THE MARYLAND ALLIANCE
AGAINST FAMILY VIOI..l1NCE The Barten-Gillet Company
Promoting Awareness and Action
A Preliminary Public Relations Plan for
The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence
The Batton-Gillet Company May, 1991 The Barton-Gillet Company
Meeting the Challenges
Family violence is fast becoming a national crisis. The establishment of the Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence represents a significant step in coordinating and strengthening the resources to combat this problem.
However, the Alliance faces a serious challenge, not only in terms of combatting violence directed at women and children, but also in terms of making the public aware of the family violence crisis and of the resources available to cope with and overcome this growing problem. Through the development of a broad-spectrum public relations program, the Alliance can achieve name recognition, promote awareness of the problem and better reach those in need of help, as well as those able to deliver help.
To develop the public relations program, it is necessary to determine: • the Alliance's mission and goals • target audiences to whom specific programs or strategies will be directed • public relations strategies • assessment and evaluation methodologies
Who Is The Alliance?
To gain support for the Alliance and provide direction for its activities, members of its core group, The Family Violence Coalition, must first determine both the mission and goals of the organization, as well as its role and that of its member organizations. Is the Alliance, for example, to be a public advocacy group against family violence? A referral network? A lobbying organization? The Alliance must also identify the criteria for membership.
Membership recruitment must also be initiated early on to increase support for the organization. As a first step to membership cultivation, Alliance members should solicit support and participation from individual members of the boards of directors of their organizations who, in tum, can seek out the support of their respective corporations and organizations. This may best be handled through one-on-one meetings with board members and presentation of background information on the The Berton-Gillet Company
Alliance as well as excerpts from the Coalition's report, "Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits: Family Violence in Maryland and Recommendations for Change."
With a strong membership in place, the Alliance will be better positioned to seek out financial sponsorship for specific events and projects. To promote cooperation and coordination between member organizations, the Alliance should also publish a directory which includes brief descriptions of each organization, key contact persons and other pertinent information.
Target Constituencies
With both mission and membership in place, a public relations program can be implemented. We recommend that the public relations program for The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence be targeted to reach these key constituents:
• Victims of family violence • Potential victims and others at risk • Teachers, physicians, social workers, police officers and others at the front line in identifying and dealing with victims of family violence • Corporations, foundations and other major sources of private and public support. • Community-based organizations such as Baltimore City Public schools, county schools, churches, shelters for the homeless and other organizations that can make referrals to the Alliance's representative organizations • The media, including area newsyapers, radio, television and magazines (at the local, regiona and national levels.) • The general public who through their awareness and support of the Alliance can help combat the problem of family violence. The Berton-Gillet Company
Recommended Strategies
Because of the diverse nature of these audiences, several different public relations strategies should be utilized that will enable the Alliance to gear its message to each individual audience, as well as to encourage a specific desired reaction from each. However, regardless of the audience, each of the strategies or programs would have the common goal of creating name equity for The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence as an organization formed to:
• Increase the public awareness of the scope and dimension of family violence problems in Baltimore, throughout the State of Maryland and across the nation.
• Draw attention to the risk factors for family violence • Increase awareness of resources available to help prevent and intercede in family violence. as well resources available to cope with the aftermath of family violence.
• Centralize and strengthen the referral network between organizations that deal with family violence.
• Heighten awareness among community leaders, employers and other decision-makers that family violence has a tremendous social, personal and economic impact on society.
In addition, specific strategies would be incorporated to help the Alliance cultivate membership and gain financial support for its endeavors.
The following media relations efforts should be considered to support, strengthen and increase awareness about The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence.
• Development of a graphic identity for use on stationery, news releases, brochures, flyers, posters and other communications materials, which will serve to increase name recognition and public awareness.
• Special events, including a "first annual" conference on family violence and prevention which features leading experts on the topic, who can discuss the issues and what needs to be done to combat family violence and its aftermath. The Barton-Gillet Company
• Community events such as a "Stop Family Violence" poster contest in public schools, a "Families in Harmony Night" similar to "Women Take Back the Night" rallies and "Neighborhood Family Workshops" designed to teach families more effective communication strategies, any of which will serve to raise awareness and initiate efforts to combat the problem.
• A press package/media kit to be distributed at the annual conference and other events and for use by feature writers.
• A monthly desktop newsletter with information about resources, new legislation and other information for Alliance member organizations and others who deal with family violence.
• Regular news releases and editorials calendar notices about the Alliance's special events, activities, etc.
• Feature articles placed in electronic and print media that portray the seriousness of the family violence problem, its tendency to cross all socioeconomic boundaries, the connections between family violence and substance abuse, the notion of abuse breeding abuse, the personal, professional and economic impact of family violence, and what can be done to combat the problem.
• A Speaker's Bureau in which representatives of the various member organizations in the Alliance, noted experts and former victims of abuse speak to businesses, civic organizations and others about the family violence problem and what can be done to fight it.
• Public service announcements on radio and TV aimed at increasing awareness of the family violence problem and of the resources available to help.
• Audio-visual materials which could be distributed to community organizations and other public venues to increase awareness.
Each of these strategies or programs also would include an evaluation tool,
depending on the nature of the particular program, to determine its effectiveness and for use in planning subsequent strategies. Detailed plans for each of these programs and the accompanying evaluation tools will be provided once Alliance members have agreed upon the specific elements to be used in their public relations plan. The Barton·Gillet Company
The Big Event
To introduce the Alliance to the public and immediately position it as a major resource for information and assistance regarding family violence, a significant, headline-making event should be held. A "First Annual Conference on Family Violence and Prevention" would serve several immediate goals, including:
• defining "family violence" in new terms that more concisely capture the true nature and scope of the problem • increasing public awareness of the family violence problem • bringing together concerned individuals and organizations from all sectors
• promoting dialogue and action
The Audience
The target audience for the conference would be members of organizations or groups working at the front line of the family violence crisis -- social workers, teachers, police officers, interested members of the media and others -- as well as the general public. It is expected that public interest in the conference will be limited initially until other public awareness programs have been put in place. Therefore, the conference would be geared primarily to these "frontline" people.
Sponsorship
The conference would be funded by private donations from member organizations and those businesses and organizations represented on the boards of directors of the member organizations. The Berton-Gillet Company
The Format
The conference would be an afternoon event which featuring noted speakers on topics pertaining to family violence. To ensure this is a "headline" event, the conference should feature speakers whose topics would relate to current news items. Examples include:
• one of the women recently released from Maryland prisons as a result of Governor Schaefer's actions who would talk about her experience;
• a woman who allowed her name to be publicized following a domestic rape case;
• the woman who wrote a book about her abuse by her former spouse who later sued her and won.
• someone in prison whose victimization of others can be traced to their having been abused as a child.
The conference also would feature round table discussions or mini-workshops led by experts to promote a greater understanding of the family violence problems and to introduce strategies for intervention and coping.
The Media Coverage
To ensure media coverage and follow-up of the event, local media representatives would be invited to a pre-conference media session. Barton-Gillet and Alliance members will work together to develop this list. Representatives of the Alliance would be on hand to answer questions and to provide background information on the topics to be covered.
In addition, media kits would be available (at the media session as well as the conference) to provide detailed background about the Alliance, its member organizations and the family violence problem itself. The media kits would include: • a fact sheet about family violence, including statistical information, laws and other information
• backgrounders on the various organizations participating in the Alliance • a fact sheet about the Alliance and its work • The Berton-Gillet Company
• profiles of key speakers
• a copy of the Coalition's report, "Broken Bodies, Broken Spirit"
• press release
In addition, press releases would be sent to selected media prior to the actual conference with follow-up calls made to each to assess media interest.
Following this event, a calendar of public relations strategies would be developed and implementation begun immediately. By keeping the Alliance and its work visible, public awareness of both the Alliance and of the family violence problem can be obtained. The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence invites you to attend the presentation of Broken Bodies Broken Spirits: Family Violence in Maryland and Recommendations for Change
Thursday july 18, 1991 12:00 noon The Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr. Courthouse Room 600 Baltimore, Maryland
This project was sponsored by the Morris Gcldseker Foundation of Maryland. Inc. The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence at The University of Maryland School of Social Work 525 W. Redwood Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 oan Y. Harris, Educational Specialist ~. lce 0 Upl erVlces chool Social Work Service 00 East North Avenue 21202 ttached Report--Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits: MEMO amiiy Violence in Maryiand and Recommendations
DATE: TO July 8, 1991
On this date, the Family Violence Coalition is releasing a ground-breaking report on violence against women and children in Maryland. As a member of the coalition, I am providing you with a copy of the report, which has relevance for staff in Maryland schools. This project was funded by the Morris Goldseker Foundation of Maryland and is the product of an extensive sixteen month study undertaken by a group of private and public sector advocates and policy makers. It includes twelve specific recommendations for policy makers, employers, educational personnel, human services staff, the religious community, health agencies, the criminal justice system, and others, for addressing the problems resulting from violence in the family. A press conference is planned for July 18th at noon at the Clarence M. Mitchell, Jr., Courthouse on Calvert Street in Room 600. At that time, the formation of the Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence, will be announced. All who are interested in the strong correlation between woman and child abuse in the family and its devastating consequences, are invited to join the Alliance. This organization is dedicated to implement the specific recommendations cited in the report, advocate for more and better laws to protect victims of violence, as well as educate the public about the scope and costs of this serious social problem. I can be reached on 396-8642 for more information.
Working together, we made it happen! Baltimore Awarded 1991 All America City
28-1418-5007 REV. 01/73 1400-10-5 - MARYLAI\1) ALLIANCE AGAINST FAl\lILY VIOLENCE
October 30, 1991
Joan Y. Harris Educational Specialist School Social Work Service Baltimore City Public Schools 200 E. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202
Dear Joan:
Thank you for helping to launch the Maryland Alliance. We are excited at the possibilities of our working together this year.
Enclosed are copies of the current mailing list and current committee assignments. Please contact the chair of your committee for any additional information abut the date and location of the November committee meetings. Since there were some questions about the structure of the Alliance, a one page summary of our current structure has also been included.
The next meeting of the Alliance will be on December 16th from 3 - 5 p.m. at the University of Maryland School of Social Work.
Please call 889-0840 for more information.
Sincerely,
Jann Jackson Michael Cenci Co-Chair Co-Chair
Associate Director Assistant Executive Director House of Ruth Family & Children's Services
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK 525 W. Redwood Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 MARYLAND ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
Structure
The current structure of the Alliance has been developed to ensure continuity of the vision of the Family Violence Coalition, who produced Broken Bodies Broken Spirits, and to encourage broad based involvement of Maryland leaders in implementing the recommendations.
Steering committee
The Steering committee currently consists of 14 members. The Steering committee is the governance body responsible for identifying priorities, and monitoring achievement of Alliance goals and objectives. Members of the committee are designated representatives of their organizations. Members represent the pUblic and private sector, child abuse and domestic violence agencies, and local and statewide groups. Committee members will serve two year terms. The committee has two co-chairs, one of whom will serve one year and one will serve two years.
Alliance Membership
Alliance membership is open to anyone in the community who is interested in working on projects identified within the committees.
