"I left with my clothes and my

laptop"

Information issues of domestic violence survivors

Lynn Westbrook, University of TexasAssociation for Library and Information Science Education Conference, January

2008

Cyclical flow of crises3-stage cycle of abuse7-9 attempts to leave5.3 million victimizationsPoverty, lack of job, primary caregiver

Depression, PTSD, physical illness

Private resources support escape; social support as an increasing norm

Concerns about leaving• Control: job, education, children, pets, social isolation, family isolation

• Safety-planning: documents, cash, medicines

• Most dangerous time • Most vulnerable are least aware

Community responses

• Police are usually required to provide information when called

• Emergency room staff are trained to recognize and make referrals on abuse

• Shelters provide and connect to a range of social, legal, medical, and housing aids

Current Studies

Email reference in public libraries

Police department web sitesState e-government informationSurvivors’ experiences and needsOnline BB interactions

Email reference support151 libraries; 27 NR; 124 replies65%: 1-3 resources, as requested74%: at least 2 means of contact78%: no description or context0%: no cyber-safety warning40%: no salutation at all75%: no invitation to return66%: no statement of support51%: no signature at all JASIST, 58 (3): 420-432, 2007.

Police web sites 100 largest cities; 172 departments 60% have some information ~37% have info 1-click down 87% are English only sites 14-23% give basic IPV info 8-57% provide criminal justice info 17-33% point to immediate aid info 8-18% point to on-going aid info 1% give cyber-safety information Library and Information Science Research.

Accepted for publication in 2008.

State web sitesWith D. Davenport and J. RicheyLegal arena has almost 6 x the info of

the next closest arena, social servicesHot lines, injunction process, and

local shelter information most common

Most information is 3 clicks in from the agency homepage

31% had some cyber-safety warning JASIST. Accepted for publication in 2008.

Survivors’ experiences/needs Interview 19 survivors, 24 shelter staff, 14

police in 10 cities; needs vary by situationConsidering change: understand abuse,

shelter basics, working with police, moneyDuring system engagement: government

benefits, children’s needs, relocating, transportation, medical care

Post-system planning: housing, jobs, education, household basics

Online BB 1,793 posts; 341,382 words; 1 year Financial needs: part of abuse, like a

black eye Legal needs: making the system work and

handling its failures Mental health needs: self, children, and

abuser Domestic violence needs: confirmation and

support for the perception Logistical needs: communicate, relocate,

get employment Surviving Domestic Violence. In Proceedings of the Information

Resources Management Association International Conference. Information Resources Management Association, Hershey, PA. 2007.

In-Process StudiesInternet access, use, needs in

Texas shelters; first statewide analysis of what administrators have and need

Hospital staff information concerns; examination of medical and social work staff perspectives on information resources used with clients

Implications and questionsRole of public library as nexus

point of e-government, crisis information need resources, and cyber-safety education; intellectual and ethical capitol

Needs of those outside of the formal support systems

Customization options/resources

Thank you!

Please contact me at any time about any of this work:

Lynn WestbrookSchool of InformationUniversity of Texas at Austin

lynnwest@ischool.utexas.edu

http://www.ischool.utexas.edu/~lynnwest/cris.html