Linda L. Baker

Engaging Men and Boys in Preventing Violence Against Women: Applying a Cognitive–Behavioral Model

Although historically the prevention of relationship violence has been seen as a womens issue, more recently recognition has emerged regarding the need to engage men as partners in these initiatives. Early attempts have been mainly driven by grassroots efforts and have not been consistent with a particular theory of behavior and attitude change. This article investigates the application of cognitive–behavioral strategies to engaging men and boys in violence prevention, within a profeminist framework. Three fundamental components of a cognitive–behavioral therapy approach—goal setting, core beliefs, and strategies for change—are discussed and examples of promising initiatives are used to highlight these ideas.

The psychophysiology of affective verbal and visual information processing in dysphoria

Skin resistance, corrugator muscle tension, and self-report were used to assess the effect of visually and verbally processing depressive, neutral, and pleasant scenes in 10 dysphoric and 10 nondysphoric college students. The dysphoric students scored above 10 on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were analyzed in a 2 ×2 ×3 (dysphoria group ×type of processing ×scene affect) analysis of variance design. Verbal processing increased autonomic and skeletal arousal more than did visual imaging. Verbal processing was rated more depressing than, and generated more related, visual imaging. Depressive stimuli were rated more vivid and stronger when verbally processed, whereas neutral and pleasant stimuli were rated more vivid when visually imaged. Dysphoric subjects showed low resting autonomic arousal, and less muscular but more autonomic arousal to stimulation than nondysphoric subjects. The BDI correlated .75 with the Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (hence “dysphoria”). The relationship of these findings to current issues in psychopathology, assessment, cognitive-behavior therapy, and cognitive theory was discussed.

Developing a Clinical Framework for Children/Youth Residential Treatment

The idea of implementing consistent overall clinical approaches in residential treatment facilities may improve care by influencing family engagement, interactional styles of residential staff and clinicians with children and youth, specific therapeutic interventions including the management of problematic behaviors, milieu approaches, and group interventions, as well as inform programmatic structure, rules, and expectations of residential living. A clinical framework should demonstrate contemporary and evidence supported practices in order to achieve meaningful success. This article summarizes a literature search and discussion points regarding family/community engagement, individualized assessment/treatment, interprofessional teams, and organizational factors in developing a clinical framework for children/youth residential treatment.

From “Buzzword” to Best Practice Applying Intersectionality to Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence

Empirical studies on the impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on children have burgeoned over the last three decades. Notably absent from existing approaches to studying children exposed to IPV, however, is attention to how various positionalities intersect to impact the experiences of children and their families. In fact, while the importance of an intersectional framework for understanding IPV has been discussed for over two decades, little or no attention has been given to issues of children’s exposure to IPV. In this article, we examine the current state of the literature on children exposed to IPV through an exploratory meta-analysis, finding limited application of intersectionality and a focus on discrete categories of difference. We then demonstrate why and how an intersectional framework should be applied to children exposed to IPV, with specific strategies for research and policy. We suggest a child-centered approach that recognizes diversity among children exposed to IPV, extending the challenge to traditional “one-size-fits-all” models to include an intersectionality-informed stance.

Enhancing judicial skills in domestic violence cases: the development, implementation, and preliminary evaluation of a model US programme

ABSTRACT The overwhelming number and complexity of domestic violence cases in criminal and family courts has resulted in the development of education programmes to assist judges. There is limited research on judicial education in this area. This paper reviews one such initiative entitled ‘Enhancing Judicial Skills in Domestic Violence Cases’ (EJS) that has been developed and implemented over the last 20 years by the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence, a partnership of the US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women, National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and Futures Without Violence. We present findings of a preliminary evaluation of the programme based on the self-reports of 480 judges who had taken the four-day workshop between 2006 and 2010. Overall, judges reported the programme to be engaging and effective. At a six-month follow‐up, most of the judges identified specific benefits and behavior changes in the areas of access to justice, judicial leadership, victim safety, and abuser accountability as a result of participating in the programme. Critical issues in judicial education are highlighted based on the authors’ experiences in the development and implementation of this programme.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Online Training for a Comprehensive Violence Against Women Program: A Pilot Study:

Evaluating violence against women (VAW) training is essential to moving the field forward with proven approaches that can improve service provision for survivors of violence. Given existing resource constraints involved in VAW work, online training represents an economical and flexible option; however, existing evaluations of online programs in the VAW field are scant and face a variety of limitations. This study aimed to fill this gap by using a pre-/posttest design, comparison group, and mixed-method analysis to assess the effectiveness and value of an online training program. The program was intended to provide foundational knowledge in feminist antiviolence principles and values to a range of individuals working with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Program participants (N = 108) included volunteers, students, and professionals from various sectors, allowing for the application of the results to a broader field of VAW support services. This is important as individuals who work with IPV survivors may do so in a range of settings outside of the shelter context. Results demonstrate the potential for online VAW training to improve participants’ knowledge of and attitudes about VAW, which can positively inform their work with survivors. Qualitative responses provide further insight into course impact and highlight positive and negative aspects of the course. Although preliminary, these results provide justification for continued development and evaluation of online VAW training programs.