Awards

We have searched the country to find projects that have reduced or eliminated domestic violence. The programs we've found are very exciting and our goal is to replicate them in every state. The Results projects are:

Court Watch

Monitors the courts as they try domestic violence cases to ensure victims are safe and perpetrators are held accountable

Issues Addressed:

Lack of consistency and thoroughness in courts' treatment of domestic violence cases.

Survivors fearful of going forward on cases due to court treatment.

Results:

Court Watch has changed the way in which judges and prosecutors treat domestic violence cases. Examples include specialty courts, special days for domestic violence court, more safety for survivors, collaboration with Court Watch to improve the system, automatic orders for protection for domestic violence cases, and improved treatment for perpetrators.

Mission:

The mission of Court Watch is to make the courts more effective, responsive, and accountable in their handling and sentencing of cases of domestic violence and to create a more informed and involved public through individual and systemic monitoring and public education.

Description:

Court Watch's primary activity is to train volunteers who monitor felony or misdemeanor domestic violence cases as they move through the criminal justice system. Volunteers track arraignments, pre-trial hearings, sentencings, and probation revocation hearings. They analyze data to identify patterns and long-term trends within the judicial system and make the system more accountable for its policies and actions.

This is not an advocacy program, but a program designed to encourage judges and prosecutors to handle these cases thoroughly and respectfully. The result is that Court Watch and judges learn to work collaboratively.

In addition, Court Watch programs develop community awareness through newsletters, public forums, and testimony on legislative issues. Position papers or periodic newsletters which include factual findings of the courts' actions are powerful tools for community education and have been instrumental in stimulating changes within the court system.

This is a nine-step guide to establishing a domestic violence Court Watch Project put together by the National Council of Jewish Women in Louisville, Kentucky:

1. Establish a committee and elect a chairperson.

2. Gather information from representatives of your judicial system
   and community agencies.

3. Develop a questionnaire for volunteers to use in monitoring
   domestic violence in court.

4. Publicize and involve your community in the Court Watch Program.

5. Establish volunteer education.

6. Organize training sessions.

7. Train volunteers.

8. Monitor courts

9. Debrief volunteers.

Cities with Court Watch Programs:

States with the highest number of Results Projects in place:

California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Montana, Ohio, Texas, Wyoming.

Contacts:

Originators: Jacqueline Hauser/Susan Lenfesty, Watch Minnesota
612-341-2747  watch@mtn.org/~watch

Silent Witness Court Watch Mentors: Connie Fox, NCJW Court Watch, Louisville, KY, 502-893-8380 conniefbm@aol.com  www.ctwatch.com

Jimita Potter, Jr. League, South Bend 219-273-1533 jimitapia@aol.com

Materials / Resources:

NCJW Court Watch Project (Louisville): Training materials and manual (with video) ($30.00) at NCJW Louisville. 502-458-5566 or fax 502-458-5516www.ctwatch.comWatch (Minnesota): Brochures, newsletters, editorials, "Watch Dog" customized software for tracking of judicial practices and patterns. 612-341-2747 watch@mtn.org/~watch Start-up manuals available.

top of page

2. SELF-MASTERY WORKSHOP 
    by Rose Mary Boerboom, MA LP 

A results-oriented treatment program for perpetrators and survivors of 
domestic violence 

Issues Addressed:   
Need to provide effective treatment for domestic violence victims and 
perpetrators based on the latest research from the fields of neurobiology 
and psychology on how the brain and emotion interact and effect behavior. 

Need for research to validate the effectiveness of treatment 

Need for cooperation, collaboration and dialogue among programs providing 
domestic violence services to ensure that the most effective interventions 
are implemented, replicated and/or integrated into all programs 

Results: 

Research is in beginning stages of gathering data on pilot programs. 

Mission: 

The mission of the Self-Mastery Workshop is to end domestic violence by 
providing life-changing skills and information to participants and 
positively impact domestic violence treatment by promoting the use and 
integration of Self-Mastery principles into all programs. 