Committee Structure
There are four committees:
o Legislative Initiatives/Advocacy o Professional Training/Coordination o Community Education/Public Relations o Fundraising
Each committee will have two co-chairs, one from the public and one from the private sector. Each committee will develop a plan of action for priorities identified by the Steering Committee. In addition Alliance members serving on the committees will identify additional projects to be undertaken within or among agencies being represented. MARYLAND ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
COMMITTEES
LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES/ADVOCACY
Co-Chair: Susan Leviton 328-3840 Co-Chair: Judy Feldt 974-2603 Peggy Mainor 396-1990 Susan Fernandez 333-0059 Roni Young 396-3133 Ellen Leiserson 377-8205
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/COORDINATION
Co-Chair: Jann Jackson 889-0840 Co-Chair: Peg Rawle 333-1799
Linda Gaither 659-7701 Adrienne Seigel 333-0223 Debbie Matthews (301)820- Walt Wirsching 333-6868 5600 Pam Corcorkan 225-4160 Rhoda Posner 356-8383 Jennie Bloom 328-3637 Susan Seling 333-0059
COMMUNITY EDUCATION /PUBLIC RELATIONS
Co-Chair: Elaine Fisher 728-7021 Co-Chair:
Donna deBussey 836-8430 Denise Maker 333-0059 Carol Dugan 547-9200 Adele O'Rourke 768-1110 Susan Ellis 547-8000 Joan stine 227-1362 ext. 404 Zena Rudo 576-2414
Joan Harris 396-8642 Min Leong 333-2425
FUNDRAISING
Co-Chair: Michael Cenci 669-9000 Co-Chair:
Carol Dugan 547-9200 MARYLAND ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
Name & Address
steve Berry Work - 333-0228 Department of Human Resources Fax - 333-0392 Social Services Administration 311 W. Saratoga Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201
Jennie D. Bloom Work - 328-3637 Director of Training Fax - 328-6046 School of Social Work University of Maryland 525 W. Redwood Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Michael Cenci Work - 669-9000 Assistant Executive Dir. Fax - 728-2972 Family & Children's services of Central Maryland 204 W. Lanvale Street Baltimore, MD 21217
Pamela F. Corckran, Chair Work - 225-4160 Governor's Council on 435-2255 Child Abuse and Neglect suite 1502 301 West Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Donna DeBussy, Co-Chair Work - 836-8430 Maryland Coalition Against Fax - 879-3486 Sexual Assault 48 E. Gordon Street Bel Air, MD 21014
Carol M. Dugan, Executive Director Work - 547-9200 Advocates for Children & Youth Fax - 547-8690 300 Cathedral Street Suite 140 Baltimore, MD 21201
Susan Ellis Work - 547-8000 x 404 Commercial Acct. Mgr. United Way of Central Maryland 22 Light Street Baltimore, MD 21203
*BOLD - Denotes Steering committee Members
11/1/91 Judy Feldt, President Work - 974-2603 Maryland Network Against Fax - 974-5108 Domestic Violence victim Advocate state's Attorney's Office 580 Taylor Avenue Annapolis, MD 21401
Susan Fernandez, Director Work - 333-0059 Women's Services Prog., DHR Fax - 333-0392 Community services Administration Saratoga State Center 311 West Saratoga Street, Room 239 Baltimore, MD 21201
Elaine R. Fisher, Executive Director Work - 728-7021 Parent's Anonymous of Maryland Fax - 728-7034 1123 N. Eutaw Street Room 312 Baltimore, MD 21201
Donna Gaither, Executive Director Work - 396-4274 Baltimore city Commission for women 10 South Street, suite 600 Baltimore, MD 21201
Linda Gaither, Deputy Director Work - 659-7701 Friends of the Family Fax - 783-0814 1001 Eastern Avenue 2nd Floor Baltimore, MD 21202
Daisy Gee Work - 685-6800 Barton-Gillet Co. Fax - 659-0216 10 S. Gay Street Baltimore, MD 21202
Joan Y. Harris, Educational Specialist Work - 396-8642 School Social Work Service Baltimore City Public Schools 200 E. North Avenue Baltimore, MD 21202
Jann Jackson Work - 889-0840 Associate Director Fax - 889-9347 House of Ruth 2201 Argonne Drive Baltimore, MD 21218 Nancy Jacobstein Work - 217-1425 Montgomery Co. Dept. of Addiction, Fax - 625-8768 Mental Health Services victim Advocate Program 401 Hungerford Drive Rockville, MD 20850
Karen Keyser Work - 887-2734 Balto Co. Criminal Justice Cntr. Fax - 887-8017 400 Washington Avenue Room 312 Towson, MD 21204
Ellen Leiserson, Vice President Work - 377-8205 Talent and Technology, Inc. Fax - 889-9347 6507 Sherwood Road Baltimore, MD 21239
Min Leong Work - 333-2425 Assistant Branch Chief Fax - 333-2423 Pupil services Branch Division of Compensatory Education and Support Services Maryland State Department of Education 200 W. Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Susan Leviton, Associate Professor Work - 328-3840 University of Maryland Fax - 328-5856 School of Law 510 W. Baltimore Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Peggy Mainor Work - 396-1990 Assistant State's Attorney Fax - 539-5215 Baltimore City Child Abuse Unit 10 South Street, 5th Floor Baltimore, MD 21202
Debbie Matthews, Co-Chair Work - (301) 820-5600 Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault 6 W. Dover Street Easton, MD 21601
Nancy Nowak Work - 225-1834 Executive Director Fax - 333-5924 Governor's Office of Justice Asst. 301 W. Preston Street, 15th Floor Baltimore, MD 21201 Adele O'Rourke, Director Work - 768-1110 Harundale Youth & Family Service Fax - 768-1320 P.O. Box 1228 Glen Burnie, MD 21060
Rhoda K. Posner Work - 356-8383 Jewish Family Services Fax - 356-0103 Owings Center 10220 S. Dolfield Road #108 Owings Mills, MD 21117
Margaret E. Rawle Work - 333-1799 Consultant Fax - 333-6400 Services Reform Initiative 300 W. Lexington, st., Suite 306 Baltimore, MD 21201
Zena Rudo, Director Work - 576-2414 Exchange Club/Child Abuse Prevention Center of Maryland 1310 South Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21230
Adrienne E. siegel, Prog. Specialist Work - 333-0223 Family Preservation Fax - 333-0392 Social Services Administration Department of Human Resources 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 527 Baltimore, MD 21201
Joan Stine, Director Work - 227-1362 Health Education Center Fax - 333-5995 Local and Family Health Department of Health and Mental Hygiene 201 W. Preston Street Baltimore, MD 21201
Kathy Shulman Work - 625-9409 Executive Director Fax - 625-9423 Public Justice Center 101 East Redwood Street suite 2A Baltimore, MD 21202
Melissa War low Work - 955-5437 213 Woodbrook Lane Baltimore, MD 21212
Walter Wirsching Work - 333-6868 Director of Placement Services Fax - 333-2888 Department of Juvenile services 321 Fallsway Baltimore, MD 21201 , < •
Roni Young, Director Work - 396-3133 Assistant state's Attorney for Fax - 539-5215 Baltimore City Domestic Violence unit 500 E. Baltimore street, 3rd. Floor Baltimore, MD 21202
Vicky Young, Program Manager Work - 333-0223 Family Preservation Fax - 333-0392 social Services Administration 311 W. Saratoga Street, Room 527 Baltimore, MD 21201
Betsy Zaborowski, Psy. D.,P.A. Work 528-0954 Baltimore Women's Action Coalition Metropolitan Psychological Associates 10 N. Calvert Street, suite 612 Baltimore, MD 21202 • • Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence
steering Committee Meeting Minutes
November 18,1991
University of Maryland School of Social Work
Present: Jennie Bloom Ellen Lieserson Michael Cenci Nancy Nowak Susan Ellis Peggy Mainor Elaine Fisher Adrienne Siegel Sue Hecht Roni Young
1. Introductions
The following new Steering committee members were welcomed: Sue Hecht, the new President of the Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence, Nancy Nowak, Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Justice Assistance, and Jennie Bloom, Director of Training at the School of Social Work.
2. Reports from the Committees
Legislative Initiatives/Advocacy
Peggy Mainor reported that the committee met with JUdy Wolfer, Director of the Domestic Violence Legal Clinic at the House of Ruth and Kathy Schulman, Director of the Public Justice Center. There was a presentation on the need for a revised Order for Protection from Domestic Violence. A number of key groups including the Attorney General's Advisory Council on the Legal Needs of Low Income citizens have identified this as a legislative priority this year.
The Steering Committee voted to make this our legislative priority this year as well and to request a meeting with the Attorney General's group to advocate for expansion of eligibility, types of relief, and stiffer penalties for violations. Peggy Mainor agreed to have copies of background information available at the next Alliance meeting and to make a presentation about this initiative.
The Steering committee also voted to become a member of Tax Equity for All Marylanders (T.E.A.M.). An update on T.E.A.M. will be made at the Alliance meeting.
Professional Training/Coordination
Jann Jackson reported that Peg Rawle has agreed to co-chair this committee.
1 .- The committee agreed on two priorities for the year. The first priority will be the exploration of a Child Protective Services/Domestic Violence Intervention Project. The purpose of this initiative will be strengthening the relationship between these two service systems. The National Woman Abuse Prevention Project in Washington, D.C. has developed a model two year project. The Committee will review this and make recommendations for policy review, professional training and strengthening of linkages between CPS and domestic violence programs at the local level.
The second priority will be to develop teams of speakers from the Alliance to train diverse groups of professionals about effective family violence intervention.
Community Education/Public Relations
Elaine Fisher reported that the Committee met to develop short and long term goals. Short term goals include developing grassroots support for the revised Protection Order. The Public Justice Center has applied to a number of local and national foundations for funds to produce a video on the Protection Order. The format will be similar to "Plea for Justice". The Public Justice Center has asked the Alliance to support this initiative. Nancy Nowak agrred to see if the Arts Council would contribute funding for this project. The Committee will develop a strategy for promoting the viewing of the video during the legislative session.
The Steering committee discussed ideas for long term pUblic awareness. Ideas included having a media representative provide technical assistance to the Alliance, sponsoring a media conference, and inviting a representative from M.A.D.D to share their strategies.
Nancy Nowak suggested that Mike Spire from Maryland Public Television be contacted as a possible resource.
The Committee will be meeting December 4th to formalize a plan to present to the Alliance.
Fundraising
Michael Cenci reported that his committee was exploring options for obtaining staff support for the Alliance. One option is to raise $5,000 to pay the stipend for a School of Social Work, Administrative student or a legal intern. Potential sources of funding include the Maryland Bar, the Goldseker Foundation and the Macht Foundation. There was a discussion about the need for staff. The Steering Committee agreed to have a fuller discussion about this at the next Steering committee meeting,
Currently, the fundraising priorities for the year include:
2 1. Funds to complete the video on the Protection Order --- $10,000 2. Funds to sponsor a media conference ------? 3. Funds for an intern------$5,000 4. CPS/Domestic Violence Intervention Project------$20, 000
There will be a meeting with Dean Harris of the School of Social Work to establish whether the School could provide some administrative support when the Alliance begins to apply for grants. This meeting will be held December 12th at 3:30 pm.
Michael will also schedule a meeting with the Goldseker Foundation to determine their interest in funding some of these initiatives.
3 MARYLAND ALLIANCE AGAINST FAMILY VIOLENCE
December 5, 1991
To: Members of the Alliance
From: Jann Jackson and Michael Cenci, Co-Chairs
Re: Meeting
The next meeting of the Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence will be held on Monday, December 16, 1991 in Room 1 E 08 at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. The meeting will be held from 3 - 4:30 pm.
Following the meeting there will be a presentation on a newly developed Automated Catalog of Community-based Family Services by Ellen Leiserson and Peter Findlay (Please see the enclosed memo). All members of the Allaince are invited to stay for this presentation learn more about this resource.
UNIVERSITY OF KAAYLANO SCHOOl OF SOCIAL 10« 525 W. Redwood Street Baltimore. Karyland 2'201--- TALENT & TECHNOLOGY, INC.
To: ~Members of Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence From: qEllen Leiserson and Peter M. Finlay~ Subject: Presentation scheduled for 12/16/91 Alliance meeting Date: Dec. 3, 1991
Peter and I are pleased to have the opportunity to demonstrate an electronic resource identification and networking system to you at the conclusion of the business portion of the 12/16/91 Alliance meeting.
