How can victim service providers (VSPs) best set survivors up for success? The path to healing from domestic violence may be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be lonely. Consider how and why VSPs are an integral part of this very healing.
Survivors of Domestic Violence
The effects of domestic violence can be extremely difficult to experience—sometimes even overwhelming. Approximately one in five women and one in seven men report experiencing severe, physical domestic violence from an intimate partner in their lifetime, and for many of these people, the impact is felt long after the violence ends.
Although survivors may experience similar forms of abuse, each individual’s response to trauma can vary greatly. There are physical, cognitive, and financial hurdles that domestic-violence survivors may face, and victim service providers (VSPs) need to be prepared to help those they serve through the healing process.
Often, domestic-violence survivors rely on the help of social-service organizations as they navigate the next chapter of their lives, and there are often not enough resources to help every single applicant. For instance, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) cited a 2016 survey:
In a one-day survey conducted in 2016, more than 41,000 adults and children fleeing domestic violence found refuge in emergency shelters or transitional housing programs. Out of 11,991 unmet requests that day for domestic violence services, 66 percent were for housing and shelter.
Courtesy of Laura L. Rogers, Principal Deputy Director, Office on Violence Against Women
Survivors of domestic violence can sometimes develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) stemming from domestic violence, which can increase the risk of experiencing homelessness later in life. Food banks, homeless shelters, and workforce-development agencies are just a few of the social services that need to be prepared to address the unique needs of this vulnerable group.
The Importance of VSPs
So what is the best way to help set survivors up for success? It starts with a victim service provider. The US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines VSPs as “private nonprofit organization(s) whose primary mission is to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence.”
These service organizations help survivors as they recover from domestic violence by connecting them to resources, coordinating with other human-service organizations, and offering mental and physical health support. VSPs empower these vulnerable populations to take the steps they need to find justice and heal.
Helping Survivors Succeed
Central to VSPs successfully navigating such coordination is a powerful case management platform. Organizations that rely on multiple spreadsheets, slow databases, or offline documents are almost always at a disadvantage. Such systems reduce impact while increasing time spent by social workers manually inputting data instead of focusing on aiding survivors.
Instead, VSPs can help better utilize resources and decrease time wasted by integrating a case- management system like ClientTrack, the industry-leading platform for VSPs. With decades of experience, Eccovia can help health and human service organizations improve their workflows while meeting—and often exceeding—their goals.
Setting Survivors Up For Success
The path for survivors of domestic violence can be hard—but it doesn’t have to be lonely. As survivors begin to tackle the challenges associated with the aftermath of domestic violence, they can be strengthened by VSPs that know how to manage their data. When social services can coordinate in fast, comprehensive ways, survivors can focus on what is most important: healing and moving on.
If your social-service organization is ready to upgrade its case-management system, we’re here to help. Reach out for a demo today, or to talk with our experts trained to help VSPs succeed.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, there is help. Please refer to the resources below:
- Crisis Text Line, text HOME to 741741
- National Parent Hotline, call 1.855.427.2736
- Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline, call 1.800.422.4453
- National Domestic Violence Hotline, text LOVEIS to 22522, or call 1.800.799.7233
- Futures Without Violence
