scholarly journals Voluntary, Survivor-Centered Advocacy in Domestic Violence Agencies

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leila Wood ◽  
Dessie Clark ◽  
Laurie Cook Heffron ◽  
Rachel Voth Schrag

Voluntary, survivor-centered advocacy is a model of practice used in domestic violence organizations; however, more information is needed from the perspective of survivors on how to best facilitate survivor-centered approaches in a voluntary service format. This qualitative study used a thematic analysis to uncover core advocacy approaches from 25 female-identified survivors dwelling in domestic violence emergency shelter and transitional housing programs in two states. Themes revealed that three core approaches aid a voluntary, survivor-centered advocacy model: 1) Establishing a safe base for support, 2) Facilitating access and connection, and 3) Collaboration. Advocacy approaches that emphasize safety, mutuality, and availability of support best engage survivors in voluntary services to address needs and meet goals. Use of a strengths-based approach, psychoeducation, and resource-building contributes to the social and emotional well-being of survivors. Findings indicate community DV advocates should use adaptable advocacy models aimed at service access, connection, and collaborative resource acquisition. Voluntary, survivor-centered models use principals of trauma-informed care, though more widespread use of trauma-informed care (TIC) in voluntary services are needed. Advocates need organizational support to meet survivor needs. Implications for research include the need for fidelity studies and longitudinal research.

2018 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 348-351 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sivasankaran Balaratnasingam ◽  
Murray Chapman ◽  
Derek Chong ◽  
Ernest Hunter ◽  
Jason Lee ◽  
...  

Objective: An expert reference group met on four occasions to consider ways forward in terms of Indigenous mental health. This paper summarises the discussion and recommendations. Conclusion: While the negative effects of colonisation and trans-generational trauma continue, we propose renewed emphasis on improving access, cultural orientation and trauma-informed care, and a focus on the needs of young Indigenous Australians.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 222-232
Author(s):  
Denise Brend ◽  
Nicolas Fréchette ◽  
Arnaud Milord-Nadon ◽  
Tim Harbinson ◽  
Delphine Collin-Vezina

Objectives: This article presents the theoretical basis, initial deployment strategies, and resulting preliminary findings of a program implemented in residential treatment centres (RCs) in child welfare. “Program Penguin” aimed to help workers develop trauma-informed attitudes and implement trauma-informed practices, make the workplace more responsive to the well-being of RC workers, and reduce the use of restraints and seclusion among school-aged children in RCs. Methods: Informed by the theories of complex trauma (National Child Traumatic Stress Network Complex Trauma Task Force, 2003), polyvicitimization (Finkelhor et al., 2007), Attachment, Self-Regulation and Competency (ARC; Blaustein & Kinniburgh, 2018) and Positive Behavioural Interventions and Supports (PBIS; Sugai & Horner, 2002), Program Penguin was developed and deployed using the social innovation approach (Fixsen et al. 2005). The key stages of social innovation will here be used to describe the implementation process. Results: Changes in practices were observed, RC worker attitudes towards trauma-informed care were assessed and showed strong effects between multiple covariables. RC worker support needs were identified, and a reduction in the use of restraints and seclusions was shown. Key strategies towards the development and maintenance of buy-in and meaningful change in practices are also described. Implications: Changes observed at all levels of this implementation suggest Programme Penguin is a promising approach, despite local issues that arose and the challenges inherent to program deployment within child protection settings. It appears a trauma-informed program using positive behavioural approaches and leveraging existing organizational strengths may impact intervention strategies, worker attitudes, and the use of restraints and seclusions against children in RCs.


2020 ◽  
pp. 174462952091808
Author(s):  
Amanda J Rich ◽  
Nikki DiGregorio ◽  
Carla Strassle

Traumatic life events have pervasive impacts on health and well-being. A growing body of literature shows that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are disproportionately impacted by trauma. Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a philosophy of service provision that is committed to preventing traumatization and re-traumatization and promoting healing. This study explores the perceptions of 130 leaders in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities services on the adoption and practice of TIC through the analysis of quantitative data. Results indicated a disconnect between the level of TIC integration and perceptions detailing how well organizations are currently performing in aspects of TIC. Barriers to TIC included high staff turnover, lack of accessible mental health providers, lack of affordable training, stigma, and restrictive funding structures. Implications and recommendations for service organizations and educators are provided.