This system can help the Alliance quickly achieve two of its goals:
1) identifying ln a computerized inventory ...services aimed at prevention, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, long term treatment for victims, abuser treatment ..." (p.15);* and
2) "developing a computerized directory of available prevention and treatment services for referral purposes" (P. 18).
The George Washington University, Center for Social Policy Studies and the United Way of Central Maryland have also identified the need for a bank of resource information for an entire state; a computerized information and referral system of public and private agencies.
This computerized inventory/directory is necessary for Child Protective Services "to purchase a broad range of services (p.17), communities to determine what treatment resources need to be developed and expanded (p. 19), "health care profess ionals, business community, and clergy to publicize the availability of community resources for family violence prevention and treatment" (p.20, 21), and for substance abuse programs, domestic violence and child abuse treatment programs to effectively integrate each other's services into the treatment plan for a family with multiple problems.
The T&T system enables member agencies to be sure that they have identified every appropriate resource for a family and to measure demand and document need for specific services.
Attached to this memo is a brief description of one of several information and communication areas found in T&T's electronic network: the Automated Catalog of Community-based Family Services. Today, the catalog is an inventory of services in Baltimore City. As funds become available, T&T will inventory the services in each county in Maryland.
* All page numbers refer to Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits
2901 51. Paul Street, Suite 2B, Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (301)-783-5468 WHAT IS TALENT AND TECHNOLOGY'S AUTOMATED CATALOG? o It is a user-friendly, computerized directory of community-based family services. A search for services is simple and saves time.
CASE MANAGERS AVOID THE FRUSTRATION AND WASTE OF TIME OF SEARCHING THROUGH MANY DIFFERENT PAPER DIRECTORIES, BROCHURES AND HANDOUTS TO FIND SERVICES. o It is continually revised and updated.
CASE MANAGERS CAN DEPEND ON TALENT AND TECHNOLOGY'S TEAM OF HUMAN SERVICES EXPERTS TO IDENTIFY NEW PROGRAMS AND NEW RESOURCES, AND TO ALERT THEM TO PROGRAM CHANGES-THERE'S NO WAIT FOR THE -NEXT EDITION" BECAUSE THE AUTOMATED CATALOG IS ALWAYS CURRENT AND THE TEAM IS ALWAYS THERE. o ~ promotes creative case management. By looking once, a worker can identffy all services for a person or family w~h specffic needs, even small but valuable neighborhood services.
CASE MANAGERS CAN TAILOR THEIR SEARCH TO ONE INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY. FOR EXAMPLE, A CASE MANAGER CAN LOOK FOR ALL SERVICES FOR YOUNG BLACK MALES IN SOUTHWEST BALTIMORE WITH NO WAITING LIST. SERVICES IDENTIFIED MAY RANGE FROM HEALTH CARE TO ADULT BASIC EDUCATION TO PARENTING CLASSES TO JOB READINESS TRAINING. o It provides Information to make rapid decisions, including critical details needed to select one provider over another.
CASE MANAGERS NO LONGER NEED TO MAKE SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO FIND OUT WHICH AGENCIES PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE OR HOME OUTREACH, HAVE A LONG WAIT FOR SERVICE, OR MAKE EXCEPTIONS TO FEE OR OTHER POLICIES IN CASES OF SPECIAL NEED. o ~ is a tool for funders as well as for case managers.
FUNDERS CAN QUICKLY IDENTIFY SERVICE GAPS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE CATALOG CAN DOCUMENT SERVICES FREQUENTLY REQUESTED BUT NOT FOUND, SERVICES WITH FEWER THAN FIVE PROVIDERS, OR THOSE WITH WAITING LISTS GREATER THAN SIX MONTHS LONG. o ~ is flexible, expanding and can be customized to funders' and case managers' needs.
TALENT AND TECHNOLOGY'S HUMAN SERVICES TEAM HAS THE TRAINING AND EXPERTISE TO ANTICIPATE NEW PROGRAM AREAS OR TARGET POPULATIONS TO ADD TO THE CATALOG AND CAN QUICKLY RESPOND TO USERS' REQUESTS FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION OR TYPES OF INFORMATION. o It has a human face.
THE AUTOMATED CATALOG WILL PREVENT HEADACHES, NOT CAUSE THEMI TALENT AND TECHNOLOGY PROVIDES STAFF TRAINING IN THE USE OF THE CATALOG, TRAINING MATERIALS, ON-CALL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE DURING THE START-UP PERIOD AND INTERACTIVE ACCESS TO INDIVIDUAL TEAM MEMBERS THROUGH THE ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER OR BY TELEPHONE. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CITY OF BALTIMORE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT Division of Instructional Support Services KURT L. SCHMOKE, Mayo, 200 East North Avenue, Baltimore. Maryland 21202
December 18, 1991
Ms. Jann Jackson Associate Director House of Ruth 2201 Argonne Drive Baltimore, Maryland 21218
Dear Jann,
I am writing to inform you and the members of the steering committee of my resignation from the Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence. It has been a privilege and pleasure to have been a participant in the deliberations of the founding group --the Family Violence Coalition- -and to have assisted in the launching of this promising new organization.
I will be retiring from the Baltimore City Public Schools, effective March 1, 1992. However, I am gradually relinquishing my responsibilities in interagency and other collaborative involvements as my last day on the job will be Friday, January 24th.
'Please convey to the group my warmest wishes for a successful 1992, personally and professionally. May the alliance realize its potential as the impetus to move Maryland into the forefront of states' efforts against family violence.
Sincerely,
.~ ~oan Y. Harris, ACSW, LCSW Educational Specialist School Social Work Service jpamg
cc: Mr. Michael Cenci DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CITY OF BALTIMORE ASSOCIATE SUPERINTENDENT BUREAU OF INSTRUCTION 1601 East Lombard Street KURT L. SCHMOKE, Mayor Baltimore. Maryland 21231
July 15, 1991
Mrs. Joan Y. Harris Educational Specialist Office of Pupil Services School Social Work Service 200 E. North Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21202 Dear Mrs. Harris: Thank you for sharing a copy of the report, "Broken Bodies and Broken Spirits." 1 read the report with keen interest and benefit. You and your colleagues are to be congratulated for a trenchant, illuminating and highly pertinent report. The recommendations set forth by the Family Violence coalition are timely, cogent and needed during this period of societal tension, stress and unease. I hope, given the immense socio-economic and educational pressures which beset contemporary families that the fiscal and human resources will be forth coming to provide relief. Again, my heartfelt felicitations and best wishes as you proceed with this citywide endeavor. You can be assured of my support and cooperation. Sincerely, ~L.~ Samuel L. Bank, Ed.D Director Division of Instruction
SLB/e 1h cc: Dr. Richard C. Hunter Dr. J. Edward Andrews, Jr. Mrs. Jerrelle Francois Mr. Lester McCrea Per sonne1 File
Table of Contents
Preface ii Acknowledgements iii Executive Summary iv
Family Violence I Scope of the Problem Background Incidence in Maryland Problems in Identifying Abuse and Providing Services Personal and Social Costs of Abuse
Woman Abuse 5 Definition of Domestic Violence Power and Control: The Roots of Abuse The Woman's Perspective Problems Women Face When Leaving Abusive Relationships General Principles: Ending Abuse of Women
Child Abuse and Neglect 9 Physical Abuse Sexual Abuse Emotional Abuse Neglect Effective Intervention to Protect Children Legal Issues General Principles: Ending Abuse of Children
Recommendations IS I: Public and Private Leadership 2: The Legal System 3: Family Preservation Services 4: Juvenile Services 5: Public Agencies 6: Human Services 7: Substance Abuse Programs 8: Health Care 9: Schools 10: Employers II: Religious Community 12: Public Awareness
Implementing the Changes 23 The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence
Appendices 25 Appendix A: Contriburors To The Family Violence Coalition Appendix B: Needed Services Appendix C: Guidelines for Barterers Programs Appendix D: A Note on Sources Preface
Recognizing the rising numbers of reported child maltreatment and woman abuse cases in Maryland, the Morris Goldseker Foundation of Maryland in October, 1989 launched a project to develop an informed response to this complex social problem. Ultimately, the effort brought together advocates and policy makers from metropolitan Baltimore who are directly involved with these statewide issues. They worked to identify and plan an effective, coordinated response to family violence in Maryland. The current economic uncertainty (which increases pressures on families and reduces funding for human service programs), spreading drug use in our communities, juvenile delinquency, and daily reports of violence in the streets lent a sense of urgency to the Foundation's consideration of family violence. Such a report is long overdue. In February, 1990, a diverse group of family violence experts was convened and has met monthly ever since. This group, the Family Violence Coalition, was created to promote more open dialogue between public and private sectors involved in family violence issues and to unite the related issues of child and woman abuse which are typically addressed separately. Drawing upon many years of collective expertise, the Family Violence Coalition also sought to define more effective, economic ways to protect the victims of family violence and to support the development of healthy family interactions. This report is the product of a collaborative process. It offers a description of the problems facing men, women, and children in violent relationships. In its recommendations, the Coalition presents a mood for an integrated community- based response to woman abuse and child maltreatment, one of the first such models to be developed in the country. While not pleasant to read, it provides the requisite understanding of the pain and frustration that underlie abusive experi- ences. Confronting the dark side of human behavior is essential if thiscommunity is to take the necessary, pragmatic steps toward a more responsive system. The Coalition supports the initiatives of the Governor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families, the Department of Human Resources, and the Governor's Office of Justice Assistance. It also applauds the efforts of existing coalitions addressing aspects offamily violence issues. In addition, the Coalition recognizes that no public or private effort can stand alone and that success will depend upon the active participation of all sectors of the community. Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits: Family Violence in Maryland and Recommendations for Change presents not only a critical analysis of family violence but also a vision for broad-based social change. It suggests practical steps toward the coordination of services for people whose problems cut across agency boundaries. Clearly, we can no longer afford the price of failing to protect our most vulnerable citizens. The Coalition believes we must challenge the personal and professional attitudes that support abuse and dominance in the family and hopes that this report sparks productive dialogue and leads to creative new partnerships throughout Maryland.
ii Acknowledgements Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits: Family Violence Issues in Maryland and Recommenda- tions for Change is the result of the energy, commitment, and dedication of all the members of the Family Violence Coalition in espousing their ideas and concerns and in reaching common ground. The Family Violence Coalition is made up of:
Diane G. Cabot, Executive Director Susan Leviton, Associate Professor Mental Health Association of University of Maryland Metropolitan Baltimore School of Law
Michael Cenci, Assistant Executive Peggy Mainor, Assistant State's Director, Family & Children's Attorney for Baltimore City Services of Central Maryland Child Abuse Unit
Pamela F. Corckran, Chair Janice Parks, Executive Director Governor's Council on Family Preservation Initiative- Child Abuse and Neglect Baltimore City
Carol M. Dugan, Executive Director Adrienne E. Siegel, Advocates for Children & Youth Program Specialist, Family Preservanon-i-Offlce of Family and Elaine R. Fisher, Executive Director Children's Services, Social Services Parent's Anonymous of Maryland Administration, Department of Human Resources Daisy Gee Barten-Gillet Co. Rosalie Streett, Executive Director Friends of the Family Joan 'f. Harris, Educational Specialist Sc.liQpLSocial Work Service Lawrence Wissow, M.D. Ba tlmore City Public Schoo"ls--- Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Johns Hopkins Hospital [ann Jackson, Associate Director House of Ruth Roni Young, Assistant State's Attorney for Baltimore City, Ellen Leiserson Domestic Violence Unit Human Services Consultant
Stanley A. Levi, Executive Director Family & Children's Services of Central Maryland
Elaine Fisher, Ellen Leiserson, and [ann Jackson deserve special mention for the significant time and effort they have devoted to the process. Others who partici- pated in discussions and commented on drafts appear in Appendix A. Many people helped transform this report from its numerous drafts to finished product. I am thankful to Tetri Robertazzi, Executive Assistant of the Goldseker Foundation, for her typing skill, dedication and good humor. I am especially grateful to Anne Dugan, Program Director of the Goldseker Foundation, for her thoughtful advice and guidance. Finally, it is due to the vision and support of Timothy Armbruster, the Foundation's President, that this project was under- taken. I thank him for creating this opportunity and the Trustees and Selection Committee of the Foundation for making it possible.
