Surviving Domestic Violence

Surviving Domestic Violence

Seeking Support in Cyber-Space: Implications for E-Government

Lynn Westbrook, School of InformationThe University of Texas at AustinPaper given at the Information Resources Management Conference, May 2007

Seeking Support in Cyber-Space: Implications for E-Government

Lynn Westbrook, School of InformationThe University of Texas at AustinPaper given at the Information Resources Management Conference, May 2007

Research Problem

Research Problem

DV is pervasiveDV is costlyDV requires tiered help

DV survivors use BBDV survivor needs unclear

DV survivor tools unclear

DV is pervasiveDV is costlyDV requires tiered help

DV survivors use BBDV survivor needs unclear

DV survivor tools unclear

Research MethodResearch MethodEstablished BB for survivors

Random sample, 1 yearEmergent codingHyperResearchInformation needsInformation resourcesSaturation; code-recode 93%

Established BB for survivors

Random sample, 1 yearEmergent codingHyperResearchInformation needsInformation resourcesSaturation; code-recode 93%

Information needs

Information needs

FinancesLawMental healthDomestic violence

Logistics

FinancesLawMental healthDomestic violence

Logistics

FinancesFinances

A by-product of abuse; as unavoidable as a black eye

He left all of our bills with me, including a loan that's in my name and his dad's name. The last thing he said before he left was that he'd kill me if I ruined his dad's credit.

A by-product of abuse; as unavoidable as a black eye

He left all of our bills with me, including a loan that's in my name and his dad's name. The last thing he said before he left was that he'd kill me if I ruined his dad's credit.

Law Law Make the system work and deal with its failures

Remember when you go to report an incident sometimes the bruises don't show up for a day, especially ones from being choked or restrained by the arms...go back the next day and have the cops take pictures

Make the system work and deal with its failures

Remember when you go to report an incident sometimes the bruises don't show up for a day, especially ones from being choked or restrained by the arms...go back the next day and have the cops take pictures

Mental healthMental health

Survivors, children, and even abusers’ needs

He said he'd go to anger management and counseling. Where can I seek help for that?

Survivors, children, and even abusers’ needs

He said he'd go to anger management and counseling. Where can I seek help for that?

Domestic violenceDomestic violence

Seeking confirmation and understanding

He makes me feel … no matter what I say or do it is never right. After looking at some of these websites I've realized that maybe this could be a form of abuse but when I talk to him about it he feels that it is not and that since he does not leave any physical bruises on my body that it is not abuse.

Seeking confirmation and understanding

He makes me feel … no matter what I say or do it is never right. After looking at some of these websites I've realized that maybe this could be a form of abuse but when I talk to him about it he feels that it is not and that since he does not leave any physical bruises on my body that it is not abuse.

LogisticsLogistics

Communication, relocation, & employment to survive

secretly pack documents, clothes, money etc so that when you leave you won't be empty handed if you have to go in a hurry

Communication, relocation, & employment to survive

secretly pack documents, clothes, money etc so that when you leave you won't be empty handed if you have to go in a hurry

Information resources

Information resources

All require energy, planning, and persistence

None are sufficientInclude the self, Internet, services, and individuals

All require energy, planning, and persistence

None are sufficientInclude the self, Internet, services, and individuals

The SelfThe SelfInformation seeking; practical and empowering

Use the Internet and books

Look for emotional support, facts, and resources

Information seeking; practical and empowering

Use the Internet and books

Look for emotional support, facts, and resources

Formal help Formal help

CounselingDV shelters & services

Police

CounselingDV shelters & services

Police

Informal helpInformal helpTrustworthy peopleActivities to distract, e.g., volunteering

Activities to heal, e.g., exercising

Objects, e.g., gun or dog

Trustworthy peopleActivities to distract, e.g., volunteering

Activities to heal, e.g., exercising

Objects, e.g., gun or dog

Possible implications

E-government considerations

• Identify misconceptions• Coordinate local, regional,

and national resources for those who move and to avoid duplication of effort

• Active prevention & aid in cyber-space

Other analysesOther analyses◊ Police department web sites in the 172 cities of the largest 100 US metroplexes

◊ All US state government web sites◊ In-depth interviews with survivors, police, and shelter staff in 10 diverse Texas cities

◊ Police department web sites in the 172 cities of the largest 100 US metroplexes

◊ All US state government web sites◊ In-depth interviews with survivors, police, and shelter staff in 10 diverse Texas cities

Questions? Comments?

Laura CookAndrew CreedArvind AshtaLynn Westbrook