NCJ Number
228724
Journal
Aggression and Violent Behavior Volume: 14 Issue: 5 Dated: September/October 2009 Pages: 359-373
Date Published
October 2009
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study identified and synthesized current recommended practices in sexual assault and domestic violence services gathered from a broad spectrum of literature.
Abstract
The overall analysis of the literature showed a consensus on core services recommended for domestic violence survivors including 24-hour crisis services with an emphasis on maintaining a telephone hotline, legal advocacy, support groups, individual counseling, and emergency shelter. Similarly, core services recommended for sexual assault survivors included 24-hour crisis services with emphasis on maintaining a telephone hotline, legal and medical advocacy, support groups, and individual counseling. Areas of contention were also found on whether to continuously staff domestic violence shelters, and whether combined agencies could effectively offer both domestic violence and sexual assault services. Based on a review of the findings, implications for domestic violence and sexual assault services and intervention research are discussed. Because the inner workings of the services, the critical service practices, and the crucial components of effective services remain largely unknown, the best practices in sexual assault and domestic violence services cannot be easily replicated and disseminated. This study addresses these critical knowledge gaps by reviewing 43 relevant pieces of domestic violence and sexual assault services literature. Tables and references