NCJ Number
65534
Date Published
1979
Length
22 pages
Annotation
THIS MANUAL PRESENTS GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS FOR ESTABLISHING AND FUNDING VOLUNTEER GROUPS TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN OR OTHER VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES.
Abstract
IN PREPARING SERVICES, A GROUP SHOULD ESTABLISH COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THOSE AGENCIES HAVING CONTACT WITH VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND THUS DEVELOP A TWO-WAY REFERRAL SYSTEM. PUBLIC EDUCATION SHOULD ALSO BEGIN PRIOR TO PROVIDING DIRECT CLIENT SERVICES. SCREENING AND TRAINING VOLUNTEERS ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF A TASK FORCE SERVING BATTERED WOMEN. NEW VOLUNTEERS SHOULD WORK WITH VETERANS IN A BUDDY SYSTEM. RECOGNITION OF VOLUNTEERS, PREVENTION OF BURNOUT, AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO PROTECT VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL. DIRECT SERVICES MAY INCLUDE A CRISIS TELEPHONE LINE, ADVOCACY TO HELP THE CLIENTS SET AND MEET GOALS FOR THEMSELVES, SUPPORTING GROUPS, EMERGENCY HOUSING, AND TRANSPORTATION. SECURITY PROCEDURES TO PROTECT BOTH VICTIMS AND VOLUNTEERS ARE ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF EACH SERVICE. OTHER GROUP EFFORTS SHOULD INCLUDE COORDINATING SERVICES THROUGH, FOR EXAMPLE, A MULTICOUNTY UMBRELLA ORGANIZATION AND WORKING FOR INSTITUTIONAL CHANGE, ESPECIALLY IN POLICE AND PROSECUTING AGENCIES. FUNDING MAY COME FROM DONATIONS FROM BUSINESSES AND INDIVIDUALS, FUNDRAISING EVENTS, AND GRANTS. THROUGHOUT THE EFFORTS, GROUP MEMBERS SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE ONGOING GRIEF INVOLVED IN WORKING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS. APPROXIMATELY 20 REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED.