for ending these crimes. It outlines steps men can take to change the social norms that support sexual and domestic assaults.
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.
This summary reports on the key findings of research carried out by the National Union of Students between August 2009 and March 2010. Research concerned women students’ experiences of harassment, financial control, control over their course and institution choices, stalking, violence, and sexual assault.
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.
This article argues that many social justice and civil rights groups fail to take into account issues specific to women's justice. The author gives examples of this as well as some solutions for ways that civil rights and social justice groups can begin to make necessary changes. Includes link to text in Spanish
Highlights of the 1999 National Youth Gang Survey (pdf)
This two page report contains the highlights of the 1999 National Youth Gang Survey.
Hispanic Victims of Violent Crime, 1993-2000 (pdf)
"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.
In this article, which is part of the Spring 2011 issue of Family Violence Prevention Fund's e-Journal: Family Violence Prevention and Health Practice, Dr. Megan Bair-Merritt provides an overview of what we know about the impact of home visiting programs on IPV. She begins by describing how intimate partner violence (IPV) affects children’s heath, and includes the latest research on home visitation interventions to address IPV. The article concludes with five recommendations for translating research into policy and best practices.
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.
Homeless Youth and Sexual Exploitation: Research Findings and Practice Implications
"This issue brief reviews research regarding the involvement of unaccompanied, homeless youth in various types of sexual exploitation including survival sex and recruitment into the commercial sex industry and recommends a series of programmatic responses to meet their needs."
Homelessness and Family Trauma: The Case for Early Intervention (pdf)
* Can't find online 12/12/11* 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 (pdf)
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.
Housing & Sexual Violence (pdf)
This research brief explores the relationship between housing issues, homelessness, and sexual violence. The research reviewed indicates that residents of subsidized housing and people who are homeless experience disproportionate rates of sexual violence.
"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.
Housing and Sexual Violence Fact Sheet (pdf)
"Safe, affordable, and stable housing can be a protective factor against both sexual violence perpetration and victimization. This two page fact sheet offers information on the impact of housing costs, housing and various forms of oppression, and how advocates can help."
Housing and Sexual Violence Technical Assistance Bulletin (pdf)
"Sexual violence and housing are intricately linked by several factors including access to affordable housing, various forms of oppression and sex offender management. This four page document offers information on each of these topics as well as a section on how advocates can help survivors."
Housing and Sexual Violence: Overview of National Survey (pdf)
"This report provides a summary of key findings and policy recommendations from a national survey on housing and sexual violence. The National Sexual Violence Resource Center partnered with the Victims Rights Law Center, National Sexual Assault Coalition Resource Sharing Project, Louisiana Foundation Against Sexual Assault, University of New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania Community Legal Services to develop and conduct this survey in 2008."
"The authors review the literature on resilience following childhood maltreatment and describe how variation in the measurement of outcomes at various developmental stages affects research findings, practice implications, and policy recommendations."
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 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 World Report 2010 (pdf)
"This 20th annual World Report summarizes human rights conditions in more than 90 countries and territories worldwide. It reflects extensive investigative work undertaken in 2009 by Human Rights Watch staff, usually in close partnership with human rights activists in the country in question."
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 2010 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.
Human Trafficking of Children in the United States: A Fact Sheet for Schools (pdf)
"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."
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.
If He is Raped: A Guidebook for Parents, Partners, Spouses, and Friends (pdf)
"The focus of this book is on males who are raped by other males. It provides information about male rape and outlines the most important things you should know when confronted with an incident of male rape."
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.
This report resulted from a two-year gender-based violence initiative which aimed to improve both international and local capacities for addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in situations involving refugees and/or internally displaced persons, during and post-conflict. Profiles for nine geographic settings - Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Afghanistan/Pakistan, Burma/Thailand, East Timor, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo - are included.
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 (pdf)
"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 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 Relief for Crime Victims: The U Visa Manual (pdf)
"This manual aims to provide guidance to lawyers on issues that arise in the context of representing U visa applicants. It is designed for practitioners who are familiar with basic immigration terms and legal concepts."
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."
Impact of Intimate Partner Violence on Economic Well-Being (pdf)
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence".
This powerpoint is from one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular presentation discusses the many facets of
economic abuse as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV).
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
Impact of the Law on Service to Teens (pdf)
This issue brief discusses the challenges that laws at the state and federal level pose, how they can impact the way service providers serve teens and how teens respond to adult interventions. Suggested strategies are given for programs and agencies working to serve teen victims of abuse.
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.
Impact: Feature Issue on Violence and Women with Developmental or Other Disabilities (pdf)
This publication presents a collection of articles that explore violence as it impacts women with developmental and other disabilities. This collection offers strategies and ideas for bringing together disability service providers, sexual and domestic violence programs, law enforcement and the justice system, policymakers, researchers, and women with disabilities to prevent future victimization.
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.
Implementing Intimate Partner Violence Screening in Family Planning Centers
This article describes the process of implementing and revising intimate partner violence screening in three large, urban family planning centers over a decade. Monitoring, research, and improvements to the process over the past decade are discussed along with future directions for research and practice.
Importance of Fathers in the Healthy Development of Children
This manual is the first guide of its kind for professionals that focuses specifically on how they can more effectively engage fathers whose children come to the attention of the child welfare system.
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."
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."
The purpose of this report is to capture and publish information from an exhaustive needs assessment process conducted over a period of nine months. In Their Own Words is the work of over 200 courageous women and men in the State of Maine who have dared to hope that the truth and wisdom of their experience will be heard by those in power, and that Maine’s mental health and human service systems will respond to the long ignored plight of children and adults traumatized by histories of interpersonal violence.
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.
Including Animal Cruelty as a Factor in Assessing Risk and Designing Interventions (pdf)
This paper assesses the feasibility and usefulness of including animal cruelty as a variable in future research and practices, as well as makes recommendations of how this can be accomplished. In addition, recommended policy changes are discussed, including the practice of maintaining statistics on juvenile animal cruelty and the current proposal before the Federal Bureau of Investigation to add animal cruelty as a separate category in the agency’s crime data collection system.
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 (pdf)
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 Series
Reports data on crime at school from the perspective of students, teachers, principals, and the general population from 1998 to the present.
Indigenous perpetrators of violence: Prevalence and risk factors for offending
"This report presents results of research into victimisation of, and offending by, Indigenous people. The report draws attention to the need to investigate the specifics of different forms of violent offending, the relationship between victims and offenders and the location and nature of different community settings."
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.
As part of the International Marriage Broker Regulation Act, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services has released this fact sheet to provide immigrating foreign brides (and other marriage-based visa applicants) with potentially life-saving information about rights and resources available to them in the United States if they are abused.
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.
Injustice on Our Plates: Immigrant Women in the U.S. Food Industry (pdf)
This report documents the workplace experiences of immigrant women who have come to the United States to escape poverty. It describes how the laws that are in place to protect them from exploitation are grossly inadequate. Section three talks specifically about sexual violence experienced in the workplace. Results are from interviews with approximately 150 women who are either currently undocumented or have spent time in the U.S. as undocumented immigrants.
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.
Insecurity and Indignity: Women's experiences in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya (pdf)
"A report documenting women’s experiences living in Kenyan slums. It states that women and girls in Nairobi's slums live under the constant threat of sexual violence. Violence against women is rarely prosecuted, creating a hostile living environment for women and girls. Amnesty urges the Kenyan government to address gendered violence and guarantee safe access to water and sanitation."
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.
Integrating gender into HIV/AIDS programmes in the health sector (pdf)
"This tool helps programme managers and health-care providers in the public and private sectors integrate gender into HIV/AIDS programmes they wish to set up, implement and evaluate so they are more responsive to women's needs."
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 violence and alcohol (pdf)
This report by the World Health Organization presents research on the relation between alcohol and violence. It suggests that alcohol is a situational determinant which increases the risk of most types of violence. Hazardous and harmful use of alcohol has also been shown to be an important consequence of experiencing or witnessing most forms of violence, but especially child maltreatment and intimate partner violence.
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."
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.
Intimate Partner Homicide Prevention
This Special Collection explores the most tragic consequence of domestic violence and offers a variety of tools and information towards its prevention. The collection outlines the scope of the problem, provides tools and strategies for assessing danger, resources and much more.
This resource was developed by VAWnet and the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, with contributions from the Battered Women’s Justice Project, Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
Intimate Partner Sexual Violence Support Group Guide (pdf)
This is a manual with detailed information on developing and facilitating a psychoeducational support group for survivors of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). It also includes information on how to incorporate IPSV topics into more general support groups focused on domestic violence or sexual assault.
Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
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.
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 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."
Intimate Partner Violence in the United States
This report is 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.
Iraq: Insecurity and Violence Against Women
"This document aims to raise awareness about some of the realities facing women in Iraq. The collection focuses more specifically on how current events in Iraq have uniquely impacted Iraqi women and have engendered various forms of violence against women."
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.
Issue Brief: Addressing the Mental Health Impact of Violence and Trauma on Children (pdf)
In addressing the mental health impact of violence and trauma on children, Luest looks into the question of "what is happening to our children" and responds with a well researched look into the experiences of children who are exposed to violence, their behavioral response, and how the system is currently failing them. She finishes with "next steps" for how policymakers, administration and government, communities and families can be more responsive to the needs of children.
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 All Starts At Home: Male Adolescent Violence to Mothers (pdf)
This research examined male adolescents' abuse and violence to their sole parent mothers living in Australia. The research highlighted cultural, intra-generational and intergenerational issues relating to family violence, as well as the significant and lasting cumulative impact on the women, where the abuse was experienced from the women's ex-partners and their sons.
It Takes 2: Partnering with Men in Reproductive and Sexual Health (pdf)
"This publication offers guidance on effective and gender-sensitive ways to engage men in the reproductive and sexual health of themselves and their partners. It includes examples of successful strategies and programming as well as lessons learned."
"This guide provides information on developing gender literate sexuality education designed for policymakers, curriculum developers, and educators in order to develop sexuality/HIV education materials that also teach critical thinking about gender norms and roles. "
Link to Guidelines
Link to Activities
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.
Jewish Perspectives in Domestic Violence (word)
"In this paper, the author proposes different ideas relevant to Judaism in regard to domestic violence, offers Jewish precepts and texts, raises current problems for Jewish battered women, describes Jewish programs working to eliminate domestic violence, makes known Jews in the movement/field, cites Jewish Domestic Violence cases, and concludes with Creating Rituals and Blessings."
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 Denied: The experiences of 100 torture surviving women of seeking justice and rehabilitation (pdf)
"This report analyzed the experiences of 100 women from 24 countries who settled in the United Kingdom after surviving torture. The report stated that almost all of the women studied had experienced at least one incident of rape or sexual assault. The vast majority were unable to find help when they sought redress and could not access legal aid or the necessary healthcare. "
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.
Juvenile Arrests 2007 (pdf)
"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2007 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2007."
Juvenile Arrests 2008 (pdf)
"The Bulletin describes the extent and nature of juvenile crime that comes to the attention of the justice system. It summarizes 2008 juvenile crime and arrest data reported by local law enforcement agencies across the country and cited in the FBI report, Crime in the United States 2008."
Juvenile Arrests 2008 (pdf)
This report summarizes juvenile crime data from the FBI report Crime in the United States 2008. The information provided can serve as a benchmark for juvenile justice professionals and other concerned citizens seeking to assess America’s progress in reducing juvenile delinquency.
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 Delinquency Probation Caseload, 2005 (pdf)
A fact sheet based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report. Presents statistics on delinquency cases resulting in probation in 2005.
"This study tested the effectiveness of two court-based intervention programs in California that addressed juvenile domestic and family violence. Primary findings from the study indicated recidivism rates for offenders with prior records were remarkably consistent across sites, the specialized intervention programs in both Santa Clara and San Francisco counties had a deterrent effect on first-time offenders, and the greatest determinant of the probability of recidivism was background characteristics of the offender."
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.
Juvenile Residential Facility Census, 2004: Selected Findings (pdf)
"A biannual census, developed to support the vital role of corrections in maintaining the safety of the community and providing essential services to confined youth. Facilities report on characteristics such as their size, structure, type, ownership, and security arrangements. Facilities also provide information on a range of services they provide to youth in their care. In addition, facilities report on the number of deaths of youth in custody during the prior 12 months."
This is a compilation of literature on male and female juvenile sex offenders and resources on general child development.
Juvenile Suicide in Confinement: A National Survey (pdf)
"This report provides the results of a survey on juvenile suicides occurring in confinement between 1995 and 1999. The study examined the demographic characteristics and social history of each victim, the characteristics of the incident, and the features of the juvenile facility in which the suicide took place. The report provides suggestions for addressing the problem and recommendations for prevention planning."
Juvenile Transfer Laws: An Effective Deterrent to Delinquency? (pdf)
"Provides an overview of research on the deterrent effects of transferring youth from juvenile to criminal courts, focusing on large-scale comprehensive OJJDP-funded studies on the effect of transfer laws on recidivism. The Bulletin reviews all of the extant research on the general and specific deterrent effects of transferring juveniles to adult criminal court."
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 Commit Sex Offenses Against Minors (pdf)
"This bulletin presents population-based epidemiological information about the characteristics of juvenile offenders who commit sex offenses against minors. The authors analyzed data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) and provided topical statistics highlighting the fact that juveniles account for more than one-third (35.6 percent) of this type of offender. Findings may support the development of research-based interventions and policies to reduce sexual assault and child molestation as perpetrated by juvenile offenders."
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 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 (pdf)
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 (pdf)
8-page Bulletin posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). This Bulletin describes the offense of kidnapping 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 kidnapping 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
Korean Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Korean translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
Latina Cultural Context and Advocacy (pdf)
This document is designed for advocates working with Latina victims of domestic violence. It is intended to help inform advocates of the cultural contexts through which Latina victims see their world, in order to provide culturally informed services.
Law Enforcement Referral of At-Risk Youth: The SHIELD Program
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."
Legal Tools for Survivors of Sexual Assault
This article addresses legal issues that might be helpful to survivors of sexual assault and their loved ones. The goal is to provide useful information on available options to aid in the process of recovery from trauma.
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)
This brochure was primarily designed for adults who are concerned about the possible presence of child sexual abuse within their community. Stop It Now! believes that learning how to talk about your concerns can help protect a child in your life and this guide gives you the tools to speak about your concern.
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.
LGBTQ Detainees Chief Targets for Sexual Abuse in Detention (pdf)
"This short fact sheet talks about how sexual abuse of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) inmates constitutes one of the most rampant and ignored human rights violations in the U.S. today."
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.
Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"The Lifetime Spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
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 Children Are Sacred: Exploring Accountability to Australia's Aboriginal Children
This collection explores accountability to aboriginal children in the Northern Territory of Australia through a critical analysis of government action (and inaction) - presented generally as its follow-up to recommendations in the Little Children are Sacred report of 2007 - and a review of the community-based response to the government interventions.
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 (pdf)
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
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.
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."
Make it Matter: 10 Key Advocacy Messages to Prevent HIV in Girls and Young Women (pdf)
"The aim of this guide is to equip its users with key messages, evidence and actions that can be used to advocate effectively to prevent HIV in girls and young women. It focuses on three goals as a response to the epidemic: improving the accessibility of sexual and reproductive health services for girls and young women; expanding socio-economic opportunities; and ending child marriage."
The primary objective of this study is to analyze interventions where volunteerism has played or is playing a significant role in the prevention of and response to gender-based violence (GBV) in Cambodia. Drawing on consultations with all stakeholders, including volunteers, survivors and representatives of organizations, this study aims to inform and strengthen future volunteer interventions to respond to and prevent gender-based violence.
