Many victims of domestic violence face continued exposure to abuse through technology because intimate partners may use technology as weapon against them. Some domestic violence service professionals lack necessary information or training to educate victims. The impact on victims has not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to assess the impact on women when domestic violence service providers do not provide current information about technology-related abuse to promote safety when providing service to victims. The conceptual framework was the Duluth model of power and control and the feminist perspective on intimate partner violence. The primary research question centered on the impact of domestic violence service providers' knowledge of trending issues with technology-facilitated violence on victims after they seek assistance. Another research question concerned the role that the victim's level of education plays in making protective decisions when using technology. The analytical procedures included taking notes, developing codes, and identifying themes. A conclusion was that domestic violence service providers are not consistently soliciting information on technology-facilitated abuse at the point of service and that some victims are continuing to experience technology-facilitated abuse and subsequent emotional and psychological trauma. Additionally, a woman's level of education is not associated with following proper safety protocols when using technology. Implications for social change include consistent legislation by policy makers and improved dissemination of information about technology-facilitated abuse by governments, courts, law enforcement, and advocacy groups.

This research project examined the effect of domestic violence trainings on helping professionals. This research project sought out to measure differences in pre-test and post-test scores from study participants to assess the participants’ beliefs and knowledge regarding the dynamics of domestic violence. The research project gathered quantitative data from a convenience sample of 28 helping professionals who participated in a domestic violence training. A series of paired samples t-test were conducted to assess differences in the pre-test and post-test scores to determine if our hypothesis was confirmed. Key findings from this study revealed that the domestic violence training was quite effective overall. In particular, participants reported increased knowledge around types of abuse, the role of culture in an abusive relationship, and safety planning strategies. Practice recommendations include providing ongoing training for students in MSW programs, continuing education for social workers who work with domestic violence victims and continued federal funding for the Violence Against Women Act.

In this thesis, I share my personal story of finding healing—post-traumatic growth—after experiencing intimate partner violence seven years ago. Written in Scholarly Personal Narrative format, I dig into my own past, draw upon research and scholarship to better understand and make meaning of and from my experiences, and finally, make connections with other survivors, advocates, and educators through my narrative. I discuss how survivors of intimate partner violence can move closer to healing; provide practical tips on how individuals and educators can support survivors and better understand the complexities of abusive relationships; and explain how educators can use writing, specifically the Scholarly Personal Narrative format, as an avenue for healing and growth for their students in a classroom setting. My thesis is an example of how, when given the opportunity, educators can encourage students to experience post-traumatic growth within the American University.

Abstract The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine domestic violence victims' perceptions of advocacy and counseling programs that provide women with safe refuge, prevention education, mental health treatment, and other services. Many women in the United States are victims of intimate partner violence. Review of existing literature found that little is known about the extent to which the needs of these victims are met from available advocacy and counseling services. The health belief model was used to theorize victims' perceptions of services and risk factors for re-abuse. A phenomenological design was used to answer research questions, and in-depth interviews were conducted with 8 women who stayed at a domestic violence shelter and used shelter services, such as advocacy, emergency shelter, and individual and family counseling. Data from the transcripts were inductively analyzed using NVivo 10.0 and hand coding techniques for emergent themes. The findings revealed that women were pleased with the services received, and most had no awareness of advocacy or counseling services until they sought shelter. Also, most agreed that counseling and advocacy services could help prevent re-abuse. Recommendations include establishing a google page for domestic violence shelters, which can provide information on available advocacy and counseling services and how they can assist victims of domestic violence. Study findings can promote positive social change by increasing awareness of advocacy and counseling programs and their importance to prevent re-abuse. This may also provide useful information for implementing new programs to help victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence impacts millions of Americans annually and, in spite of the use of rehabilitative programs, recidivism in domestic violence continues to be more likely than in any other offense. To date, batterer intervention programs (BIPs) have not proven to be consistently impactful in reducing recidivism in cases of domestic violence. The purpose of this quasi-experimental, quantitative study was to examine differences in recidivism for first-time male domestic violence offenders who have participated in a BIP and a more recently developed alternative: victim-offender mediation (VOM). The theories of restorative justice and reintegrative shaming frame this study to determine if offenders take accountability for their actions and face the victim in mediation, there can be a reduction in recidivism. Archival data from records of first-time male, domestic violence offenders, between the ages of 18 and 30, who participated in either a VOM or BIP in a county in the Midwest were examined for recidivism 24-months postintervention, and analyzed with an ANCOVA analysis while controlling for age. The findings revealed no significant difference in recidivism for first-time male offenders 24-months post participation in a BIP or a VOM intervention while controlling for age F (1,109) =.081, p = .777. The findings provide support for the notion that restorative justice interventions may be an additional intervention used in cases of domestic violence deemed appropriate for the intervention. The findings from this study can add to the body of research examining interventions to address the high recidivism in cases of domestic violence, which impacts victims, offenders, and communities.

