The Impact of Non-Residential Domestic Violence Services in a Southern State

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Non-residential domestic violence (DV) services are provided in community-based agencies with a focus on safety, stability, and healing following experiences of violence. Estimates of between 36% to 71% of service use in DV agencies are provided outside of residential settings (REDACTED FOR REVIEW 2021; NNEDV, 2021). Further, survivors frequently request comprehensive services that are not attached to a shelter stay. With rates between 39%-41% of shelter requests being denied due to lack of space in the study state (REDACTED FOR REVIEW), there is an even greater need for a focus on access to non-residential service and what the impacts of those services are to address survivor needs. As such, this project sought to explore the needs of survivors seeking non-residential services, and to examine the efficacy of these services from the staff and survivor perspective.

METHODS: This study was a statewide exploratory, sequential mixed methods evaluation of non-residential services provided in over 70 community based DV service agencies in a large, diverse Southern state. The evaluation team partnered with coalition partners and DV agencies to employ the use of a community-based, equity-focused participatory approach. Data sources include interviews with 25 survivors and 41 DV agency staff, a survey of 83 DV survivors using non-residential services, and secondary administrative data on service use, access, and participation collected by a state government entity from 87 DV service agencies. Quantitative data (secondary and survey data) were analyzed using descriptive and bivariate methods. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis methods. Integration of qualitative and quantitative data occurred at the mid-point of data collection and in the process of developing themes and recommendations.

RESULTS: The most common needs of survivors seeking non-residential FV services were 1). Safety; 2). Housing and income support; 3). Counseling and other mental health help; 4). Legal help; 5). Inclusive and accessible support and 6). Help with child needs. Survivor survey participants reported a 56% increase in feelings of overall safety after service use. Changes in safety were largely attributed to increased resources and support. One survivor shared, “I wasn’t afraid anymore because I got so much support, so many tools to use”. Addressing resource access promoted stability. Over 82% had been homeless at least once before using FV program services. Nearly half (47%) had also been homeless post-program, representing a substantial decrease in homelessness. Ninety percent of survivors felt that staff actively worked to connect them with community resources. While participants reported acute mental health needs, DV services were linked with increases in good health and mental health care access. Survivors reported high levels of fidelity to a survivor-centered model. Initial and ongoing access are crucial to FV service impact but insensitive treatment from staff, and session/service limits negatively impact outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Project findings substantiate the efficacy of non-residential FV services in supporting survivors' safety, economic, and well-being outcomes and emphasize the need for individualized services to address survivors’ unique personal and family needs.