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Feds May Fund Program for Teen Dating Violence Congress is considering legislation that could help reduce what the Family Violence Prevention Fund in San Francisco calls a national epidemic of teen dating violence. The original Violence Against Women Act and its renewed legislation in 2000 did not fund services for teens. A 2005 version of the act would allow $3.9 billion over five years for new initiatives targeting teens.
The legislation follows the release of a study in June that found that 57% of 13- to 18-year-olds surveyed reported having friends in abusive relationships. ++++++++++ Kaiser Permanente’s Domestic Violence Prevention Program Kaiser Permanente Northern California launched this program in 1998 and has since rolled it out to all 24 medical centers in the region. Since then, findings of domestic violence have increased three-fold among patients. The program is unique because it takes domestic violence screening beyond the emergency room and connects those experiencing violence in the home with a network of resources quickly, both within the health care setting and in the community. ++++++++++ Judge Brings Personal Experience to Domestic Violence Bench Judge Erica Yew presides over Santa Clara County, California’s domestic violence court. She was the victim in a violent relationship and makes her personal history public to spread awareness about domestic violence to others. ++++++++++ New York Courts Untangle Domestic Violence
Article about the New York Integrated Domestic Violence Court launched in 2001. The integrated system now has 18 courts and has handled over 13,000 cases. The new system is based on the one judge, one family premise. See links at the end of the article for more information. ++++++++++ Rate of Family Violence Dropped by More than Half from 1993 to 2002
A new report, Family Violence Statistics, compares family and nonfamily violence statistics from victimization through the different stages of the justice system. From the report: Family violence fell by more than one-half between 1993 and 2002, from an estimated 5.4 victims to 2.1 victims per 1,000 US residents 12 years old and older. Family violence accounted for 11% of all reported and unreported violence between 1998 and 2002. Of these offenses, 49% were a crime against a spouse, 11% a parent attacking a child, and 41% an offense against another family member. About 22% of murders in 2002 were family murders. 58% of family murder victims were female and 26% were under 18. Among murdered children under age 13, 66% were killed by a family member. 83% of those who killed a spouse were males, as were 75% of those who killed a boyfriend or girlfriend. The average age of a son or daughter killed was 7 years old; 80% were younger than 13.
The link above will take you to the report. This one will take you to a news article about the report. ++++++++++ The Murderer Next Door: Why the Mind is Designed to Kill The Casey Journalism Center reviews this new book and interviews its author, a psychology professor at the University of Texas who applies evolutionary theory to explain modern domestic violence and other phenomena that sometimes turn into murder. The author, David Buss, says the explanation for domestic violence is found in evolutionary adaptations resulting in men who “control and manipulate their own mates – and therein lies the horrifying bridge to abuse.” ++++++++++ Upscale Victims of Domestic Violence Domestic Violence statistics are less likely to capture women VIPS and other women from upscale neighborhoods. They are more likely to seek help privately, are not seen, and are not counted. Victims of “upscale violence” are different because of their income, education, class status and residence and have different challenges. ++++++++++ Domestic Violence Claiming More Victims on the Periphery People who are not involved in abusive relationships are falling victim to domestic violence. Children, new boyfriends, parents, and acquaintances are being hurt or killed because they know the person being abused. ++++++++++ Oklahoma’s Task Force on Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Domestic Violence A blue-ribbon panel convened by Oklahoma’s governor and attorney general has put on paper what advocates have been telling policymakers for years: investing in addiction, mental health, and domestic violence services can save taxpayers billions of dollars a year. The report makes five key recommendations: Making prevention, early intervention, treatment, and recovery-support services available to those in need. Identifying people in the criminal justice system with addictions and major mental illnesses soon after their entry, with referrals to more cost effective programs to treat, monitor, rehabilitate, and supervise these populations. Establishing minimum state standards for mandatory training of addiction, mental health, and domestic violence service providers. Further study of the needs of offenders and others in custody that need addiction and mental health services, as well as improved data collection on sexual assault.