Melissa McG Warlow Project Director June 1991
iii Executive Summary The problem of family violence-woman abuse and child abuse and neglect- knows no economic or social barriers. In Maryland, about 16,000 cases of spousal assault were reported last year (the vast majority of victims are women). In 1990, close to 25,000 cases of child maltreatment were investigated. While these numbers are staggering, they reflect only a fraction of the real number of such incidents across our State. Veiled in shame, social taboo. and tradition, most occurrences of family violence go unreported. Even in cases that are reported, many of the same taboos that operate within families also operate in Maryland's legal and social systems. Choked with technical roadblocks and often operating at cross purposes, these systems fail to respond to the scope of the problem. Because of a lack of integration between and among systems, the roots of violence are rarely uncovered or addressed. This report is an opportuniryfor Maryland to take the lead in involving all sectors in creatinga fully integrated community response to family violence. Stemming the increase in family violence demands vigorous efforts on several fronts. This report includes, in addition to a clear discussion of the scope and severity of the problem, twelve concrete recommendations for legislators, social service providers, and community leaders to follow as they chart a social agenda that is intolerant of family violence. Many of these recommendations focus on using existing services better or integrating the efforts of various agencies already fighting the problem. Others call for new laws or better enforcement of ones already on the books. Finally, this report calls for theestablishrnentof theMaryland Alliance Against Family Violence. This organization, building on the work of the Coalition brought together to draft this report, will work to implement the changes recommended herein, advocate for more and better laws to protect victims of violence, and educate the public about the scope of this most devastating of social ills.
iv Family Violence
In this report the term family violence includes the neglect and abuse-physical, Scope of the Problem psychological, and/or sexual-of women and children. These behaviors can be found in any neighborhood. They know no racial or class distinctions. Family violence has been part of all cultures since earliest recorded history, but ithas been obscured behind a veil of denial and shame. One prevalent myth holds that abuse within the family is neither frequent nor Each year in America, approxi- severe. Research tells us otherwise: In 1989, the nation's daily average for numbers of reported child abuse cases reached 6,500. On average, there were three deaths mately 4 million women are per day recorded asa result. Violence will occur at least once in halfof all marriages. abused by their partners, and 2 .4 The American Medical Association reports that men's physical abuse of their million children are abused by female partners occurs more frequently and causes more serious injuries to women their parents. than incidents of rape, mugging, and car accidents combined. Each year in America, approximately 4 million women are abused by their partners, and 2.4 million children are abused by their parents.
The histories of the abuse of women and of children are intertwined. Historically, Background women and children were considered the property of the husband or father to do with as he wished. These notions changed little over the course of thousands of years. English Common Law gave the father absolute authority over his children. The 16th Century English maxim "Spare the rod and spoil the child" twisted a biblical reference tochild rearing into a license to use force in discipliningchildren (in the Bible, the "rod" referred to a shepherds crook, and the idea was that without guidance, the child would go astray). The "Rule of Thumb" which permitted a husband to beat his wife with a rod no thicker than his thumb was a liberal reform enacted in the 19th Century to provide a small measure of protection to women. Generally, wives and children possessed no legal status or rights under the law and lacked any legal remedy against physical abuse and neglect. It was not until the 1870s in the United States thatstatecourrs began ro rule that a manwas not legally entitled to beat his wife. Since the late 1970s almost every state has passed some It was not until the I870s in the form of legislation to redefine "domestic dispute" as a serious crime. United States that state courts Prior to the famous 1874 case of "Mary Ellen" in New York City, there was no began to rule that a man was not mandate for anyone to enforce the existing laws preventing cruelty to children. legally entitled to beat his wife. Mary Ellen was a foundling. Indentured in 1866 at the age of eighteen months, she was severely and repeatedly maltreated by her guardians until she was removed from their home by the New York Supreme Court in 1874. The New York TImes covered the criminal court proceedings. Intense public indignation resulted in the establishment in 1874 of the New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This new organization set out to investigate maltreatment allegations and take responsibility for abused and neglected children in New York City. Mary Ellen's case sparked the child protection movement in the United States, ultimately giving responsibility to the states to search out and protecr children at risk of abuse and neglect. The correlation between woman and child abuse in the family is very strong. In homes where the mother is abused, children are abused and neglected at a rate
1 Family Violence
fifteen times the national average. Indeed. the single most common factor among mothers of abused children is the fact that they, too, are being battered. Several national studies have found that in 70 percent of families where the woman is battered, children are battered as well. One study found that abused mothers were eight times more likely to batter their children when these mothers were with their abusive partners than when they were not. Like all children, the children of violent families learn from their experiences-and they are more likely to establish similar abusive relationships with their own children.
Incidence in Maryland Until recently, little protection has been available to victims of family violence. The first child abuse law was not passed in Maryland until 1963. No shelters for battered women existed in the State until 1977 .Only since 1989 has it been legally possible for a husband to be charged with raping his wife. The Maryland State Police report about 16,000 cases of spousal assault in 1990. The vast majority of victims are women. Research suggests, however, that the Only since 1989 has it been actual incidence is at least twice that. Only 10-50 percent of adult victims ever legally possible for a husband to call the police. Even when they do, only one jurisdiction out of twenty four be charged with raping his wife. requires written reports. 1t is safe to assume that the number of reported cases gravely underrepresents the reality of the problem. Similar problems undermine efforts to gauge the extent of child abuse and neglect in the State. In 1990, 24,945 cases of child maltreatment were investigated in Maryland: 9,504 for physical abuse, 4,003 for sexual abuse, and 11,438 for neglect. Of these investigations 8,332 cases met the criteria to be considered "indicated" Because national estimates indicate thatonly 1 in 10 incidents of child maltreatment is actually brought to the attention of local authorities, it is possible that83,320 Maryland children were living in abusive environments in 1990. The figure may be even higher because some cases of abuse and neglect are screened out for lack of informarion or by mistake before the investigation is undertaken.
Problems in Identifying Abuse and Providing In cases where abuse is investigated, sufficient evidence to justify the involvement Services of child protective services is often difficult to come bYi without it, such cases are considered "unsubstantiated". In Baltimore City, the majority of abused children are under the age of six. These children are often unwilling or unable to accurately describe the alleged incident. Even if a case is substantiated, caretakers often view the Child Protective Services (CPS) worker or police as a threat. Fearing prosecution, they may deny the abuse or neglect. In cases of sexual abuse, physical evidence may be inconclu- sive. Compounding these technical difficulties, the State has allocated only 5 I4 staff positions-which are nor necessarily filled-to handle the 24,945 investiga- tions and to provide services to approximately 13,300 new and on-going cases in 1990. Often, traditional legal, mental health, juvenile and social services do not accurately identify serious risk of family violence. Even when they do, they frequently fail to mobilize the resources needed to stop abuse and neglect or to provide long-term protection, support, and treatment for victims, or proper rehabilitation for perpetrators. Public and private agencies rely largely on re-
2 Family Violence
srricred funding which limits spending to specific problems or programs. Child protective services lack the flexible dollars needed for housing, job training, or other programs to help families. Lack of coordination among federal, state, and In FY90, the Baltimore Zoo spent local governmental agencies only makes the problem worse. twice as much money to care for This lack of coordination is sadly ironic and extremely expensive. For example, animals as the State spent to a child of a homeless battered mother may be placed in foster care at a cost far provide safety for women and exceeding that of renting the family an apartment. Extensive research links children in all of its eighteen delinquency to a history of abuse in childhood, but the child protection and shelters. juvenile service systems rarely work together. These services will need to be coordinated in order to view and treat a delinquent youth as both offender and victim. When funding is available. it is often inadequate. For example, the State spends only $1.4 million on eighteen domestic violence programs in Maryland. These programs are unable to serve many families seeking safety. One program alone was forced to turn away eight hundred battered women and children due to lack of space. In FY90, the Baltimore Zoo spent twice as much money to care for animals as the State spent to provide safety for women and children in all eighteen shelters. When we fail to stop abuse in the family, the cost to the community is enormous. State funds are pre-empted to pay for the increasing costs of child maltreatment investigations and foster care and so are diverted from preventive services. Maryland's expenditures for out-of-horne and out-of-state care reached $212,000,000 in FY89. State expenditures resulting from family violence also show up in medical and menral health clinics, drug rehabilitation programs, special education services, and police, court and prison costs. As a result, funds are generally not available to purchase in-home counseling, therapy, and supportive services for victims of family violence. These kinds of programs have proven to be both far more cosr-effective and humane. For example, Parents Anonymous of Maryland can run a school-based support group for ten adolescents for approximately $2000 an academic year. The average cost per family of Maryland's Intensive Family Services, a program to strengthen families and to prevent the removal of children from their homes, is $2,400. By comparison, the average annualized cost to maintain a child in out-of-home placement exceeds $20,000.
Personal and Social Violence in the family has multiple destructive effects upon its victims. When Costs of Abuse children suffer emotional maltreatment they become unable to express feelings in socially acceptable ways and may resort to a pattern of estrangement, alienation, self-deprecation, and depression. Children growing up in violent homes do not even need to be phvstcallv abused to rake on delinquent behaviors. A 1985 study by the Massachusetts Department of Youth Service Study found that children growing up in violent homes are:
• 24 times more likely to commit sexual assault crimes; • 50 percent more likely to abuse drugs and/or alcohol; • 74 percent more likely to commit crimes against another person; • six times more likely to commit suicide.
3 Family Vialence
One study of criminal inmates found mat 90 percent had been abused as A Massachusetts study found that children. The 1990 University of Georgia report "Maltreatment and the School children growing up in violent Aged Child" found mat abused children had serious academic problems andsocio- homes are 74 percent more likely emotional difficulties as well. to commit crimes against another The abuse of women by their partners results in erosion of their ability to person. function as productive adults. As the abuse escalates in frequency and severity, increasing amounts of time and energy are consumed with recovering from the physical effects of the abuseor anticipating the next attack. A woman may lose her job because of her partner's harassment. She may become homeless in her efforts to flee her partner. Some women may develop debilitating depression or anxiety mat interferes with their ability to see what limited options are available. Some tum to substance abuse in response to their pain and helplessness. Tragically, woman abuse also leads ro death. In 1990, seventy women in Maryland were killed by their partners.
4 I Woman Abuse
While domestic violence occurs in all racial, religious, and socioeconomic groups, it does not OCcutequally between genders. The FBI reports that 95 percent of the assailants are men and 95 percent of the victims are women. (In this paper, we assume the batterer is a male and the victim is a female, acknowledging that this will be untrue 5 percent of the tirne.)
Domestic violence includes the following criminal acts when committed by one Definition of Domestic person against an intimate partner: assault and battery, sexual assault, use of a Violence deadly weapon, harassment, malicious destruction of property, failure to obey court orders, and any other crime connected with violence and/or coercion of the partner. Abusers also employ a hosr of tactics that, while not criminal acts in themselves, seek to control and terrify their victims. This may include excessive jealousy and isolating a victim by restricting money, transportation or contact with friends or family. Battered women routinely report receiving every manner of threat: threats of death or disfigurement, of psychological abuse and degradation, of beating the children if they violate his orders. Once a person has used physical force to get his way, the mere threat of using it again usually ends any and all discussions.
