Meeting Survivors’ Needs Through
Non-Residential Domestic Violence
Services & Supports:
Results of a Multi-State Study
Study Overview

Collaboration between the National Resource Center on
Domestic Violence and the UConn School of Social Work

Federal funding by the Family Violence Prevention & Services
Administration office of DHHS; administered by National Institute
of Justice

Collaboration with DV Coalitions & programs across 4 states and
within 4 culturally-specific organizations who have a national
presence

Methodology: Two phases of outreach & data collection -- surveys
and focus groups
Study Goals

Learn more about what domestic violence survivors want when they
come to programs for supportive services, the extent to which
survivors have had their service expectations met, and survivors’
assessment of immediate outcomes associated with the services they
receive.

Learn more about how survivors’ experiences, needs and immediate
outcomes vary across demographic and domestic violence program
characteristics.

Identify multi-level factors associated with survivors’ positive service
experiences.

Develop recommendations for domestic violence programs across the
country for how they might improve their services.
Survey Methodology
Collaborated with DV Coalitions & programs across 4 states:
 Alabama
 Illinois
 Massachusetts
 Washington
 Collaborated with 4 culturally-specific DV organizations & their associated
programs across the nation:
 Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence (APIIDV)
 Casa de Esperanza
 Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
(IDVAAC)
 Women of Color Network (WOCN)
 Recruited 90 DV programs who distributed the survey to survivors with 2+
contacts over a 9 month period (April – December 2010)
 Survey translated into 10 languages: Arabic, Chinese, French, Korean, Polish,
Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese

Participating DV Programs
Program Features
Avg.
Range
Number (#) of program staff (med. = 13)
15.59
1 - 70
# of FTEs (full-time equivalents)
10.93
1 – 43.50
# of volunteers per month (med. = 7.5)
18.90
0 - 300
$28,881
$19 - $38,000
1,213
26 – 8,519
24
3 - 41
Starting salary: Advocate
# of persons receiving services within past year
Years program has been in existence
Program Description
%
Dual program: Domestic violence & sexual assault
27.9%
Culturally-specific program
27.5%
Program offers both shelter & non-residential services
78.7%
Program receives FVPSA funding (10 no response; 5 DK)
65.0%
Participating DV Programs:
Languages Spoken by Program Staff & Volunteers

American Sign Language

Haitian Creole

Russian

Amharic

Hebrew

Samoan

Arabic

Hindi

Serbian

Bangla/Bengali

Indonesian

Setswana

Bosnian

Italian

Sinhala

Bulgarian

Japanese

Somali

Cambodian/Khmer

Korean

Spanish

Cantonese

Kurdish

Tagalog

Cape Verdean/Criuolo

Laotian

Tai-Pan

Creole

Malayalam

Tamil

Croatian

Mandarin

Telugu

English

Mien

Thai

Farsi

Nepali

Ukrainian

French

Polish

Urdu

German

Portuguese

Vietnamese

Gurajati

Punjabi

Yoruba
Survey: Language Completed In
Language
N = 1466
Percent
Arabic
6
.4%
Chinese
13
.9%
English
1013
69.1%
Korean
16
1.1%
Portuguese
15
1.0%
Russian
6
.4%
Spanish
374
25.5%
Vietnamese
23
1.6%
Demographics: Race/Ethnicity
N = 1416
Percent
213
15.1%
African
8
0.6%
Asian/Asian American
96
6.8%
Hispanic/Latino-a
453
32.1%
Middle Eastern
8
0.6%
Multi-Racial
37
2.6%
Native American/Alaska Native
28
2.0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
1
0.1%
White/Caucasian
552
39.1%
Other
15
1.1%

African American/Black
Demographics: Age & Education
Age

17 or >
18-20
N =1416
%
89
6.3%
58
Highest Level of
Education
N =1407
%
8th grade or less
148
10.5%
9th – 11th
323
23.0%
High School
Grad. or GED
341
24.2%
Some college
335
23.8%
College Grad.
201
14.3%
Advanced Degree
59
4.2%
4.1%
21-30
345
24.4%
31-40
432
30.5%
41-50
320
22.6%
51-60
129
9.1%
61-70
34
2.4%
Over 70
9
0.6%
Demographics:
Gender & Sexual Orientation

