Impacts on Retrogression of Domestic Violence Survivors

Abstract

This paper intends to provide insight into the effect that outreach services have on repeated victimization among domestic violence survivors through an in-depth case study. Research conducted in 2019 revealed that as many as 36% of women in the United States have experienced domestic violence (Sigurdsson, 2019). The prevalence of this issue is undoubted and is slowly gaining awareness in the United States. Among those domestic violence survivors residing in emergency shelters nationwide, 84% require assistance in obtaining affordable housing after exiting the shelter (Safe Housing, 2017). Once domestic violence survivors enter a shelter, the likelihood of their return, unfortunately, increases dramatically. The purpose of this research is to understand the variables associated with domestic violence shelters’ clients’ acceptance and participation in outreach services and the influence those services have on a client's likelihood of returning to the shelter or relapsing. The case study used in this research is drawn from a current resident of a domestic violence shelter and examines her history at the shelter, participation in rehabilitative services, and success within the program. The results from this research suggest a strong positive relationship between participation in rehabilitative services and progression through the program leading to eventual independence. Insight into the value outreach services have in preventing retrogression and shelter reentry is the goal of this research. The results of this research provide valuable information as to what services are most beneficial for domestic violence survivors and concepts for how said services might be improved are discussed. Further research into the methodological issues related to using a single-case inquiry is necessary to develop an all-encompassing understanding of the impact outreach services have on domestic violence survivors’ retrogression.