Historically, men's abuse of women was thought to be caused by factors such as Power and Control: anger, stress, low self-esteem or substance abuse. Today, experts believe that while The Roots of Abuse each of these may be present, they do not in themselves cause men's abusiveness; many people experience any or all of these conditions without a violent response. The root cause can be found in some men's belief that they are entitled to maintain control and dominance over their partners, that if they can force their partners to dowhar theywant, they will feel better. In thei r battle for control and power, these men resort to threats, intimidation, and physical abuse. Many of these men are modeling behavior they witnessed as children. A Baltimore City study in 1983 A Baltimore City study in 1983 found that75 percentof men being seen in a barterers program reported witnessing found that 75 percent of men seen their fathers beat their mothers and 50 percent reported being abused as children. in a batterers program reported The vast majority of abusers are not violent outside the family and often choose witnessing their fathers beat their nonviolent solutions to problems with friends and co-workers. This supports the mothers; 50 percent reported view that battering is a learned behavior that is used when the abuser thinks he being abused as chiklren. will benefit and not suffer negative consequences. Until recently, our laws, institutions, and cultural attitudes have supported this belief. Many abusive men are also addicted to drugs and alcohol. However, there is no guarantee that a reformed alcoholic or drug addict will stop being violent. Only treatment that confronts abuse as well as addiction can hope to help these people-and their partners. Batterers usually deny or minimize their behavior. They blame their partners for their violence. They do not seek help voluntarily, Educational or therapeutic approaches that do not challenge these attitudes usually can not end the abuse.
5 WomonAbuse
The Woman's A question frequently asked about a battered woman is: "Why does she St1ly?" Perspective A woman is trapped with her abusive partner because she is emotionally involved with the barterer, economically dependent, reluctant to tear children away from their home and community, fearful that the abuser will harm the children if she leaves and, ultimately, fearful of being tracked down and seriously injured or killed if the batterer finds her. Studies conducted in domestic violence programs show that battered women experience a variety of emotions and employ a wide range of strategies to end the abuse. At first, the woman may experience shock, disbelief, and confusion. She may believe her partner's promise that it will never happen again. She is ashamed If the police fail to arrest the to tetl others about me abuse because it is a "private" family matter, she wonders batterer, or if a doctor's response Ifshe caused the abuse as he says; orshe believes she should be able to stop the abuse is to prescribe a tranquilizer, the without help. She begins to change what she says and does because her partner blames her behavior for his actions. victim may conclude that no one When these efforts to adjust fail, she may overcome her shame and the realistic can, or will, stop the abuse. fear that her partner will violently punish her, and turn to the police or another professional. If the police fail to arrest the barterer, or if a doctor's response is to prescribe a tranquilizer, the victim may conclude that no one can, or will, stop the abuse. She may not reach out for help again. Professional counselors often view low self-esteem as the cause of a woman's victimization, as opposed to the understandable consequence. The counselor maydiagnose the victim as "masoch- istic", "passive-dependent" or "codependent" and direct treatment toward strengthening the woman's ability to stand up for herself and her children. If the victim applies such suggestions, she may increase her risk of injury.
Problems Women Face The legal system is the only institution in our community with the authority to When Leaving Abusive stop an abuser. However, battered women who seek help from thepoliceandcourts Relationships face overwhelming obstacles. No jurisdiction in the State has the kind of integrated approach necessary to ensure victim safety. Battered women who initiate legal proceedings face uncertain consequences. Unlike victims of stranger-to-stranger crimes, they confront increased risks of retaliation. The abuser continues to have access to her home, work, friends, and family. He can pressure her to drop the charges. The legal system presents distasteful challenges, as well. A woman may find herself forced to share humll- iati ngexperiences with dozensofprofessionals in countlessofficesci the bureaucracy. She may receive contradictory information and advice. If these professionals fail to use their authority to stop the abuser, her life may be in danger. In Maryland, police have the authority to arrest an abuser if there is probable cause that an assaul t occurred. However, victims routinely report that police often do not use their authori tv to arrest. Victims are also vulnerable when court com .. missioners release abusers before the trial without warning. Claiming that the victims often refuse to testify, some Maryland State's Attorney's Offices are reluctant to prosecute these cases. What they fail to understand is that in many cases, the abuser has used this pre-trial period to do what he does best: threaten his partner with violence if she cooperates with the prosecution.
6 Woman Abuse
The Maryland Special Joint Committee (The Court of Appeals of Maryland and the Maryland State Bat Association) on Gender Bias found serious judicial initiate bias in the handling of these cases. Victims reported that judges did not take their Battered women who legal cases seriously and did not use their authority to sanction assailants. Since few proceedings face uncertain conse- jurisdictions have the means to monitor how these cases are handled through the quences. system, there is no guarantee that graded sanctions will be enforced each time an abuser fails to comply with a court order. The current system leaves victimsfeeling intimidated, overburdened, and unprotected. It is no wonder many fail to pursue legal options. In the custodv arena, evidence of battering against the mother is often viewed by the courts as an irrelevant issue, particularly if it is assumed that the violence does not affect the children. Instead, me courts tend to give custody to the parent who will best facilitate the noncustodial parent's relationship with the child. Because the abusive partner is exactly the person she is trying to avoid, this tendency foreesan untenable dilemma upon the battered mother: choose between custody rights and her own safety. Women who are reluctant to pursue criminal charges can file a civil petition for emergency protection from domestic violence. In FY89, 4,500 such petitions were filed in Maryland. This order can force an abuser to vacate the home for up to 30 days, grant temporary child custody to the nonabusing parent, order the barterer to stop all abusive behavior. and order him into treatment. While many women welcome this civil order as an alternative to criminal charges, the Maryland Order for the Protection from Domestic Violence statute isamong the most limited and inadequate protection orders in the United States. Under the statute, only married women or women who have a child in common with their abuser may file for a protection order. The court may order the abuser out of the home for only 30 days for each abusive incident, after which time the abuser is free to return. Thirty days is clearly insufficient time for most women to find alternative housing. Furthermore, temporary financial support is rarely ordered by the court in protection order hearings. Consequently, while most women obtain exclusive use of the family home, they do not gain the financial resources to live independently for those 30 days. Violations of the order to vacate are punishable through criminal arrest and incarceration, but the other provisions of the order are enforceable only through The current system leaves victims the more cumbersome civil contempt remedies. Efforts to expand the definition of who is eligible, what relief is available, and the penalties for violation have faced feeling intimidated, overburdened, stiff opposition in the Maryland General Assembly. and unprotected. To obtain relteffor more than 30 days, the woman must apply in Circuit Court for an emergency hearing ora limited divorce. Both procedures require an attorney and significant amounts of time to obtain any relief no formal procedure exists to expedite the process in this court. Legal Aid services are not available in proportion to the numbers of women needing them, and private attorney fees are beyond the reach of most women. If the victim pursues either civil or criminal remedies, she may be subjected to violent retaliation after the court order is served on her abuser. Twenty percent of all domestic assaults in Maryland occur after a woman has separated from her
7 Woman Abuse
partner. A significant number of homicides and permanent disabling injuries are inflicted after the woman has left. The economic barriers faced by a mother of young children leaving a male provider are daunting. Many counties in Maryland do not have any temporary shelter. Lack oflow cost housing, child care, and job training confront most abused women with difficult choices: take the children out on to the street, leave the children with the abuser, orremain with the abuser and the children in the home. Even when an abuser is arrested, prosecuted and convicted, there may be negative consequences for the victim. If the abuser goes to jail, the family is likely to be deprived of the income necessary to maintain the household. Women's responses to their abuse vary. Some flee their abusers and attempt to rebuild their lives with help from domestic violence programs. Some feel hopeless and seek escape through substance abuse. Others attempt escape through suicide or homicide. In February, 1991 Governor William Donald Schaefer commuted the sentences of eight battered women convicted of killing or assaulting their partners. These women were not permitted to present evidence of their abuse at trial. This year the Maryland General Assembly passed legislation which would allow courts to hear evidence of "The Battered Spouse Syndrome" in such trials.
General Principles: To end the abuse of women in the family, the Maryland community mustendorse Ending Abuse of a shared philosophy. The unequivocal message must be that abuse is a crime. Laws Women must be established and enforced to give the message meaning. The first priority of any intervention must be the safety of the victim. Any other priority, no matter how well meaning, may further endanger the woman and her children. To protect the victim, intervention must be focused on holding the abuser accountable for ending his violence. To ensure safety and to help the victim establish financial independence, the legal system, domestic violence programs, and tteatment and service providers must coordinate their efforts. When the battered woman turns for help to friends, relatives, employers, the The first priority of any legal or social services system, doctors, therapists, or clergy, each person must: intervention must be the • understand the dynamics of abuse; safety of the victim. • support the victim's right to make decisions to protect herself and her children; • help the victim develop a safety plan; • offer services that are sensitive to the woman's cultural background, • advocate for her to get protective remedies from the court and needed economic support and treatment services; • hold the abuser accountable and ensure adequate court ordered batterers treatment programs; • cooperate with other agencies involved with the family; • advocate for systemic change to provide safe havens for battered women and their children and sufficient resources to help them achieve economic independence.
8 Child Abuse and Neglect
There are important similarities and differences between woman and child abuse. Both practices stem from deep rooted belief systems that find support in law and custom. The dynamics of woman abuse have become clear due to the courage of battered women speaking out even when doing so defies tradition. But in the case of child abuse, recognition and treatment can prove even more difficult than woman abuse; social taboos against the violation offamily integrity combine with the helplessness of children to conspire against its discovery and exposure. In this light, the need to create a safe environment for children to speak out is critical as well.
While it isconsidered the parent's right and responsibility to control the child, the Physical Abuse belief that corporal punishment is a valid, necessary, and effective method of controlling children can lead to physical and emotional injury. Many parents either lack the knowledge or do not believe that there are other more effective ways to set necessary limits on a child's behavior. As adults. parents can block their own experiences of abuse in childhood. As a result, they may lack empathy for their own children. They may find it difficult The belief that corporal punish- to respond to their child's needs because they are preoccupied with resolving childhood distresses of their own. Their parenting behavior is modeled on what ment is valid and effective can their parents did to them. The cycle of abuse continues as they pass their lead to physical and eTTWtional experiences on to their own children. injury. In homes where the mother is battered, children are abused in a number of ways. The March of Dimes reports that between 25 percent and 45 percent of all battered women are abused during pregnancy, thereby increasing the risks of birth defects and low birth-weight babies. Children living in thefamily may be injured during these episodes if they happen to be nearby or if they come to their mother's defense. These children are also sometimes direct victims of parental abuse. They, in tum. may abuse their younger or weaker brothers and sisters. Abuse of the mother often interferes with her capacity to meet her children's needs. The abuser may obstruct her efforts to protect her children. It can also contribute to her abuse of the children. Confronting and stopping abuse of the mother has the power to significantly diminish the risk of further abuse of the child. Treatment for battered women who abuse their children must provide a delicate balance of assigning responsibilities and providing support: the mother must be held accountable for ending her abusive behavior, but she must also be encouraged in her efforts to protect herself.
Children may also be abused sexually. According to David Finkelhor, the vast Sexual Abuse majority of abusers are male and the majority of victims are girls. Nationwide it is estimated that one out of every four children is sexually assaulted befare the age of eighteen (one outof three girls and one out of five boys). In 85 percent of reported assaults the child knows the molester. When a child is abused sexually by a family member, a viral trust is broken. However the abuser may rationalize his behavior, he wrongfully feels entitled to
9 Child Abuse and Neglect
use the child sexually to meet his own emotional needs and his need for power and It is estimated that one out of control. The confusion and psychological shock to the child is great. Notonly has the abuser failed in his role as protector, but actually becomes the aggressor to the every four chiklren is sexually child. This perversion of family roles leaves the child with severe emotional assaulted before the age of damage. eighteen in America. In 85 Molested children also feel betrayed when a non-offending parent knows wha t percent of reported cases, the is happening but does nothing to protect the child. Once abuse is discovered by chikl knows the molester. authorities, some non-offending parents deny it occurred or blame the child for instigating the sexual relationship. There can be many reasons why these non- offending parents do not act. They are themselves often intimidated and threat- ened by the abuser. They may fear that their families will fall apart if they take action or pursue prosecution of the offender. Equally traumatic for male and female victims, the scars of sexual abuse often manifest themselves in anguished and destructive behaviors. Girls may develop eating disorders, run awav from home, become sexually promiscuous, and, in some cases, become prostitutes. Recycling the destructive patterns of childhood, sexually abused girls run a high risk of becoming involved in subsequent abusive relationships. In addition, several surveys of female prison inmates indicate that more than 75 percent of them reported being sexually abused as children. Boys are more prone to aggressive and hostile acts against other people and are at increased risk of becoming sex offenders. Between 90 and 95 percent of all male sex offenders were themselves abused as children.
