Examining Victim-Partner Perceptions of Safety and Empowerment within the Context of Domestic Violence Intervention Programming

• In Event: Perceptions of Safety, Self-Esteem, and Self-View for Survivors of Domestic Abuse

Abstract

Purpose: There is a paucity of research on the impacts of domestic violence (DV) treatment on victim-partner outcomes beyond repeat DV, such as victim-survivors’ feelings of safety, security, and/or empowerment. Seattle’s Domestic Violence Intervention Project (DVIP) is a novel response to DV that requires the use of (1) risk assessments to identify client’s range of criminogenic risks/needs and (2) differentiated treatment, as well as (3) the use of a multidisciplinary treatment team including a DV treatment provider, a probation officer, and a victim advocate to manage DV offender treatment. The present research examines the impact of the Seattle DVIP on victim-partner outcomes including feelings of hopefulness and empowerment. Methods: The data for this project comes from victim-partner surveys and semi-structured interviews. Results: Preliminary results indicate that only a minority of victim-survivors reported feeling that DVIP would positively impact their partner/ex-partner’s abusive behavior; more victim-partners reported feeling that DVIP would positively impact their partner/ex-partner’s behavior toward their children and/or coparenting relationship as well as empowerment through the DVIP process. Conclusion: Recommendations for improving victim-partner data collection in DV treatment program research will be discussed.

Authors

• Alyssa A Nystrom, University of Nebraska at Omaha

• Tara Richards, University of Nebraska at Omaha