Description: 

The Self-Mastery Workshop is designed as a 13 week group treatment program 
for domestic violence which can be adapted for use with men or women, victims 
or perpetrators, and court-ordered or voluntary participants. It can be used as a stand alone program or can be integrated into a longer existing program. 

The program has a psycho-educational format. The primary focus of the 
groups is for participants to understand and become skillful in regulating their 
painful or negative emotions. It challenges participants to accept responsibility for their internal world (their thoughts, feelings, and attitudes) as well as their behavior. 

A second focus of the group is for participants to understand what 
significant relationships can and cannot provide for the individuals 
involved. Much of the pain and resulting anger and abuse in relationships 
comes from demanding that my partner give or do for me, what I can only 
give or do for myself. 

The focus throughout the group is on change through new information, skill 
building and personal responsibility. 

Cities doing pilot programs: 
Minneapolis, MN 
Brainerd, MN 
Cheyenne, WY 

Contacts: 
Originator: Rose Mary Boerboom MA,LP 
952-938-3925 email: rose_mary_boerboom@hotmail.com 

Materials: 
Training and manual available through Rose Mary 

top of page

3. STOSNY TREATMENT MODEL

The Stosny Compassion-Based Treatment Model for Perpetrators of Domestic Violence

A Results-Oriented Treatment Model with a Healing Orientation

Issues Addressed:

• Lack of successful treatment/intervention models for perpetrators

• Inadequate research on new theories of working with perpetrators
  

Results:

This successful treatment model has consistently shown an 87% success rate over 8 years (13% recidivism) and only a 3% rearrest rate in eliminating battering behavior in court - ordered males, with only a 15-24% dropout rate. Seventy-one per cent of males are free of verbally aggressive behaviors as attested to by their spouses or girlfriends.

Mission:

The Stosny Compassion-Based Model specializes in the intensive treatment of spouse and child abuse by organizing identity around the compassionate aspect of the self that does not want to be abusive.

Description:

The core of the Stosny Model is the Compassion Workshop developed by Dr. Steven Stosny of the University of Maryland as a treatment program for domestic abuse and child abuse.

It has been used effectively with both men and women, and with court-ordered and voluntary participants. The theory behind the program is that abuse is a result of a failure of compassion for self and others. Dr. Stosny uses the latest in psychological research involving learning theory, attachment theory, and brain function. This program is cognitive and skill based. It helps people tap into, regulate, and heal their inner world of hurt, anger, and resentment. This is accomplished through the presentation of powerful information and the use of the emotional regulation technique called "HEALS."

Learning Objectives:

As a result of completing the 12-week course, participants will:

1. Understand the physiological, cognitive, behavioral, and psychological components of anger and agree that though it is needed for survival, it is generally damaging when turned against loved ones.

2. Understand that anger is used as a defense against hurt and is NOT caused by other people or events but by what the abuser believes other people's reactions or events mean about him.

3. Understand the concepts of Core Hurt, Core Value, and Compassion.

4. Learn, practice, and use the emotional regulation technique called "HEALS" in dealing with anger, depression, anxiety, or any other negative emotional states.

5. Understand the difference between the false power of anger and the real power of compassion for self and others.

6. Give up blame and accept responsibility for not only behavior but also internal emotional experience.

7. Know what real self-esteem is and how to develop and protect it.

8. Know how to avoid power struggles by empowering and supporting others.

9. Understand the complex emotion of resentment and how to free themselves from it.

10. Understand how fear of abandonment and fear of engulfment affect lives and relationships.

11. Experience increased self-awareness, self-esteem, and sense of well-being.

Research Results:

A 1991 experiment compared the Compassion Workshop results with results of treatment programs of five different agencies in Maryland and Virginia. Subjects randomly assigned to both groups were in the 98th percentile for family violence. Dr. Stosny's research continues every year with comparable results. Replicated research using the Stosny model shows similar results with lower drop rates.

