tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post8873320995847421213..comments2023-12-08T05:17:21.174-05:00Comments on Advocating Ethics: Are Domestic Violence Programs Still Meeting the Needs of Survivors?Innerlitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15585354985968028283noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-69221216538945178102010-01-24T10:36:27.454-05:002010-01-24T10:36:27.454-05:00I agree, there must be a balance in between access...I agree, there must be a balance in between accessible resources to victims. Each has an important role. Whether FJ Centers are overshadowing shelters is something that likely varies from program to program. I am aware of some community-based agencies who apply for and receive all funds simply because they are established and have a history so it is difficult for any new program to establish themselves. There are no FJC's in Michigan so my exposure is only via the 'net. I do know that there are gaps in service that I see now that could potentially be eliminated with a FJC approach. I also know the much of the funding for Family Justice Centers comes from the DOJ Office of Violence Against Women and they are rigid and specific regarding the role of community-based advocates/ programs. From one of the rfp's:<br />"In addition, all applicants are required to enter into a formal collaboration with nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations serving victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and/or stalking. This may include faith-based or community organizations. Nonprofit, nongovernmental sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking victim service organizations must be involved in the development and implementation of the project.<br />Victim service organizations should meet all of the following criteria:<br /> Provide services to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence,<br />and/or stalking as one of their primary purposes and have demonstrated history of<br />effective work concerning such issues; <br /> Address a demonstrated need in their communities by providing services that create<br />options for victims seeking accountability and safety from perpetrator violence,<br />promote the dignity and self sufficiency of victims, and improve their access to<br />resources; and<br /> Avoid activities that compromise victim safety;<br />In developing an application for the Community-Defined Solutions/Arrest Program, applicants are encouraged to consider some important distinctions among the following:<br /> Victim assistants who work for government agencies (e.g., the police department or<br />the district or city attorney’s office);<br /> Victim advocates who represent nonprofit, nongovernmental sexual assault,<br />domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking programs (e.g., shelters, rape crisis<br />centers, advocacy groups or coalitions); and <br /> Legal representatives (e.g., students from law school clinics, paralegals, attorneys<br />working for legal service agencies or independent attorneys).<br /><br />While there is an important role for all victim advocates to play in the creation of a coordinated community response/multidisciplinary response to sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking, the participation of nonprofit nongovernmental sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking programs, whether faith-based or community organizations, is required in development and implementation of the project. This does not preclude applicants from requesting support for government agency victim services and legal Representatives in limited circumstances, but the budget and budget narrative must distinguish between these roles and should include compensation for the contributions of nonprofit, victim service agencies. In addition, if funding is requested for both governmental and victim assistance and advocacy, the project narrative must explain how these different entities will collaborate."Innerlitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15585354985968028283noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-3502697502912241362010-01-24T05:28:36.262-05:002010-01-24T05:28:36.262-05:00Thank you for being a resource for us out here doi...Thank you for being a resource for us out here doing the work. Please do some research on whether the justice centers are really helping victims ( culturally, victim defendants, etc) or are they the reason cummunity/cultural based programs are closing their doors for lack of funding. It seems that a lot of funding is going into some FJC because of politics. Do not get me wrong, any services that will help victims to be safe I am all for it, but sometime the community based service providers are the best to do the job. Also, are the FJC working Collaboratively with community agencies.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-78427457992759128262010-01-02T04:20:39.706-05:002010-01-02T04:20:39.706-05:00I worked for a domestic violent shelter for five y...I worked for a domestic violent shelter for five years and I had to leave before they took the little bit of self steem I had left. Abusive behavior between management towards staff (Executive Director and other management) exist in many shelters but it is not often talk about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-7075647833600927472009-11-01T17:16:30.088-05:002009-11-01T17:16:30.088-05:00Please give more information on the subject of &qu...Please give more information on the subject of "the professionalization of family violence programs." Also, please address the misunderstanding of shelters trying to provide more professional type/quality servies and the traditional/legal/proper terminology of being a "professional" in the truest sense of the word. <br /><br />Please compare the mission/purpose/model differences: @ the empowement model of domestic violence shelter/agency programs veresus the medical model community of healthcare, social work, mental health, etc as well as other professional models used by law enforcement, legal services, etc.<br /><br />To the best of my understanding, most family violence programs/shelters are for domestic violence EDUCATION, ADVOCACY & SUPPORT/SAFE HAVEN. They refer victims OUT for professional help: @ legal representation, healthcare, child protection, etc. While they work everyday to provide services in a 'professional' manner, they are not - as of yet - mandated or constrained by any law to be comprised of or retain "professional" staff (licensed, certified, LPC, LPN, MSW, etc). Most are non-profit and do not charge a fee for services like professionals do. <br /><br /> For instance, while a doctor or attorney can donate their services on a non-profit program's missionary trip project, that non-profit missionary program is not necessarily required to have a licensed doctor or attorney on staff UNLESS they are providing a certain level of healthcare or legal services (@ immunizations, surgery, legal representation, etc). <br /><br />Typical domestic violence shelters/programs do not attempt or even purport to provide professionalized services: clinical therapy/counseling, clinical healthcare/mental health/addictive disorder assessments, legal advice/representation, suicide prevention, child protective services, etc. To the contrary, they refer out, take victims to and advocate for those resources while providing a safe haven atmosphere of understanding, empathy and empowerment. <br /><br />An Executive Director of a Family Violence ProgramAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-43981988633572645372009-05-17T17:28:00.000-04:002009-05-17T17:28:00.000-04:00Wow. I have much to say. Thank you for posting thi...Wow. I have much to say. Thank you for posting this and I will be back.Behind The Blue Wallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04429113203939514642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-24173182931175165752009-05-17T13:12:00.000-04:002009-05-17T13:12:00.000-04:00Thank you for your very well written article on th...Thank you for your very well written article on the diminishing resoures for women who are victims of domestic violence. Law reform also needs to happen which will reinforce protective orders against the abusers as well as tougher sentencing to keep them in prison. Victims should not have to be forced to leave their homes because they fear retailiation. Other options are home security systems and alarms to protect women and their children from break-ins. Women also need to protect themselves by taking self defense classes and carrying a personal protection device on them such as a taser, stun gun, pepper spray and mace, laws permitting. There are many available options for women today to protect themselves if outside resources are not available. Women need to educate themselves on these additional opportunities to keep themselves and their children safe from harm. Visit www.stingergirlz.com for more information.Suzeehttp://www.stingergirlz.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4987167067075124014.post-68275191780499554742009-05-17T09:08:00.000-04:002009-05-17T09:08:00.000-04:00This speaks volumes to many situations that are oc...This speaks volumes to many situations that are occuring right here and now! Thank you for your research and well written entry. I am sharing it everywhere I can.Delilahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09129593439262648032noreply@blogger.com