Exploring Agreement on Appropriate Responses to Domestic Violence and Sexual Trauma Across Victim Advocates, Mental Health Services Providers, and Substance Abuse Treatment Providers

• NCJ Number: 218091
• Journal: Women & Criminal Justice Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: 2005 Pages: 119-144
• Author(s): Denise C. Herz; Meghan Stroshine; Kristen Houser
• Date Published: 2005
• Length: 26 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study assessed the extent to which providers of different backgrounds (mental health services, substance abuse treatment, victim advocates) agree on how to effectively and appropriately serve domestic violence and sexual trauma survivors.

Abstract

Study results indicate that victim advocates received the largest amount of training on domestic violence and sexual trauma in the classroom or seminar setting followed by mental health providers and mixed background providers. However, victim advocates did not exceed all groups in their level of agreement with model expectations. Substance abuse treatment providers were the least likely provider group to receive either type of training, which was underscored by the finding that substance abuse treatment providers were also the least likely to feel that their training was adequate. Few would disagree with the need to develop collaborative approaches for survivors of domestic violence and sexual trauma, but accomplishing holistic care for survivors with multiple needs has proven to be a challenging goal. Several recommendations were offered including, but not limited to: (1) assess the content of training received by victim advocates, mental health providers and substance abuse counselors; (2) define, implement and institutionalize standards for training and continuing education for all providers; and (3) form cross-disciplinary teams to assess the need and willingness of community agencies to develop trauma-informed behavioral health systems and victim advocacy services. An essential step in building effective collaborative programming is to identify the extent to which victims advocate groups and behavioral health professionals agree on the basic treatment needs of shared clientele. Using survey data collected from victim advocates, mental health service providers, and substance abuse treatment providers, this study assessed the extent to which providers from different backgrounds agree on how to effectively and appropriately serve domestic violence and sexual trauma survivors. Tables, notes, and references