.
Cities/States with Stosny Treatment: 

Contacts:

Originator: Dr. Steven Stosny, Compassion Workshop
www.compassionpower.com stosny@compassionpower.com 301-921-6663
Silent Witness Compassion Workshop Mentor:
Gloria Champion, Navajo Nation, NM 505-368-5124

Materials/Resources www.compassionpower.com

top of page

4. DATA COLLECTION

Collects consistent and accurate nationwide data on domestic violence homicides.

Issues Addressed:

• Difficulty in collecting statistics on domestic violence homicides for the Silent Witness March in Washington, DC
• Difficulty in measuring how states are doing in reducing domestic violence homicides
• Difficulty in knowing if Silent Witness is making progress in getting to our goal of 0 by 2010

Results:

We are anticipating a 92% accuracy rate in domestic homicide reports of women 18 and older by intimate partners in 49 states. One state (Missouri) has legislation mandating domestic violence homicide reporting.

Mission:

The mission of the Silent Witness Data Collection Program is to obtain accurate reports of domestic violence homicides of women 18 and older by intimate partners in every city and state. We collect these data so we know how close we are to accomplishing our goal of eliminating domestic homicides of women in this country. It will help us track the programs that are having the most effect in moving us to our goals. And it gives us reason to celebrate.

Description:

Supplemental Homicide Reports: Max Schlueter, our Silent Witness data collection mentor, led us to the Supplemental Homicide Reports (SHR) of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The SHR provided the data we used to report on each state for this Results book. Silent Witness state coordinators had struggled for six years collecting data from individual police departments, attorneys general offices, and state FBI offices. Now we can get domestic homicide reports by city, state, gender, age, relationship, and weapon about 10 or 11 months after the end of the calendar year. Our next challenge will be to find ways to get this information on an even more timely basis so we can track our results more quickly. Although we know there are issues with all data collection, these are the most consistent data we have across all 50 states at this time.

One of the main reasons we have some confidence in these data is that they are consistent with the total number of Silent Witness silhouettes (1,496) from 50 states. Our number was the result of each state doing its own research on all the domestic violence homicides of women in that state for one calendar year. The FBI tracked 1,581 domestic homicides of women in 1994, the year we started our national efforts, and 1,407 for 1995, so we felt we were right on track with our count of 1,496 for one year.

Legislation:

A group of Missouri organizers, including the NCJW, Attorney General's Office and MCADC, drafted legislation that mandated domestic violence homicide reporting in Missouri. The legislation passed. Copies of that Senate Bill are available from our Silent Witness mentor. See Resources below.

All states produce Supplemental Homicide Reports except Kansas.

Contacts:

Originators: FBI (Supplemental Homicide Report); A Missouri Collaboration wrote the Legislation for mandatory reporting.

Silent Witness Mentors: Max Schlueter, Director, Vermont Crime Information   mschluet@DHS.STATE.VT.US

Sally Katzif, NCJW, St. Louis, MO 314-576-7474 katzifsal@aol.com

Materials / Resources:

If you would like a summary or a special printout of domestic violence homicides for your city or state call the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division at 304-625-4995.

There is a fee for this computerized information. For a copy of the Senate Bill No. 673, mandating domestic violence homicide reporting, contact Sally Katzif at: katzifsal@aol.com

top of page

5. DART

DART (Domestic Abuse Response Team) Model for Domestic Violence Prevention:  Church and Synagogue Model for Prevention of Abuse

Issues Addressed:

• Need for churches and synagogues to get involved in healing and prevention of domestic violence and behavior change in the lives of their members
• Lack of interest, low attendance at community functions in which domestic violence is the theme for the meeting

Results:

Research results on behavior change in prevention workshops show a significant change in behavior of people who attend the groups.

Mission:

DART is a church- and synagogue-based program whose purpose is to provide safety, spirituality, support, healing, and prevention to families in the congregation who are involved in, or who may be predisposed to be involved in, abusive situations. It is composed of a team of people (clergy, counselors, shelter advocates, spiritual counselors) who are trained to be ready to work with families experiencing abuse.

DART is a collaborative group of people who are trained in and understand the dynamics of family abuse. 

