Policy & Systems Advocacy Content Topic Results

This is a guide booklet for victim services providers with the aim of helping them become “more knowledgeable, comfortable, and confident when supporting victims in cases where DNA evidence is relevant.” Available in English and Spanish.

This report provides an analysis of patterns of human rights abuses against women who are exposed to the risk of or are already living with HIV in rural contexts of widespread poverty and unemployment.

This report describes the impact of the Safe and Together model, developed specifically for domestic violence cases involving children to improve practice and decision making with the goal of safety, permanency and well-being of children at its center.

The federal courts and the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) have classified female genital mutilation (FGM) as a form of persecution, which can be used as the basis for a successful asylum claim. However, recent developments in this area of law have created a split between the federal courts and the BIA over the treatment of applicants who have already endured FGM. Federal courts that have addressed FGM acknowledge past infliction of FGM as a basis for fear of persecution, while the BIA rejects this position. This article summarizes the legal controversy surrounding FGM and asylum.

In this 8 minute podcast, Dr. Michele Black discusses a link between intimate partner violence and illnesses, including asthma, arthritis, stroke, increased heavy or binge drinking, smoking, and risk factors such as HIV or sexually transmitted diseases.

This report indicates that persons who report having experienced IPV in their lifetimes also are more likely to report current adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors, underscoring the need for IPV assessment in healthcare settings. Additionally, the results indicate a need for secondary intervention strategies to address the health-related needs of IPV survivors and reduce their risk for subsequent adverse health conditions and health risk behaviors.

This report is the product of two-year research. The study examined elder abuse cases and specialized response to elder abuse by courts. Included in this report are innovative and promising practices in addressing elder abuse and elder needs.

This paper describes the requirements for U visas and emphasizes the need for practitioners to establish a good working relationship with law enforcement officers and help build trust between immigrant survivors of domestic violence and the law enforcement system. The article provides strategies for collaborating with local law enforcement.

This guide details schools' responsibility to take a leadership role to prevent and respond to teen dating and sexual violence in schools and in the community.

This Applied Research paper examines restorative justice for sexual assault from the perspective of survivors. A large international literature promotes restorative justice options as satisfying and empowering to crime victims.

This document provides information related to public health emergency and bioterrorism preparedness and response training for tribal personnel.

This guidebook contains information on how adults can step forward and help protect children. It describes what to look for and how to talk with other adults and with children about preventing sexual abuse.