NCJ Number
66438
Date Published
1979
Length
45 pages
Annotation
THIS REPORT EVALUATES THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AT THE PROJECT KNOWN AS NEW YORK STREET CENTER IN DENVER.
Abstract
THE VICTIM SUPPORT SYSTEM PROJECT, OF WHICH THE NEW YORK STREET CENTER IS A PART, WAS FUNDED FROM SEPTEMBER 1975 UNTIL MARCH 1979 BY GRANTS FROM LEAA, AND SUBSEQUENTLY WITH MONIES PROVIDED BY THE CITY AND COUNTY OF. DENVER SERVICES TO BATTERED WOMEN WERE OFFERED IN THE FORM OF HOUSING, TRANSPORTATION, FOOD, SECURITY REPAIRS, COUNSELING, AND EDUCATION AIMED AT PREVENTING THE RECURRENCE OF VICTIMIZATION. THE CENTER SERVED APPROXIMATELY 800 CLIENTS PER YEAR, 25 PERCENT OF WHOM WERE REFERRALS FROM THE DENVER POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE REMAINDER SENT FROM 100 AGENCIES. WHETHER THE CLIENT INTAKE REFLECTED THE REAL NEEDS FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE IS QUESTIONED IN THE REPORT. VICTIMS' RELUCTANCE TO SEEK ASSISTANCE WAS CAUSED BY THE VICTIMS' REFUSAL TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUSNESS OF PROBLEM EMBARRASSMENT AT HAVING TO RETURN TO THE CENTER DUE TO FURTHER VICTIMIZATION, FEAR OF OFFENDER REPRISALS OR DISSATISFACTION WITH PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED SERVICES. IN ADDITION TO DIRECT SERVICES, THE CENTER ALSO OFFERED VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE LEGAL ASSISTANCE IN SEEKING SERVICES FROM OTHER AGENCIES, PROVIDED DENVER POLICE OFFICERS WITH SPECIAL TRAINING IN DOMESTIC CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND SPONSORED WORKSHOP AND SEMINARS FOR RELATED AGENCIES IN COLORADO, NEW MEXICO, AND WYOMING. THE CENTER HAS BEEN SUFFERING, HOWEVER, FROM PHILOSOPHICAL AND OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS, WHICH HAVE REDUCED ITS EFFECTIVENESS IN TERMS OF ITS STATED OBJECTIVES. THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF MILITANT FEMINISTS, WHO HAVE DOMINATED THE CENTER FROM ITS INCEPTION, ENDEAVORING TO INDOCTRINATE THEIR CLIENTS WITH A GENERAL DISTRUST OF AND ANGER AT ALL MEN, OFTEN FRIGHTEN AWAY WOMEN WHOSE VALUES ARE DIFFERENT. THESE MILITANTS ALSO PREVENT THE HIRING OF MALE STAFF MEMBERS, A DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE WHICH MUST BE CORRECTED, AND SHOW A LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM AND EMOTIONAL OVERIDENTIFICATION WITH THEIR CLIENTS. AMONG THE OPERATIONAL PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY THE CENTER ARE LACK OF PROGRAM CONTINUITY, FAILURE TO BUILD A STRONG, POSITIVE IMAGE IN THE COMMUNITY; DUPLICATION OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES; INTENSIVE SERVICES 8ROVIDED TO A LIMITED NUMBER OF CLIENTS; AND LACK OF ADMINISTRATIVE TRAING ON THE PART OF THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF. THE CENTER NEEDS A BROADER PHILOSOPHY, A SPIRIT OF COOPERATION, A CLIENT-CENTERED APPROACH, AND AN INCREASED ABILITY TO IDENTIFY FUNDING SOURCES ON A CONTINUING BASIS. A LIST OF TRAINING MATERIALS USED BY CENTER STAFF IS INCLUDED. (LGR)