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 Restitution Real: Five Case Studies on Improving Restitution Collection (pdf)
This article was prepared by National Center for Victims of Crime with the support of the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. It provides real-world examples of efforts to improve the collection of victim restitution.
Be patient. This article is quite large and may take a few minutes to load.
Making Sense of DNA Backlogs — Myths vs. Reality (pdf)
A special report that addresses the question of why backlogs of DNA evidence awaiting testing persist even after the federal government has provided hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate them. The report provides an understanding of what a backlog is and how backlogs can be reduced.
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."
"A study conducted through in-depth interviews with 71 women aged 18-49 who had a history of intimate partner violence. Findings include male reproductive control which encompasses pregnancy-promoting behaviors as well as control and abuse during pregnancy in an attempt to influence the pregnancy outcome. Recommendations include assessing for male reproductive control among women seeking reproductive health services, including antenatal care, so that health care providers may be able to provide education, care, and counseling to help women protect their reproductive health and physical safety."
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. "
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."
"This database provides state-by-state information about child and elder abuse mandatory reporting laws. It includes who is required to report, standards, definitions, and other reporting procedures."
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.
Maze of Injustice: The failure to protect Indigenous women from sexual violence in the USA (pdf)
"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."
This resource provides researchers, specialists, and educators with tools to measure a range of bullying experiences: bully perpetration, bully victimization, bully-victim experiences, and bystander experiences. An example of a provided tool is the "Perception of Teasing Scale" (POTS).
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.
This compendium provides a set of tools to assess violence-related beliefs, behaviors, and influences, as well as to evaluate programs to prevent youth violence. More than 170 measures are included. Some examples of measures include: "Violent Intentions—Teen Conflict Survey", "Aggressive Behavior—SAGE Baseline Survey", and "Drug and Alcohol Use—Youth Risk Behavior Survey"
"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."
Media Advocacy Project (pdf)
This report describes the media advocacy project that is part of the national family violence prevention campaign in New Zealand - the It's not OK campaign. The campaign team developed guidelines for reporters, and provided training aimed at more accurate balanced reporting of family violence. Since 2006, we have trained student journalists and journalists in newsrooms on understanding family violence and accurate reporting, as well as training and supporting community spokespeople so that they can proactively engage with the media. We have since seen a significant positive change in the way family violence is reported across New Zealand.
Media Savvy Youth: Challenging the Pop Culture Messages that Contribute to Sexual Violence (pdf)
"This issue of 'Connections - A Biannual Publication of Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs' shares insight from programs that are empowering youth to become media savvy by giving them the tools to be critical consumers and gain a voice around issues of sexual violence."
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 (pdf)
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 and the Prevention of Gender-based Violence: A Conceptual Framework for Policy Change
This discussion paper was produced for Partners for Prevention. One goal of this interagency collaboration is to produce a holistic, evidence-based set of policy recommendations for more effective gender based violence prevention. Endorsement of these policy recommendations by leading UN agencies will deepen our collaboration with partners in government across the region to implement policy enhancements for effective violence prevention.
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. "
Men Speak Out About Sexist Coverage of Rape: A Call To Action (pdf)
This document is a powerful statement made by an ad hoc coalition of men who work to prevent sexual violence.
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 Consequences of Sexual Violence in Detention (pdf)
"This two page fact sheet talks about the devastating consequences of sexual violence in detention and the extreme challenges that survivors may face."
Mental Health Services for Children Who Witness Domestic Violence (pdf)
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.
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 Workers and Prevention (pdf)
This issue of their Partners in Social Change newsletter examines in-depth primary prevention of sexual violence with migrant workers.
Informative article that defines Military Sexual Trauma (MST) and speaks to it's pervasiveness. Resources are also included for if you or someone you know has experienced MST.
Missing voices: views of older persons on elder abuse (pdf)
This study asks older persons and primary health care workers themselves a series of questions in order to understand what their perceptions are, how they themselves classify elder abuse, and what they perceive as the first steps needed for a global strategy against the abuse of older people. The findings throw new light on how to perceive and approach elder abuse.
Mobilizing Communities to Prevent Domestic Violence
"This Applied Research document provides an overview of the research on community mobilization to prevent domestic violence, explores guiding concepts and frameworks, and discusses the challenges of implementing community mobilization strategies."
Mobilizing Religious Communities to Respond to Gender-based Violence and HIV: A Training Manual (pdf)
The first in a series of two manuals aimed at raising awareness and educating religious leaders and communities about gender-based violence. The training manual equips religious communities with tools to deepen their awareness and understanding of gender-based violence and its link to HIV and proposes faith-based activities on the subject.
Model Campus Stalking Policy (pdf)
Given the prevalence of stalking on campuses and its impact on victims, a dedicated effort to address stalking on campus is necessary. This document provides an example of a stalking policy that can be adapted and implemented on campuses. A university or college stalking policy is one of the best ways to address the significant problem of stalking on campus.
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 (pdf)
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.
Model Protocol on Service Animals in Domestic Violence Shelters (pdf)
"This document provides basic information about the use of service animals, the laws that apply to domestic violence shelters and service animals, and suggested policies and procedures for domestic violence shelters regarding service animals."
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.
Models in Prevention - CDC's DELTA Program
The DELTA program seeks to reduce the incidence of intimate partner violence by providing funding to support local coordinated community responses (CCR's) adoption of primary prevention principles and practices. This special collection from VAWnet.org highlights the successes of this program and its grantees, providing materials to support replication of these efforts across the United States and globally.
Modern-Day Comfort Women: The U.S. Military, Transnational Crime, and the Trafficking of Women (pdf)
"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.
This report focuses on the situations of women who experienced abuse in another country and came to the United States in an effort to protect themselves and their children, but who then faced civil actions in U.S. state or federal courts for child abduction under international legal agreements.
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.
Myths and Facts about Domestic Violence (pdf)
This document lists some common myths about the nature and causes of domestic violence.
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
This website provides a review of relevant websites, statistics, and current literature related to child exposure to domestic violence.
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 Series
These reports present estimates of national levels and rates of personal and property victimization. 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. Electronic reports available date from 1992.
National Directory of Domestic Violence Service Programs Offering Services in Spanish
A comprehensive and well organized directory of domestic violence service providers throughout the nation who offer various services in Spanish.
National Elder Abuse Incidence Study - 1998 (pdf)
The first report of its kind in the U.S., this incidence report details the definitions of elder abuse, the characteristics of victims and perpetrators of elder abuse, and the findings of this survey project.
National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children (Australia) (pdf)
The Australian National Plan provides the framework for action by the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to reduce violence against women and their children.
The central goals of the National Plan are to reduce violence against women and their children and to improve how governments work together, increase support for women and their children, and
create innovative and targeted ways to bring about change.
The National Plan sets out six national outcomes for all governments to deliver during the next 12
years. The outcomes will be delivered through four three-year action plans, the first of which runs from 2010 to 2013.
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."
In Fall 2009 the National Sexual Violence Resource Center embarked on a three‐year process of assessing the primary prevention training and technical assistance needs of coalitions, Rape Prevention Education (RPE) coordinators and local rape crisis programs. The emphasis of this year 2 assessment was on how programs are thinking about primary prevention and the processes that allowed innovation to develop.
National survey of advocates on sexual violence, housing & Violence Against Women Act (pdf)
This report provides a summary of key findings from a national survey of advocates on housing and sexual violence. Findings are based on the responses of 178 sexual violence advocates from 23 states.
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 from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. 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.
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 language, old problem: Sex trafficking of American Indian women and children
This VAWnet Applied Research Paper discusses the unique vulnerability of Native women and children for trafficking, summarizes research and other documents on sex trafficking of Native women and girls, discuss gaps in legal protections and victims support services, and concludes with implications for professionals.
New Resources on Domestic Violence for Home Visitation Programs
As part of a special Office on Women's Health funded initiative on maternal child health and violence called Project Connect: A Coordinated Public Health Initiative to Respond to Domestic and Sexual Violence (see more about Project Connect in this issue), the Family Violence Prevention Fund is releasing a curriculum on domestic violence for home visitors.
New York City Domestic Violence Fatality Review Committee Annual Report 2008 (pdf)
This report describes family-related homicides that occurred in New York City between 2002 and 2007. Includes key findings, risk factors, and action steps in response to findings.
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Fall 2010 Bulletin (pdf)
In the latest issue of the NY State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence's (OPDV) quarterly newsletter, topics include Domestic Violence and Suicide, Media Coverage of Domestic Violence, Legislative Update, Model Guidelines for College Campuses, and LGBT Curriculum update.
New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence Winter 2010 Bulletin (pdf)
In the latest issue of the NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence's (OPDV) quarterly newsletter, topics include the use of technology in stalking, predicting reabuse and murders of intimate partners, and training events happening around the state.
NIJ Journal No. 267, March 2011
The NIJ Journal, published several times a year, features articles to help criminal justice policymakers and practitioners stay informed about new developments. Highlights of this issue include- "Toward a Better Way to Interview Child Victims of Sexual Abuse", and "Solving the Problem of Untested Evidence in Sexual Assaults"
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."
This document presents a general overview of discourses on culture, religion, and tradition that are used to justify violence against women and looks at cases in various countries, as well as methods to counter such arguments. The paper also provides recommendations for activists, scholars, and policy makers.
No One to Turn To seeks to move the debate on and reinvigorate efforts to address the problem of the under-reporting of child sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers and peacekeepers. Based on research with communities and international organizations, it examines the chronic under-reporting of abuse and the inadequate response to it. It provides new analysis on why this abuse persists despite international efforts to stop it, and proposes new solutions to tackle it.
No Place for Kids:The Case for Reducing Juvenile Incarceration (pdf)
This report details flaws in the United States heavy reliance on juvenile correctional institutions. After detailing how these institutions are ineffective and dangerous for our nations youth, the report concludes with recommendations for states on how to reduce juvenile incarceration and redesign their juvenile corrections systems.
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 Enough: What TANF Offers Family Violence Victims (pdf)
Based on a national survey of service providers, this report is a comprehensive effort to understand when TANF successfully assists victims of family violence, and when the program falls short.
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 (pdf)
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 Elder Abuse Task Force Report (pdf)
This report consists of recommendations, issues for future consideration, and implementation strategies for the prevention of elder abuse as a result of research done by the Ohio Elder Abuse Task Force.
On the Road to Equality: Statewide Findings & Policy Recommendations (pdf)
"A supplement to the Status of Girls in Minnesota report by the Women’s Foundation of Minnesota in partnership with the Institute for Women’s Policy Research. Focus groups were conducted in 18 Minnesota communities that included African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, LBT (Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender), and disabilities communities — to share key research findings and gain community input. This report captures the voices and policy recommendations of these communities, nonprofit and public leaders."
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.
Open Minds Open Doors: Transforming Domestic Violence Programs to Include LGBTQ Survivors (pdf)
This guide outlines the process that The Network and La Red suggest for making domestic violence programs more LGBTQ-inclusive. Each of the chapters focuses on one aspect of that process in detail, offering ideas for implementation.
Large file; may take a few minutes to download
Opening the Door: An Advocate's Guide to Housing and Sexual Violence (pdf)
This guide is intended to equip advocates with information and resources to support their housing advocacy efforts in helping victims and survivors of sexual violence.
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.
Options for Reporting Sexual Violence: Developments over the Past Decade
This article, geared towards law enforcement agencies working with survivors of sexual violence, explores the major changes in policies and procedures around reporting options.
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 (pdf)
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.
"This report documents good practices in preventing and responding to gender-based violence. The five case studies featured within document initiatives in Armenia, Romania,Turkey and the Ukraine that were implemented by governments and other partners with the support of UNFPA. Although the reports focus on initiatives in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the practices and lessons learned can be applied throughout the globe."
Partners for Prevention Annual Report 2010: Working to Prevent Violence against Women (pdf)
This report covers Partners for Prevention's progress and key programmatic milestones from 2010. Through valued partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region, Partners for Prevention moved from a take-off phase in 2009 to full implementation of their three projects in 2010 - Evidence-based Policy Advocacy, Capacity Development and Networking and Communications for Social Change.
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.
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."
Patrick Stewart: the legacy of domestic violence
In this article, the actor describes how he regularly saw his father hit his mother and how the horrors of his childhood experiences remained with him throughout his adult life.
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.
Person Offense Cases in Juvenile Court, 2005 (pdf)
This fact sheet, based on the Juvenile Court Statistics 2005 report, provides statistics on person offense cases processed by juvenile courts in that year.
Personal Safety for Children: A Guide for Parents
"This guide gives tips to help parents keep their children safer at home, at school, and in the community. Available in English and Spanish."
Perspectives on Acquaintance Rape
This article from the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress explains and discusses key issues, definitions, and research findings regarding acquaintance rape.
Pets in Protective Orders- Summary by State (pdf)
This document shows current pet protection laws by state as well as pending legislation as of 6/11.
PHENG THAO: Pushing Boundaries to Affect Systems Change (pdf)
This article profiles Pheng Thao, a Minnesota leader engaging men in primary prevention efforts to end sexual and domestic violence. While Pheng focuses on the Hmong community in this article, the issues he identifies are familiar in every community in Minnesota. Pheng is a great example of what men can do and the impact we can have as we speak up and organize to end men’s violence and support gender equality.
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.
A resource on the impacts of spanking on children's growth and development.
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."
"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."
Police diversion of young offenders and Indigenous over-representation (pdf)
"Indigenous over-representation in the justice system is a challenge facing Australian society. This study focused on the extent of Indigenous over-representation, evidence of disparity in how Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people were processed and the impact of diversion on re-contact with the juvenile system."
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.
Polyvictimization in Developmental Context (pdf)
This article provides an analysis of data on child victimization from a large national survey using the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire. The purpose of the study was to assess the prevelence of polyvictimization (i.e., exposure to multiple forms of victimization) in youth from 4 different developmental cohorts.
Polyvictimization: Children’s Exposure to Multiple Types of Violence, Crime, and Abuse (pdf)
Using the National Survey of Children's Exposure to Violence (NatSCEV, this bulletin reports key findings regarding children's direct exposure to multiple forms of violence, also known as polyvictimization.
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.
"This special collection includes a categorized and selected listing of articles, fact sheets, papers, reports and surveys. It is offered as an additional tool to assist advocates working on and interested in poverty and how it relates to ending violence against women."
"This guide includes definitions and discussion of terms, a review of current literature showing the links between sexual violence and poverty, a philosophical framework for economic advocacy, strategies for application of the framework, conclusions and recommendations, as well as tools and resources."
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.
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."
Predictors of Program Outcome and Recidivism at the Bronx Misdemeanor Domestic Violence Court (pdf)
In this study, the authors examine cases in the Bronx for possible correlates of program mandate non-completion and recidivism. A literature review of domestic violence prevention and intervention programs is presented followed by the research study and outcomes.
Pregnancy coercion, intimate partner violence and unintended pregnancy (pdf)
In surveying females ages 16–29 years seeking care in five family planning clinics in Northern California, pregnancy coercion and birth control sabotage were found to be common among young women utilizing family planning clinics. In the context of partner violence, these findings are associated with increased risk for unintended pregnancy.
Preliminary Adaptations for Working with Traumatized Latino/Hispanic Children and Their Families (pdf)
The Culture and Trauma Briefs series serves to
support the NCTSN commitment to raising
the standard of care for traumatized children,
their families, and their communities by
highlighting the diversity of needs and
experiences of those children, families, and
communities.
This report was developed through information gathered via a preliminary focus group of bilingual/bicultural therapists at a children's hospital in California to address the needs of diverse Latino populations seeking care.
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 prevalence 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 (pdf)
"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 Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Regions of Brazil (pdf)
"This article analyzes the results from the 'WHO Multi-country Study on Women’s Health and Domestic Violence,' on the prevalence of intimate partner violence against women in Brazil."
Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Among an Abortion Clinic Population
"A cross-sectional clinic based study that estimated the prevalence of intimate partner violence among patients who had elective abortions. The study concluded that abortion patients experience high intimate partner violence rates, indicating the need for targeted screening and community-based referral."
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.
The link should take you to a page where you will first have to fill out a request form, and then can access the report.
Preventing Adolescent Gang Involvement
12-page Bulletin is posted by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention . 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 Domestic & Sexual Violence in Later Life
"This special collection brings together selected materials related to preventing and responding to elder abuse, specifically domestic and sexual violence. It highlights the complexities of older people's DV/SV experiences and emphasizes collaborative and multi-pronged approaches to addressing DV/SV in later life."
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.
This document describes a five-year vision for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) work in child maltreatment (CM) prevention. The overall strategy in preventing CM is to promote safe, stable, and nurturing relationships (SSNRs) between children and their caregivers.
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse Online Resource Collection
This well organized collection from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC) provides information and tools for caretakers, organizations and communities assuming the responsibility of preventing child sexual abuse. Information and resource links for headings such as, "Sexuality and child development", "What you can do", and "Shifting cultural norms".
Preventing Child Sexual Abuse: A National Resource Directory & Handbook (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."
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.
In a two-year process,a multidisciplinary group of experienced prevention practitioners, stakeholders, advocates, and organizations formed a Prevention Steering Committee that conducted a statewide needs and resources assessment from which three goals were developed to prevent the first-time occurrence of intimate partner and sexual violence.
Michigan’s plan uses a public health approach to benefit the largest group possible and emphasizes building the capacity of individuals, organizations and systems to more effectively identify, implement, and evaluate prevention strategies, especially those that prevent first-time perpetration.
"This toolkit provides facts about emergency contraception for rape survivors, tools and strategies to assess the need for increased access, and four strategies to increase access. The four strategies discussed are legislation, administrative efforts, litigation and voluntary efforts. Samples, survivor stories and additional resources are also included."
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 Against Women and Children: Workshop Summary
"The Institute of Medicine, Forum on Global Violence Prevention held its first workshop January 27-28, 2011 to explore the prevention of violence against women and children. The workshop was designed to examine approaches to violence prevention from multiple perspectives and diverse levels of society. The workshop brought together stakeholders to discuss intervention strategies to prevent violence before it starts, prevent the recurrence of violence, prevent violence-related trauma, and stop the spread of violence to the next generation or social level. Speakers suggested a need to advance research on the co-occurrence of abuse on both child and partner, changing social norms, and the state of violence prevention research in low- and middle-income countries. This document is a summary of the workshop."
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 Juvenile Justice Bulletin- 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.
Prevention is for Life HIV/AIDS: Dispatches from the Field (pdf)
"This advocacy booklet uses real-life examples to explain how HIV prevention can save lives in diverse cultural and geographical settings. It includes chapters on youth and HIV, condom programming, protecting women and girls, linking HIV prevention with other sexual and reproductive health care, and empowering populations who are at particular risk."
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 (pdf)
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.
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. This bulletin and the others in the Legal Series highlight various circumstances in which relevant laws are applied, emphasizing their successful implementation.
Problem-Oriented Guides for Police - Domestic Violence (pdf)
Domestic disputes are some of the most common calls for police service. This guide discusses domestic disputes that involve violence, as well as the measures that can be used to reduce them. This is an essential tool for law enforcement to help analyze and respond to their local problem.
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.
Promising Approaches: Working with Families, Child Welfare and Domestic Violence (pdf)
The purpose of this brochure is to provide a framework for mandated reporters to create family centered approaches when domestic violence is identified and to offer guidelines to assist mandated reporters to assess accurately and sympathetically, the impact of domestic violence on children and their families.
Promising Practices with Men Who Batter (pdf)
In this report to the King County Domestic Violence Council, the author provides a literature review of promising practices with men who batter, ranging from historical to current approaches. Key research findings on batterer intervention programs(BIP) are provided, including current concerns with BIPs. Finally, current gaps in services are identified and recommendations are given.
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."
"This document presents key findings of the consultation held in May 2008 to identify and promote approaches in national development planning, implementation and budgeting that bring real results in empowering women and reducing HIV and AIDS among women and girls. It highlights the need for a framework that links structural, social and individual determinants of gender inequality as well as presents opportunities to strengthen the focus on intersections between HIV, violence against women, and sexual and reproductive health access and rights. This publication includes a multimedia resource CD, available below for download."
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."
WATCH is a court monitoring and research organization that monitors cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse in Hennepin County, Minnesota. This report focuses on how misdemeanor cases of domestic violence are handled in Hennepin County’s three suburban courts. The purpose of this report is to outline how Hennepin County suburban courts can improve their response to domestic violence cases and to make specific recommendations for key changes. The observations by WATCH court monitors and the recommendations also have a broader impact as communities across the United States grapple with what seems to be an intractable social problem
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.
This document provides local and community-based organizations with strategies for preventing the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children during natural disasters and other emergencies.
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 handbook highlights the “full faith and credit” provision of the Violence Against Women Act, which requires enforcement of valid orders anywhere, regardless of where they were issued. In addition, it addresses related issues including firearms and stalking.
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."
Psychiatric Disorders of Youth in Detention (pdf)
"This Bulletin presents information that can help the juvenile justice system detect youth psychiatric disorders and respond with an integrated system of services. It examines the prevalence of alcohol, drug, and mental disorders among youth at the Cook County (Illinois) Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, by gender, race/ethnicity, and age. Drawing on research conducted by the Northwestern Juvenile Project, this Bulletin finds that nearly two-thirds of males and three-quarters of females studied met diagnostic criteria for one or more psychiatric disorders."
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.
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.
Punjabi Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Punjabi translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
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."
Rapid Assessment Tool for Sexual & Reproductive Health and HIV Linkages (pdf)
This adaptable tool can be used to assess linkages betweeen HIV and sexual and reproductive health at the policy, systems and service-delivery levels. It is intended also to identify gaps and ultimately to contribute to the development of country-specific action plans to forge and strengthen these linkages.
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 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 bulletin provides information to help professionals understand the connections between literacy and sexual violence"
"Focused on the farming industry, the bulletin describes the risk factors for sexual violence for migrant workers, barriers to reporting, legal rights and advocacy strategies."
Realities for Immigrant Populations: How they Experience the System (pdf)
This document describes experiences, barriers, and fears of many immigrant victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking when accessing the U.S. civil and criminal justice systems, and provides an overview of the immigration system and laws.
Realizing the Promise of Home Visitation: Addressing Domestic Violence and Child Maltreatment (pdf)
"This guide is intended to help policy makers and advocates build a strong national policy framework to maximize the effectiveness and reach of early childhood home visiting programs. It is intended to ensure that federal home visiting policies directly address: the needs of mothers and children who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing domestic violence, the link between domestic violence and child abuse and neglect, and the impact of domestic violence on the health and well-being of children and families."
Reasonable Efforts Checklist for Dependency Cases Involving Domestic Violence (pdf)
"This checklist includes easy reference bench cards for judges to consult during removal, adjudication, disposition, review, permanency, and termination hearings involving domestic violence. It is designed to aid judges in making reasonable efforts findings that are required by federal law in dependency cases involving domestic violence."
Reasonable Efforts or Unrealistic Expectations: A Look at Hennepin County Child Protection Cases (pdf)
"The purpose of this report is to identify ways in which Hennepin County could provide greater support for families throughout the Children in Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS) process and improve the systems in which judges, social workers, and guardians ad litem (GAL) are operating."
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."
Recognizing and Interrupting Abuse of Adults with Disabilities
Part of the World Institute on Disability, this website provides information on abuse towards those with a disability. Headings include "What is Abuse", "Types of Abuse", "What contributes to Abuse", and more.
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.
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.
Redefining Justice: Addressing the Individual Needs of Victims and Witnesses (pdf)
A report exploring how frontline services meet the needs of victims and witnesses of crime. It is based on meetings with victims, witnesses and practitioners in various service organizations in England and Wales. Although the report is focused on improving the justice system in the UK, the recommendations in the report are applicable to the United States as well.
Reducing Disproportionate Minority Contact: Preparation at the Local Level (pdf)
"Describes strategies that States and communities can use to reduce disproportionate minority contact with the juvenile justice system. This bulletin is a companion to the latest edition of OJJDP's Disproportionate Minority Contact Technical Assistance Manual. It includes useful 'how to' information drawn from the manual and presents important background on the context in which local preparation takes place—media coverage and public attitudes about crime, race, and youth."
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."
Reflections from the Field: Considerations for Domestic Violence Specialists (pdf)
The purpose of this document is to share discussions that were had at a "Specialized Positions Meeting". The conversations had at this meeting focused on advances and insights based on the collective experience of specialists; framing key questions for policy makers and others interested in supporting, funding, and implementing specialist positions; and supporting those working as specialists by reaffirming the importance and difficulty of their role and proposing foundational questions for exploration to shape their role and responsibilities to guide the next generation of their work.
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. "
This article seeks to gain more of an understanding of the relationship between health risk behavior and disease in adulthood and the breadth of exposure to childhood emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, and household dysfunction during childhood. They conclude that a strong relationship does exist and that adverse childhood exposure can lead to multiple risk factors for several of the leading causes of death in adults.
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 lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (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.
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 catalog of programs targeting prevention of first-time male perpetration of sexual violence."
Report of the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Migrants (pdf)
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.
Report on Violations of Women’s Human Rights in Columbia (pdf)
"This report documents the ways in which the long-standing conflict in Colombia combine with government actions to result in the violation of women’s human rights. In addition to the violations committed by guerrilla groups, the report indicates that the Colombian government has carried out extra-judicial executions, groundless detentions, threats, and torture. The government is also implicated in failing to implement strategies to reduce the effects of forced displacements. "
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.
This document is also available in French and Spanish
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 study provides a national picture of reproductive health and sexual violence for American Indian and Alaska Native women living in urban areas. Findings show American Indian and Alaska Native women living in urban areas were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to report non-voluntary first sexual intercourse, unintended and teen pregnancies, unprotected first sex and first sex with older partners."
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.
Reproductive Justice & Violence Against Women: Understanding the Intersections
"The purpose of this special collection is to provide resources and an introduction to reproductive justice, focusing particularly on the connections between the elimination of reproductive oppression and domestic and sexual 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.
Researcher Trauma, Safety and Sexual Violence (pdf)
"This briefing paper provides a thematic analysis of of the Sexual Violence Research Initiative Forum discussion related to researchers experiencing trauma while undertaking sexual violence research. Strategies and resources for dealing with trauma are discussed."
Researching Violence Against Women: A Practical Guide for Researchers and Activists
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."
Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims (pdf)
This document provides guidelines from the Interpretation Technical Assistance and Resource Center that focus on court interpretation for domestic and sexual violence victims with limited English proficiency. These guidelines inform how advocacy, interpretation, and language access can be integrated.
Resources Addressing the Perpetration of Sexual Violence
"This special collection provides resources that address the topics of sex offender risk, assessment, management, treatment, and supervision. In addition, there is a special focus on the policies that have been created in the past decade to help keep our communities safer."
Resources for Working with Immigrant Women
As part of Futures Without Violence, this site provides a list with a number of tools, books and brochures to help immigrant survivors of family 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 Stalking: A Guide for Community Corrections
"This guide provides an overview of stalking and suggestions on how to supervise probationers and parolees who engage in stalking behavior."
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).
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.
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 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.
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: Taking Action on Children Exposed to Violence
This article, conceived from the National Summit on Children Exposed to Violence, presents an action plan that outlines principles for preventing and reducing the negative impact of children's exposure to violence.
Safe Harbor: A School-Based Victim Assistance/Violence Prevention Program
The Safe Harbor program addresses violence prevention and victim assistance in school-based settings.
The Safe Start Center is a website compiling research, resources, service delivery strategies and more for The Safe Start Initiative which is funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The goal of the Safe Start Initiative is to broaden the knowledge of and promote community investment in evidence-based strategies for reducing the impact of children's exposure to violence.
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.
Safety Plan for a Friend, Relative, or Co-Worker Who Is Being Abused by an Intimate Partner (pdf)
This safety plan helps those who wish to provide support to someone in a domestic violence situation with the tools to do so in an effective way. Provides safety planning advice and resources.
Safety Planning for Pets (pdf)
This document is a collection of materials compiled by the National Link Coalition to help abuse victims include the welfare of their animals when making their plans to protect themselves and their family.
Safety Planning in the Workplace: Protecting Yourself and Your Job (pdf)
Straightforward information for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking on protecting yourself at work. Information on the various aspects of safety planning are discussed.
Safety Planning With Teens (pdf)
An issue brief created by Break the Cycle for those working with teens on safety planning issues.
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 National Domestic Violence Laws
This document links to a variety of national domestic violence laws. The intent of the site is that these example policies may serve as useful models or resources for other jurisdictions.
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.
This article assesses the relationship between bullying peers as a child and adult intimate partner violence perpetration in a clinic-based sample of adult men. School bullying perpetration and intimate partner violence perpetration are both thought to stem from desire for power and control over others.
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.
Scope of the Problem: Domestic Violence in Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Homes (pdf)
This document provides information on the prevalence rates of domestic violence in the API communities, unique dynamics in families, socio-cultural barriers in getting help, and highlights the need for ethnic diversity and culturally competent programs.
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 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 (pdf)
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.
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.
Security Council Resolution 1820 on Women, Peace, and Security (pdf)
This is the text of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 which confronts sexual violence in situations of armed conflict. Recognized by this resolution is that the maintenance of international peace and security is not possible with the widespread and systematic use of sexual violence as an instrument of conflict. With this resolution the SC is committed to considering appropriate steps to end such atrocities, punishing perpetrators, and requesting a report from the Secretary General on situations in which sexual violence is being widely or systematically employed against civilians and on strategies for ending the practice.
The link above is to the English version of the resolution. Over 100 other translations can be found here.
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 Assessment Form for Forensic Compliance (word)
A self-assessment tool for communities to evaluate their current practices with respect to medical forensic examinations.
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 Management Policy in the States: Strengthening Policy and Practice Final Report (pdf)
"This report provides a review of innovative policy options for the management of sexual offenders."
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 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.
Sex work, violence and HIV - A guide for programmes with sex workers (pdf)
"This guide discusses the challenges involved in ensuring that violence is addressed in HIV programmes, gives a detailed understanding of violence in relation to sex work and challenges some common assumptions. The guide also provides examples from real programmes that illustrate ways in which HIV and AIDS projects can help reduce the incidence of violence against sex workers and provide support to those who experience violence. "
Sexual Abuse in Detention is a Public Health Issue (pdf)
"This 2 page fact sheet talks about prisoner rape victims being highly vulnerable to contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases."
Sexual Abuse in Later Life (pdf)
"This article addresses sexual assault in later life and specifically focuses on victimization of elders that occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, incest, and care facilities."
Sexual Abuse in U.S. Immigration Detention (pdf)
"This brief fact sheet talks about the risk of sexual abuse that immigration detainees face and the difficulty of seeking assistance."
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.
"This publication addresses the specific sexual and reproductive health needs of women living with HIV/AIDS and contains recommendations for counseling, anti-retroviral therapy, care and other interventions."
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 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.
Sexual Assault Civil Protection Orders by State (pdf)
A chart that lists sexual assault civil protection orders (CPOs) by state.
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 Offenses and Misconduct by Law Enforcement (pdf)
This guide has been created to promote an understanding of the complexities of sexual offense and misconduct cases involving officers and to encourage the proactive adoption of policy and prevention efforts within law enforcement agencies.
