NCJ Number
64981
Date Published
1979
Length
25 pages
Annotation
THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM PLAN ADOPTED BY THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES IS DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN FAMILY UNITS THROUGH SHELTER, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, COUNSELING, AND ADVOCACY SERVICES.
Abstract
PROGRAMS INCLUDE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL CARE HOMES AND OTHER SHELTERS, NETWORKS OF SAFE REFUGES, STRONGLY LINKED COMMUNITY SUPPORT SYSTEMS, FAMILY CARE TREATMENT AND SERVICE PROGRAMS, AND VARIOUS COUNSELING AND ADVOCACY SERVICE ALTERNATIVES. THEY ARE INTENDED TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS BETWEEN HUSBANDS AND WIVES THAT RESULT IN PHYSICAL VIOLENCE. A PRIMARY FOCUS ON THE DEPARTMENT IS ON SERVICES TO FORESTALL DISSOLUTION WHERE FAMILIES CAN AND CHOOSE TO REMAIN TOGETHER WITHOUT VIOLENCE, PREVENT REPETITIVE VIOLENCE BY CHILDREN OF VIOLENT COUPLES OR AMONG COUPLES WHO SEPARATE AND ACQUIRE NEW PARTNERS, AND HELP VIOLENT FAMILIES CHANGE THEIR BEHAVIOR. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN FISCAL YEAR 1978-1979 ARE REVIEWED IN RELATION TO FOUR GOALS: (1) INSURE THE RESPONSIBLE DELIVERY OF SHELTER AND SERVICES TO VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE; (2) DEVELOP COMMUNITY AWARENESS OF AND RESPONSIVENESS TO NEEDS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS; (3) BUILD A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK THROUGH WHICH INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL AND STATE ADMINISTRATIVE-LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS IS DISSEMINATED TO LOCAL AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS; AND (4) DETERMINE THE SCOPE OF THE BATTERING SYNDROME IN NEW YORK STATE, ASSESS ITS RELATION TO OTHER SOCIAL PROBLEMS, AND THE POTENTIAL OF SERVICES IN DISRUPTING THE INTERGENERATIONAL CYCLE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. CONSIDERATION IS GIVEN TO ALTERNATIVE SHELTER AND SERVICE PROJECTS, PREVENTIVE AND REHABILITATIVE-SUPPORT PROJECTS, SPECIAL CARE HOMES, AID TO WOMEN VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE, COUNSELING, EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ASSISTANCE, AND TITLE XX OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT. PROGRAM PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR 1979-1980 ARE OUTLINED. THE DEPARTMENT'S FOCUS ON EMERGENCY SERVICES FOR VICTIMS IS DISCUSSED. (DEP)