Emotional Abuse While emotional abuse is not specifically addressed in the Family Law Article of the Annouuea Code of Maryland, the neglect statute does cover incidents where improper care puts the child's health or welfare at risk of significant harm. Emorional abuse can often have more devastating consequences for child devel- opment than physical abuse. It is more damaging to the child's self-esteem and is less likely to be interspersed with any positive interactions between parent and child. Emotional maltreatment frequently takes the forms of verbal abuse, exces- sive demands on a child's performance, rejection, inappropriate control, ignoring, isolating, terrorizing or corrupting. In a Minnesota longitudinal study of high risk children, emotional abuse was related to decreasing IQ's and the highest rate of school failure among all the forms of abuse. Because emotional abuse can resul t in a negative self- image and disturbed behavior on the part of the child, the likelihood of the child becoming a victimizer increases dramatically. Researchers report that victims have trouble recognizing and appreciating the needs and feelings of others. As these children grow into Emotional abuse can often have adolescence, they often find it difficult to trust others or to participate fully in more devastating consequences interpersonal relationships. Emotional abuse erodes an adolescent's ability to for chikl development than make wise and sound choices. It erodes a child's sense of humanity. physical abuse.
10 Child Abuse and Neglect
Child neglect is more prevalent than physical abuse, and results in just as many Neglect fatalities. Parents neglect their children in a variety of ways. They may fail to provide available housing. They may not feed their children properly or at all. They may neglect their child's need for medical attention and supervised care. In many cases, these parents lack the knowledge necessary to provide appropriate care for their child. They may be emotionally or psychologically unprepared to defer gratification of their own needs long enough to nurture their children. The child comes to believe that he Parents who were themselves neglected children are often unable to empathize or she deserves the abuse, that the with their own child. Furthermore, they may believe that meeting even the child's parent does it for his or her own basic needs will "spoil" the child and make the child "too soft" to survive in a good. "tough world". The neglected or abused child has a difficul t time finding any kind of effective protection. To compensate, the child will likely attempt to overcome feelings of vulnerability, helplessness, and pain by identifying with the abusive parent. The child comes to believe that heor she deserves the abuse, that the parent does itfor his or her own good. Parents often threaten to break up the family if the child tells the truth. If the child does tell an adult of the abuse or neglect, he or she risks physical punishment, disbelief, ridicule, stigmatization and perhaps loss of the parent or the parent's love. Abusive and neglectful parents have established a poor track record of enrolling in and completing traditional educational/treatment programs. Effec- rive non-traditional programs do exist in Maryland. However, these family and community-based programs are not currently receiving adequate funding to make them available to the many families who need them.
There are many reasons why our community fails to protect abused and neglected EHective Intervention children. As private individuals, we tend to hesitate in judging whether child to Protect Children maltreatment is taking place. Even when we recognize a viable case, we hesitate recall for state intervention in someone's private life. We are certain the offending parents will deny any wrongdoing. We fear they may retaliate against U5-{)r the child. We question our own right to take action, even when we believe action is necessary. We tell ourselves that there is no point in reporting the case to the State because the "authorities" are too overwhelmed to be effective. We decide that the family will probably be able to "get off the hook" anyway and avoid intervention. And so we do nothing. Despite the fact that there were Physicians, nurses, child care workers, teachers, neighbors, and extended 613 confirmed cases of child family members may all have contact with maltreated children. For a child to sexual abuse in Baltimore City in receive effective intervention, one or more of these persons must report the abuse or neglect toeither the legal system or to child protective services. Maryland is still 1989, the Baltimore City SexlWI in the process of implementing a uniform risk assessment method for determining Abuse Treatment Program was if the child is safe at home and if maltreatment is likely to occur in the future. dismantled in 1990. However, this does not mean that mal treatment cannot be substantiated. Itcan- but only when it is reported. Maryland's Family Law Article 5-710 states that if maltreatment is substanti- ated, "the local department shall render the appropriate services in the best
II Child Abuse and Neglect
interests of the child." This can translate into a variety of services. However, sufficient funds have not been allocated to fulfill this mandate. Services vary depending on local and state budgets. For example, despite the fact that there were 613 confirmed cases of sexual abuse in Baltimore City in 1989, the Baltimore City Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (one of the few treatment programs available to indigent child victims and adult abusers) was largely dismantled due ro state budget cuts in August, 1990. Itwas completely shutdown two months later. Another example is the Consent Decree in L.]. v. Massinga that requires the U.S. District Court for Maryland to oversee the services provided by Baltimore City to meet the education and heal th needs of foster children. Recently adopted foster care regulations for the State reflect the Consent Decree standards except for caseload requirements.
Legal Issues In 1963, the Maryland legislature added the State's first physical abuse statute to its Family Law Articles. In 1974 the first sexual abuse language was included, and in 1978 it became mandatory for professionals-health professionals, lawen- forcement officers, educators, and human service workers-to report cases of neglect. These provisions require local child protection agencies to investigate reports of abuse and neglect. They also authorize them to provide services to children and families. In serious cases, agencies must go to court to achieve appropriate intervention through court orders which can include removing the child from the home and compelling the parents to undergo treatment. Heavy caseloads and inadequate staffing in the civil court system of Maryland make enforcement of these procedures slow and impractical. Attorneys represent- Heavy caseloads and inadequate ing the local departments of social service, the child, and the family are likewise staffing in the civil court system of overburdened, reducing the overall qualityof representation. Many juvenile court Maryland make enforcement of masters and judges lack training in the dynamics of family violence and must operate under juvenile court rules established primarily to deal with delinquency procedures slow and impractical. cases. These rules are often not effective when applied to abuse proceedings. Finally, courtrooms and public areas assigned to juvenile cases are far inferior to space assigned to other matters. Criminal prosecution of physical and sexual abuse is covered by the Annotated Code of Maryland, Article 27 ,Crimes and Punishments. While there is no criminal law dealing specifically with child neglect, there is a law that prohibits contribut- ing to causing a child to be "in need of assistance" or"in need of supervision". This has been used to prosecute for child neglect in Baltimore City but it is not Widely used. The State's Attorney's Offices are hampered in their efforts to prosecute child abusers because of current legal restrictions. Not only is it difficult to qualify a young child to testify in court, but prosecutors are also not allowed to enter into evidence children's out-of-court statements to professionals about their abuse. Children are often terrified of testifying before their abusers in court. They may only feel safe confiding their experiences to a trained professional in a private setting. Failing to allow this evidence prevents the legal system from proceeding in many cases.
12 Child Abuse and Neglect
If the COUttsdecide to remove a child from the home, that child becomes the responsibility of the State, and the State is all too aware that it is not the best source Children are often terrified of of care for a child. Children who have been removed from their homes face serious testifying before their abusers. trauma from this separation. The trauma is compounded if the removal reinforces the child's view that she or he is the one to blame. All too often these children receive no treatment. They are likely to face a lengthy period as wards of the State, since the average length of stay in foster care is twenty, one months. Added to this is the insecurity created by multiple foster care placements. The Foster Care Review Board reported that 57 percent of the 7,300 Maryland children in placement from October 1987 to September 1988 had been moved three or more times. In addition to the lack of resources, there is no shared vision regarding the proper response to maltreated children and their abusers. And because there is no shared vision, there is no integrated approach to balancing civil remedies with criminal proceedings and treatment options for abusers. Historically, we have operated on the belief that less state intervention in family affairs is best. Because child abuse has been considered a family matter rather than a crime, it has been dealt with principally in the juvenile rather than criminal courts. The compelling tragedy of family violence, however, requires the courts to become more actively involved in family matters. The criminal court, while capable of dispensing punishment, does not always do so. A criminal court response without supportive services is often ineffective or destructive. Treatment alone may not work andean endanger the child if not backed by consequences that take precedence over parental prerogative.
To end child mal treatment, Maryland must develop a wide- spread, well. informed, General Principles: and fervent public conviction that children must not be abused or neglected. A Ending Abuse of coordinated system of intervention must be created to ensure each child's safety. Children Abusive parents must be provided treatment to beak the cycle and learn ways to change their behavior. Victims must be provided treatment to ameliorate the effects of abuse. Choices about intervention should be made using the standard of what is best for the child, not what is most expedient for the State. The child's needs should be paramount--even if it means that the abuser, not the child, is compelled to leave the home. Our community must mobilize the local resources necessary to reach parents with information, education, and support for effective parenting, to dispel the myths and beliefs that lead to child abuse and neglect. Appropriate intervention and treatment must be available for both child and The child's needs should be adult victims of abuse in their community. paramount---even if it means that We believe that every child deserves to live without fear of being victimized the abuser, not the child, is through abuse, neglect or sexual assault. To end child maltreatment, we must compelled to leave the home. challenge our beliefs that parents have a right to do whatever they want to a child. Because of the child's vulnerability, the community must be willing to:
• report the maltreatment; • provide immediate protection for the child; • assess family needs and the child's risk;
13 Child Abuse and Neglect
• demonstrate sensitivity to the family's cultural background; • provide treatment to victims and abusers; • use court proceedings when appropriate to mandate sanctions and/or treat, ment; • monitor parents' compliance with court orders and treatment recornrnenda- tions; • enforce consequences for parents if they fail to comply with court orders; • terminate parental rights promptly when the parent is not amenable to rehabilitation; • provide effective parenting education, counseling and other support services to meet family needs; • provide basic resources for the family's survival; • monitor the parent's ongoing demonstration of the new nurturing/parenting behaviors; • monitor the safety and healing of the child; • monitor the family's increased ability to take care of its member's needs; • stay with the family until these things are done.
14 Recommendations
In recognition that family violence is potentially lethal conduct causing serious 1: Public and Private sodal problems in our community, there must be strong state and Iocpllead- Leadership ership focusing attention and resources on a coordinated community response.
The Family Violence Coalition recommends that Maryland develop: I. State legislation that provides consistent and broad definitions of family violence and that takes a comprehensive approach to protecting victims and holding abusers accountable. 2. A continuum of services in each community to meet the complex needs of these families. These community services need to be identified in a computerized inventory that includes services aimed at prevention, crisis intervention, victim advocacy, long term treatment for victims, abuser treatment, and an incremental system of penalties for those who continue abusive behavior. J. An independent moniroring system that collects and publicizes data on the entire community's response to family violence cases. 4. Mandatory policies and procedures in all branches of the legal system that ensure consistent and effective intervention in family violence cases. 5. Public and private commitment to provide adequate resources to family violence cases. 6. Comprehensive and ongoing training and education to all segments of the community to ensure public awareness and effective professional inter- vention. 7. Family violence coordinating councils in each jurisdiction.
Maryland should ensure that the legal system responds to family violence as 2: The Legal System serious criminal conduct. Each branch of the justice system should adopt consistent policies aimed at holding the offender cu:countable and protecting the victim. AU criminal justice agencies should work cooperatively to ensure a coordinated response and reduce the chance of recidivism.