This group includes:

Clergy: Adjunct to or involved in the team, the clergy member is knowledgeable of the issues of abuse and the helpful ways to work with abusive families. The clergy's main role may be as referral source to the team or as spiritual support for the team. A deacon or pastoral counselor may be invited to be part of the team on behalf of the clergy.

Counselors: A counselor or advocate trained in the Stosny model of treatment for abusers acts as the DART coordinator and works separately with the primary abuser. Another counselor/advocate works with the other members of the family.

Shelters: There is a link with one or two shelters. The shelter becomes part of the team and becomes involved when necessary to secure the safety of family members. Advocates from the shelter may work with women and children if it becomes necessary for them to enter the court system.

Stephen Minister (or other appropriately trainer lay person): A Stephen Minister who is especially trained in the understanding of family abuse is chosen for the family. This person will be the primary Stephen contact with the family and will help meet both spiritual and physical needs. The Stephen Minister may choose to accompany family members if they get involved in the court system. The Stephen Minister will assure family members that the church is praying for them privately and confidentially, and that the church supports the family in its process of healing.

Process:

Once the team has been formed and trained, it is ready to work with families. When abuse comes to the attention of the church, the contact person lets the family know how DART works with and for them. If the family members want to go ahead, the team can begin providing the appropriate services.

Team members should be in contact with each other but use utmost confidentiality in working with the family. Love and responsibility are the central motivators for the team and healing is the goal.

The team will work with the family until there is some resolution of the issue or until the family members are ready to work on their own again. This process may not keep the family together, so the team needs to be prepared to work with family members in whatever direction the healing takes them.

Education and Prevention:

To initiate prevention programs, one church's DART team simulated a family conflict. The 500 people in attendance participated in discussions in groups of similar ages after the sketch to get people used to talking about conflict.
In addition to assisting troubled families, this church offers ongoing prevention classes called Regulating Anger and Resentment (Stosny workshops), hosts a Silent Witness Exhibit, writes articles in the church newsletter on related issues, and has church-wide programs on "normal but conflictual" family episodes that educate people about how to change behavior effectively.

Research Results:

Behavior change in prevention workshops:
Follow-up research of six Anger Regulation Workshops at this church shows the following results with church and community members who voluntarily attended the groups. (Very few of these people have had court contact so their levels of anger are much lower already than court-ordered people.)
In response to the following question the members of the workshops said:

.

.
Cities with DART Program:

Minneapolis (three programs)

Contacts:

Originator: Donna Bennett, MN
Silent Witness Mentor: Donna Bennett, MN 612-925-5084 

Materials / Resources:

If you would like a copy of the Soccer Family Sketch (an everyday conflictual situation) or information on the Stosny prevention workshops write or call Donna Bennett at Colonial Church Counseling Center, 6200 Colonial Way, Edina, MN 55436. 612-925-5084 Fax 612-925-5147.

top of page

6. MISSISSIPPI MODEL:

The Mississippi Model: Preparing Our Sons for Manhood

Involves the church in the prevention of alienation in African-American adolescent males

Issues Addressed:

• Lack of church involvement in domestic violence prevention 
• Alienation of African-American adolescent males

Results:

98% of the 200 young men who entered this program completed it successfully. They became more aware of the issues of domestic violence and the dangers of pre-marital sex. They also experienced an increase in self-esteem and in their ability to bond in relationships.

Mission of the Mississippi Model:

Preparing Our Sons for Manhood: Salvaging the Seeds is the program that Silent Witness has identified as the Mississippi Model. The program's mission is to provide positive role models, cultivate self-esteem, and improve self-awareness (particularly in avoiding violent behavior) in adolescent males. It helps young African-American males identify goals and solutions and offers practical training in life skills. The program endeavors to bring an end to social and domestic violence in the African-American community and society at large.

Description:

Originally developed by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, this program and its principles were adapted by Our House, Inc., an organization dedicated to offering various means for people to achieve violence-free living, in conjunction with New Life Church, Inc.

