Marta Lundy

Domestic Violence Across Race and Ethnicity Implications for Social Work Practice and Policy

Domestic violence occurs across all ethnic and racial groups, profoundly affecting women, who are most frequently the victims. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that by 2050, 50% of the population will be minorities. To contribute to the growing literature on race and domestic violence, this article uses data derived from domestic violence programs in a large Midwestern state between 1990 and 1995 to focus on the experiences of victims who sought services and examine how they vary by race and ethnicity. The limitations as well as practice and policy implications of the findings are discussed.

The Mental Health and Service Needs of Young Children Exposed to Domestic Violence: Supportive Data:

As the visibility of domestic violence (DV) continues to increase, so too does our awareness of the needs of the children in violent families. This study documents the various needs and problems of over 40,000 children as reported by their battered caretakers. What follows is a description of the findings from data collected between 1990 and 1995 from approximately 50 DV agencies in a Midwestern state. The findings indicate that large proportions of children had emotional and social problems whereas about one quarter had physical health and educational difficulties. Common problems included being very protective of family members, discipline issues, mood swings, and difficulty leaving parents. The implications of these findings and ideas for future planning are identified.

Elder Abuse: Spouse/Intimate Partner Abuse and Family Violence Among Elders

ABSTRACT This article examines the experiences of 1,057 victims of domestic violence, age sixty-five and older who sought refuge, support and services from domestic violence programs between 1990 and 1995 in a large mid-western state. Specifically, the various circumstances of these elders in relation to age, gender, disability, types of abuse, relationship to the abuser, source of referral, and service needs are described. Although it is generally considered unusual for women over sixty who are victims of violence to seek services through domestic violence programs, this study substantiates that at least some elders who are victims of violence do so. The implications of the findings related to the unique needs of this population are discussed.

Clinical Research and Practice with Battered Women What We Know, What We Need to Know

Studies of treatment efficacy provided by process and outcome research with battered women is much less well developed than research on the treatment of batterers. Although there are more than 16 commonly used models, there is little clinical research that addresses their efficacy. This article gives an overview of the theoretical richness that has evolved over the past 20 years and provides a review of process and outcome research on treatment for battered women. The consequent awareness suggests the need for a more integrated model for clinical practice and research. The themes of this article are threefold: (a) more clinical practice research using a multimethod approach, (b) more explicit focus on women of color and immigrant women, and (c) more theoretical and philosophical integration of treatment approaches. The purpose is to focus attention on the need for an integrated approach to practice and research that will inform and guide practitioners.

Use of Domestic Violence Services Across Race and Ethnicity by Women Aged 55 and Older The Illinois Experience

This study focuses on 2,702 White, African American, and Hispanic female victims of domestic violence aged 55 and older who sought services from domestic violence programs. The experiences of these elders in terms of the type of abuse, the relationship to the abuser, the referral source, and service needs are described. Findings indicate that older women in the domestic violence service system have different experiences than persons in the adult protective service system. They are more frequently victims of intimate partner violence and have corresponding service needs that vary by race and ethnicity. The implications for older victims of domestic violence are discussed.

Characteristics of Women Who Do and Do Not Receive Onsite Shelter Services From Domestic Violence Programs

Shelter services are an essential means of providing help to women who are victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), but not all victims receive shelter. This article reports the results of a secondary analysis of statewide data from women using IPV services, comparing victims who did and did not obtain shelter. The demographic characteristics, abuse experiences, and service patterns of these survivors are examined. A model predicting characteristics associated with the likelihood of shelter receipt indicates that women who obtain shelter are more vulnerable and obtain more services than women who do not obtain shelter. The implications of these results are discussed.

Domestic Violence Service Users: A Comparison of Older and Younger Women Victims

No one, young or old, is immune to interpersonal violence (IPV). Female victims come from a variety of circumstances and across all ages. However, much of the research and services have focused almost exclusively on younger women. This article compares women 65 and older to women under 65, who utilized domestic violence (DV) services in a mid-western state over a five-year period. Although there are many similarities in the findings, differences include that older victims were more likely to be White, report more emotional and less physical abuse, be referred to services by a legal source, have special needs or disabilities, and receive fewer services, less service hours and fewer contacts than younger victims utilizing DV services. Implications for research and practice are discussed.

Posttraumatic Stress and Mental Health Functioning of Sexually Abused Children

This study examined the relationship between levels of posttraumatic stress and overall mental health functioning of fifty-three sexually abused children. This study analyzes the relationships between the mental health functioning of sexual abuse victims and PTSD, using data collected from the Non-Offending Parents Project. Unlike numerous earlier studies, standardized instruments (the Child Assessment Schedule and the Child Posttraumatic Stress Reaction Index) were used for data collection. Data analysis supported the hypothesis that the posttraumatic stress level of children who have been sexually abused is associated with level of child mental health functioning. Nearly all the children in the study were experiencing a clinical level of posttraumatic stress, and were diagnosed as having PTSD. Child Assessment Schedule subscale areas which were related to posttraumatic stress level included worries, physical complaints, moods, school functioning, family, and fears.

The Relationship Between Parent and Child Reports of Parental Supportiveness and Psychopathology of Sexually Abused Children

This study examined the relationship between parent and child reports of supportiveness of intrafamilially sexually abused children and levels of child psychopathology. Fifty-four intrafamilially sexually abused children completed a revised version of the Family Subscale of the Survey of Childrens Social Support and the Child Assessment Schedule. Fifty-four parents completed a version of the Family Subscale of the Survey of Childrens Social Support, modified for use in parental reporting of their own supportive behaviors. Satisfactory reliability levels were obtained for the revised measures. This study of 54 sexually abused children and their non-offending parents found that although most non-offending parents were supportive of their children, the children reported considerable distress. Although there was no significant difference in mean levels of support reported by parents and children, the two measures were not significantly correlated. This suggests that parents and children perceive supportive behavior differently, although both constructs are of importance. Multiple regression analysis found that both child and parent reports of parental support were predictive of levels of child psychopathology, but that child estimates were a stronger predictor.

Shelter and Service Receipt for Victims of Domestic Violence in Illinois

There is little empirical research about the services victims of violence in shelters receive and when, yet such information would increase our understanding of their unmet service needs especially after they leave shelter. This article utilizes data from a randomly selected sample of individuals in shelter to examine their service trajectories. Results indicate that most individuals receive service while in shelter. Individual counseling is likely to continue after shelter, but group counseling, employment, and educational assistance tend to end once shelter is over.The policy and practice implications of these results are discussed.