Gender
N = 1417
%
1355
95.6%
Male
60
4.2%
Transgender
2
0.1%
N = 1295
%
1214
95.6%
Lesbian/Gay
20
1.4%
Bisexual
36
2.5%
Other
25
1.7%
Female
Sexual Orientation
Heterosexual
Demographics: History in U.S.
N = 1262
%
585
46.4%
69
5.5%
At least one of my grandparents came to
the U.S. from another country
135
10.7%
My ancestors were here before my
grandparents were born
473
37.5%
N = 525
%
32
6.1%
367
125
70.0%
23.9%
 to the U.S. from another country
I came
At least one of my parents came to the U.S.
from another country
I came to the U.S. from another country,
and I am a….
Refugee
Immigrant
Other
Demographics:
Disability & Financial Situation
Doyou consider yourself to have a
disability or disabling condition(s)?
N = 1317
%
Yes
277
21%
No
1040
79%
Current financial situation:
N = 1333
%
I simply can’t pay my bills.
324
24.3%
I have trouble paying regular bills.
270
20.3%
I can pay my bills but a big expense would
cause a hardship.
389
29.2%
I can easily pay my bills, but need to be
careful.
188
14.1%
I do not worry about paying for things I want
and need.
157
11.8%
Top 10 Sources: First Heard about DV Program
N
%
284
19.4%
2. DV staff, including other DV program
246
16.8%
3.
231
15.8%
4. People at court
183
12.5%
5. Family member
164
11.2%
6. Social service agency staff, incl. homeless shelter
111
7.6%
7. Mental health counselor/therapist
101
6.9%
8. Other specify: School
94
6.4%
9. Flyer/brochure/poster
83
5.7%
10. Health care provider
78
5.3%
1.
Friend(s)
Police
Types of Services Currently Being Used
75% 57%
56%
36%
Differences in Services Currently Being
Used by Race/Ethnicity
Support Group
Mean of total sample = 57%
%
Counseling
Mean of total sample = 56%
%
African American
61.5%
African American
56.0%
Asian
41.4%
Asian
73.8%
Hispanic
60.3%
Hispanic
53.8%
White/Caucasian
56.3%
White/Caucasian
55.0%
Support Services
Mean of total sample = 75%
%
Legal
Mean of total sample = 36%
%
African American
79.0%
African American
22.4%
Asian
81.3%
Asian
62.2%
Hispanic
80.0%
Hispanic
47.9%
White/Caucasian
70.3%
White/Caucasian
29.3%
Differences in Services Currently Being
Used By Whether Born In or Outside U.S.
Support Group
Mean of total sample = 56%
%
60.1%
Born outside the U.S.
59.4%
54.2%
U.S. born
53.3%
Mean of total sample = 57%
%
Born outside the U.S.
U.S. born
Support Services
Mean of total sample = 75%
Counseling
%
Legal
Mean of total sample = 36%
%
Born outside the U.S.
82.5%
Born outside the U.S.
48.9%
U.S. born
70.3%
U.S. born
26.7%
Top 10: Services & Supports Wanted
% of
US born
% of born
not US
1. Talking to someone who understands my situation.
96.4
97.2
2. Support to make decisions and changes in my life.
92.7
91.5
3. Finding out who to call or where to get help.
92.1
88.6
4. Learning more about why/how DV happens.
90.6
88.2
5. Information about counseling options.
85.4
84.7
6. Help being safe from the person abusing me.
80.4
83.8
7. Hearing what other people have done in similar
situations. *
82.5
76.2
8. Help staying in my community safely.
76.2
74.8
9. Information about my legal rights and options.
70.6
78.3
10. Help with access to legal services.
64.5
72.9
Additional Services & Supports Wanted
Type of Help and Ranking Out of 54
% of
% of born
US born
not US
14. Help with previous/other forms of abuse *
60.4
45.5
16. Help staying in my relationship safely
76.2
74.8
23. Help with mental health services
34.1
35.4
27. Help related to custody of my children *
31.6
39.8
30. Help with children, related to their abuse
29.3
34.3
32. Help for the person who hurt me
28.5
29.7
36. Help with reproductive/women’s health issues *
17.8
38.3
37. Help with job/job training
24.9
26.3
44. Help with immigration-related issues *
3.0
42.5
48. Help with substance abuse services
15.3
10.7
Types of Services Sought for Children
Percentage based on those who sought at least one (n=845)
Help with counseling for my children.
Help with other (local/state/federal) benefits for my children.
Help related to custody of my children.
Help maintaining safe visitation with my children.
Help with children related to their abuse.
Help with child protection hearing or requirements.
Help with child care.
Help with child support.
Help with health care for my children.
Help meeting the needs related to my child’s disability.
%
66.6%
62.7%
62.5%
59.9%
57.0%
46.2%
45.9%
45.0%
43.6%
19.0%
11 Factors: Services & Supports Wanted
% Who Wanted 1 or More
1. Information/support needs (6 items)
93%
2. Safety needs (4 items)
88%
3. Legal advocacy needs (4 items)
76%
4. Child-related needs (9 items)
65%
5. Economic needs (7 items)
59%
6. Victimization-related needs (2 items)
57%
7. Family-related needs (3 items)
57%
8. Physical/mental health needs (4 items)
51%
9. Criminal legal needs (3 items)
32%
10. Immigration-related needs (5 items)
30%
11. Vulnerability-related needs (3 items)
24%
Total Number of Services Wanted by
Demographic Features (overall mean = 22.18)
Current
Financial Status
Mean
Ability to
speak English
Mean
I simply can’t pay my bills
23.96
Not at all
24.52
I have trouble paying my bills.
21.00
Not well
23.97
I can pay regular expenses, but a
big expense would cause a
hardship.
20.00
Okay
24.85
Well
23.26
Very well
21.20
I can easily pay my bills.
18.50
I do not worry about paying for
things I want and need.
17.00
History in U.S.
Mean
Born outside the U.S.
23.98
U.S. born
20.65
Significant Predictors
•Less completed education
• Younger age
Close:
• Less ability to speak English
• More financial difficulty
Top 10: Services & Supports Received
Scale:
3: I got all of the help of this kind that I wanted
2: I got some of the help of this kind that I wanted
1: I wanted this kind of help but didn’t get any
Average
1. Talking to someone who understands my situation.
2.82
2. Finding out who to call or where to get help.
2.81
3. Learning more about why/how DV happens.
2.80
4. Help being safe from the person abusing me.
2.79
5. Support to make decisions and changes in my life.
2.78
6. Help with translation/interpretation.
2.77
7. Help staying in my relationship safely.
2.75
8. Information about counseling options.
2.74
9. Help staying in my community safely.
2.74
10. Help with protective or restraining order.
2.73
Top 10: Services & Supports
Wanted but NOT Received
* Percentage who wanted this kind of help, but
reported they didn’t get any
%*
Overall % who
wanted
service
1. Help learning to drive.
28.9%
9.1%
2. Help with a job or job training.
28.5%
26.9%
3. Help paying rent/utilities.
25.5%
37.8%
4. Help with cash assistance/vouchers.
22.6%
36.8%
5. Help for the person who hurt me.
21.0%
31.8%
6. Help with transportation.
20.9%
29.4%
7. Help with financial matters, such as budgeting.
20.3%
33.4%
8. Help with child support.
19.1%
26.5%
9. Help with contacting family who are far away.
18.8%
19.0%
10. Help getting housing.
18.7%
35.9%
Satisfaction with Services & Supports
Survivor Outcomes
Percentage who said “yes”, the statement describes how they
feel.
%
I feel more hopeful about the future.
95.4%
I know more ways to plan for my safety.
95.0%
I know that I will achieve the goals I set for myself.
94.6%
I know more about my rights and options.
93.4%
I feel more comfortable asking for help.
93.3%
I feel more confident in making decisions.
92.7%
I feel like I can do more things.
91.3%
I know more about community resources.
88.5%
I get more support from family & friends.
78.5%
Feedback on Outcomes

I learned how much I'm worth and my rights as a person and a woman. I
have a better life together with my kids and we live in peace and harmony.
Survivor from Illinois

It has helped me a lot in the form of knowing that I'm worth something and
I'm someone important. And in the group I feel comfortable again to be
able to accept friendships and to have trust in myself.
Survivor from Washington

I feel stronger and do feel more hopeful towards the future.
Survivor from program identified by APIIDV
Focus Group Populations:
10 Groups, N = 73
Culturally-specific populations:
 Asian/Pacific Islander
 African American
 Hispanic/Latino(a) (2 groups)
 Portuguese-speaking Brazilian immigrants
Other targeted populations:
 LGBTQ
 Men
 Older adults
 Survivors living in rural areas
 Survivors in recovery from substance abuse
Implications—for DV Programs

Survivors report high levels of satisfaction with the services
and supports they receive, and with program staff, suggesting
that DV programs should continue to offer a broad array of
services and continue with staff training efforts.

High correlation between services and supports “wanted” and
those “received” suggests that programs are meeting the needs
of survivors in many areas; but there is room for improvement
in meeting economic needs, legal advocacy needs, and supports
for children.

Outcomes suggest that DV programs are creating positive
change the lives of survivors.
Implications—Training and Practice

DV survivors have multiple & complex needs; need
comprehensive & collaborative approach.

Many survivors want/need to remain in a relationship with the
person who has abused them—importance of safety planning
that takes this into account, and of services for people who are
abusing.

Needs related to children are primary among mothers.

Culturally appropriate/competent services are vital.
Resources
RESOURCES on VAWnet.org
Meeting Survivors’ Needs Study Resource Page
www.vawnet.org/research/MeetingSurvivorsNeeds
Research Resources
www.vawnet.org/research/
Use of Data & Statistics
www.VAWnet.org/research/use-of-data
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ABOUT THE STUDY?
Please contact research@nrcdv.org