The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

Abstract #39308

Maria Elena Villar and Michelle Hines-Doldren. PARTNERSHIP for the Study and Prevevtion of Violence, University of Miami, P.O. Box 0169820 (D-820), Miami, FL 33101

The intensive case management model has been successful in court-based domestic violence interventions. When attempting to apply the model in a community-based program where women were refereed from the police and health care sources, we encountered difficulties in obtaining client buy-in and participation. This qualitative study was conducted to assess the barriers faced by victims and providers to conduct IPV screening and advocacy. We conducted semi-structured, open-ended interviews with clients, health care providers and other social services providers. Participants reported barriers related to lack of resources, infrastructure and services. We identified barriers that relate to human, social and cultural barriers to receiving and delivering domestic violence services. Lack of victims “self awareness” due to the pervasive and intergenerational nature of intimate violence. The impact of providers’ own experience and issues with domestic violence that sometimes result in tension between client and providers, including therapists, advocates and clergy. Another theme that emerged was the role of a community’s culture and it’s effect on willingness to accept services. This barrier deals with racial dynamics and the perception that many services, while well intentioned, are naïve to the realities of black communities, and often result in degrading or stigmatizing the clients that they serve. Barriers to accessing services are not only related to the resource availability, there are intangible human barriers related to attitude, culture, personal and community history. These barriers will not be overcome by simply offering more of the existing services, but rather require the testing and implementation of innovative approaches that take into account cultural, racial and personal barriers.

Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to

• Describe barriers identified by domestic violence victims and service providers in accepting and/or delivering social services
• Discuss cultural issues related to accepting social services among some minority communties
• Identify certain concerns of health and social service providers that may interfere with delivery of services

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Access to Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.