Preparing Our Sons for Manhood is a male mentoring program that works through churches and schools. The program deals with the prevention of child sexual abuse and dating violence, encourages abstinence in young males, and educates youth on the dangers of pre-marital sex.  The program is based on principles of love, respect, responsibility, guidance and spirituality, and on a time-honored tradition in the African-American community: "It takes an entire village to raise a child." It embraces the idea that all children are the collective responsibility of the community and the cornerstone of the future.

Program Detail:

• Hosting rap sessions with sixth-grade male students at elementary schools. These sessions reach 35-50 adolescent males between ages 11-13 each year.
• Providing public awareness programs to male youth between ages of 13-18 at local high schools, or at Our House, Inc.'s community awareness programs in churches.
• Mentoring male youth from five counties.
  Our House, Inc., also conducts one major conference each year for 400 junior and senior high school male students. Conference topics include having a good time without sex, decreasing youth violence (gangs, etc.), relationships, and learning to build self-confidence.

Other Services of Our House, Inc.:

• MASH - Men Against Spousal Harm, a behavioral modification program for court-ordered domestic violence abusers. Reports of successful outcomes ranged from 75% to 90%.
• LOVE - Let Our Violence End, a program that provides services for victims of domestic violence.
• Rural Communities Public Awareness Program, delivered through schools and churches. Teens' Intimate Partners Violence Prevention Program, a three-yearresearch project for ninth-grade students.
• Survival United, which provides emotional support to surviving family members in homicide cases.
• Advocacy and Training Program.

Cities that Currently Use the Mississippi Model

• Greenville, MS
• Cleveland, MS

Contacts:

Originator: Dr. Patricia Ann Davenport (Silent Witness Mississippi Mentor),
Our House, Inc., PO Box 3956, Greenville, MS 38704 662 334-6873 Fax: 662 334-6875 ourhouse@tecinfo.com

New Life Church, Inc. (Partnering Agency) Contact: Dr. Roderick Mitchell 662-846-LIFE (5433) Fax: 662-843-6103 newlife@tecinfo.com

Resources:

Descriptive brochures and speakers. Training manual available soon.


top of page

Description: The sources we used for our information of corporate programs were our SW Mentor James Hardeman of Polaroid and the Corporate Alliance to End Partner Violence. There is a lot of new activity in the corporate world and we refer you to the Corporate Alliance for the list of activities.

Success: Although there is a great deal of activity in the education and awareness arenas, we are looking for companies who will start model results projects and track their success in making their workplaces the safest in America by reducing workplace violence and bullying activity in the workplace.

As you become aware of such programs, please alert us to them.

Examples of Corporations with Domestic Violence Awareness Programs:  

Polaroid Liz Claiborne Blue Shield/San Francisco Victoria's Secret Bell Atlantic Mobil GAP Air Canada Abercrombie and Fitch Wells Fargo Blue Cross Blue Shield CIGNA American Express Archer Daniels Midland Country Companies The Limited Eastman Kodak NFL Pennzoil Avon Products Victoria's Secret / Columbus, OH State Farm Levi Strauss Mintz, Levin & Popeo, Boston Kraft Foods McKee Foods Kraft Foods / Chicago Bell South/Atlantic Target / Columbus, OH TJ Maxx/Natick, MA Target Stores Body Shop/Columbia, SC Phillip Morris Marshalls

Silent Witness Mentor: James Hardeman, 508-746-0660, jaames73@aol.com

Corporate Alliance Contact: Kim Wells, 309-664-0667, kwells@caepv.org

top of page

8. COORDINATED COMMUNITY RESPONSE:

Promotes collaboration within the criminal justice and advocacy communities to ensure that women are safe and perpetrators are held accountable

Issues Addressed:

• Lack of consistency in courts' treatment of domestic violence cases,
• High level of dismissals,
• Lack of coordination among criminal justice professionals,
• Victims fearful of courts, fearful of testifying.

Results:

Quincy, MA: One domestic violence homicide in 12 years (pop. 250,000)

San Diego: Domestic violence homicides down from more than 30 in 1985 to 8 in 1994 and 0 as of August 1999.

Seattle: Domestic violence homicides down from more than 30 in 1994 to 3 in 1998.