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 Safety in Sports: Talking about Coaches Who Show Inappropriate Interest in Kids (pdf)
This article offers concrete information on what parents can do and talk about with children to keep them safe from sexual harm.
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 in Juvenile Facilities Reported by Youth, 2008-09 (pdf)
"The report provides national-level and facility-level estimates of sexual victimization by type of activity, including youth-on-youth sexual contact, staff sexual misconduct, and level of coercion. It also includes an analysis of the experience of sexual victimization, characteristics of youth most at risk to victimization, where the incidents occur, time of day, characteristics of perpetrators, and nature of the injuries."
Sexual Violence against Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Women (pdf)
This document provides guidelines for advocates on various points of intersection of domestic and sexual violence in the API communities.
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.
"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 Alcohol and Other Drug Use on Campus (pdf)
"This Infofacts/Resources describes the scope of the problem of sexual assault on campus, perpetrator characteristics and situational circumstances that may make assaults more likely to happen, and the role alcohol and other drugs, including rape-facilitating drugs, play in sexual assault. This publication also provides an overview of sexual harassment and a sidebar on stalking on campus. The publication outlines a set of principles and processes that IHEs can implement to prevent and mitigate sexual violence on campus."
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 Factsheet (pdf)
"This two-page fact sheet is based on the NSVRC’s publication, 'Sexual Violence and the Spectrum of Prevention: Towards a Community Solution'. It gives an overview of the Spectrum framework, developed by Larry Cohen of the Prevention Institute, and provides examples of interventions at the six Spectrum levels."
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: 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 Factsheet (pdf)
"This two-page fact sheet is based on information from the NSVRC publication 'Sexual Violence in Disasters: A Planning Guide for Prevention and Response'. It provides basic information about the risk of sexual violence during and after times of disaster and some basic prevention strategies."
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 Later Life Information Packet
This information packet includes a fact sheet, technical assistance bulletin, technical assistance guide, resource list, annotated bibliography, and a research brief all related to sexual violence in later life.
Sexual Violence in Later Life: Research Brief (pdf)
"This brief reviews research on risk and protective factors related to sexual violence in later life. It discusses the unique vulnerabilities and barriers to reporting that older victims face, the nature of sexual violence in later life in various contexts and settings, and common variables among perpetrators."
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 in the United States: Summary of the Roundtable Proceedings (pdf)
In October of 2010, OVW, the White House Council on Women and Girls, and Lynn Rosenthal, White House Advisor on Violence Against Women, convened a national roundtable discussion on sexual violence in the United States. This symposium brought together national and local experts and leaders from many fields to examine barriers to advancing the issue of sexual violence, envision a future in which survivors are better served and offenders are held accountable, and to identify a course of action to achieve that vision. This article is a comprehensive report of the findings from the roundtable discussion.
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 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 (pdf)
"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.)"
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: Homicides, Domestic Violence and Asian Families (pdf)
This report focuses on domestic violence related homicides as a critical issue affecting Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander battered women since 2001. Types of domestic violence related homicides, children as victims, and perpetrator types are discussed. Findings and recommendations are also provided.
Shattered Lives: Immediate medical care for victims of sexual violence (pdf)
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 No More: The untapped potential of the church in addressing sexual violence (pdf)
This report was written in response to Tearfund’s research findings on the role of the church in cases of sexual violence in countries affected by armed conflict; specifically Liberia, the DRC, Rwanda, and Burundi. It addresses the untapped power of the church to stop sexual violence. The report calls upon churches worldwide to take advantage of their huge potential to stop sexual violence. As key parts of community life, churches are often looked to as places of refuge by survivors of sexual violence.
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 (pdf)
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.
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 and Economic Costs of Violence: Workshop Summary
This document is the summary of a workshop held by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Global Violence Prevention on the social and economic costs of violence. The workshop was designed to examine violence prevention approaches from multiple perspectives and at multiple levels of society. In particular, the workshop was focused on exploring the successes and challenges in presented interventions. Speakers were invited to share the progress and outcomes of their work and to engage in dialogue exploring gaps and opportunities in the field.
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 Worker's Practice Guide to Domestic Violence (pdf)
A guide created by the Department of Social and Health Services, for social workers working with domestic violence issues in the state of Washington. Includes information on how social workers should work with victims and perpetrators, child assessment of exposure to violence, as well as legal and policy issues in the state.
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.
Something is Wrong: Exploring the Roots of Youth Violence (pdf)
"The Chicago Freedom School, Project NIA and Teachers for Social Justice have partnered along with other volunteers to develop this curriculum guide in order to contribute to the ongoing efforts by young people and their adult allies to analyze the root causes of youth violence and to create local solutions."
Somewhere to Turn: Making Domestic Violence Services Accessible to Battered Immigrant Women
This manual is a 'How To' Manual For Battered Women's Advocates And Service Providers and addresses: the dynamics of domestic violence in immigrant families; ways to create agendy-wide cultural compentency training programs; multicultural approaches to shelter protocol development; recruiting and hiring multicultural staff; foreign language needs and helpful interviewing techniques for client intake sessions and meetings; ways to do outreach and collaboration with immigrant communities; and, descriptions of model programs.
"This publication presents a regional analysis of anti-trafficking measures relevant to children in the countries of South Asia. It assesses national legal and policy frameworks and provides a list of recommended actions for the application of a rights-based approach to child trafficking."
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 (pdf)
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 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."
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.
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."
Stalking Fact Sheet (pdf)
Bullet point information on stalking victimization, stalking laws, impact of stalking, and more.
"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 (pdf)
While somewhat dated, 2008 was the most recent year that the National Violence Against Women Survey was completed. This document is a comprehensive summary of the stalking information gathered from the 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 a sample of Texas residents. From this information, recommendations are 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 is underscored, as are 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: 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.
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 recognized 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."
State of World Population 2009 Facing a Changing World: Women, Population and Climate (pdf)
"The report shows that improving the health and education of women and girls sparks economic development, reduces poverty and slows population growth – three key ways to minimize the effects of climate change."
Statistics Surrounding Child Sexual Abuse
"This one-pager presents statistics surrounding the issue of child sexual abuse."
"This 2008 report provides detailed information on the status of girls in Minnesota. It also serves as a tool for advocates, researchers, and policy makers in developing a set of interventions that will ensure girls’ economic, social, and political equality in the state. "
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.
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 Programs: Information for Mothers Who Have Experienced Abuse (pdf)
"This guide was created for mothers who have experienced abuse and whose children are involved in supervised visitation programs. The guide provides information about how the programs work and how mothers can prepare themselves and their children for the experience."
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."
Supporting Battered Mothers Protects Children: Reducing the Effects of Domestic Violence on Children (pdf)
This report was created in response to a request from the Chairman of the Missouri Children’s Services Commission, Representative Jeff Grisamore. It contains the latest research on the prevalence of child exposure to domestic violence and best practices in addressing this violence. The report also includes recommendations on how the state of Missouri can better meet the needs of children and mothers experiencing violence.
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.)."
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 (pdf)
"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."
Tagalog Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
"Tagalog translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence. The spiral implicitly locates a range of abuses in the lives of girls and women, revealing patterns of victimization and perpetration. The Lifetime Spiral is designed to be used by everyone to identify histories of violence in their own lives or in the lives of family and friends."
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.
"This report documents important curricular developments in American legal education: the integration of domestic violence into the law school curriculum."
"This free advanced domestic violence curriculum outlines safely preparing for and managing effective meetings, engaging parents around domestic violence issues, assessing the impact of children’s exposure to domestic violence, and making decisions and plans to increase safety for children and battered mothers."
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 Teen Dating Violence (pdf)
This issue brief explains the ways technology can be used as tools of abuse. It offers tips to providers working on safety planning with teens experiencing abuse.
Technology 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. "
Technology Safety & Advocacy Special Collection
This special collection includes a categorized and annotated listing of selected articles, fact sheets, papers, reports and other materials regarding the use of technology as it impacts and intersects with violence against women and children. It is offered as an additional tool to assist advocates working on and interested in the safe use of technology.
Teen Dating Violence: A Closer Look at Adolescent Romantic Relationships
This article examines what we know and what we don’t know about the perpetrators and victims of teen dating violence. The authors explore key differences between adolescent and adult romantic relationships, including power dynamics, social skill development and peer influence.
Teen Dating Violence: A Literature Review and Annotated Bibliography (pdf)
This аnnotated bibliography and summary of research identify significant research carried out in the decade since 1999 on the issue of dating violence among high school and middle school youth. The survey provided by the bibliography and summary covers quantitative and qualitative literature on the definition and prevalence of, as well as risk factors for, adolescent dating violence, also called teen relationship 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.
"This report presents national estimates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, and births among males and females 15-19 years of age in the United States in 2006-2008 from the National Survey of Family Growth."
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.
Telling It Like It Is: Teen Perspectives on Romantic Relationships (pdf)
This brief summarizes findings from focus groups that explored what teens have to say about romantic relationships. In general, the teens displayed an understanding of what a healthy teen relationship should look like, yet at the same time they expressed low expectations about their chances of experiencing that type of relationship themselves. Findings indicate that factors such as relationship violence and few adult role models who displayed healthy relationships contributed to these low expectations.
Template Materials for Anonymous Reporting Protocol
These template materials are designed to help communities implement a multidisciplinary protocol for victims to anonymously report their sexual assault to law enforcement.
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 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
This short article discusses the results form a national survey examining the experience of women who have been abused and the abuse perpetrated against their 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 Basics About Sexual Abuse in U.S. Detention (pdf)
"This 2 page fact sheet talks about sexual abuse in prisons and jails across the U.S."
The Business Case for Domestic Violence Programs in Health Care Settings
Physicians for a Violence-Free Society and Futures Without Violence 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.
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 and Consequences of Sexual Violence and Cost-Effective Solutions (pdf)
This resource speaks to the costs and consequences of sexual violence. It includes a general overview of findings from research on the topic, the cost benefits of early intervention, costs for funding sexual assault services, and cost-effective solutions.
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 (pdf)
15-page Bulletin. 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 Crossing Borders Self-Assessment Guide (pdf)
"A tool kit for doing the "inside work" within programs to strengthen and expand services for immigrant survivors of domestic violence."
The Crushing Burden of Rape: Sexual Violence in Darfur (pdf)
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 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 Danger Assessment is a tool that was developed to help determine the level of danger an abused woman has of being killed by her intimate partner. There are two parts to the tool: a calendar and a 20-item scoring instrument. The original danger assessment is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French (Canadian).
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.
In this article, the provisions of VAWA 2005 that pertain to medical forensic exams for sexual assault victims are explained, and some of the challenges of seeking to implement compliant protocols are outlined. It seeks to help law enforcement executives understand why so many victims decide they are unable to report the crime and participate in the police investigation, yet also highlighted are the consequences of non-reporting. Strategies for addressing many of the logistic challenges are discussed as well as the need for leadership within law enforcement agencies.
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 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 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 Facts about Domestic Violence
This fact sheet provides current information and statistics on domestic violence. Information includes a working definition, exploration of how different communities are affected by domestic violence and legal protections for victims of domestic violence.
The Facts about Sexual Violence
This fact sheet provides current information and statistics on sexual violence. Information includes a working definition, explanation of different forms of sexual violence and legal protections for victims of sexual violence.
The Facts about Teen Dating Violence
This fact sheet provides current information and statistics on teen dating violence. Information includes a working definition, exploration of different forms of teen dating violence and legal protections for victims of teen dating violence.
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 domestic violence 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 Future of the Grave Risk Of Harm Defense in Hague Cases
This article discusses the future of the grave risk of harm defense in Hague Convention international child abduction cases. It provides an interpretation of the Hague Convention in the traditional view as well as in the context of domestic violence. Examples of court rulings are provided which evaluated the nature of abuse and the likelihood of legal protection in the country to which the children are being returned.
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 Greenbook Initiative Final Evaluation Report (pdf)
"The Greenbook national evaluation results are presented in three reports. The Greenbook Demonstration Initiative: Process Evaluation Report: Phase 1 focused on the planning and goal setting phase of the Greenbook initiative in the sites. This final evaluation report assesses the extent to which the Greenbook implementation activities facilitated cross-system and within system change and practice in the child welfare agencies, dependency courts, and domestic violence service providers."
The Growth of Youth Gang Problems in the United States: 1970-1998
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.
A team of Minnesota judges, attorneys, advocates and social scientists created this Bench Guide for judges who are hearing Hague Convention cases involving allegations of domestic violence. The case law in the guide is focused on the District of Minnesota, but help is available for other areas of the country who would like to adapt it.
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 Costs of Violence: Measuring the burden of disease 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 focusing 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 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)
This study examines the incidence of stalking behaviors in the community, the association between stalking and other forms of violence and factors which mediate the type and duration of stalking.
Paper presented at the Stalking: Criminal Justice Responses Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology, 2000.
The Intersection of Domestic Violence and the Military: Working across disciplines
This VAWnet special collection examines co-occurring issues experienced by veterans -- including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and Military Sexual Trauma (MST) -- and provides information related to best practices when addressing these co-occurring issues through a multi-systems approach. Challenges experienced by female service members and veterans are explored through the lens of violence against women.
"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.
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.
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 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 Child Traumatic Stress Network Homeless Youth Resources
The mission of NCTSN is to raise the standard of care and improve access to services for traumatized children, their families and communities throughout the United States. This site provides a wide variety of resources and information. One area to check out is their Measures Review Database which reviews tools that measure children's experiences of trauma, their reactions to it, and other mental health and trauma-related issues.
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.
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 Normalization of Sexual Harm and the Sexualization of Children (pdf)
Information about the detrimental effects that our cultures sexual media is having on our young people. Child sexualization and the normalization of sexual violence are the two main topics covered.
The Origin and True Purpose of the Paddle (pdf)
In this article, the authors explain the origins of paddling in a historical context of slavery, as well as the psychological effects of using corporal punishment on children.
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.
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."
The prevalence of child abuse and neglect
"A resource sheet that summarizes the current knowledge about the prevalence of child abuse and neglect in Australia. It provides an overview of Australian studies that have estimated the prevalence of the different forms of child maltreatment."
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 Promise of Primary Prevention of Sexual Violence: Five Year Plan (pdf)
"This report is a framework for action and it reflects the thoughts and experiences of people who work to prevent sexual violence, who serve victims/survivors and/or work with perpetrators. It is a shared vision of how Minnesota can prevent sexual violence from happening. The report defines issues, sets goals, and establishes the infrastructure needed to achieve these goals."
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 Response to Sexual Assault: Removing Barriers to Services and Justice (pdf)
Recommendations about best practices (addressing a change in policy, protocol, or response) and legislative or fiscal change in Michigan's services for survivors of sexual assault. 2001 Report.
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.
The Road Ahead: Unanalyzed Evidence in Sexual Assault Cases (pdf)
The complex issue of untested evidence in sexual assault cases is explored in this special report. This report explores the ramifications - for law enforcement, crime labs, courts and victims — of the large number of unanalyzed "rape kits" that have recently been discovered in cities around the country. This looks at issues such as triaging cases for lab analysis and possible police follow-up (depending on a CODIS hit or other identification of a possible perpetrator) and how victims should be notified.
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.
The Role of Information Communications Technologies in Violence Prevention (pdf)
This paper, part of a Dec 2011 Institute of Medicine workshop on violence prevention, provides a brief introduction to the current and potential role that information and communication technologies (ICTs) can play in the prevention and reduction of violence.
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 (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.
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.
The Role of the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner in the Prosecution of Domestic Violence Cases (pdf)
"This document examines the basic components of the domestic violence medico-legal examination; the potential for using findings from the medico-legal examination in prosecutions; and the role of the prosecutor and other Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) members in expanding forensic nursing programs to include care of the domestic violence victim."