• Police should adopt pro-arrest policies. • Prosecutors should initiate, and pursue prosecution incases where a criminal case can be proved. Victim advocates should be available to support child and adult victims through the trial process. The State's Attorney's Association of Maryland should convene a work-group to develop state wide recommen- dations for prosecution of child maltreatment cases. • Court administrators should give family violence cases docket priority so that cases are handled promptly. • Judges should advocate protection of victims and children from violent homes, elimination of gender bias which affects the court's response to these cases, strict accountability and treatment for offenders, provision ofadequate resources to assist victims and family members, and an incremental system of
15 Recommendations
penalties for repeat offenders. Judges should have access to and consider all previous and current court contacts and orders invol ving the family. Proceed; ings should be consolidated; family information should be coordinated; and dispositions and orders should be issuedwith a consistent view towards ending family violence . • Probation agents should classify family violence offenders in the maximum supervision classification, monitor them intensively, maintain contact with the victim and promptly return to court for adjudication of violations.
The following legislation should be passed in Maryland:
1. A revised Order for Protection From Domestic Violence which ensures: • Protection orders of at least one year duration for both child and adult victims. • Availability of emergency protection orders on a 24~hour basis. • Enforcement of protection orders through criminal sanctions and provisions for monitoring compliance. 2. Identification and tracking of family violence cases to ensure enhanced penalties for repeat offenders. 3. Presumption of removing the perpetrator, rather than the child or adult victim, from the home, pending resolution of civil or criminal cases. 4. Notification to the victim prior to release of defendant to ensure safety and protection of victim. 5. Mandatory reporting of family violence cases by law enforcement for statistical purposes, 6. Provision of legal services including legal representation in civil cases for economically disadvantaged victims. 7. Requirement that all health and mental health professionals who are likely to treat victims, witnesses, and perpetrators of abuse and neglect demon- strate knowledge regarding family violence intervention as a licensing and certification requirement. 8. Banning of corporal punishment in the schools. 9. Requirement to implement multidisciplinary investigative and treatment response to child maltreatment at both the local and state level. 10. Conformity with federal rules of evidence regarding competency of a child witness to testify. 11. A tender years exception to the hearsay law permitting out-of-court statements by young children. 12. The use of closed circuit television testimony by any child who is emotion; ally distressed to the extent that the child cannot reasonably communicate in the courtroom.
The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following groups review and respond to this recommendation: the Maryland General Assembly, the Maryland State Bar Association, the State's Attorney's Association of Maryland, law enforcement and criminal justice agencies, and the judicial)'.
16 Recommendations
Child Protective Services (CPS) on the local level should screen allreferrals for 3: Family Preservation both child maltreatment and woman abuse. CPS should conduct risk assess- Services ments which consider the impact of the mother's victimization on the children's safety. CPS should assist victims of family violence with emergency safety planning and pursue immediate legal intervention that would help protect the child. CPS should coordinate case management with local treatment providers through a multi-disciplinary team approach. CPS should ensure long term services aimed at establishing a violence-free home through purchase of service from private providers.
Currently, CPS is responsible for investigation, risk assessment and service provision in cases of child maltreatment. However.this span of responsibility inordinately stretches the current resources of CPS given the dramatic increase in the number of reports during the last ten years. It also limits the range of community-based services available to abused children and their families. Significantly expanding the capability of CPS to purchase services would enable CPS to more adequately fulfill its protective responsibilities, increase the variety and depth of available service and enhance community ownership and responsibility of this issue.
• CPS should coordinate assessment teams in each jurisdiction that would be responsible for developing a unified plan for the family and ensuring case management. The team would consist of a doctor, mental health professional ,child maltreatment expert, domestic violence advocate, substance abuse professional, education specialist, and legal advocate. • The capability of CPS to purchase a broad range of services to meet the crisis and long term rehabilitative needs of victims and treatment for child abusers should be expanded. • The Department of Human Resources, Family Preservation-OfficeofFam- ily and Children's Services should consult with the National Woman Abuse Prevention Project to train all CPS workers in ChiUlMalt.Teatmentand Woman Abuse: A Guide far ChiUl Protection Service Workers. • Local CPS departments and domesric violence programs should develop linkage agreements to promote case coordination. • Local CPS and Department of Juvenile Services Field Offices should develop linkage agreements to coordinate treatment.
The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following agencies and organizations review and respond to this recommendation: the Department of Human Resources, Office of Family and Children's Services: the Governor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families; local Child Protective Services; the Department of Juvenile Services; Department of Juvenile Services Field Offices; and domestic violence programs.
17 Recommendations
4: Juvenile Services Department of Ju""nile Sennces Field Offices should waluate and arrange for treatment of juvenile offerulers for their own past or current victimitatWn.
The protection of the community and the rehabilitation of the child are not conflicting goals; rather. they are mutually dependent.
• Department of Juvenile Services Field Offices should assess all juvenile offenders for a history of child maltreatment. • Therapeutic intervention should be provided to all juvenile offenders who have been abused or neglected. • Local Child Protective Services, Department of Juvenile Services Field Offices, law enforcement agencies, and private service providers should develop linkage agreements.
The Family Violence Coalition recommends that thefollowingagencies review and respond to this recommendation: the Department of Juvenile Services, Department of Juvenile Services Field Offices, local Child Protective Services, law enforcement agencies, and private service providers.
5: Public Agencies Public agencies serving families in Maryland should design, fund, monitor, and evaluate policies and intervention programs {or child maltreatment and woman abuse.
Each agency should participate in a process aimed at: • developing consistent policies for responding to these cases; • identifying funds in the current budget! such as foster care maintenance dollars) that could be redirected into prevention and early intervention services; • developing a centralized information system that would track and publicize the handling of child maltreatment and spouse abuse cases for statistical purposes; • developing a computerized directory of available prevention and treatment services for referral purposes; • developing linkages with public and private agencies to ensure a coordinated response to the family's needs; • requiring mandatory training for staff on identification and the effects of abuse on victims, the effectiveness of prevention, and appropriate interven- tion.
The Family Violence Coalition recommends tha t the following agencies review and respond to this recommendation: the Department of Human Resources, the Department of Juvenile Services, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
18 Recommendations
To eliminate family triolence, each community must have a o Emergency shelter for battered women and their children o Transitional and low income housing for battered women and their children o Respite care for parents o Parent and in-home aides o Intensive family services o Emergency and short-term foster care for maltreated children o Victim advocacy within the legal system o Crisis and long term counseUng for adult, child and juvenile victims o Substance abuse programs with prov~ion for child care o Specialized couTl mandated treatment programs for batterers and child sexual abuse perpetrators (See Appendix C) o Support groups for parents and children o Mentoring programs o Parenting skills programs o Family support centers Treatment resources must be viewed as one component of a coordinated community response. Treatment needs to be available to all victims and to those perpetrators who want to change. When abusers do not stop their behavior additional intervention, such as detention and other legal sanctions to ensure victim safety, is necessary. There needs to be coordination between human services and the legal system. Maryland has traditionally focused services on children and families after the abuse has occurred. These post-abuse services ate extremely expensive in both human and financial terms. They are also less than effective because the complex needs of victims in crisis outstrip the available resources in the community. There needs to be a significant expansion in preventive services as well as in the number of treatment resources in Maryland. See Appendix B for sample agenda. Substance Abuse Programs should include a family violence risk assessment in 7: Substance Abuse routine screening procedures. Treatment should address warn safety and Programs abuser accountability throughout the recovery process. There is a strong correlation between family violence and substance abuse. Child victims of family violence are at risk for substance abuse as adolescents or adults. While substance abuse does not cause family violence itcancreate a lethal combination when both are present. Both issues require specialized long term intervention for each family member. 19 Recommendations • A statewide conference should be organized to begin a dialogue between substance abuse, and family violence professionals. • A family violence curriculum should be included in the requirements to be certified as a alcoholism/substance abuse counselor in Maryland • Substance abuse programs should develop linkage agreements with domestic violence and child abuse treatment programs. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the followi ng agencies review and respond to this recommendation: the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administra- tion; the Governor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families; the Department c1 Human Resources-- Women's Services Program, and the Office of Family and Children's Services; the Office of Education for Alcoholism Studies. 8: Health Care All public and private health care pr01!iders should include a family violence risk assessment in routine and emergency screening procedures. • A state wide conference supporred by the Medical and Chirurgical Faculry of Maryland, National Association of Social Workers-Maryland Chapter, Re- gional Association of Emergency Room Directors, and the Maryland Nurses Association is needed to organize the health care industry to respond tofamily violence issues. • Health care professionals, likely to encounter victims of family violence, should receive training in the identification and effects of abuse, the effec- tiveness of prevention, and appropriate intervention. • Health care professionals should publicize the availability of community resources for family violence prevention. • All hospitals should adopt emergency room protocols to ensure accurate identification of adult and child victims, preservation of evidence, docurnen- ration of abuse for the courts, and appropriate referralto communi ty resources. • One area hospital should develop a demonstration pilot project that refers all mothers of children identified as abused to a special unit within the emer- gency room. This unit would determine if the mother was also being abused and then advocate for her protection as well as that of the child. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following organizations review and respond to this recommendation: the Medical and Chirugical Faculty of Maryland, the National Association of Social Workers-Maryland Chapter, the Regional Association c1 Emergency Room Directors, the Maryland Nurses As- sociation. 9: Schools All public and private schools should offer a K- 12 curriculum in probkm solving, life skills, parenting, personal safety and community resources. Education of youth can help break.the inter-generational cycle c1 violence. Children raised in violent homes need education, role models and mentors to learn how to base relationships on equity rather than dominance. 20 Recommendations • The Maryland Department of Education should encourage local schools to adopt curricula designed to develop skills needed to prevent family violence. Examples include: My Family and Me: Violence Free for grades K-J developed by The Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women and Skillsfur Violence Free Relationships: Curriculum fur Young People Ages 13-18 developed by The Southern California Coalition on Battered Women, and Nurturing Skills Curricula by Dr. Stephen J. Bavolek, Ph.D. • Teachers and guidance personnel should be trained to understand the impact of family violence on school age children. They should help identify and report child abuse victims, support them during the treatment process, and make referrals to prevention services. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following agency and organization review and respond to this recommendation: the Maryland State Department of Education, the Association oflndependent Maryland Schools. The business community has an impurtant role to play in promoting a healthy, 10: Employers stable work {orce. As a service to its employees, employers should provide: • educational seminars for the work force on the impact of family violence; • counseling and referralsto employees for prevention and treatment services, • policies which protect victims from being harassed by their abuser in the work place; • a system of abuser accountability similar to the one used in handling employees who are substance abusers. Furthermore, the business community should provide resources to the commu- nity to support local initiatives dealing with family violence intervention. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following agency and organizations review and respond to this recommendation: the Maryland Depart- mentofPersonnel, the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. Religious leculers in the community should promote the use of nonviolent conlliet 11: Religious resolution skills and encourage relationships within the family that are based Community on equity and non-donuncnce. Religious leaders playa critical role in shaping community values and responses to social issues. Their leadership is needed to promote community ownership of family violence as a leading cause of many social problems facing us today. • They should use forums such as sermons, adult and child education classes, pre-marital counseling, newsletters, and regional denominational gatherings to promote public awareness of this issue. 