NCJ Number
245602
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 28 Issue: 5 Dated: March 2013 Pages: 1040-1066
Date Published
March 2013
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Little evidence is available regarding recommended practices for domestic violence and sexual assault services.
Abstract
Little evidence is available regarding recommended practices for domestic violence and sexual assault services. Although there is a literature concerned with these services, few studies have investigated recommended practices from the perspective of community providers. In addition, researchers have not yet investigated the utility of specific domestic violence and sexual assault service delivery strategies. To help address these knowledge needs, the authors investigated agency directors' perspectives on six types of services typically offered by domestic violence and sexual assault agencies including crisis, legal advocacy, medical advocacy, support group, individual counseling, and shelter. The authors also examined the extent to which directors' opinions about service delivery practices differed based on key agency's characteristics, specifically the services offered i.e., domestic violence, sexual assault, or both and agency location i.e., rural, suburban, or urban. A sample of 97 94% response rate North Carolina agency directors completed a survey on recommended service delivery practices. The authors conducted descriptive analyses to identify directors' overall opinions about service delivery practices and used multivariate analysis of variance to examine whether directors' opinions about service delivery practices differed according to agency characteristics. Findings showed differences in directors' opinions about service delivery practices based on their agency's service location. Practice recommendations were garnered from the study's results. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.