The Runaway & Homeless Youth and Relationship Violence Toolkit
This toolkit was developed by and for advocates in the runaway and homeless youth and domestic violence and sexual assault fields. Includes up to date research and resources as well as evaluation tools for programs providing services to youth.
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 (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 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 Unclaimed Children Revisited, California Case Study (pdf)
"The purpose of the California Case Study is to identify, document, and analyze effective fiscal, infrastructural, and related policies that support research-informed practices for mental health services to children and adolescents in California."
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.
This document takes some time to download, especially with a slow connection.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 1-100 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 101-200 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 201-300 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants, Index of Appendices 301-380 (pdf)
Contains a list of appendices in connection with The VAWA Manual: Immigration Relief for Abused Immigrants.
This 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 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.
Theoretical Model Development in Elder Mistreatment (pdf)
To foster theoretical model development, this article: (1) takes inventory of the empirically‐derived knowledge on elder mistreatment; (2) reviews the major theoretical approaches to the etiology of elder mistreatment; (3) proposes a new model of elder mistreatment of older adults with cognitive impairment.
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.
Thinking About Homicide Risk: A Practice Framework for Counseling
This paper proposes a multi-systemic practice framework to help counselors assess for and respond to homicide risk in family violence contexts. The framework outlines the four main system domains that counselors may need to address: the client system; the therapeutic relationship; the organizational context; and the system of services.
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.
Together We Must! End Violence against Women and Girls and HIV & AIDS (pdf)
"This document represents an initial effort to draw attention to the knowledge, institutional capacity and resources needed to comprehensively address the intersection between HIV & AIDS and VAWG. The aim is to stimulate debate and collaboration among practitioners and advocates around how to identify and promote effective prevention policies and practices that can be adapted to various contexts."
Six page document that provides information on important considerations for working effectively with LGBT clients who have experienced domestic violence.
Tool Kit for Creating Your Own Truancy Reduction Program (pdf)
"Provides an overview of truancy issues, its causes, and solutions to the problem. This tool kit outlines critical components of truancy programs such as family involvement, use of incentives and sanctions, developing a support network, and program evaluation. The tool kit examines the legal and economic implications of truancy and provides recommendations to courts, schools, State lawmakers, and researchers for addressing this issue."
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 (pdf)
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."
Trafficking and Forced Prostitution of Palestinian Women and Girls: Forms of Modern Day Slavery (pdf)
"The first, in-depth study of its kind within the region that digs deeper to unravel the layers of this type of abuse. The paper analyzes six case studies — two on fathers selling their daughters, three on traffickers and one on a woman working in prostitution. It assesses and measures the extent of women trafficking in the Palestinian region in order to call on civil society organizations and Palestinian governmental institutions to take urgent and concrete actions against this human rights violation."
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."
This guidebook seeks to contribute to improving the identification of victims of human trafficking. It will provide readers with clear guidance for the identification of trafficked persons, encourage multiagency cooperation, provide community policing tools, and serve as a resource for developing further training manuals.
Trafficking in Lebanon (pdf)
A country assessment of the extent that human trafficking takes place in Lebanon. The report includes a legal review, the contexts in which trafficking occurs, and recommendations for policy makers.
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
"This Report is the eighth annual TIP Report. It is intended to raise global awareness, to highlight efforts of the international community, and to encourage foreign governments to take effective actions to counter all forms of trafficking in persons."
Trafficking in Persons Report 2009 (pdf)
"The ninth annual report seeks to increase global awareness of the human trafficking phenomenon by shedding new light on various facets of the problem and highlighting shared and individual efforts of the international community, and to encourage foreign governments to take effective action against all forms of trafficking in persons."
Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (pdf)
"The 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report outlines the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the United States. This year’s report highlights several key trends, including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the challenges and successes in identifying and protecting victims, and the need to include anti-trafficking policies in our response to natural disasters."
Trafficking in Persons Report 2010 (pdf)
"The 10th annual Trafficking in Persons Report outlines the continuing challenges across the globe, including in the United States. It highlights several key trends, including the suffering of women and children in involuntary domestic servitude, the challenges and successes in identifying and protecting victims, and the need to include anti-trafficking policies in response to natural disasters."
Trafficking in Persons: A Gender and Rights Perspective: Briefing Kit (pdf)
This briefing kit provides information to all practitioners addressing the issue of trafficking in persons and encourages rethinking of efforts from a gender and rights perspective. It is dedicated to survivors of trafficking whose voices and experiences of struggle and resilience continue to inform analyses on and response to trafficking.
Trafficking in Persons: A Guide for Non-Governmental Organizations
This brochure from the U.S. Department of Justice is intended for nongovernmental organizations, such as service providers and other community-based organizations, to use as a reference guide to help trafficking victims.
Trafficking in Persons: Global Patterns
"This report attempts to increase understanding about the depth, breadth, and scope of trafficking in persons in hopes of promoting more coordinated and efficient responses to counter trafficking."
Trafficking in Women: Moldova and Ukraine (pdf)
This document explores the trafficking of women for the commercial sex industry as a human rights violation in both Moldova and Ukraine. The report analyzes the mechanisms of trafficking in both countries and the NGO and governmental response to the problem, including information on Moldovan and Ukrainian law. The report also addresses the obligations of the Moldovan and Ukrainian government under international law. 2000
Trafficking of Women: U.S. Policy and International Law (pdf)
This fact sheet provides a brief overview of trafficking, the definition under U.S. and international law, and certain protections for trafficked women. The document also lists steps that the U.S. can take to continue its effort to combat trafficking, such as putting more effort into the protection and support of victims.
Trafficking: Considerations and Recommendations for Battered Women's Advocates (pdf)
Offers domestic violence advocates some considerations and recommendations for working with victims of trafficking. After a brief overview of statistics and issue analysis, the document provides considerations and recommendations for advocates in seven key areas: (1) Arrest, (2) Custody and Release, (3) Legal representation and the investigation process, (4) Endangerment and confidentiality, (5) Shelter Services, (6) Complex traumas and oppressions, and (7) Medical records and care.
Trafficking: Health Issues Affecting Trafficked Individuals (pdf)
This document provides information and statistics on human trafficking in the United States. It provides information on various health problems affecting trafficked individuals forced into commercial sex work and forced labor. Recommendations are provided for health care workers and advocates working with victims and survivors of trafficking.
Training Child Welfare Workers on Domestic Violence
Final Report, June 1998. In October of 1995, the Columbia University School of Social Work (CUSSW) was awarded funds to train public child welfare workers to understand and intervene appropriately with families where there was concurrent child abuse or neglect and woman abuse. This objective was accomplished by designing, implementing, and evaluating a competency-based training curriculum on domestic violence for direct service workers in the New York City Administrationm for Children's Services (ACS). The training curriculum was designed to impact worker's attitudes toward domestic violence, provide them with knowledge and skills for assessing domestic violence, and enhance their practice with families in which there is woman abuse. This paper is the final report CUSSW's project.
This article describes how a self-assessment of maternal and child health programs in a state health department led to a statewide training initiative on domestic violence, sexual assault, and reproductive coercion for family planning providers. Key training concepts, lessons learned, and future directions are discussed.
"This policy brief presents the distilled research and critical thinking of a diverse group of local and national experts in the field of child sexual abuse and exploitation. Via candid dialog and interviews, these leaders developed and prioritized primary prevention strategies, analyzed environmental factors and norms that perpetuate these problems, and outlined policies and practices for transforming our communities and our nation during these turbulent political and economic times."
Transforming the National AIDS Response: Advancing Women’s Leadership and Participation (pdf)
"The second in a series of resource guides dedicated to highlighting strategies for incorporating gender equality and women’s rights into national HIV and AIDS responses. This publication discusses various approaches for advancing women’s leadership and meaningful participation of HIV-positive women in the AIDS response."
This paper describes results of phone interviews with twelve domestic violence transitional housing programs across the country. Key considerations for new and emerging programs are offered. Program profiles are also provided.
Transnational Trafficking and the Rule of Law in West Africa
"A recent report that highlights the problem of trafficking of West African women to Europe for forced prostitution. Women trafficked from West Africa are generally controlled by a debt bondage system. The UNODC found that trafficking has a significant negative impact on the rule of law in West Africa. The flow of trafficked people and goods rivals the GDP of some countries in West Africa. Corruption among government officials and law enforcement increases as organized crime groups gain more power and money through trafficking."
Trapped by Inequality: Bhutanese Refugee Women in Nepal
Following investigations of sexual exploitation and abuse by aid workers in refugee camps in West Africa, several cases of sexual exploitation involving refugee aid workers surfaced in Nepal in October 2002. This report highlights not only the hardship of life in refugee camps, but also the injustice of gender-based violence and discrimination for Bhutanese refugee women in Nepal.
This report is a summary and analysis of recent research studies which identify the extent of domestic violence among women receiving welfare that helps gauge the effects of violence on women's lives, their use of welfare, and on their ability to become economically self-sufficient.
Trauma among Girls in the Juvenile Justice System (pdf)
"This review suggests that trauma-sensitive and gender-specific programming and treatment models are needed in order to address needs and prevent re-traumatization of girls in the juvenile justice system. Specifically, the treatment models should provide girls with developmentally reparative experiences that address not only PTSD but also issues of identity, trust, safety, body image, physical self care, affect regulation, peer group selection and engagement, and sexuality."
Trauma in the Lives of Gang-Involved Youth: Tips for Volunteers and Community Organizations (pdf)
"This fact sheet defines traumatic stress, explains why trauma is so prevalent among gang-involved youth, and provides tips for community organizations and volunteers on working with this population."
Trauma Informed Care Resources for Children Exposed to Violence
Exposure to violence at home, in the form of child abuse and neglect, or in the community, whether at school or in the neighborhood, can affect young people in profound ways. This resource provides information on children's exposure to violence for parents and other caregivers, as well as for teachers and other agencies and staff who may work with these youth. Information includes warning signs of exposure to violence and what you can do to intervene.
Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children
This measurement tool was published in 1996, after several years of research. It is a self-reporting tool geared toward children ages 8 to 16. There are fifty items, with several sub-scales including anxiety, depression, anger, PTSD, dissociation, and sexual concerns. The TSCC was designed to address traumatic events in general, meaning that it does not specifically address domestic violence. Nonetheless this checklist can be to gauge the impact domestic violence may have on a child. The actual questionnaire is copyrighted, but you may access it by contacting the publisher, Psychological Assessment Resources, Inc. at P.O. Box 998, Odessa, FL 33556. Telephone number: (800) 331-TEST.
Trauma-Focused Interventions for Youth in the Juvenile Justice System (pdf)
"Numerous studies document that many of the youth in the juvenile justice system have been exposed to myriad traumatic events, either as victims or as witnesses. Because of this exposure, many of these youths have developed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other stress-related disorders. This document reviews trauma-focused, family-based, and group-based interventions that show promise for use with youth in the juvenile justice system."
Trauma-Informed Care for Children Exposed to Violence:Tips for Parents and Other Caregivers (pdf)
Fact sheet like break down of warning signs that a child has been exposed to violence depending on age, and what you can do to help.
Trauma-Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness: A Guide for Service Providers
Trauma Informed Care for Women Veterans Experiencing Homelessness is designed to be used by community-based service agencies that work with homeless female veterans and was created to address the psychological and mental health needs of women veterans. Research suggests that 81-93% of female veterans have been exposed to some type of trauma, significantly higher rates than the civilian population (Zinzow et al., 2007). Traumatic experiences include childhood abuse and neglect, domestic violence, military sexual trauma, and combat-related stress. These experiences have a significant impact on mental and physical health, family relationships, and housing and job stability.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Domestic Violence: A Trainer's Manual
This manual aims to enhance domestic violence service providers’ awareness to prepare them to effectively serve domestic violence victims with Traumatic Brain Injuries.
Traumatic Brain Injury and Domestic Violence: Understanding the Intersections
"This Special Collection offers information about the intersection between domestic violence and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). It provides advocates and other professionals with tools to screen for TBI within the context of domestic violence as well as presentations, articles, and other relevant resources on the topic. "
Treatment of Adult Sex Offenders
"This Applied Research paper provides an overview of the current state of treatment of adult male sex offenders, with a focus on the effectiveness of treatment."
This booklet, designed by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health, helps young adults understand the dynamics of healthy relationships; the signs of controlling relationships; the strategies for dealing with dating violence; and the resources available to end the cycle of violence.
Truths About Sexual Abuse in U.S. Detention Facilities (pdf)
"This 2 page fact sheet talks about sexual violence in detention and how the general public knows so little about the reality of sexual abuse behind bars."
Turning Pain into Power: Trafficking Survivors' Perspectives on Early Intervention Strategies (pdf)
This report examines the health care system as an ideal place to focus education and intervention efforts on victims of trafficking, modern day slavery. Through interviews with trafficking survivors themselves, this report illustrates their recommendations on how to direct future intervention and policy efforts.
Turning the Tide: CEDAW and the Gender Dimensions of HIV/AIDS Pandemic
This publication discusses different aspects of the HIV/AIDS pandemic for which CEDAW has special relevance. For example, gender-based violence and sexual exploitation, access to health services, gender inequality and safer sex, and issues of care and care-giving.
Twelve Teaching Senarios: Responding to Rape, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse
Teaching scenarios are designed for use in groups and classes of all kinds. Although they are phrased in terms of what to do if you have "a friend" in a given situation, the scenarios are designed to educate everyone, including people who work with victims in a professional capacity, such as victim advocates; teachers, law enforcement, clergy, health workers, and counselors.
Two steps forward, one step back: Community attitudes to violence against women
"Summarizes key findings of the Violence Against Women Community Attitudes Project, undertaken to inform future work to prevent violence against women by improving understanding of how community attitudes contribute to this problem."
U.N. Report of the independent expert for the United Nations study on violence against children (pdf)
"This report provides a global picture of violence against children and proposes recommendations to prevent and respond to this issue. It provides information on the incidence of various types of violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. "
U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program - Child Abuse Manual (pdf)
August 2000 Manual. Case management, assessment, treatment, and follow-up guidelines for Army programs.
U.S. Army Family Advocacy Program - Spouse Abuse Manual
The purpose of this manual is to provide program guidance to implementing a standard comprehensive, quality spouse abuse treatment program in the U.S. Army for spouses, offenders, and children who are abused, neglected, or who witness domestic violence.
U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics Special Report, Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
"This DOJ Report has data on IPV based on estimates from the NCVS. This report is often cited for the finding that intimate partner victimization rates were significantly higher for people living in rental housing vs. those living in their own homes."
U.S. Policy Alert 2007 (pdf)
"Check out Polaris Projects U.S. Policy Alert for a state-by-state analysis on the status of Human Trafficking."
UN study on Violence Against Children
"A press release on a new effort to provide a detailed global picture of the nature, extent and causes of violence against children, and propose clear recommendations for action to prevent and reduce such violence. The study focuses on violence against children in five settings: the home and family, schools and educational settings, other institutional settings (orphanages, children in conflict with the law), the community and on the streets, and work situations. "
Understanding and Preventing Violence
"Discusses the findings of the National Academy of Sciences Panel on the Understanding and Control of Violent Behavior, established to review the current status of research in violence."
Understanding and Protecting Your Children from Child Molesters and Predators
"This packet provides information about child molesters and some of the things you, your family and community can do to help keep children safe."
Understanding Children’s Exposure to Violence (pdf)
The Safe Start Center has developed a series of briefs on Children Exposed to Violence. The briefs are developed to respond to an urgent need to translate research-based information and disseminate it to practitioners who can use it in their work with children and families in different settings. This particular brief describes core concepts—gleaned from research and program practice—used in designing and implementing programs that address children’s exposure to violence.
