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.
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.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9436-2
- Authors
- Rebecca J. Macy, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro Street CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Dania M. Ermentrout, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro Street CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Cynthia F. Rizo, School of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tate-Turner-Kuralt Building, 325 Pittsboro Street CB #3550, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482