"It Gave Me My Life Back": An Evaluation of a Specialist Legal Domestic Abuse Service. (May 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lea, Susan J.; Callaghan, Lynne
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 22:Number 6(2016)
• Page Start: 704
• Page End: 721
• Publication Date: 2016-05
• Subjects: domestic abuse -- advocacy -- evaluation; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/1077801215610013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

Community-based advocacy services are important in enabling victims to escape domestic abuse and rebuild their lives. This study evaluated a domestic abuse service. Two phases of research were conducted following case-file analysis ( n = 86): surveys ( n = 22) and interviews ( n = 12) with victims, and interviews with key individuals ( n = 12) based in related statutory and community organizations. The findings revealed the holistic model of legal, practical, mental health–related, and advocacy components resulted in a range of benefits to victims and enhanced interagency partnership working. Core elements of a successful needs-led, victim-centered service could be distilled.