NCJ Number
204660
Journal
Policy & Practice of Public Human Services Volume: 59 Issue: 1 Dated: March 2001 Pages: 32-38
Date Published
March 2001
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This report presents 10 lessons learned during training for a coordinated, interagency response to domestic violence and child abuse in Alaska.
Abstract
Millions of children live in violent households and regularly witness acts of domestic violence. Many deleterious effects have been noted for children who witness domestic violence, including numerous health problems. Despite the connection between domestic violence and child abuse, social services for victims of domestic violence and child abuse are usually separated into different agencies. The failure to develop and implement a multidisciplinary, coordinated approach to domestic violence and child abuse has resulted in service gaps and inadequate victim assistance. The Alaska Family Violence Prevention Project (AFVPP), which was implemented in 1998-1999 with a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice, was designed with a focus on promoting interagency coordination and response to domestic violence and child abuse in Alaska. Regional training workshops were customized to meet local needs and training workshops took place on-site in rural settings rather than in urban offices, which became known as the “Take It to the Village” strategy. The training workshops led to enlightening lessons, which are shared here. First, the historic divide between service providers for domestic violence and service providers for child abuse should be acknowledged. Second, officials should be prepared for conflict as providers learn to work with one another. Third, officials should be flexible and support a community-initiated approach in which community members guide the tone of the training workshop. Fourth, officials should be inclusive to all types of service providers, agency representatives, and community members who attend training workshops. Fifth, officials should be prepared for some stakeholders to initially reject inclusion in a coordinated approach to domestic violence and child abuse. Sixth, officials should include role clarification and the identification of names and faces within the curriculum. Seventh, officials should be prepared for strong emotions concerning domestic violence and child abuse to emerge during the workshops. Eighth, officials should include the latest research on domestic violence and child abuse in the training workshops. Ninth, officials should be prepared to offer follow-up training seminars in which the tools and techniques learned in the first workshops can be expanded upon and applied in follow-up workshops. Tenth, building fun into the workshops can help alleviate some of the intensity of the workshops. Recommendations are offered for topics that may be included in workshop agendas. References