Abstract
Violence victims who are the primary caregivers for their children sometimes become justice-involved through efforts to protect and defend against intimate partner violence (IPV). Judges often mandate these victims to community-based services, although little is known about these services. Given increasing numbers of such victims, two human service agencies collaborated to create a program for female IPV victims who were their children’s primary caregivers and who were mandated to services for violence against a male partner. Our research team conducted a feasibility study of the program using an exploratory qualitative study design to collect data from program participants (n = 18) and providers (n = 7). Analyses determined three key findings: (a) the importance of a welcoming, comfortable environment; (b) the value of certain aspects of the program content; and (c) the importance of support from like others for participant improvement. These findings point to indispensable program elements. Implications for other communities and providers serving justice-involved IPV victims who are also primary caregivers are described.
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Acknowledgement
The Duke Endowment supported this research. We acknowledge the staff of InterAct and SAFEchild for their participation in and help with this research. We acknowledge Natalie B. Johns and Alanna Hays for their help with this research. We also acknowledge Diane Wyant for her comments on and edits of an earlier draft of this manuscript.
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Macy, R.J., Ermentrout, D.M. & Rizo, C.F. An Innovative Program for Justice-Involved Partner Violence Victims: “No Man is Worth Me Getting Locked Up”. J Fam Viol 27, 453–464 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9436-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-012-9436-2