Family Violence Initiative

Lessons Learned from Projects Funded Through the Family Violence Initiative 1998/99 to 2002/03

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10. CONTRIBUTIONS TO PRACTICE

We reviewed the ways in which DOJ FVI funded projects had contributed to effective practice[10], and in particular, to three targeted dimensions of the DOJ FVI — awareness/knowledge of family violence, knowledge about legislation and the criminal justice response to family violence, and capacity to respond to family violence issues.

10.1. Family Violence Awareness/Education

The most common contribution that projects made to practice was related to increasing the level of awareness and knowledge of family violence across a range of target audiences This has included (among others) educators, service providers, other practitioners, and (primarily in the case of PLEI projects) the general public. A focus on practitioners is seen to be an appropriate target in all cases.

A related contribution of DOJ FVI project funding is that it helped Project Sponsors to innovate and test new ways and approaches to building awareness and educating practitioners and the public about various dimensions of family violence. This has included, for example, the use of interactive learning tools, multi-media, theatre, and on-line learning.

10.2. Increasing Knowledge of Family Violence Legislation and Criminal Justice System Response

Most projects also made a direct contribution to increasing knowledge of family violence related legislation, as well as the role of the criminal justice system. Training initiatives in particular have addressed this at a practitioner level, and a variety of new and updated public legal education tools have also helped to ensure that the public has access to up-to-date information as well. Many of these materials are now available on Web sites, and in the future it is hoped that this will contribute to accessibility.

10.3. Capacity Building

The DOJ FVI projects have contributed to the development of organizational and community capacity to respond to family violence, in various ways. Many of the DOJ FVI projects invested in developing the human capital available to organizations and their communities, by supporting education and training to increase practitioner knowledge and skills to prevent and respond to family violence. DOJ FVI also invested in social capital, by supporting the development of partnerships and networks that strengthen collective action. This occurred within community projects, and also with national level projects. Finally, DOJ FVI projects also increased the availability of state-of-the art tools and resources. The majority of these products and tools continue to have relevancy and are being used for various purposes.

The following table summarizes the primary contributions to practice.

Project Primary Contributions to Practice

Project title	Awareness of family violence issues/impacts	Knowledge about legislation/criminal justice system response	Contribution to capacity to prevent/respond to family violence
A School-based Anti-violence Program			Human capital Training tool
Let's Talk About Touching			Human capital Training tool
Keeping Kids Safe			Social capital (network) Planning tool
Giving Children Hope			Human capital Knowledge Intervention tool
Network Buffet Manual and Video			Knowledge Training tool Human capital Social capital
Educating on Family Violence — Web site			Knowledge Educational tool
Street Exit Program			Human capital Intervention tool
Sur le dos de l'amour			Educational tool
Walking the Prevention Circle			Knowledge Training tool Community tool Human capital Social capital
Why Do Female Victims Recant?			Knowledge
Community Safety Strategy Protocol			Knowledge Practice tool Human capital Social capital
Women in Abusive Relationships			Knowledge Information tool
Family Violence Information Brochure Project			Knowledge Information tool
Men Mentoring Men			Knowledge Intervention tool
Elder Abuse: A Hidden Crime			Knowledge Information tool
Elder Abuse Conference			Knowledge Social capital

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