NCJ Number
80746
Date Published
Unknown
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This report summarizes the efforts of the Landsdowne Mental Health Center of Ashland, Ky., to develop a program to deal with domestic violence in five counties in Kentucky.
Abstract
Started in September 1979, the project's main goal was to unite a variety of existing community agencies to form a network to provide services to both the victims and perpetrators of family violence. Landsdowne also hoped to increase community awareness and understanding of the problem of domestic violence. Landsdowne's family violence team, which had five members, was assisted by its nine-member crisis team. The crisis team members responded to the majority of emergency calls. Specific activities include working with the local community action agency to focus on elderly persons and children served in Head Start programs, training area ministers in crisis intervention techniques and using them as volunteers in certain situations, establishing a working relationship with local judges, and developing a strong referral network with rapid followup work by members of the family violence team. Organizations taking part in the referral network included social service agencies, existing shelters, police departments, the court system, prosecuting attorneys, and mental health centers. Private physicians and the general public also participated. Training was provided to the police, criminal justice system officials, and private physicians and emergency room staff. Project staff also appeared on radio and television programs, distributed feature articles to area newspapers, established a speakers bureau, and consulted with local school districts. A total of 396 victims of domestic violence were contacted during the 18-month project period. A chapter of Parents Anonymous and a women's self-help group were established. The project is continuing due to a grant from the National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse and the efforts of community agencies and individuals.