Davidov Danielle M, Coffman Jessica, Dyer Angela, Bias Thomas K, Kristjansson Alfgeir L, Mann Michael J, Vasile Emily, Abildso Christiaan G
West Virginia University, Morgantown, USA.
J Interpers Violence. 2021 Feb;36(3-4):NP1762-1787NP. doi: 10.1177/0886260518754869. Epub 2018 Jan 24.
There is growing recognition that home visitation programs serving at-risk families may be an appropriate mechanism for detecting and reducing intimate partner violence (IPV). More research is needed about how home visitors assess and respond to IPV, especially in rural and underserved areas with unique social and geographic challenges. This study describes the qualitative, needs assessment phase of a larger mixed-methods evaluation of IPV assessment, referral processes, and safety planning with clients within a statewide home visitation program. Three focus groups were conducted with home visitors ( = 16) in West Virginia's Home Visitation Program in May 2015. Home visitors represented four separate home visitation models and provided services across 12 of West Virginia's 55 counties. Guiding questions focused on home visitors' current protocol, experiences, barriers, and facilitators to (a) screening and assessment for IPV, (b) making referrals after disclosures of IPV, and (c) developing safety plans with IPV-exposed clients. Barriers identified by home visitors included the nature of assessment tools, issues with service availability and access in rural areas, and lack of education and training surrounding safety planning. Facilitators included building relationships and trust with clients, providing anticipatory guidance when making referrals, and tailoring safety plans to clients' unique situations. Participants also expressed a critical need to develop procedures for assuring home visitor safety when supporting IPV-exposed clients. These qualitative data highlight issues surrounding the management of IPV in home visitation and have the potential to inform future enhancements to programs that are specifically tailored to the needs of rural, disadvantaged communities.
越来越多的人认识到，为处于危险中的家庭提供家访服务可能是一种发现和减少亲密伴侣暴力（IPV）的合适机制。关于家访人员如何评估和应对亲密伴侣暴力，尤其是在面临独特社会和地理挑战的农村及服务不足地区，还需要更多研究。本研究描述了一项更大规模的混合方法评估的定性需求评估阶段，该评估涉及一个全州范围内的家访项目中对亲密伴侣暴力评估、转介流程以及与客户进行安全规划的情况。2015年5月，在西弗吉尼亚州家访项目中，与家访人员（n = 16）进行了三个焦点小组访谈。家访人员代表了四种不同的家访模式，并在西弗吉尼亚州55个县中的12个县提供服务。指导性问题集中在家访人员当前的方案、经历、障碍以及促进因素，这些因素涉及：（a）亲密伴侣暴力的筛查和评估；（b）在披露亲密伴侣暴力后进行转介；（c）与遭受亲密伴侣暴力的客户制定安全计划。家访人员指出的障碍包括评估工具的性质、农村地区服务可及性和获取方面的问题，以及围绕安全规划缺乏教育和培训。促进因素包括与客户建立关系和信任、在进行转介时提供预期指导，以及根据客户的独特情况量身定制安全计划。参与者还表示迫切需要制定程序，以确保家访人员在支持遭受亲密伴侣暴力的客户时的安全。这些定性数据突出了家访中亲密伴侣暴力管理方面的问题，并有可能为未来专门针对农村弱势社区需求的项目改进提供参考。
