NCJ Number
208868
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: February 2005 Pages: 227-254
Date Published
February 2005
Length
28 pages
Annotation
This study examined the perceptions of victims of domestic violence concerning the responses of welfare caseworkers and evaluated the effects of a 1-day training session on caseworker response.
Abstract
Previous research on welfare caseworkers’ responses to clients with histories of domestic violence is scant. Concern about caseworker responses to domestic violence victims has been brought to the forefront due to recent research findings indicating that battered women constitute a high percentage of welfare caseloads. The current study surveyed 159 domestic violence survivors on their experiences with welfare caseworkers and analyzed a post-only evaluation following a 1-day training on domestic violence for welfare caseworkers and managers. The analysis compared the responses of domestic violence survivors who had trained versus untrained welfare caseworkers. Results of statistical analyses indicated few significant differences between trained and untrained caseworkers. Untrained workers, while they did address issues regarding physical harm and fear, were unlikely to create a safety plan, provide information about work exemptions, or ask about the presence of a gun. Workers who received the 1-day training were more likely to help develop a safety plan and to be viewed as helpful by the women survivors. The main reasons offered by the women for refusal to talk about abuse were that the caseworker did not ask about abuse and for fear of negative outcomes. The findings suggest the need for trainings for welfare caseworkers that will help improve detection rates and improve responses to victims of domestic violence. Future research should examine the effects of longer and more in-depth domestic violence training courses for this population. Tables, appendix, notes, references