The reported noted that addiction, mental health, and domestic violence account for half of all state expenditures on criminal justice, and 11% of health care costs. Click here to read this 31 page report. ++++++++++ Domestic Violence and Youth The latest issue of The Prevention Researcher is devoted to the experience of domestic violence by children, either as domestic violence committed against their caregivers, or as victims/perpetrators of domestic violence in their own relationships. At the TPR web site you can read abstracts of each of the articles in this issue and review a list of references on this subject some seven pages in length – and in small type. Anyone who works in this arena should find the reference list valuable. ++++++++++ JODI: Judicial Oversight Demonstration Initiative to Improve Collaboration, Services and Safety in Domestic Violence Cases Three jurisdictions have been involved in the five-year JODI project, funded through the National Institute of Justice and the Office of Violence Against Women. The Dorchester District Court in Boston, Milwaukee County in Wisconsin, and Washtenaw County in Michigan each utilized the grant funding to improve supervision of domestic violence perpetrators and services for domestic violence victims. ++++++++++ Youth Law News The most recent issue of Youth Law News, the journal of the National Center for Youth Law, is available in its entirety online. Here are two articles readers may find of interest: Child and Family Services Reviews – Most States Fail to Meet the Mental Health Needs of Foster Children, and New York Raises the Bar for Interdisciplinary Practice in Family Violence Cases
++++++++++ Colorado’s Domestic Violence Plan under Fire Many victim advocates in Colorado say that two decades of fighting domestic violence have not produced the hoped-for results, and that its time to rethink the criminal justice system’s strategies. The Rocky Mountain News presents a four-part examination of domestic violence in Colorado and the debate about its effectiveness. ++++++++++ Teen Dating Violence Resource Guide The National Center for State Courts provides these internet pages with information on programs, laws, prevention, research, education and statistics on teen dating violence. ++++++++++ Child Protection in Families Experiencing Domestic Violence The Children’s Bureau announces the availability of this new publication in its User Manual Series on Child Abuse and Neglect. It offers considerations and alternate protocols for CPS caseworkers culled from the practices of various agencies involved in addressing both child maltreatment and domestic violence. It also includes background on this complex topic and addresses practice issues.108 page manual. Downloadable. +++++++++++ The Voice The Voice is APRI’s new newsletter and part of its Violence Against Women Program. The program includes the National Institute on the Prosecution of Domestic Violence, the National Institute on the Prosecution of Sexual Assault, training programs, a clearinghouse on domestic violence and sexual assault laws, research, and technical assistance. The Voice is 12 pages in length and downloadable at the link above. This inaugural issue addresses Crawford v. Washington in several contexts. ++++++++++ Domestic Violence News 2004 Washington State Domestic Violence Review Report – Researchers examined all 313 deaths since the project began in January 1997 and found: 32% of the abusers who killed also took their own lives. Firearms were used in 57% of the domestic violence deaths. Victims had already left their abusers in 44% of the cases. Half the victims had children living with them at the time of their deaths, and of those 147 children, 40 witnessed the killing. At least 45 of the abusers, or 14%, were subject to some sort of protective order.
More details about the report in the link above. To view the complete report go to http://www.wscadv.org Video technology provides 24-hour access for protective orders – In Allegheny County, Penn., the district attorney’s office provides round-the-clock electronic access to emergency protection-from-abuse orders (PFAs). Three videoconferencing sites have been established with 24-hour access. The victim can see the judge, the judge can see the victim, and the documentation is completed by fax. +++++++++++ Men’s Domestic Violence Intervention Program A program of Family Services in Seattle, this program for batterers focuses on changing the mind-set behind the violent behavior. It centers on education, not therapy, and the curriculum combines teachings from comparable programs in Boston and Duluth. Most men are referred to the classes by a court or state agency. It generally takes 14 months to complete the weekly program and at least seven months to show measurable change. ++++++++++ Vicarious Trauma in Attorneys This article summarizes a presentation made at the 2nd Annual Pace Women’s Justice Center Domestic Violence Think Tank. The authors, Andrew P. Levin, MD, and Scott Greisberg, MA, designed a survey to assess the presence of secondary trauma responses and symptoms of burnout in attorneys working with victims of domestic violence and criminal defendants. The article appears at the Gift From Within website. Gift from Within is a nonprofit organization dedicated to those who suffer PTSD. The organization develops and disseminates educational material, including videotapes. ++++++++++ Navigating Custody & Visitation Evaluations in Cases with Domestic Violence: A Judge’s Guide This new publication from the Council’s Family Violence Department is designed to be a practical tool for judges on this topic and will guide them on how to order, interpret, and act upon child custody evaluations in these challenging cases. It includes bench cards and supplementary material. For a free copy of the Guide, contact the Resource Center on Domestic Violence: Child Protection and Custody at 800-527-3223 or visit NCJFCJ’s website. Violence Against Women: Identifying Risk Factors This Research in Brief is based on results from two studies funded by NIJ to identify factors that could predict which women were most likely to become victims of sexual or physical violence. One study examined victimization and perpetration of violence among college students. The second analyzed interview data from women with contemporaneously documented histories of child sexual abuse and those with no documented abuse. Neither of these two reports has been published, but