Understanding DNA Evidence: A Guide for Victim Service Providers
"Forensic DNA technology is revolutionizing the way law enforcement officers investigate violent crimes, including crime scene investigation, counseling rape victims to not wash away critical evidence, accurate conviction of offenders, and connecting offenders to other brutal crimes. This 12-page document examines the uses of DNA, evidence collection and preservation, testing methods and interpretation of test results and post conviction for DNA testing. A glossary of terms and a reference / resource list are also included. "
This study examined the experiences of domestic violence of Hispanic and Anglo women recruited at a domestic violence shelter. It documented and compared the domestic violence experiences of women living in rural communities, examined the various correlates of the domestic violence, and evaluated the formal services offered to study participants by the local shelter, courts, and law enforcement over a 1-year period.
Increasing emphasis has been placed on the importance of evidence-informed prevention strategies and evidence-based decision making. In this guidance document, the authors aim to explain the purpose and meaning of the Continuum of Evidence of Effectiveness, a tool that was developed to facilitate a common understanding of what the Best Available Research Evidence means in the field of violence prevention. This Continuum also serves to provide common language for researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers in discussing evidence-based decision making.
Understanding Financial Literacy with Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (pdf)
In May of 2011 The Center for Financial Security, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the Social Security Administration hosted the workshop "Exploring the Intersection Between Financial Literacy and Domestic Violence".
This article is an issue brief for one of the six presentations from the workshop. This particular articles discusses the importance of financial literacy for survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) as an avenue for reaching economic empowerment.
The other presentation briefs are linked in MINCAVA as well, but to quickly access all six, you may also go to http://cfs.wisc.edu/events/DV_Workshop.aspx.
This study is based on qualitative research undertaken in a small community in the province of Punjab in Pakistan. The research aims to deepen understanding of male attitudes and perceptions on gender based violence and their link to masculine identity.
Understanding National Rape Statistics (pdf)
"This Applied Research paper provides an overview of how estimates of sexual violence in the United States are produced, with particular emphasis on major sources of rape statistics at the national level."
Understanding School Violence Fact Sheet 2008 (pdf)
An updated fact sheet compiled by the CDC explaining what school violence is, risk factors, health effects, prevention strategies, and much more.
This is currently the final publication in the series 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 VII reports on findings from a study investigating the number of children/youth in Vermont exposed to domestic violence, the effects of this exposure on their social/emotional development and mental health, services provided by domestic violence network and mental health programs, perceived barriers to providing these services, the training needs of service providers in Vermont and both strengths and gaps in the continuum of services for these children/youth.
"This bulletin provides information on violence in the lives of the transgender community and guidelines for outreach."
"This resource provides direct service and prevention advocates with information about violence against the transgendered community and possible responses."
Understanding Treatment for Adults and Juveniles Who Have Committed Sex Offenses (pdf)
"The purpose of this brief is to provide a broad overview of current research, professional literature, and practice trends relative to treatment for sexually abusive individuals."
This Violence Against Women Online Resources commissioned document describes the intersection between woman abuse and parenting. The authors identify and discuss seven central themes that highlight the challenges of parenting in the context of woman abuse. Specific implications and recommendations for community and court service providers are also offered.
Understanding Youth Violence Factsheet (pdf)
This fact sheet is a quick look at statistics and issue areas concerning youth violence in the United States. Headings include, "Why is youth violence a public health problem", and "Who is at risk for youth violence".
Unheard Voices: Domestic Violence in Asian American Communities
This report examines the strategy and methodology used in collecting critical information about the attitudes as well as the strategies used by the varied Asian American communities to combat domestic violence. Focus groups were organized to examine common cultural attitudes and beliefs on domestic violence among the Asian immigrant groups. The findings of these focus groups are discussed.
UNICRI - Trafficking in Minors
This website, put together by the United Nations Interregional Crime and Research Institute, contains information pertaining to the trafficking of minors for sexual purposes. In particular, it contains an International Repository of Institutions against Sexual Exploitation of Minors (IRISEM): a database containing relevant institutions and organizations active in the fields of contrast, reduction and prevention of sexual exploitation and trafficking in children around the world.
UNIFEM Annual Report 2004/2005 (pdf)
The Annual Report documents UNIFEM's work to foster women's empowerment and gender equality around the world. It highlights some of the organization's initiatives during the year 2004–2005, among which were initiatives in promoting women's political participation and leadership in post-conflict situations, easing the burden of HIV/AIDS on women, promoting women's right to own land, and supporting the creation and implementation of gender-responsive budgets.
UNIFEM Facts & Figures on Violence Against Women
The United Nations Development Fund For Women provides statistics on many forms of violence women face including domestic and intimate partner violence, sexual violence, trafficking of women and girls, HIV/AIDS and violence, and more.
UNiTE to End Violence against Women: The Framework for Action (pdf)
"The overall objective is raising public awareness and increasing political will and resources for preventing and responding to all forms of violence against women and girls – in all parts of the world. The Framework for Action provides an overall “umbrella” for the efforts to be undertaken at global, regional, national and local levels. It identifies five key outcomes as benchmarks for the Campaign, to be achieved in all countries by 2015, and outlines a UN Programme of Activities and expected Outputs."
United Nations Report on Violence Against Children
The report describes the scope and nature of violence against children and its impact, approaching its subject from the perspectives of human rights, child protection, and public health. The report is available in 8 languages.
UNITY RoadMap: A Framework for Effectiveness and Sustainability
"The UNITY RoadMap is a resource for cities to prevent violence before it occurs by mapping out solutions to effectively and sustainably prevent violence. The UNITY RoadMap helps cities understand the current status of their efforts, describes the core elements necessary to prevent violence before it occurs, and provides information, resources, and examples to support cities in planning, implementation, and evaluation."
Unspoken Crimes: Sexual Assault in Rural America (pdf)
This booklet considers rural characteristics that deter reporting and helps explain why sexual assaults in rural areas are often unspoken crimes. It reviews some of the data on the prevalence of rural sexual assault because although rural sexual victimizations may be unspoken and unreported, it does not mean that they are not occurring. The booklet also reviews many of the difficulties encountered by advocates and offers insight and best practices of rural advocates.
Update of the 'Battered Woman Syndrome' Critique
"This Applied Research paper reviews the definition, evolution, and utilization of “battered woman syndrome” in the courts and offers a critique of its framework and its use."
CDC has launched several prevention initiatives aimed at encouraging and promoting positive parent-child interactions. These initiatives are summarized in Using Evidence-Based Parenting Programs to Advance CDC Efforts in Child Maltreatment Prevention—Research Brief 2004. The initiatives result from extensive strategic planning and consultation with child maltreatment prevention experts and promote positive parenting skills. By acquiring such skills, parents and caregivers can better manage children’s behavior and prevent violence before it occurs.
Using It or Losing It: Men's Construction of Their Violence Towards Their Female Partners
This research used a qualitative methodology to explore, in depth, (1) the way in which men use violence in their intimate relationships, and (2) understand the experience of violence.
Using Rapist Risk Factors to Set an Agenda for Rape Prevention
"This article briefly reviews the empirical research on the behaviors, traits, developmental experiences, and biological antecedents that have been found to be associated with an increased probability that a male will become sexually aggressive. It attempts to differentiate correlative and causative factors and to identify gaps in our knowledge that must be addressed to develop models of etiology on which to base effective prevention programs."
"This page provides a list of useful articles and resources to help nonprofit organizations further their mission through more effective use of the Internet."
Utilization of Questioning Techniques in Forensic Child Sexual Abuse Interviews (pdf)
This report answers the question: What questioning techniques suggested in the child sexual abuse literature are being used in practice? Sixty-two randomly selected videos of child sexual abuse interviews are reviewed to answer this question.
VAWnet Mini-Special Collection: Supporting the Women of Haiti
"This collection includes initiatives supporting relief efforts in Haiti, especially those focused on delivering aid to women and responding to those at higher risk for sexual and/or domestic violence."
This resource from VAWnet.org provides a wealth of information and resources especially relevant to LGBTIQ individuals, as well as straight allies and professionals. Resources address the issue of sexual violence in LGBTIQ communities, relationships, and the impact on society.
VAWNet Special Collections: Disaster and Emergency Preparedness and Response
This collection highlights the disproportionate vulnerability of women and children to domestic and sexual violence in disaster and emergency situations. Included in this collection are selected materials and resources -- many gender-informed -- that can be used by domestic and sexual violence organizations to increase their preparedness for and response to major disasters and emergencies. Also included is information developed for victims/survivors of domestic and sexual violence who are concurrently coping with trauma and stress after a natural disaster or major crisis. Special attention has been given to the issues faced by children in these situations.
"The intent of this protocol is to assist law enforcement officers in their response to children at the scene of domestic violence incidents. In addition, the protocol outlines an effective response which includes: assessing whether children have been physically harmed, minimizing the impact and repercussions to children who are present, empowering children as much as possible in the process, maintaining victim safety, and maintaining batterer accountability."
This document is part I of a series 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 I describes the philosophy and structure of the "coordinated approach" as it impacts the three primary areas of services, training and policy. Lessons learned are highlighted.
This forum addresses the nature and affects of vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue and provides methods to identify and treat them. Hosted by expert Debby Tucker, Executive Director for the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence.
Victim Responses to Sexual Assault: Counterintuitive or Simply Adaptive?
"This resource provides information on the different responses that individuals who are sexually assaulted display as well as the different coping strategies of victims."
Victim Services: Promising Practices in Indian Country (pdf)
This monograph describes promising practices for meeting the needs of victims of violence and domestic and family abuse in Indian Country. Each of the 12 program summaries includes a description of the program’s activities, keys to its success, basic demographic data (e.g., service area and population), and contact information.
This report contains information for practitioners and policy-makers in criminal justice and community-based agencies who share the goal of ensuring safety, justice, and support for domestic violence survivors who commit domestic violence-related crimes. The authors welcome feedback from readers on whether they know of programs specifically for DV survivors who have been arrested and charged with DV-related crimes. This information would be added to an updated report. Feedback can be sent to info@kccadv.org.
Victimization and Juvenile Offending (pdf)
In this article the authors present statistics on adolescent victimization, its effects, and the connection trauma has with development of aggressive behaviors. The authors conclude with recommendations in reducing the cycle of victimization and subsequent violence.
Victimization of Mothers of Abused Children: A Controlled Study
This article discusses the case-controlled study of mothers who children were or were not victims of child abuse. In turn the findings suggest that children who experienced child abuse/suspicious of having been abused, the greater the likelihood that the mother has also been victimized when compare to control groups. Implications are outlined that pose concerns regarding maternal victimizations rates and the assessment of these mothers alongside the assessments of their children following abusive experiences.
Victimization can include physical violence, sexual violence, psychological or emotional abuse, and neglect, and research indicates that persons with disabilities are at an increased risk for victimization. This fact sheet was developed for professionals to provide a comprehensive overview of the topic of victimization of persons with TBI or other disabilities and to raise awareness about this serious and preventable public health problem.
Victims of Human Trafficking: T Nonimmigrant Status
As part of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act (VTVPA), a “T” nonimmigrant status was created to protects victims of human trafficking and also allow them to remain in the United States to assist in an investigation or prosecution of human trafficking. This site explains eligibility and application process.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000 (pdf)
Act of the 106th Congress of the United States of America.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report
The Department of State is required by law to submit a report each year to the U.S. Congress on foreign governments’ efforts to eliminate severe forms of trafficking in persons. This Report is the fifth annual TIP Report. This Report is intended to raise global awareness and spur foreign governments to take effective actions to counter all forms of trafficking in persons — a form of modern day slavery. The Report has increasingly focused the efforts of a growing community of nations to share information and to partner in new and important ways to fight human trafficking.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report 2005 (pdf)
The TIP Report serves to expose these despicable aspects of trafficking. It provokes, lauds, and challenges. Countries including the United States, which is dealing with its own trafficking problem, have been inspired to greater action against human trafficking as a result of this unique compendium.
Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000: Trafficking in Persons Report 2006
This year’s report looks at slave labor as well as sex trafficking, noting that a child trafficked into one form of labor may be further abused in another. “The brutal reality of the modern-day slave trade is that its victims are frequently bought and sold many times over."
Victims' Economic Security and Safety Act (pdf)
VESSA provides unpaid leave, eligibility for unemployment insurance, and protection from employment and insurance discrimination for victims of domestic and sexual violence.
Vietnamese Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence (pdf)
Vietnamese translation of the Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence.
The PIVOT Project of Aid to Victims of Domestic Abuse in Houston is participating in a multi-site battering intervention program evaluation being conducted by Edward Gondolf and funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This paper presents the view of collaborative research from the perspective of the program staff and what they learned from the process.
Violence & HIV/AIDS: Violence Against Women and Girls as a Cause and Consequence of HIV/AIDS (pdf)
This report examines the relationship between gender violence and women’s vulnerability to HIV/AIDS. According to the report, women are disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. They are 1.6 times more likely to contract the virus than men. The report states that violence against women is both a cause and consequence of women living with AIDS.
Violence Against Girls in Conflict with the Law
This article documents the particular vulnerability to sexual abuse and rape of girls who come into contact with police and juvenile justice systems in various countries.
"Intimate partner violence against immigrant women is at epidemic proportions, but research has only recently begun to address the concern. A review of the legal, medical, and social science research literature reveals little data, but that which exist demonstrate that immigrant women's cultures, contexts, and legal status (a) increase vulnerability for abuse, (b) are used by batterers to control and abuse immigrant women, and (c) create barriers to women seeking and receiving help. Data also reveal that immigrant culture and context offer resiliency factors through which programs and policy can be used to better serve these populations."
Violence Against Native Women: A Guide for Practitioner Action (pdf)
This paper is intended to serve as a guide to practitioners who represent Native women who are the victims of domestic and sexual violence. It is dedicated to the brave Native women whose faces are behind the horrifying statistics. Includes practice tips for law enforcement, tribal leaders, judges, advocates, attorneys, prosecutors, and probation/parole officers.
Violence Against Women - Synthesis of Research on Offender Interventions (pdf)
This report provides an overview of the latest research on interventions for men who assault women—wives, girlfriends, and acquaintances. The assaults may be physical or sexual, and they almost always involve psychological abuse. The overview begins with a description of the major components of current programs and then describes what is known about effective assessment and treatment methods. Several topics are covered that are often of interest to practitioners, including methods for enhancing treatment motivation, assessment of dangerousness, and culturally competent practice. The role of research in resolving controversial issues and the characteristics of sound evaluations are also discussed. Programs reviewed will be those commonly labeled as "social service," "treatment," and "psycho-educational," as opposed to purely criminal justice interventions.
Violence Against Women Act Authorization
Summarized by the National Organization for Women.
Violence Against Women and Girls: A Compendium of Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators (pdf)
"This compendium offers a set of monitoring and evaluation indicators for program managers, organizations, and policy makers working to address violence against women and girls at individual, community, district and national levels in developing countries."
Violence Against Women and HIV/AIDS: Setting the Research Agenda (pdf)
This report summarizes the important future research agenda regarding the intersection of violence against women, particularly sexual violence, within the context of domestic violence and HIV/AIDS.
Violence Against Women and the Role of Religion
This VAWnet document provides an overview of some of the basic issues and questions confronting religiously identified women who have experienced abuse. It addresses three of the major religions in the US: Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, and outlines strategies for clergy and secular domestic violence advocates to reach out to one another in order to find and develop resources needed to help domestic violence victims.
Violence Against Women Document Library
A huge variety of information and resources are categorized by topics relating to children and domestic violence, including information about advocacy, child custody and protection, and criminal justice responses.
