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Evaluating Domestic Violence Initiatives

NCJ Number
219869
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 47 Issue: 4 Dated: July 2007 Pages: 671-691
Author(s)
Alpa Parmar; Alice Sampson
Date Published
July 2007
Length
21 pages
Annotation
This paper critiques the strategy of identifying "best practice" domestic violence projects and then transferring them into various contexts expecting the same results as were produced at the initial site.
Abstract
The authors argue that this approach is inherently problematic because it involves transferring descriptions of the design and implementation of projects into various contexts that defy generalizations. A more useful approach is suggested. It involves transferring responses to interventions and activities, practice principles, and factors that influence decisionmaking processes of survivors of domestic violence. This approach evolved from the identification of tensions between the "what works" perspective and the research framework the authors chose to adopt. A model of good practices was developed from the findings of a study on the effectiveness of three domestic violence advocacy projects funded by the British Government. The projects all had the aim of reducing repeat domestic violence, and they proposed a similar objective, i.e., to deliver an advocacy service. All of the projects were located in large cities in the United Kingdom. They were characterized by neighborhoods with severe social and economic disadvantage. All were committed to working with minority ethnic women, and they were successful in recruiting advocates representative of the same ethnic groups living in the service area. 1 figure and 62 references