"It Gave Me My Life Back": An Evaluation of a Specialist Legal Domestic Abuse Service.
Community-based advocacy services are important in enabling victims to escape domestic abuse and rebuild their lives. This study evaluated a domestic abuse service. Two phases of research were conducted following case-file analysis (n = 86): surveys (n = 22) and interviews (n = 12) with victims, and interviews with key individuals (n = 12) based in related statutory and community organizations. The findings revealed the holistic model of legal, practical, mental health-related, and advocacy components resulted in a range of benefits to victims and enhanced interagency partnership working. Core elements of a successful needs-led, victim-centered service could be distilled.
King's College London, UK susan.lea@kcl.ac.uk.
Susan J
SJ
Lea
Plymouth University, UK.
Lynne
L
Callaghan
D000328:Adult; D062309:Community Integration; D017579:Domestic Violence / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D000072858:Psychosocial Support Systems; D012946:Social Welfare; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D006113:United Kingdom
advocacy; domestic abuse; evaluation