NCJ Number
121862
Date Published
1987
Length
41 pages
Annotation
Interviews with approximately 50 of Denver's leading local authorities on spouse abuse, child abuse, and abuse of the elderly solicited opinions on gaps in the service system and recommendations for ways to address these deficiencies.
Abstract
The list of recommendations was sent to 170 service providers, law enforcement professionals, funders, researchers, and other interested parties. They were asked to rank each suggestion according to importance and feasibility. Five suggestions were cited as the most in need of immediate attention. These suggestions included the development of a well-organized public awareness campaign to encourage behavioral alternatives to neglect and violence and the enhancement of treatment programs for child victims offered by mental health therapists. Other recommendations were the expansion of counseling for families in re-establishing the family unit after a crisis of violence and an increase in counseling for parents or other family members when a child is sexually abused. Also, shelter capacity should be expanded and additional shelters created. The report concludes with a description of Mile High United Way's current and planned efforts to work with the community to combat the growing problem of family violence. Family violence resources list.