Nashville: Domestic homicide rates fell 46% in each of 3 consecutive years. Decreased recidivism in critical cases. Increased confidence of crime victims. Trying cases without the requirement of victim testimony. San Diego tries two-thirds of all domestic violence cases and has a 95% conviction rate.

Mission:

The mission of all the coordinated community response programs is to streamline the process of investigation and conviction, increase conviction rates, and make the courts more consistent and conscientious in domestic violence cases. Their goals are to make victims safer, hold abusers accountable, make misdemeanors matter, never let a victim die in vain, and prevent the violence from starting.

The programs seek to coordinate the five key players involved in domestic violence cases: the judges, city attorneys (prosecutors), police, probation, and advocates. This model was first developed in Duluth, MN. Quincy, MA, made it a national success story. San Diego, CA, and Nashville, TN, have also created successful versions of this model.

Description:

Quincy: A user-friendly responsive court program including:

• A special, private office staffed by trained clerks who assist victims.
• A daily group briefing session for all restraining order plaintiffs.
• Two special sessions daily to expedite protection order hearings.
• Six-week education groups and twelve-week support groups for victims.
  Criminal Court 
• Pre-trial probation programs mandating weapon forfeiture, no contact with the victim, psychological evaluations.
• A specially trained probation enforcement team.
• Fast-track court scheduling to ensure speedy trials.
• Routine case coordination with the special domestic violence prosecutor and other assistant district attorneys.
• Strictly enforced sentencing, including intensive supervision, mandatory batterers' group treatment, alcohol and drug abstinence monitored through random urine and hair test, and follow up with the victim to ensure the defendant is obeying court orders.
• Each Tuesday morning a special revocation session of court.
  San Diego: Pro-Arrest, Pro-Prosecution

The heart of this intervention strategy is prosecuting domestic violence cases at the felony and misdemeanor level with or without victim participation. The mission is to focus on abuser accountability even if the victim is unable to participate with the prosecution. The city attorney's office provides the victim advocacy and safety planning whether she chooses to participate with the prosecution or not. The purpose is, in as many cases as possible, to let the victim choose whether to participate.

The highest conviction rate in 1998 was in cases when the victim testified for the defense. The second highest conviction rate was when the victim was not present for trial at all. The lowest conviction rate was when the victim testified in the prosecution's case but recanted some or all of her original statement to the police. Two-thirds of all misdemeanor cases were prosecuted, with a 95% conviction rate.

In 1985, 30% of the homicides in San Diego were domestic violence related. This number was very close to the national average. As the city attorney implemented pro-arrest, pro-prosecution policies there was a decline in the domestic violence homicides. San Diego went from 30 homicides in 1985 to 22 by 1990. By 1994, the number was down to 8 domestic related homicides.

Nashville, TN, Police Department:

Police Intervention Strategy as Part of a Coordinated Community Response.

The Nashville Police Department's Investigative Services Bureau has 35 offices - the largest single investigative unit in the United States dealing with crime within the family as measured in 1996. Nashville takes a multidisciplinary approach involving the entire criminal justice system and social service community. Tactics include early intervention, prevention, counseling, education, training of professionals, investigation, and prosecution. The cultural views of the crime of domestic violence are changing. This is the key to overall success. As a result, the domestic violence homicide rates in Nashville have fallen 46% on average for three successive years.

Cities with Coordinated Community Response:

Contacts:

Originators: Duluth, MN, and Quincy, MA; Sarah Buel and colleagues at the University of Texas School of Law 512-282-9688 smbuel@aol.com

Casey Guinn, San Diego City Attorney casey@cityatty.sannet.gov

Silent Witness Coordinated Community Response Mentors:
Anne O'Dell (consultant, formerly with San Diego Police Dept.)
800-580-8561 anne2215@aol.com Mark Wynn (Nashville Police Dept.) 615-880-3000 mwynn@nashville.org

Materials / Resources:

Investigation Manuals available from Anne O'Dell. Program description, case statement, copy of police orders, sample documents, statistics, organizational charts, news stories, and 3 video tapes available from Mark Wynn, Nashville.