2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1179-1209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kari Kokka

Using an ecological approach to trauma-informed care and radical healing, this case study explores how one Title I public middle school mathematics classroom offered students opportunities to engage in healing practices through the use of Social Justice Mathematics. Findings indicate that students identified their emotions, engaged in structural analyses of local social issues, and expressed plans to take action. This study suggests the possibility of using a Healing-Informed Social Justice Mathematics approach to support development of students’ sociopolitical consciousness, mathematics learning, and well-being.


2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allison Bloom

As the field of domestic violence social services evolves in the United States, anthropology has much to contribute in directing these services towards equitable models of care. While the current trend towards “trauma-informed care” may at times be in tension with feminist concerns around the professionalization of this work, this field is at a crucial moment of transition. Using the author's perspective as a former practitioner alongside her ethnographic training, this research provides insight into how front-line workers can successfully negotiate between these professionalized realities and their necessary ground-level work. Moreover, the author's dual perspective highlights the potential for shared goals between “practitioners” of social services and “practitioners” of ethnography.


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 2082-2106
Author(s):  
Sara A. McGirr ◽  
Heather D. Bomsta ◽  
Cortney Vandegrift ◽  
Katie Gregory ◽  
Beth Ann Hamilton ◽  
...  

Reproductive coercion (RC) is a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) that continues to lack adequate attention by both researchers and practitioners. RC is defined as “male partners’ attempts to promote pregnancy in their female partners through verbal pressure and threats to become pregnant (pregnancy coercion), direct interference with contraception (birth control sabotage), and threats and coercion related to pregnancy continuation or termination (control of pregnancy outcomes).” This type of partner violence can have serious consequences on a survivor’s health and well-being. Despite the fact that RC has been reported by many women experiencing IPV, and that this type of abuse appears to be disproportionately targeted against marginalized women, little is known about the extent to which advocates either proactively or reactively address it. To redress this, the current study involved a brief online survey sent to domestic violence victim service advocates across the United States and its territories. More than 700 advocates responded about their comfort, practices, and perceived barriers related to RC and survivors’ sexual health. Despite identifying (a) low levels of discomfort when discussing most topics relating to RC and (b) few barriers to discussing RC, few advocates reported regularly engaging in RC-related practices. Both greater levels of discomfort and identification of more barriers were associated with less frequent coercion-related practice. Study implications highlight the need for more specialized advocate training, and organizational support for advocates to comfortably and safely provide information and support about RC to survivors.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 154-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise Michelle Brend ◽  
Ginny Sprang

Context: Rates of traumatization among residential child welfare professionals are alarmingly high. The well-being of these professionals is associated both with their intention to stay in their jobs and outcomes of children in their care. Several risk factors threaten the well-being of child welfare professionals, including primary and secondary exposure to experiences with the potential to provoke posttraumatic stress reactions. Objectives: This manuscript details experiences empirically shown to have potential negative impacts on professional well-being, discusses why these impacts are of particular concern for residential childcare workers, and describes the types of organizational cultures and climates that appear to mitigate these negative impacts. Implications: Trauma-informed care at the organizational level is proposed both as a means to reduce harm to child-welfare professionals and promote the rehabilitation of children within the child welfare system.


Author(s):  
Claudia Kustner

Acute inpatient mental health wards are characterized by constant change. The creation and maintenance of facilitated talking spaces for teams to reflect with each other is integral for both staff and service user well-being on these wards. There is a growing evidence base that supports the client-centred philosophy and principles of trauma-informed care whereby service users’ strengths are highlighted over pathology and skills building over symptom reduction. A systemic team formulation model is proposed as a useful, trauma-informed, staff support intervention that could be used on the wards, as it offers numerous intra- and interpersonal benefits for teams that engage in the process of shared formulations. A case example illustrating the methodology of systemic team formulation is explored. In addition, post-incident debriefing is also a necessary form of staff support, as a way of mitigating the negative emotional impact of serious untoward incidents and restrictive practices on staff.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e000815
Author(s):  
Samara Grossman ◽  
Zara Cooper ◽  
Heather Buxton ◽  
Sarah Hendrickson ◽  
Annie Lewis-O'Connor ◽  
...  

Trauma is often viewed as an individual or interpersonal issue. This paper expands the definition of trauma to include the impact collective and structural elements on health and well-being. The need for a trauma-informed response is demonstrated, with instruction as to how to implement this type of care in order to resist re-traumatization. Three examples from healthcare settings across the nation are provided, to demonstrate the ways in which organizations are bringing forward this patient-centered, trauma-informed approach to care.


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