each is available online at NCJRS. See article for links. ++++++++++ Newsletter: Family Violence Forum Family Violence Forum is an online newsletter published by the National Center for State Courts four times a year. This latest issue, Fall/Winter 2004, is devoted to cultural diversity and the need to be able to respond with a variety of multicultural services. This issue includes a profile of an organization in metropolitan New York committed to ending violence against women of South Asian origin, an article on domestic violence in Indian Country in California, and more. 14 pages. To subscribe, scroll all the way to the end of the newsletter. +++++++++ A Web Site on How to Handle Stalking and Other Forms of Intrusive Contact Help for those who are coping with stalking or other intrusive contacts. It contains information on how to set limits, how to remain safe, getting help from family and friends, and information for parents, friends, teachers, counselors, etc. Intrusive Contact is defined as at least 2 weeks of unwanted contact after a relationship that had lasted at least one month. The information on the site was written by the director of the Department of Human Development at Cornell University. ++++++++++ Family Team Conferences in Domestic Violence Cases – Guidelines for Practice These revised guidelines describe the thoughtful and safe use of Family Team Conferences for families affected by domestic violence. They are designed to provide useful information for trained FTC facilitators and FTC participants, including domestic violence advocates, batterer intervention staff, other community based service providers and extended family members. 30 page pdf file. ++++++++++ Amnesty International’s Domestic Violence Posters Amnesty International has launched an anti-domestic violence campaign through a series of disturbing posters which show a smiling model with injuries. View the posters here. ++++++++++ Intimate Partner Violence 1993-2001 - This two page fact sheet from the Bureau of Justice Statistics contains these, and other statistics: - Intimate partner violence primarily involves female victims.
- About 85% of victimizations by intimate partners in 2001 were against women.
- In 2001 intimate partner violence made up 20% of violent crime against women. During the same year intimate partners committed 3% of all nonfatal violence against men.
What is the burden of intimate partner violence in the United States? - The CDC offers a summary of the extent of intimate partner violence with tables on health consequences and intervention strategies. Article subsections provide information on intimate partner violence among the country’s minorities. Girls can beat teen dating abuse - This article from the Detroit News includes information for parents, prevention tips, and warning signs. It emphasizes that parents are the most important factor in preventing dating abuse among teen girls. Extent, Nature, and Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence - This joint NIJ/CDC report presents findings from the National Violence Against Women Survey on the extent, nature and consequences of intimate partner violence in the United States. Nearly 25% of women surveyed and 7.6% of men said they were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or date at some time in their lifetime. Published in 2000. 58 page pdf file. ++++++++++ Understanding the Link Between Animal Abuse and Family Violence This section of American Humane’s web site provides information on the correlation between animal abuse, family violence, and other forms of community violence. When animals in a home are abused or neglected, it is a warning sign that others in the household may not be safe. With resource lists and links to online information. A more thorough treatment of the subject is found in another article at the American Humane Association site. ++++++++++ When Violence Hits Home: How Economics and Neighborhood Play a Role This new NIJ (National Institute of Justice) Research in Brief discusses how having financial problems and living in an economically distressed neighborhood combine to create greater risk of injury and violence to women. 11 page pdf file. ++++++++++ Domestic/Family Violence Resources I did some research this week on resources for family violence in a variety of settings. Here are three publications I think to be of value: ++++++++++ IN Florida, Domestic Violence Spikes Following the Hurricanes Four hurricanes in six weeks have led to a spike in calls to domestic violence shelters and victim advocates fear more are on the way. It took two years for domestic violence levels to return to normal in Dade County after the last major storms. ++++++++++ Searching for Angela Shelton In this movie, filmmaker Angela Shelton set out to meet every other Angela Shelton in America. She intended to survey the thoughts and perceptions of modern American women. In the process she discovered that, like herself, 16 out of the 32 Angela Sheltons she found had been raped, beaten, or molested. CBS’s 48 Hours featured a special episode on the making of this documentary. Searching for Angela Shelton is now available for sale on both DVD and VHS. Click here: ++++++++++ Firesetting and Animal Cruelty Linked to Poor Parenting A study by researchers at the University of Hawaii analyzed information provided by 363 mothers and one of their 6-to-12-year-old children as part of a 10-year study into the impact of marital violence on children’s mental health. The results: - Children residing in homes where marital violence prevailed or where the father abused the family pet were more likely to set fires than children residing in homes in which they were not confronted with these behaviors.
- Having a father who drank alcohol also increased the odds of firesetting behavior.
- Children from violent homes were 2.3 times more likely to be cruel to animals than were those from nonviolent homes.
- “Harsh parenting” also significantly increased the likelihood that a child would be cruel to animals.
- Children who set fires were 3 times more likely than non-firesetters to be referred to juvenile court and 3.3 times more likely to be arrested for a violent crime.
The authors say that this study shows that firesetting behavior ‘is a statistically significant predictor for juvenile delinquency.” The study appears in the July 2004 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. |
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