Quincy Probation Response Guide PID#1F5064 1-800-662-8337 ext. 62; Video tape, "Alive and Well in Quincy" from 60 Minutes available from Ambrose Publishing, 1-800-843-0048

top of page

9. OWNING UP FOR BOYS AND GIRLS, AGES 10-18

Owning Up teaches children to understand their personal choices and behavior in relation to their social networks and gender violence. Owning Up gives children the skills and strategies they need to make healthy, safe, and ethical choices. 

The program covers cliques, exclusivity, and reputations; same-sex bullying; sexual harassment; the differences between consent, sexual assault, and dating violence, and the difference between self-defense and perpetration of assault.

Empower, the parent organization for Owning Up, is a non-profit organization in Washington, DC. Empower's research shows results in changing girls' behavior regarding boundaries, treatment of other girls, and grade enhancement. It indicates that as a result of this program, girls' self-image grows, boundaries become clear, test scores rise, and anti-girl behaviors (gossip and backbiting) decrease. The program was developed by Rosalind Wiseman.

Contacts:

Silent Witness Mentor: Rosalind Wiseman 202-882-2800 empower@empowered.org

top of page

10.  TAOS MODEL FOR  COUNSELING SURVIVORS

The Community Against Violence program in Taos, NM has collected research for two years on their mandatory counseling program for battered women who live in their transitional shelter program. This counseling, which focuses on self-esteem, boundaries, and empowerment, helps women create meaningful, abuse-free lives. The counseling consists of weekly individual sessions and a weekly support group. The program is an adjunct to safety planning, life skills, and parenting classes.

80% of the women who participate in counseling move into homes of their own within three months. They become more self-reliant and are more likely to attend college, to find employment, and to stay out of abusive relationships. Half of these women continue counseling after leaving the shelter. The population of this shelter program last year consisted of 56% Hispanic, 8% Native American, 34% Anglos, and 2% other races.

Contacts:

Silent Witness Mentors: Malinda Dunnam, Dayna Lea 505-758-8082    cav@newmex.com

top of page

11. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?

We have much to celebrate for all the progress that has been made to date within the domestic violence movement. At the same time we are at a crossroads in the domestic violence movement in this country. We have many good programs operating and exciting new research that suggests possible new directions. Although we still don't know exactly what will make the greatest difference, several programs and trends that are outlined in this book have had sufficient research to show remarkable progress. The next five years will be crucial for these new initiatives.

Here are some suggestions and observations for the future of Silent Witness and everyone in the domestic violence movement.

• Goal Setting: Set large concrete goals that force us to think more creatively. New approaches come forth as a result of setting challenging goals.
• Program Evaluation: Pursue only the programs that have measurable results and make a difference to our clients in the long run. Continue to collect research that tells us what behaviors are changing.
• Results Measurement: Be relentless in tracking results in domestic murders and battering. Track murder rates, rearrest rates, police domestic calls, and repeated shelter usage so that we know what effect our efforts are having in the larger community.
• Perpetrator Treatment: Pursue perpetrator treatment as a vital component of the solution to domestic violence. Believe than men can change. Insist on programs that are successful in healing men while still holding them accountable. Pursue ongoing evaluation of all treatment and intervention programs.
• Survivor Programs: Provide more effective programs for survivors. Add counseling programs that have been proven effective in helping women become self-reliant and independent. Add these to the safety planning, life skills, and parenting programs that already exist.
• Adolescent Programs: Offer prevention programs for adolescents and young adults that move beyond awareness. Consider programs that show measurable behavior change and other tangible results.
• Corporate Charge: Challenge corporations to declare their intent to be the first violence-free workplaces and to be willing to measure their progress.
• Court Programs: Establish collaborative relationships with courts and judges to ensure responsible and efficient treatment of survivors and perpetrators.
• Church and Synagogue Programs: Challenge churches and synagogues to start preventive emotional regulation programs in their congregations.
• Celebrate Success: Recognize people and programs that are making a measurable difference.

top