Web resource:	http://new.vawnet.org/Assoc_Files_VAWnet/MeetingSurvivorsNeeds-ResearchInBrief.pdf
Type:	Journal Article
Title:	Meeting survivors' needs: a multi-state study of domestic violence shelter experiences: summary of findings
Authors:	Lyon, Eleanor Menard, Anne Lane, Shannon
Keywords:	Cross-cultural;Advocacy;Housing
Year:	2009
Publisher:	National Resource Center on Domestic Violence & University of Connecticut
Notes:	General Overview: This article reports on a study conducted in the United States (US) examining the range of services domestic violence shelters provide and assessing the extent to which they meet the needs of survivors. Methods: The study employed a quantitative method, which sought to capture the experience of shelter residents, upon or near entry and again upon or near exit. The authors distributed surveys in 215 domestic violence shelters across eight socially, economically and ethnically different US states. Residents of these shelters were asked to complete written entry and exit surveys. Both surveys asked survivors to assess their needs and whether they had been met. The results are based on the analysis of 3, 410 surveys. Results: The study found that 74% of survivors rated the assistance they received as very helpful and another 18% found it helpful. Shelters offer a diverse range of support services and serve a diverse range of clients. However, the study found that there were challenges regarding conflict between residents of the shelter, transportation conflicts and challenges to do with group living. The study found some occurrences where survivors’ ethnic or religious customs were not respected and some differences in survivors’ first impressions of a shelter based on ethnicity. Most of these conflicts had resolution rates of 50% or more. Conclusions: The study found that while survivors felt their needs were being met for the most part, there are areas where shelters can improve. The authors suggest that shelters could continue to improve by addressing more fully the survivor’s emotional needs, physical health, housing, educational and economic needs and drug and alcohol issues. Furthermore, the high rate of reports of conflicts between residents suggests the need for enhanced conflict resolution training for shelter staff. Finally, regarding questions of custom and ethnicity, the study recommends that measures undertaken to expand staff diversity should continue. They also call for further research into shelters and other domestic violence programs.
URI:	https://anrows.intersearch.com.au/anrowsjspui/handle/1/15792
Physical description:	4p
Appears in Collections:	Journal Articles

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