Assessing Polyvictimization in a Family Justice Center: Lessons Learned From a Demonstration Project

Abstract

There is a growing interest in developing comprehensive assessments that measure intimate partner violence (IPV) alongside other adverse events that correlate with IPV and compound its effects. One promising line of research in this area has focused on the impact of exposure to multiple types of victimization, i.e., polyvictimization. The purpose of this study is to examine the experience of administration of a polyvictimization tool from staff and client perspectives in order to inform future tool developments and assessment procedures. Qualitative interviews and focus groups with clients and staff from a family justice center who had experience with the assessment tool were used to identify strengths and challenges of the assessment too and inform future tool development. Findings demonstrate that an assessment tool provides the space for clients to talk about trauma and facilitate empowerment, while providing the opportunity for psychoeducation and service referrals. Concerns about the assessment tool included adverse reactions without proper framing and language, as well as shifting the emphasis from screening for adversities toward strengths, coping skills, and resilience. Implications for future measurement development and establishing best practices in polyvictimization assessment are discussed, with an emphasis on the benefits of social service agencies utilizing assessment tools.

Concurrent Intimate Partner Violence: Survivors’ Health and Help-Seeking

“…This finding indicates that IPV perpetrations that involve physical violence tend to occur with other forms of IPV. Survivors often disclose a single violent incident or just one episode of their entire IPV experience when seeking help rather than revealing all the IPV they have experienced in their lives, possibly because they feel ashamed or because help sources are reluctant to ask sensitive questions (Dagenhardt et al, 2021; Evans & Feder, 2016). However, our results showed that many survivors experience multiple forms of violence from a single perpetrator.…”