"Focuses on how prepared the Australian health system is to respond to challenges regarding the provision of safe, confidential places where women can receive effective support and high quality care if they disclose abuse."
Violence Against Women in Vietnam (pdf)
This report was prepared for the Convention on the Elimination and Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The report draws attention to the lack of ways for the victims of violence obtain reparation and identify the mechanisms guaranteeing the impunity of torturers.
Violence Against Women Prevention Programming: Report of What Is In Use (pdf)
This report presents data that is relevant to attempts to describe service use and impact. The survey, conducted in 2001, sought to gather information on the extent to which violence against women agencies provide prevention programs and to describe the nature and types of programs currently implemented.
Violence Against Women with Disabilities
This article provides an overview of knowledge relating to violence against women with disabilities. It considers the many forms which such violence can take, identifies the risk factors associated with it, and summarizes the estimates of its occurrence. While recognizing the barriers that women may face in seeking help, the paper also offers suggestions for action and identifies organizations that can help. Finally, it suggests additional information resources that can be consulted.
Violence Against Women With Disabilities: An Overview of the Literature
This report explores the literature in relation to women with disabilities and violence from 1990-1999.
Violence against Women – Facts and Figures (pdf)
"This article provides facts and figures on violence against women to illustrate the devastating toll on women’s lives, on their families, and on society as a whole."
This report provides information regarding the General Assembly of the United Nations' adoption of a resolution entitled "In-depth study on all forms of violence against women." The resolution requires the Secretary-General to conduct an in-depth study on all forms and manifestations of violence against women. This report offers background information on data collection, a summary of the discussion and objectives of the expert group meeting, and recommendations for collecting data on violence against women, improving population-based surveys and enhancing service-based data.
Violence Against Women: Classic Papers
The purpose of this project was to assemble some of the classic works in the field of violence against women so that new generations of students, practitioners, and researchers would have a collective understanding of the work that has shaped the field. Included are also commentaries from the original authors, when available, reflecting on why they authored the work when they did and the influence of their work on the field.
This report discusses the (1) availability of information on the prevalence and risk of violence against pregnant women and on the number of pregnant women who are victims of homicide and (2) strategies and programs to prevent violence against pregnant women.
Violence against Women: Facts and Figures
"This article provides facts and figures on violence against women to illustrate the devastating toll on women's lives, on their families, and on society as a whole."
Violence Against Women: Identifying Risk Factors (pdf)
This NIJ Research in Brief combines the results taken from two studies, one of which followed college women and men for 4 years, and the other, which followed low-income, mostly black women who had been victims of childhood sexual abuse. Each study found that child sexual abuse alone was a risk factor only when combined with adolescent sexual abuse. Although each study examined a narrowly defined population, taken together, both studies came to remarkably similar conclusions.
Violence Against Women: Impact on Sexual and Reproductive Health (pdf)
This paper addresses the dimensions and origins of sexual violence and the outcomes related to reproductive health.
Violence Against Women: The Role of Welfare Reform (pdf)
This research documents the prevalence, incidence, and negative impacts of domestic violence in a California welfare reform population.
1998 article. Discusses the general issues (portrait of a woman with disability, what is violence, causes, why women?), specifications on maltreatment against disabled women, types of violence, general polices to combat violence against women, different world approaches, and more.
Violence and Harassment at U.S. Abortion Clinics
Gives statistical information regarding the types of violence aimed at clinics and abortion providers as well as the frequency of these events. It also lists specific indicidents.
Violence and Theft in the Workplace (pdf)
Statistics on violence in the workplace provided by the Bureau of Justice Statistics Clearinghouse.
This document is a compilation of research and evaluation projects on violence against women issues from 1993 to the present. The Compendium contains a table of contents which lists grants by topic and an index that lists the grants funded by year.
"Compiles some U.S. BJS and FBI data on violence between people who have an intimate relationship: spouses, ex-spouses, and current and former boyfriends and girlfriends. Includes violent crimes of murder, rape, sexual assault, and simple assault."
Violence by Teenage Girls: Trends and Context (pdf)
"This OJJDP Bulletin assesses trends of juvenile arrest rates for violent crimes, focusing on simple and aggravated assault. Part of the Girls Study Group series, this bulletin examines the involvement of girls in violent activity (including whether such activity has increased relative to the increase for boys) and the contexts in which girls engage in violent behavior. "
Violence Data Brief: Intimate Partner Violence in Minnesota 1998-2001 (pdf)
This document, published in November 2002, provides statistical information related to intimate partner violence (IVP) in Minnesota from 1998-2001. The document outlines the number of fatalities, the number of reported incidents in each county, and various other demographics such as gender and age.
Violence in Families: Assessing Prevention and Treatment Programs
This is a full-text online book made available courtesy of The National Academies Press. This important book, published in 1998, details out chapter by chapter the different types of interventions to be utilized by different types of professionals, as well as makes recommendations.
Violence in the EU Examined (pdf)
"A report published by the University of Ljubljana in Slovenia on good practices and general recommendations for domestic violence initiatives in the Czech Republic, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. The project includes findings on sexual harassment, female genital mutilation, honor crimes, exploitation, trafficking, and other issues affecting women and children. A summary of the report’s general recommendations is also available."
Violence in the Lives of Children (pdf)
"This data brief from Child Trends reviews data on the types of violence experienced by U.S. children, including exposure to violence through media to abuse by parents and peers. Differences by age, gender, and race/ethnicity are discussed along with priorities for filling gaps in the data that is available on this topic."
Violence in the Lives of Homeless Women
"Overview of a 6-year research project on family homelessness and poverty in MA. Focuses on findings on prevalence and impact of violence among homeless women, including the impact of both childhood and adult victimization on this population."
Violence in the Lives of Persons who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing
"This Special Collection offers information regarding the experiences and needs of individuals who are Deaf or hard of hearing and victims/survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence. The collection seeks to increase knowledge and understanding of deaf culture, provide resources to assist professionals working directly with deaf individuals, and highlight best practices."
Violence on Television: What do Children Learn? What Can Parents Do?
Discusses some of the research done on children exposed to violence in the media and then discusses what parents can do.
Violence Prevention Alliance: Building Global Commitment for Violence Prevention (pdf)
Published by the World Health Organization, this policy paper sets out the conceptual framework, structure and goals that guide the Violence Prevention Alliance, of which CDC is a member. The paper is divided into two sections: Introducing the Violence Prevention Alliance, and Preventing violence before it occurs. The first section presents the basics of the Alliance, including the reasons behind its creation, the contribution of the health sector, and its scope, goals and working methods. The second section describes the global magnitude of interpersonal violence, discusses its known causes, risk factors and consequences, and presents theoretical tools to organize our understanding of interpersonal violence.
Violence, Pregnancy and Abortion: Issues of Women's Rights and Public Health
This review of literature aims to motivate researchers, policy makers, health professionals, personnel of the legal and law enforcement sectors, and nongovernmental organization (NGO) program implementers to increase their efforts to address the problem of violence in relation to pregnancy and abortion. The monograph first presents information on the possible links between violence, pregnancy and abortion in Section 1 and then discusses measures that can be taken to address the problem in Section 2.
Virginia's Guidelines for the Primary Prevention of SV/IPV (pdf)
This document provides guidelines to assist Virginia sexual and domestic violence agencies(and possibly other community organizations) in developing effective SV/IPV primary prevention initiatives. The guidelines and support materials contained are based on a combination of research and experience from people who do SV/IPV primary prevention work on a daily basis.
This document provides detailed guidelines and tools to guide the integrated response to sexual assault by health care providers, law enforcement professionals, victim advocates, and others. The document is not intended to be state-specific therefore it provides an excellent model for other states to replicate.
Visibility Through Data: Health Information for Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Communities (pdf)
"This report summarizes information for providers working toward improving the health and well-being of urban American Indian and Alaska Native communities and is a resource that highlights specific health issues facing this population. "
Vision for services for children and young people affected by domestic violence (pdf)
Vision for services for children and young people affected by domestic violence offers a pathway for services for children experiencing domestic violence. This guidance offers a template which directors of children's services, cabinet members with lead responsibility for children and their local safeguarding children's boards, working with domestic violence partnerships can use to incorporate the needs of children experiencing domestic violence in planning children's services.
Viva Voce: A National Newsletter About Child Victims and Witnesses (pdf)
Winter 1999 newsletter. A review of the impact that child testifying in court has on children in included.
"This bulletin provides information on how advocates can assist survivors of sexual violence to connect with larger communities and have a larger voice in the policy decisions that impact their lives. "
War Related Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone (pdf)
This study is one of the first to scientifically document the extent of sexual violence as a result of war. This population based assessment of war-related sexual violence and other human rights abuses in Sierra Leone, indicate that combatants have committed widespread human rights abuses and international crimes against internally displaced persons in Sierra Leone.
Warning!!: How an Abuser Can Discover Your Internet Activities (pdf)
This article discusses email safety and methods for clearing the computer cache of visited sites.
Washington State Domestic Violence and Pregnancy Factsheet (pdf)
The intent of this fact sheet is to provide health care professionals (physicians, midwives, nurses, nutritionists, social workers) with information to increase the safety of women experiencing domestic violence during pregnancy.
Waves of Violence: Women in Post-Tsunami Sri Lanka
This paper describes a community based and developed program intended to support women and to reduce the incidence of sexual and gender based violence in post-tsunami Sri Lanka. Preliminary data from the project is used to highlight some of the needs of women, as well as the challenges in addressing gender-based violence and marginalization.
We'll Kill You If You Cry: Sexual Violence in Sierra Leone Conflict
The report presents evidence of horrific abuses against women and girls in every region of Sierra Leone by the rebel Revolutionary United Front (RUF), as well as other rebel, government and international peacekeeping forces. The report is based on hundreds of interviews with victims, witnesses and officials, details crimes of sexual violence committed primarily by soldiers of various rebel forces —the RUF, the Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC), and the West Side Boys. The report also examines sexual violence by government forces and militias, as well as international peacekeepers.
Welfare and Domestic Violence Against Women: Lessons from Research
This VAWnet paper provides a succinct summary of welfare research, with a focus on the aspects that have implications for advocates and others who work with women who receive TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families- the program established under PRWORA).
Welfare, Poverty, and Abused Women: New Research and its Implications (pdf)
"This summary of studies on domestic violence and TANF recipients explores their physical and mental health and work experience. It focuses on interference from their partners, barriers to work, the Family Violence Option, and the Child Support Exemption."
What About Me? Coping with the abduction of a brother or sister (pdf)
"This booklet is based largely on input from eight children who have experienced the abduction of a brother or sister by a nonfamily member. It is designed to provide help, support, and guidance to children who are going through this type of trauma. "
What About Me? Seeking to Understand the Child's View of Violence in the Family (pdf)
This study was funded by the National Crime Prevention Strategy in Ottawa. It involves an exhaustive review of the literature on child exposure to domestic violence (almost 400 sources) integrated with extensive clinical experience to create a revolutionary new framework for understanding, studying and intervening with children who have lived with woman abuse. Case studies illustrate key points and child drawings bring to life the experience of violence through young eyes.
What Can I Do to Prevent Harm to Children? A Resource Guide for Mandated Reporters
Designed to help you better understand Minnesota's mandated reporter statute and to outline appropriate action to take if you know of or suspect abuse or neglect to a child. Includes reference material.
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.
What College Women 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. "
What Every Congregation Needs to Know About Domestic Violence
This online brochure about domestic violence is designed to provide information to clergy, members of congregations, battered women's programs, and human service providers.
What Is Trauma and Why Is It Important?
This is the first issue in a series focusing on trauma and child welfare systems. This issue defines trauma and describes its significance. Successive issues will highlight childhood trauma in the context of culture and identify ways in which child welfare systems can best respond to children.
What Makes a Domestic Violence Court Work? Lessons from New York (pdf)
This document presents the New York State Model as an example of promoting victim safety and defendant accountability in cases involving domestic violence. The article concludes that although domestic violence courts can play an important role in increasing accountability for defendants and safety for victims, broader systems change is needed.
This page links you to scripts, slides, and handouts from a web conference that, "featuring one of the nation's leading experts on violence against women and one of its top pollsters -- explored the latest research into men's views on domestic violence and sexual assault. Do men think this violence is common? Do they worry about the safety of women they know? What exactly are they willing to do to help stop violence? What messages resonate most with men? How can advocates engage men more effectively in prevention? In addition to reviewing the results of a new poll, experts discussed effective strategies for engaging men."
What Research Shows About Adolescent Sex Offenders (pdf)
"This fact sheet contains information about the available research on adolescent sex offenders and also addresses issues related to community safety and supervision."
What Research Shows about Female Adolescent Sex Offenders (pdf)
"This fact sheet offers information about female adolescent sex offenders based on the limited research that is available. The information provided includes characteristics of this population as well as assessment and treatment issues. "
What’s Growing in the Corporate Culture?
Discusses the types of workplace violence, categorical identification, as well as the need for policies and how to handle the stress of this issue in the workplace.
When Battered Women Stay... Advocacy Beyond Leaving
"This paper raises the key issues, questions, and dilemmas regarding advocacy with battered women who stay in their relationships. It discusses the limitations of safety strategies for leaving, and frames the issues central to the expansion of advocacy beyond leaving, including: 1) safety planning and advocacy with victims who stay; 2) ending violent and controlling behavior; and 3) knowing what children need to be OK."
When Children Experience Domestic Violence: Expert Opinion
This document includes a summary of a ruling made by a New York Judge to stop removing children from battered women because children of such women are exposed to domestic violence.
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2000 Homicide Data
This annual report details female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender and illustrates the unique role firearms play in female homicide. The report concludes that the majority of women are not killed by strangers lurking in the dark but by those that are closest to them, including spouses, intimate acquaintances, and close relatives.
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2001 Homicide Data (pdf)
When Men Murder Women offers national and state-by-state statistics from FBI Supplementary Homicide Report data including charts listing the number and rate of female homicides by state and a chart ranking each state by rate. For the top 15 states, data are broken out by: age and race of victim; type of weapon used; relationship of victim to offender; and, the circumstances of the murder.
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2002 Homicide Data (pdf)
"Annual report which details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2004 Homicide Data (pdf)
"This annual report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2005 Homicide Data (pdf)
"This annual report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender."
When Men Murder Women: An Analysis of 2007 Homicide Data (pdf)
The report details national and state-by-state information on female homicides involving one female murder victim and one male offender. The study uses the most recent data available from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s unpublished Supplementary Homicide Report.
When the Pediatrician Is a Pedophile
A detailed case study of a pediatrician pedophile is walked through and the moral implications and associated factors are elaborately discussed.
When Violence Hits Home: How Economics and Neighborhood Play a Role (pdf)
The study reveals that the incidence of violence in the home is exacerbated by economic factors apart from the characteristics of the individuals involved. Researchers found that economic problems or distresses such as losing one’s job and specific circumstances such as the length of a relationship interact with the kind of community in which people live to influence the offenders and victims of intimate violence. The study sheds light on the connections between intimate violence and personal and economic well-being and on how the type of neighborhood in which women live may influence them to stay in or leave abusive relationships.
When Your Child is Missing: A Family Survival Guide
This guide was prepared with the assistance of parents and other family members who have experienced the trauma of a missing child. It provides firsthand insights into what parents should do and what they should expect, and offers heartfelt words of hope and encouragement at a time when they are needed most.
The Spanish-language version Cuando su Nino Desaparece: Una Guia Para la Supervivencia de la Familia is also available.
Where Men Stand: Men’s roles in ending violence against women (pdf)
The report describes how many men use violence against women, what men think about violence against women, and what role men can and do play in reducing and preventing this violence.
Who Answers to Women? Gender & Accountability: Progress of the World's Women 2008/2009 (pdf)
"This report demonstrates that when gender-responsive accountability systems are put in place both nationally and internationally, the Millennium Development Goals and other international commitments to women will be met."
WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women (pdf)
This document provides ethical and safety recommendations for interviewing trafficked women in response to rapid growth of trafficking and the demand for information about trafficking by policy makers, advocates and the media.
A supplement to existing ethical and safety guidelines for research and documentation involving human subjects. Recommendations addressing issues that arise in the context of research on sexual violence during emergencies are also provided.
Who Is the Next Victim? Vulnerability of Young Romanian Women to Trafficking in Human Beings (pdf)
"Romania is one of the main countries of origin in South Eastern Europe for victims of trafficking. Most of the young women are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. This report examines factors that make women vulnerable to trafficking. It looks not only at individual attributes, but also at environmental factors - the family and the community."
This report documents the prevalence of intimate partner violence and its association with women's physical, mental, sexual and reproductive health. Data is included on non-partner violence, sexual abuse during childhood and forced first sexual experience. Information is also provided on women’s responses: Whom do women turn to and whom do they tell about the violence in their lives? Do they leave or fight back? Which services do they use and what response do they get?
WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence – Country Findings: Brazil
"This fact sheet provides information on the methods and main findings of the study, with regard to the phenomenon of intimate partner violence against women in Brazil. Data on sexual abuse and non-partner physical and sexual violence is also included."
Why Do They Kill? Men Who Murder Their Intimate Partners
"Moving backwards from the murders they committed through their adult lives, relationship histories, and their childhoods, the author sought to understand what motivates the men to kill. The patterns he found reveal that the murders were neither impulsive crimes of passion nor were they indiscriminate."
Why Does Abuse Happen in Later Life?
"This forum explores the issue of elder abuse and is hosted by Diana Christen, Executive Director of the Family Life Center, a Certified Domestic/Sexual Violence Center and Emergency Shelter in Bunnell, Florida. Diana has specialized in the prevention of domestic/sexual violence for over 10 years."
"This report, the product of a 2009 survey of victim assistance providers and LGBTQ anti-violence programs throughout the United States, describes widespread gaps in victim services for LGBTQ victims of crime and recommends steps to improve both the services and their accessibility."
Widening Our Lens (pdf)
"This brochure presents a comprehensive strategy to address the impact of child maltreatment, interpersonal, and family violence on youth."
"With an End in Sight" narrates inspiring stories showing how groups of people are moving ahead and creating new ideas to combat violence against women. It provides knowledge, insight and hope of how violence against women can be eliminated with combined effort, compelling advocacy, and wide-reaching education.
Witnessing Domestic Violence: The Effect on Children
The author discusses the conequences of child exposure to domestic violence across various ages, as well as prevention and screening techniques. Community advocacy is emphasized.
Witnessing Violence Fact Sheet
The authors discuss the types of violence that children witness, prevlance rates, correlates, and future directions for research.
Woman Stalking in Iran (pdf)
"This paper comprises four parts: the first part discusses in brief the main factors that have impact on stalking of women in Iran. Then, in the second part, by classifying the stalkers according to their profiles, we will turn to analyzing the effect of each factor on individuals. In part three, statistics drawn from a recent survey will be discussed and finally, in part four,the existing legal remedies to control stalking will be discussed."
Women and Health: Today’s Evidence, Tomorrow’s Agenda (pdf)
"This report reviews evidence on the health issues that particularly affect girls and women throughout their life course. This report uses currently available data to draw attention to the consequences and costs of failing to address health issues at appropriate points in their lives."
Women and HIV/AIDS: Confronting the Crisis
"This report documents the latest information on the current HIV/AIDS pandemic, the devastating and often invisible impact of AIDS on women and girls and highlights the ways discrimination, poverty and gender-based violence help fuel the epidemic. Most importantly, the report targets the strategies to reverse the trends."
Women at the Edge: Colombian Refugees in Ecuador (pdf)
"The study looks at the differential impact of armed conflict on women and men. Women in Colombia represent more than half of the total displaced population and suffer the consequences of conflict to a higher degree putting them in a more vulnerable situation than men. This study analyzes the situation of women that are legally recognized as refugees as well as the experiences of women who have been pressured to migrate by army movements because of their country situation." This publication is printed in Spanish.
This study was developed to inform programming and advocacy within the context of UNIFEM programming, and builds on country-level visits conducted in early 2007. The study looks at five areas of intervention: peacebuilding and conflict resolution initiatives, reconciliation mechanisms, increasing access to justice, access to support services, and conflict monitoring systems. These sections examine the barriers women face and highlights examples of women’s successful engagement in peacebuilding at the community level.
Women in Mongolia: Mapping Progress under Transition
This publication tells of Mongolian women's experiences in the context of the political and economic transformation of their country. It shares reports of women encouraged to bear many children, inadequate health care or resources, and high rates of maternal mortality. Recommendations informed through case studies are presented for improving their social and economic status and increasing their political participation.
This report shares findings garnered from a series of interviews held with a diverse group of women from throughout the Gulf region. In telling their stories, it provides an analysis of women's increased vulnerability during times of natural disasters and lays out policy recommendations that pinpoint how best to address those needs in the wake of this disaster, and in anticipation of the next.
Women of Color Health Data Book (pdf)
This report describes health status of women of color, which encompasses four major groups of women—Native, Hispanic, black, and Asian Americans—with subgroups within each of the major groups. The health of adolescent and elderly women of color receives separate attention as well. The section includes violence and sexual abuse.
Women Stalking Women at Work: A Preliminary Study on Nurses' Experiences (pdf)
"This paper explores nurses' experiences of workplace stalking. The data were analyzed and compared with a secondary analysis of data from an earlier study into violence among nurses."
Women's Experiences of Abuse as a Risk Factor for Incarceration
This VAWnet document describes how violence perpetrated against women and girls increases their risk of arrest and incarceration through the intersections of interpersonal and structural violence.
Women's Human Rights: A Fact Sheet (pdf)
This factsheet outlines women's human rights violations and the obligation states have to protect those rights.
This report covers many areas of concern, from the gender dimensions of violence and displacement during conflict to the role of peacekeepers and the need for women to play a central part during peace negotiations and reconstruction. Key recommendations focus on finding ways to protect and empower women.
Women’s Empowerment Principles: Equality Means Business (pdf)
"This brochure introduces the Women’s Empowerment Principles, which offer practical guidance to business and the private sector on how to empower women in the workplace, marketplace and community. It makes the business case for corporate action to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment."
Work-Related Homicides (pdf)
Provides information on work-related homicides, including information about the perpetrators, demographics of the decedents, and other relevant facts about these events, such as the time of the incident, the location, and the type of establishment in which the homicide occurred.
Workers in the Shadows: Abuse and Exploitation of Child Domestic Workers in Indonesia (pdf)
"This report documents how hundreds of thousands of girls in Indonesia, some as young as 11, are employed as domestic workers in other people’s households, performing tasks such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and child care. Most girls interviewed for the report worked 14 to 18 hours a day, seven days a week, with no day off. Almost all are grossly underpaid, and some get no salary at all. In the worst cases, girls reported being physically, psychologically, and sexually abused."
Working Effectively with the Police: A Guide for Battered Women's Advocates
Revised August 2001. Battered women's advocates and police departments in several jurisdictions have been successful in developing a more effective police response to domestic assault cases. This article highlights information advocates need in order to work collaboratively and effectively with police officers and other law enforcement personnel. The author discusses the changes police officers have made regarding when and how they arrest, investigate, write reports, and how they work with and support prosecutors and victim advocates.
Working to End Violence Against Women in Brazil
"This VAWnet special collection highlights and celebrates the tremendous work being done in Brazil to end violence against women. The selected materials and resources provide a snapshot of the magnitude of the problem and highlight various recommendations for public policy as well as opportunities for community involvement and action."
Working Together To Ensure Safe Communities
"The COPS Office's Community Partnerships CD provides community members and law enforcement professionals the information they need to build a working partnership to address crime and public safety issues in their communities. The CD includes concise, easily accessible resources that describe real-world best practices and success stories. "
The consultation brought together approximately 65 participants from East and Southeast Asia and the Pacific and focused three objectives:
-Explore the concepts of masculinities, gender relations, and gender-based violence (GBV) – and how they are connected.
-Share promising practices and lessons learned in the region on the engagement of boys and men in gender equality and GBV prevention.
-Explore next steps to for collaboration across the region to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and GBV prevention.
The consultation brought together participants from across South Asia and focused on three key objectives:
1. Deepen our understanding of gender, masculinities and gender-based violence in the South Asian context
2. Discuss an approach and process for working together regionally to engage boys and men in work towards gender equality and prevention of Gender-based Violence (GBV)
3. Reach agreement on next steps, roles and responsibilities for working together regionally.
Working with Children Towards a Healthy & Non-Violent Future
"This Special Collection provides a unique perspective on working with children (younger than 13 years of age), focusing on theories and strategies for raising respectful, non-violent people. Resources included here discuss child development and how to utilize this knowledge when implementing primary prevention strategies that foster healthy attitudes and behaviors"
Working with Men to Prevent Violence Against Women: An Overview (Part One)
This VAWnet provides an overview of current efforts involving men in the prevention of violence against women and discusses men’s role in prevention, what is effective in men’s prevention, and cultural issues and considerations in working with men.
Working with Men to Prevent Violence Against Women: Program Modalities and Formats (Part Two)
This VAWnet document discusses best practices in prevention, provides an overview of different program modalities and formats, and reviews pedagogies that can be used in working with men to prevent violence against women.
Working with Victims of Crime with Disabilities
This is a product of the Symposium on Working with Crime Victims with Disabilities, funded by the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) and coordinated by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA). They developed recommendations for OVC and the victim assistance field on improving the response in serving crime victims with disabilities.
This paper is part of series of papers 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 the way to offer support and safety for children while maintaining safety, autonomy and choide for battered women.
Working with Young Men Who Batter: Current Strategies and New Directions
This article offers an overview of the recent juvenile batterer intervention programs. It identifies risk factors for teen dating violence perpetration as described by the literature and considers the utility of these findings, describes efforts to prevent re-offenses by juvenile perpetrators of domestic violence, discusses several shortcomings inherent in post-crisis intervention, and outlines current challenges within the field.
Comprehensive website regarding aspects of violence in the workplace.
Workplace Violence Awareness and Prevention
OSHA offers an online guide to developing a workplace violence prevention program. The guide offers facts and information, critical elements of a program, sample forms, checks lists, a security survey, and a resource guide.
Workplace Violence: An Employer’s Guide (pdf)
"With proper planning and effective programs, employers can dramatically reduce incidents of workplace violence." A brief article that outlines everything from the seriousness of the issue to what they as employers can do about this issue. Contains a section on Domestic Violence.
World Development Report 2012: Gender Equality and Development
This report details types of disparities and practical solutions for all countries facing gender inequality. The main messages of this report focus around how gender equality affects development, how global development has closed some gender gaps while others persist, understanding progress and persistence, priorities for domestic policy action, and the role of the international community.
Whole report available as a pdf, or see the website to download individual chapters.
World Report on Violence against Children
"This book addresses all violence against children within the family, schools, alternative care institutions and detention facilities, places where children work and communities. It lists the relevant international and national legal instruments and standards. It also describes the nature and impact of all forms of violence, indicating possible risk and causal factors. Finally, and most important, based on existing evidence and concrete examples, it provides detailed recommendation on measures to be taken to enhance the protection of children from violence."
World Report on Violence and Health
This report examines the types of violence that are present worldwide and which constitute the bulk of the health burden imposed by violence. Topics include violence as a global health problem, youth violence, child abuse and neglect, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, sexual violence, self-directed violence, collective violence and recommendations for action.
Worldwide Sexual Assault Statistics
"This fact sheet includes worldwide sexual assault statistics along with their resources. It also gives a more specific figure breakdown for each of the following: The United States, Africa, Russia, South Pacific, Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America."
Yaari Dosti: Young Men Redefine Masculinity (pdf)
"This training manual is a tool for those aiming to promote gender equity and address masculinity as a strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. The Manual is based on operations research that was undertaken in Mumbai and Uttar Pradesh to develop educational activities targeted to young men."
You Will Be Punished: Attacks on Civilians in Eastern Congo
"This report, which is based on interviews with victims, witnesses and family members, details violations of international humanitarian law in Eastern Congo by military forces, including the deaths of more than 1,400 citizens in 2009. Nearly 7,500 cases of sexual violence against women and girls in eastern Congo were also recorded by the UN between January and September 2009."
You're Not Alone: The Journey From Abduction to Empowerment (pdf)
"Presents several stories of child abduction survivors and how they have grown and developed from their traumatic experiences. This guide, written by survivors of child abduction, provides information to help other child abduction survivors cope with their own experiences and begin their journeys towards a better future. Additionally, this guide contains space where readers can write down their own thoughts and feelings in response to each personal story."
Young Children Living with Domestic Violence: The Role of Early Childhood Programs (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 highlights the rold of early childhood programs in supporting staff, community and state programs on behalf of the children and families affected by domestic violence.
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 impacts of adult domestic violence to young children through developmental risk and resiliency.
Young People’s Voices on Child Trafficking: Experiences from South Eastern Europe (pdf)
"The UNICEF Innocenti Centre (formally known as the International Child Development Centre) based in Florence, Italy, released a report in December 2008 on child trafficking. The report is based on interviews with 31 individuals in Albania, Kosovo, Republic of Moldova and Romania who had been trafficked when under the age of 18. It details children’s experiences with trafficking and support services. "
Younger Women at Great Risk of Intimate Partner Violence
Summary of the new report, Intimate Partner Violence and Age of Victim, released by the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS).
Your Child and Gangs: What You Need to Know about Trauma - Tips for Parents (pdf)
"This fact sheet defines traumatic stress, explains the appeal of gang involvement for traumatized youth, and offers information for parents on helping their children cope with the aftermath of trauma."
Youth Activism: Engaging Teens in the Sexual Violence Prevention Movement (pdf)
"This bulletin discusses how to engage youth as valued partners in sexual violence prevention work."
This handbook contains information that will help you learn about: domestic violence and its impact on adolescents; evaluating risk and safety planning for victims of domestic violence; coordinated justice responses to domestic violence and the role of juvenile custody programs and probation; risk assessment and reduction with adolescent perpetrators of intimate partner and family violence; promising practices for adolescent perpetrators of intimate partner and family violence; and resources on domestic violence for adolescent victims and perpetrators.
Youth Gangs in Schools (pdf)
This Bulletin analyzes findings from the School Crime Supplements (SCS) to the National Crime Victim Survey, describes characteristics of gangs in schools, and discusses contributory factors to gang prevalence in schools. The impact of gang presence in schools on victimization is also reviewed.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance - United States, 2003 (pdf)
"This report includes findings from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, with data on the health risk activities of students grade 9-12."
Provides texts of numerous articles related to gangs, youth violence, school violence and drug trafficking.
The Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence has published over 50 factsheets related to youth violence and aggression.
"This report examines the youth perspective on violence, life circumstance, and the response of the justice system to a supposed growth of violence among troubled youth. The report was also part of testimony before the House Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security on February 11, 2009."
A fact sheet on youth violence compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention detailing risk factors, consequences, occurrence, and much more.
Zero Tolerance: Stop the Violence Against Women and Children, Stop HIV/AIDS (pdf)
Violence is linked to HIV. Women who have experienced violence may be up to three times more likely to acquire HIV. In addition to behavioral risk factors, there are direct consequences of unprotected forced or coerced sex, and this is compounded by global HIV/AIDS policies that fail to take seriously the realities facing women and girls. Fear of violence can prevent women from seeking VCT, disclosing their serostatus, and receiving treatment when it is needed.