21 Recommendations • Clergy should assist victims in obtaining protection and refer individuals to prevention and treatment services. They should speak out against the use of force in the family and publicize available community resources to their congregations. o A state wide conference should be organized to start a dialogue between religious leaders and family violence professionals. o Clergy should use resources such as, A Guide for Clergy on the Problems of Domestk Violence to increase their understanding of the issue. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the following organizations review and respond to this recommendation: the Interfai th Coati tion on Domestic Violence, the Central Maryland Ecumenical Council, the National Conference of Christians and Jews, the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance. 12: Public Awareness The media should help to move the prevention of family violence to the forefront of the public's awareness. The media playsacritical role in shaping public attitudes about this issue. Media should convey that family violence is a crime with lasting consequences for victims and the community. Everyone in the community needs to be aware of treatment and prevention resources available to families. o Launch a public awareness campaign to publicize thedevastatingeffectof this issue on individuals. families, and communities and the need for public involvement. o Highlight state wide and local initiatives that are working. o Sponsor special forums to educate the public about this issue. The Family Violence Coalition recommends that the media, including televi- sion, print, and radio, review and respond to this recommendation. 22 Implementing the Changes To ensure the adoption of a coordinated community response, the Family Vio- The Maryland Alliance lence Coalition will continue to meet and will expand its current membership. Against Family Violence The new group, the Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence, will promote implementation of these recommendations at the state and local level. I. Composition The Maryland Alliance Against Family Violence will be a private/public col. laboration. Representatives from groups such as the following will be invited to participate: A. Private Sector Participants • Advocates for Children and Youth • Association of Baltimore Area Grantmakers • Family and Children's Services of Central Maryland • Friends of the Family • House of Ruth • Jewish Family Services • Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault • Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence • Mental Health Association of Metropolitan Baltimore • Parents Anonymous of Maryland • People Against Child Abuse .• Representatives at large (3) • Representatives from the corporate, health, legal, media, and religious communi ties • Representatives from survivor groups • United Way of Central Maryland B. Public Sector • Department of Education • Department of Human Resources • Department of Juvenile Services • Governor's Council on Child Abuse and Neglect • Local government representative • Governor's Office of Justice Assistance • Governor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families • Representatives from law enforcement and criminal justice • University of Maryland at Baltimore II. Activities for Year One A. Publicize and promote Broken Bodies, Broken Spirits: Family Violeru:e in Maryland and Recommendations for Change in communities throughout Maryland. B. Provide representatives to the Domestic Violence Task Force scheduled to be formed by the Governor's Office of Justice Assistance later this year. 23 Implementing the Changes C. Work with the Department of Human Resources and the Governor's Office for Children, Youth, and Families to enhance coordination between child abuse, juvenile services, substance abuse, and domestic violence initiatives. D. Spearhead initiatives involving the health care industry, schools, employ- ers, and the religious communities. E. Advocate for the creation of a Family Violence Institute on a state level tha t would offer a multi -disci plinary curriculum on in tervention for protes- sionals in the fields of law, social work, psychiatry, psychology, nursing, and medicine. F. Develop models for family violence councils at the local level, G. Secure funding for staff support. 24 Appendices Mindy Amor, Coordinator Deborah Helfeld, Commissioner Appendix A: Volunteer and Hotline Services Baltimore City Commission for Women Contributors To Parents Anonymous of Maryland Gisele Meek, Policy Specialist The Family Stephen Berry, Policy Specialist Family Preservation- Violence Coalition Family Preservarion- Office of Family & Children's Services Office of Family & Children's Services Social Services Administration Social Services Administration Department of Human Resources Department of Human Resources Sondra Jackson. Assistant Director Mary Costello, Supervisor Child Welfare Services Continuing Services Department of Social Services Baltimore City Department of Baltimore City Social Services Laura Skaff, Program Manager Mary OeKuyper Child Protective Services Consultant Social Services Administration Department of Human Resources. Linda Heisner, Director Office of Family & Children's Services Social Services Administration Department of Human Resources If the services considered necessary to ameliorate abusive behavior were available when a Appendix B: family was identified to be at risk of abuse or neglect, the need for more intense and long Needed Services term services would be reduced. The following list is a sample of the types of services that should be expanded to provide effective community prevention, intervention, and treatment, National research docu- ments that these services are essential for an adequate community response to family violence. This inventory is not exhaustive, but it represents a first step in meeting the estimated need in Maryland at the time of this report. 1. Adequate emergency shelter and transitional housing for battered women and children. - Action for the Homeless estimates that on any given night there are 4,800 homeless people in Maryland. Of these approximately 2,200 are women and children half of whom are homeless due to violence in the home. - There are no shelters for battered women in the following counties: Calvert, Carroll, Charles, Dorchester, Garrett, Harford, Kent, Queen Anne's, Talbot, and Wicomico. An additional shelter is also needed in Baltimore City. - There are 25 transitional housing programs with 592 beds for all homeless women and children in Maryland. Battered women must compete for limited bed space with other homeless women. Most of these programs serve clients up to eighteen months and beds do not become available quickly. 2. Adequate low income housing for battered women and children. - Even if given priority status, victims of family violence, will wait several years for subsidized housing and will have ro cornpere for units with otherprioricy groups. 25 Appendices In 1986, the Governor's Advisory Board on Hornelessness projected that by 1990 Maryland would lack38,900low income housing units. These figures have norbeen updated. 3. Adequate respite care for families with. young children. - Respite care is needed mOISt for young children. Thirty-six percent of the indicated cases of physical and sexual abuse occurred to children under the age of six last year, totaling 1731 cases. 4. Adequate parent aides [0 meet the demand of abusive and neglectful families. - Statewide, 642 families are being served on a monthly basis by 95 parent aides. An average of 250 families are on a waiting list for services and if delays were shortened demand would be even greater. - Private agencies such as, Child Abuse Prevention Centers sponsored by Exchange Clubs, Parents Anonymous of Maryland, and other organizations, have volunteer parent aides to serve families. The demand far exceeds the availability of parent aides. 5. Therapeutic care nurseries for young child victims of family violence. _ Therapeutic care nurseries are needed in community-based settings in order to treat the effects of abuse and neglect on young children. No jurisdiction has adequate resources in this area. 6. Additional Intensive Family Services Teams. _ To begin to meet the needs of families with children at immediate risk of foster care, Intensive Family Services Teams are needed in all 24 jurisdictions in Mary- land. Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Montgomery and. Prince George's counties require additional public or private sector intensive family services. _ Private sector intensive family services have a role to play in treating at-risk families and need to be expanded. 7. Additional support groups for adults and adolescents and prevention/treatment programs for families. _ There are parent education and support groups active in Maryland but they are needed in every neighborhood. - There are eight Parents Anonymous sponsored adolescent support groups in Maryland middle schools with ten groups waiting to start up. Similar groups are needed in all middle schools where students' behavioral problems are linked to family dysfunction. - The Nurturing Program for Parents and Children, a prevention/treatment curriculum for families served approximately 350 Maryland families last year. This or similar programs are appropriate intervention in 95 percent of the 20,942 abuse and neglect cases last year in Maryland. 8. Crisis and long term individual and group counseling for all family violence victims. - Crisis and long term counseling is needed in community based settings. No jurisdiction has adequate resources in this area. 9. Legal advocates to interview and/or accompany battered women to court. - Baltimore City, Baltimore and Carroll Counties employ personnel to explain court processes to battered women and uncover additional evidence to be used by State's Attorneys. Advocates are needed in other jurisdictions as well. 10. Child advocates assigned to all children facing Child In Need of Assistance (CINA) proceedings. -Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) help ensure a safe and permanent home for abused, neglected, and abandoned children involved in juvenile court proceedings. There are two hundred forty-five CASAs assigned to Maryland Children involved in CINA proceedings. There were, however, 9,866 such pro~ ceedings filed in FY90. 26 ------~ Appendices 11. Crisis and long term counseling for all victims. 12. Court mandated treatment for barterers (see Appendix C for guidelines for barterers programs). - Currently eighteen jurisdictions offer court mandated treatment for barterers. These programs will serve approximately 3,000 abusers this year. However, only a small percentage of abusers are referred from the courts and in six jurisdictions no referrals are made. As battering becomes considered more serious criminal behav- ior, the need for such programs will increase dramatically. 13. Sexual Offender Programs. - Each jurisdiction except Baltimore City offers treatment for pedophiles through the local Department of Social Services or purchase of service. Baltimore City needs a publicly financed treatment program. Treatment guidelines that include sane- rions for recidivism are necessary across the State. 14. Family Support Centers in each jurisdiction. -Sixteen additional Family Support Centers are needed expanding their services to families with children up to the age of eighteen. Seven of these centers will be located in Baltimore City with the remaining nine in Allegheny, Baltimore, Carroll, Charles, Garrett, Montgomery, Prince George's, St. Mary's, Queen Anne's/ Kent, and Washington counties. The following principles are essential for an effective barterers program. Appendix c: Guidelines for 1. The goal of the abuser program is to ensure the safety and well being of battered women and their children. Therefore, the program is accountable to the victim. Batterers Programs 2. The role of the program staff is to serve as the battered woman's advocate. Staff should contact the victim for an assessment of the violence. The woman should be warned that she is at risk for further abuse and that there is no guarantee the abuser will end his violence as a result of the program. Staff should help the woman plan for her safety by informing her of options and supporting her choices. If there is reason to believe a woman is at immediate risk, staff members have a duty to warn and protect the victim. 3. Violence is deliberate purposeful behavior used to maintain power and control in the family. The abuser must be held solely responsible for ending this violence and coercion. 4. Traditional family or couples therapy should not be used unless the violence and controlling behavior has ceased for an extended period of time. If there is threat of violence, these types of treatment may endanger the victim. 5. Abuser programs must work in connection with local domestic violence shelter programs. Professionals working in isolation with abusers are vulnerable to manipulation and distortion. 6. Professionals working with abusers must not be abusive in their own lives. 7. Only professionals trained specifically in domestic violence intervention should work with abusers. 8. Programs which accept court-ordered abusers must have an adequate tracking system and make reports to the ordering agencies in a timely manner. 9. Evaluation of an abuser must include: - mental status evaluation - social and psychiatric history -legal system documentation regarding the incident - evaluation of drug and alcohol abuse - ongoing contact with the victim. 27 Appendices 10. Where there is evidence of drug and/or alcohol abuse, me abuser should complete a substance abuse program before or in conjunction with the abuser program. 11. The minimum length of participation needed in abusers program is 24 weeks. Even this is no guarantee that the abuser will end his violence. Many persons require more time to confront their denial and make substantive changes in their behavior. 12. The education program should include: ---confronting the abuser'sdenial of the existence, extent, and effects of his abusiveness - assisting abusers in identifying the tactics they use to control their partners - confronting the underlying attitudes, values and assumptions that contribute to the use of coercion in intimate relationships -c-educating abusers and supporting their use of noncoercive means of com- municating and resolving conflict -conducting programevaluation and follow-up to measure the effectiveness of the program. Effectiveness should be measured by reports from the victim. Appendix D: The Coalition relied on the following publications for general theory and background A Note on Sources information, several of which have been paraphrased in this report. The interested reader may want to consult the texts for additional information. FAMILY VIOLENCE Herrell, Stephen B. ed. Family Violence: Improving Court Prccrice. Reno, Nevada: The National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, 1990. Wack ins, Sallie A. The Mary Ellen Myth: Correcting Child Welfare Hisrory, Social Work, XXXV (Nov. 1990),500-503. WOMAN ABUSE DePanfilis, Diane and Gayle Brooks. Child Maltreatment and Woman Abuse: A Guide for Child Protective Services Intervention. Washington: National Woman Abuse Prevention Project, 1989. Pence, Ellen and Michael Paymar. Power andCont.ml: Tactics of Men who Batter. Duluth: Minnesota Program Development, Inc., 1990. CHILD ABUSE Finkelhor, David. Child Sexual Abus" New Theory and Research. New Yotk: The Free Press, 1984. Garbarino,James and Anne C. Garbarino. Emotional Maltreatmentof Children. Chicago: National Committee for the Prevention of Child Abuse, 1986. Miller, Alice. trans. Leila Vennewitz. Banished Knowledge: FacingChildhocx1Injuries. New York: Doubleday, 1990. Miller, Alice. ttans. Hildegarde and Hunter Hannum. For YourOwn Good: HiddenCrueky in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence. New York: The Noonday Press, 1990. 28 -0 The text of this report was printed on recycled paper.