The influence of low-barrier and voluntary service policies on survivor empowerment in a domestic violence housing organization.

Abstract

The purpose of community-based domestic violence crisis housing programs (e.g., shelters) is to provide a safe setting that promotes empowerment for survivors of intimate partner violence. For staff to reach this aim, the program must have formal structures and processes in place to support such efforts. This study explored how low-barrier and voluntary service policies influenced staff practices and survivor empowerment. Low-barrier policies require that programs remove barriers that prevent survivors, particularly those who have mental health concerns and/or addictions, from being able to access services. A voluntary service policy states that survivors have the right to choose which services, if any, they would like to engage in during their stay at the program. Survivors' ability to stay at the housing program is not contingent on their participation in program services. This exploratory-sequential (QUAL→ quan) mixed-method study examined how low-barrier and voluntary service policies influenced staff behavior and how these behaviors then related to survivor empowerment. Qualitative results revealed that low-barrier and voluntary service were guided by cultural values of justice and access, encouraged survivor-centered practices among staff, and were believed to promote survivor autonomy. Quantitative results suggested that when survivors perceived they had a choice to engage in program services or meet with an advocate, their empowerment increased. This study has implications for domestic violence organizational practice and provides evidence about the contextual factors that support individual empowerment. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Voluntary, Survivor-Centered Advocacy in Domestic Violence Agencies

“…However, a lack of availability or access to the advocate can hinder alliance and reinforce feelings of isolation. The widespread implementation of voluntary service models promotes the empowerment goals of advocacy but requires continual engagement with survivors to make sure services fit needs (Nnawulezi et al, 2018). An implication of this study is the need to modify voluntary service practices to increase opportunities for survivor engagement while continuing to center agency and choice.…”

“…The TIC guiding principles as outlined by Hedden (2015) are safety, trustworthiness, peer support, collaboration and mutuality, empowerment, voice, choice, as well as attention to social location. The traumainformed model of voluntary advocacy, when applied to interpersonal violence, typically focuses on understanding the individualized nature of trauma and responding with services that prioritize safety and maximize opportunities to regain autonomy by offering survivors choice in service and support use and options (Nnawulezi et al, 2018;Sullivan et al, 2017). Trauma-informed models of advocacy have been previously noted to increase self-efficacy, feelings of safety, and empowerment (Sullivan et al, 2017).…”

“…A voluntary service model, as outlined by FVPSA, provides respect for survivor autonomy and allows room for individualization based on each person's unique circumstances and needs (Missouri Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence, 2012). Voluntary and low barrier, or more accessible, services are inherently more survivor-centered than mandated service models, and are linked to increased survivor autonomy and empowerment (Nnawulezi et al, 2018). To enhance the effective implementation of survivor-centered voluntary advocacy services, an understanding of the perceptions of survivors using services is critical.…”

“…At their core, advocacy services represent a departure from traditional case management in social services to an empowerment-based approach to work with DV survivors on their defined goals rather than providing a prescriptive, one-size-fits-all approach ( Goodman et al, 2016b;Sullivan, 2018;Wood, 2014). Per federal policy (The Family Violence and Prevention Services Act of 1984 [FVPSA]) and in alignment with an empowerment perspective, advocacy services are typically offered on a voluntary basis, without service use as a condition for shelter or other resource use (Nnawulezi et al, 2018). A growing body of research has recognized advocacy for DV and sexual assault survivors as a distinct service model ( Davies & Lyon, 2014;Goodman & Epstein, 2008;Wood, 2014); however, more information is needed to enhance voluntary, survivor-centered advocacy practices (Davies & Lyon, 2014;Goodman et al, 2016c;Nnawulezi et al, 2018).…”

“…Per federal policy (The Family Violence and Prevention Services Act of 1984 [FVPSA]) and in alignment with an empowerment perspective, advocacy services are typically offered on a voluntary basis, without service use as a condition for shelter or other resource use (Nnawulezi et al, 2018). A growing body of research has recognized advocacy for DV and sexual assault survivors as a distinct service model ( Davies & Lyon, 2014;Goodman & Epstein, 2008;Wood, 2014); however, more information is needed to enhance voluntary, survivor-centered advocacy practices (Davies & Lyon, 2014;Goodman et al, 2016c;Nnawulezi et al, 2018). Given the centrality of survivor voices in the work of DV advocates, more information is needed on the perspective of DV survivors about what they need and want from their work with advocates, in order to further develop best practices.…”