FINAL SUMMARY (12/28/00)
Final Report (WordPerfect)
Final Report (Microsoft Word)
 

With funding from the Chicago Bar Foundation, we are evaluating the implementation and effectiveness of a case management - victim information model against the usual and customary procedure for handling cases of domestic violence at District 5 (Bridgeview, IL) of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois. The current domestic violence (DV) prevention remedies available at District 5 court are civil and criminal orders of protection (OP). With the inception of the Circuit's Unified Family Court, a pilot project will implement two new components when petitioners are granted an OP: (1) a Victim Information Program (VIP), and (2) a Family Safety Case Management (FSCM) program. Both programs will be offered in the District 5 Court offices in Bridgeview, IL.

Currently, little is known about the characteristics of victims applying for orders of protection, who applies for civil v. criminal orders of protection, how those orders are implemented, or who extends their order of protection. In addition to adding information about these questions, this evaluation will compare numbers and characteristics of applicants before and after implementation of the Unified Family Court and examine the effects of the VIP and FCSM on victim knowledge of domestic violence, the community response to domestic violence, and victim utilization of services designed to prevent domestic violence.
 

The VIP is a voluntary, one hour informational program offered to domestic violence victims receiving Orders of Protection in District 5 Unified Family Court. The VIP is recommended from the bench and the judicial recommendation is reinforced during FSCM. The VIP is not, however, in the form of a judicial order. The VIP assumes if victims of violence have adequate information about their situation, about their abuser, and about the community response to violence, the victim will make better decisions about her life, and ultimately reduce her risk for further violence.

The stated goals of the VIP are contained in a document entitled Victim Information Program: Family Safety Case Management--Draft. The overall goal, as stated, is to stop the cycle of domestic violence through provision of information about domestic violence and about the court process. However, since victims cannot control the behavior of their abuser, and therefore, cannot stop him from being violent, the program outcomes which will be evaluated are those directly attainable by victims and potentially impacted by the VIP.

Data on recidivism, when available, will be collected for informational, not evaluative purposes. The VIP is designed to provide the victim with information about: the court process and the use of an OP, the cycle of violence, the predictability of violence recurrence, and the impact of violence on household members, especially children. The program is designed for use after an ex- parte order of protection, but is potentially useful under a variety of conditions.

Instructors for the program are drawn from three sources: Juvenile Division Special Group Services, Family Court Case Managers, or local DV victim services staff. The program format is one hour, and includes lecture, video, and discussion formats. Addition time is provided for completion of pre- and post-questionnaires. Completion of the questionnaires are considered a part of the program, providing cognitive preparation and reinforcement of learning. Handouts will be utilized. Modules for the VIP include: (1) the cycle of violence, (2) violence and children, (3) the role of substance abuse, (4) psychiatric illness and violence, (5) the abusive personality, (6) the court process, (7) clarification of court terminology, (8) criminal court, (9) the local police department, (10) safety planning, (11) family court case managers, (12) parenting and parental stress, (13) counseling services, and (14) legal assistance and support.

FSCM is a conversational and evaluative interview, approximately an hour in duration, between a Social Services Case Manager and the recipient of an OP. In some cases, the case manager (CM) will also interview the abuser, although in the interest of safety, the FSCM will not meet conjointly with batterer and victim. As part of this evaluation, a  Violence-Specific History (VSH) is completed. The participant signs an agreement to be contacted in the future (there are no consequences for not signing the agreement). Also during this meeting, a safety plan is developed, judicial orders are reviewed, support for attending the VIP is provided, and any necessary referrals are made.
 

Contact Information:
Larry Bennett, Ph.D. lwbenn@uic.edu