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), continues to be an issue in the United States, despite various intervention approaches and efforts to improve them over the past 40 years. Even if IPV offenders attend treatment and pursue rehabilitation, current efforts appear marginally effective in reducing its reoccurrence. The purpose of this ex-post facto, comparative, quantitative study was to determine whether there was a significant difference in outcomes between male offenders (N = 126) who attended treatment programs that participated in a tripartite collaboration with probation and victim services versus offenders (N = 126) who did not. Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory provided the framework within which to examine the impact of such collaboration (independent variable). Outcomes were measured by recidivism (probation violations, re-arrests, violent re-offenses, and orders of protection), successful completion of probation, and successful completion of treatment (dependent variables). The information was coded and then analyzed in SPSS using chi-square analyses. The study showed statistical significance between the groups for successful completion of probation and treatment, re-arrest within two years of terminating from probation, and violent re-offenses. It did not show statistical significance regarding other dependent variables. This study is important for probation officers, treatment providers, victims, offenders, and their communities because it shows how the current system can improve.

The rate of DV for AA women is higher than other groups and often more severe; however, some AA women are successful in leaving the violence for good. Researchers continue to examine how victims move beyond their former life and into an abuse free environment by directing more attention on positive dynamics of victims of DV. One area is the study of resilience; however, little is known about the lived experience of resilience. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of resilience in AA women who successfully abandoned an abusive relationship. The interview questions were used assist the participants in describing the lived experience of resilience. The survivor theory (ST) was used to demonstrate the participants' active role in leaving the relationship. ST was also used to dispute past research that indicated victims give up hope and therefore remain in the abusive relationship. Ten AA women from the Bell County, Texas area who are at least 18-years-old and have been free of an abusive relationship for 2 years were interviewed. Participants' perceptions were extracted and analyzed for patterns and themes using face-to-face interviews and written surveys. Data analysis procedures included the process of reducing participants' similar themes and statements in search of meaning. Results revealed three common themes that include having a positive mindset, establishing a strong relationship with God, and taking various forms of actions toward gaining control. Implications for social change include using the findings toward increasing education, intervention, and other supportive means used by those who provide services to victims.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects millions of women, men, and families throughout the world each year, with more than a million incidents of domestic partner abuse reported to law enforcement officials each year in the United States. Being able to accurately assess and help a woman who is experiencing this type of violence can be difficult for even a seasoned mental health or medical professional. The purpose of this study was to determine whether clinicians can gain insight into the personality structure of women who have experienced IPV by clinical interview and administration of the Rorschach alone. This study analyzed the Rorschach responses of 52 participants: 26 participants who had experienced violence and 26 who had not. The relationship between the Rorschach responses and variables was then analyzed using a series of ANOVAs. Results of this study indicated that there were significant differences in morbid content scores (MOR) and aggressive content scores (AG) in the women who had experienced intimate partner violence compared to women who had not. This may be significant in that women who have experienced partner violence may see more morbidity and aggressiveness in their everyday lives or from a neutral stimulus. This study may impact social change by bringing attention to an understudied population in order to increase awareness of this issue. In being able to link a woman's response patterns on the Rorschach to her personality traits and ultimately her behavior in abusive relationships, it is anticipated that it will be possible for clinicians to personalize treatment plans to a specific woman's needs and personality to increase the probability that she will leave an abusive situation.

Thesis (MPA) --University of Limpopo, 2011

In this literature study, existing research regarding interventions for men who commit domestic violence has been compiled. Performing a systematic literature search, seven articles were selected and reviewed, and finally analyzed from two different theoretical perspectives. The aim of the study was to investigate whether these interventions have proved effective and which theoretical explanatory models underlie the interventions and violence. The results indicate that interventions for men who practice violence have an effect in order to put an end to violence. The results also indicate that the knowledge and dedication among staff are success factors for successful treatment and the programs with a psychological and therapeutic theoretical starting point have a greater effect on achieving a lasting change. / I denna litteraturstudie har befintlig forskning avseende interventioner för män som utövar våld i nära relation sammanställts. Genom en systematisk litteratursökning valdes sju artiklar ut och sammanställdes, för att slutligen analyseras ur två olika teoretiska perspektiv. Syftet med studien var att undersöka om dessa interventioner har visat sig vara verksamma samt vilka teoretiska förklaringsmodeller som ligger till grund för interventionerna och till våldet. Resultaten tyder på att interventioner för män som utövar våld har effekt för att få våldet att upphöra. Resultaten tyder även på att kunskap och engagemang hos personal är framgångsfaktorer för lyckad behandling och att de program som har en psykologisk- och terapeutisk teoretisk utgångspunkt har större effekt avseende att uppnå en varaktig förändring.