Arlene N. Weisz

Coordinated Community Intervention for Domestic Violence: The Effects of Arrest and Prosecution on Recidivism of Woman Abuse Perpetrators

This study explored the effectiveness of a coordinated community intervention designed to reduce domestic violence in DuPage County, Illinois. Police reports for all domestic violence calls within a 3-month period that indicated a male perpetrator of physical abuse against an intimate female partner were analyzed. The analysis examined the effects of arrest and prosecution on subsequent police calls and arrests within an 18-month period following the initial incident. Logistic regression analysis indicated that arrest significantly deterred subsequent domestic violence incidents. The deterrent effect of arrest did not deteriorate over the 18-month period and was most pronounced for those offenders who had a previous history of police involvement for domestic violence.

Evaluating a Psychoeducational Sexual Assault Prevention Program Incorporating Theatrical Presentation, Peer Education, and Social Work

Objective A theatrical sexual assault prevention program presented by social work students on an urban university campus was evaluated to assess its influence on attitude change of audience attendees. Method A quasi-experimental pretest, posttest, follow-up group design using a sample of 100 participants and a comparison group of 64 was implemented to evaluate the programs effectiveness. Results Posttest mean scores were significantly lower than pretest mean scores on the Rape Myth Acceptance Scale. Follow-up scores on two of the four subscales were significantly lower than pretest scores. Conclusion Integrating the disciplines of theater, education, and social work for prevention programming may influence attitudes and contribute to the maintenance of attitude change on some aspects of beliefs related to sexual assault.

Graduating social work students' perspectives on domestic violence

This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined 124 social work students’ views on the causes and dynamics of domestic violence and their recommended interventions in a case scenario. Most students graduated from the master of social work (MSW) program with a mental health perspective on domestic violence. Only a small percentage were aware of specific interventions for domestic violence and many continued to attribute domestic violence to mental health and substance abuse problems in the victim and perpetrator. Graduates with domestic violence experience varied little from their peers in suggested domestic violence interventions or comments about the causes of domestic violence. The findings suggest that a deliberate, focused attempt to inform students about domestic violence is needed, rather than a reliance on general MSW courses. This article presents research on social work graduates’ views on the causes of domestic violence and interventions in domestic violence cases. Domestic violence continues to be a multifaceted problem that an estimated 22% of women experience over their lifetimes (Thoennes & Tjaden, 2000). Many people believe that a woman’s behavior can contribute to intimate partner violence, some believe that women want to be abused, and a large majority believe that women can easily leave abusive relationships (Worden & Carlson, 2005). Overall, most people believe that the causes of domestic violence are rooted in the individual and family; few people view domestic violence as a problem with roots in society or culture (Worden & Carlson, 2005).

Dating Violence Help-Seeking Behaviors of African American Middle Schoolers

This study examined the relationship of African American middle school youths’ help-seeking intentions related to dating violence with their levels of violent victimization and perpetration. When faced with the possibility of dating violence, youth expressed a willingness to seek assistance from adults. Girls victimized by more violence reported a greater willingness to turn to friends for help, in addition to parents, than girls victimized by less violence. Boys who perpetrated more violence reported a greater willingness to turn to friends, in addition to parents, than those boys who perpetrated less violence. Implications for developing culturally sensitive prevention programming are discussed.

Dating Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Mexican American Youths' Views

Abstract This study reports the findings of focus groups examining the thoughts and attitudes of Mexican American youth about dating violence. Youth in the focus groups expressed concern about the wide spread use of violence, and many reported the common occurrences of violent behaviors in their lives. Moreover, the youth voiced the acceptance of the use of violence in many situations especially when violence is used to retaliate for a peers lack of respect or infidelity. Males expressed a willingness to intervene on behalf of female friends who were victimized by violence. The males reported that they turned to friends for assistance when they were confronted with violence. Females involved in relationship violence stated that they preferred to turn to their brothers for assistance. Implications for developing culturally sensitive prevention programming are discussed.

Exploring Gender Differences: Socially Interactive Technology Use/Abuse Among Dating Teens

This qualitative study explored gender differences in socially interactive technology (SIT) use/abuse among dating teens from Michigan (N = 23). Focus group transcripts were coded using three categories: (1) type of SIT (e.g., social networking); (2) abusive action (e.g., monitoring); and (3) consequence (e.g., jealousy). Texting and social networking were the most commonly used types of SIT. Spying/monitoring, sexting, and password sharing/account access were the most common abusive actions. Distrust and jealousy were the most frequent consequences. Young men and women differed in their conceptualization of SIT abuse. Most participants agreed that some abusive actions were typical parts of adolescent dating experiences.

Prosecution of batterers: views of African American battered women

Findings from 207 interviews of urban, African American women indicated that 65% of the women said they favored prosecution of their abusers. A logistic regression showed that the following independent variables were related to significantly decreased odds of opposing prosecution: prosecution being initiated, being separated from partner, and abuser’s use of alcohol and/or drugs during violent incidents in the last 6 months. Bivariate analysis showed that a long history of severe abuse by the partner was associated with favoring prosecution. The most common reasons that women gave for favoring prosecution were that abuse is illegal and not acceptable and that abusers should not violate or touch women. The most common reasons for opposing prosecution were that women believed the incident was not serious or was the first time he was violent. The study can be used to expand discussion about prosecution of batterers.

Reaching African American Battered Women: Increasing the Effectiveness of Advocacy

This study reports findings from interviews with 242, primarily African American, battered women in Detroit. Most of the women rated domestic violence advocacy as very or somewhat helpful. Satisfaction with police and receiving referrals from the legal system were significantly associated with ratings of advocates’ helpfulness. Receiving information, being emotionally supported, and having advocates readily available and accessible were the most common reasons why women rated advocates as helpful. Women who gave advocates low helpfulness ratings described them as unavailable, unsympathetic, or ineffective in legally sanctioning abusers. Less than half of the women who experienced severe violence in the focal incident reported that advocates helped them with safety planning, and there was a low rate of follow-up on referrals provided by advocates. This analysis suggests that advocacy can be satisfying for urban, African American women, but more intensive services should be provided to make a significant contribution to their safety.

Peer Intervention in Dating Violence: Beliefs of African-American Middle School Adolescents

ABSTRACT This is a qualitative, descriptive study of 202 urban, African-American seventh graders that examines their views of peer intervention in dating violence. After viewing a video vignette showing friends confronting another male about abusing his girlfriend, the adolescents were asked to respond in writing to questions about whose business the violence was and whether they would get involved. The most popular answers were “I would not get involved,” and “the violence was only the couples business.” Some adolescents worried that they might get hurt or make things worse by intervening, but some discussed sound plans for intervention. The findings suggest that adolescents need help in defining which situations merit peer intervention and in gaining skills to intervene safely and effectively.

Peer Education and Leadership in Dating Violence Prevention: Strengths and Challenges

Peer education is thought by many to be a “cutting edge” approach to youth dating violence and sexual assault prevention. This article reports ideas from 52 respected programs in the United States about current developments in peer education and leadership. Adolescents are often in tune with “adolescent culture,” can reach other adolescents successfully, and lend meaningful direction and leadership to programs that address their own communities. Most interviewees believed that peer leadership is empowering, engages attention, and offers role models. Programs need sufficient resources to conduct peer education, provide training, and support youth who are involved in youth leadership, and to evaluate their programs.