NCJ Number
205530
Date Published
May 2004
Length
39 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the current availability of services for victims of family violence in the four counties served by the United Way of Central New Mexico (UWCNM), with attention to the significant gaps in services and supports for victims and the opportunities to develop a coordinated community response to family violence.
Abstract
The information for this report was obtained through personal interviews conducted by the researchers during the week of January 27-31, 2004, as well as 15-20 telephone interviews in the following weeks. Just over 70 people involved with agencies and organizations serving victims of family violence were interviewed, along with representatives of the faith and business communities in the UWCNM service area. For the purposes of this study, "family violence" refers to violence between intimate partners and between adult family members and children. The strengths and resources identified are the activities and services that already exist and apparently function well in the UWCNM service area. These encompass supportive service programs and resources for both adults and children affected by family violence, the strengths of the civil and criminal justice systems, professional training being conducted, and significant educational and community awareness materials being made available and used. Gaps and weaknesses are the major missing pieces of a coordinated community response to family violence, as well as local attitudes toward family violence. Gaps and weaknesses are discussed in the areas of civil legal assistance, language and cultural competence, services for children and youth, intervention programs for perpetrators of family violence, and access to services for "non-poor" women. In addition, gaps were noted in the law enforcement response to family violence. Moreover, virtually everyone mentioned the ways that public attitudes toward family violence impede a community response to it. This report also identifies issues to be considered, such as what might be an ideal structure of services and coordination or finding solutions to the unusually high dismissal rate for misdemeanor domestic violence offenses. The opportunities mentioned include activities on which the UWCNM and its community partners might build to achieve service system goals, along with other initiatives that could be pursued to expand community involvement and encourage cultural change to counter family violence. Recommendations focus on ways to increase collaboration, to change cultural supports for violence, to involve community leaders and businesses, and to strengthen the small nonprofit agencies that effectively reach isolated populations.