Objective: This study examines the extent to which programs for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking gear services toward women facing multiple barriers (i.e., substance abuse disorders; mental health problems or learning disabilities; incarceration; and prostitution) and the unique problems such women encounter when accessing services. It also describes the strategies programs use to meet women’s distinct needs.
Methods: As part of a national evaluation, we interviewed 98 programs funded through the Violence Against Women Act STOP grant program. Programs focused services on underserved populations: women with multiple barriers, women from particular ethnic/racial populations, and women in rural areas. Telephone interviews included questions about unique barriers clients face, staff training, outreach strategies, and collaboration with other community organizations to best serve women. Twenty interviews were of programs focusing on multi-barriered women.
Preliminary Results: Problems encountered by multi-barriered women are: lack of services dealing with multiple barriers, service providers uneducated on multiple barriers, the “system” blaming multi-barriered women more so for their victimization and taking them less seriously than other women, and batterers using women’s barriers to further control/victimize them. Further analyses will include comparisons of the 20 barrier-specific programs to others. Specifically, we will compare the nature and frequency of program strategies, such as training, outreach, collaboration, and other initiatives to improve services for underserved populations.
Conclusions: The results of this study will have implications for practitioners seeking to create and/or improve services for multi-barriered women.
Learning Objectives: During this session, researchers will discuss program strategies for assisting women victims of violence experiencing multiple barriers to obtaining services. At the conclusion of the session, participants will be able to: 1. Describe the extent to which programs for women victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking gear services toward women facing multiple barriers (i.e., substance abuse disorders; mental health problems or learning disabilities; incarceration; and prostitution). 2. Articulate the unique problems women with multiple barriers encounter when accessing services. 3. Discuss strategies used by programs to meet women's distinct needs
Keywords: Battered Women, Barriers to Care
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: The Urban Institute interviewed 98 programs funded through the Violence Against Women Act STOP block grant program. Findings from these interviews form the basis for our presentation
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.