Family Peace Center Model for Addressing Polyvictimization

Background

April 2017-April 2020

Funded by the U.S. Department of Justice, this 3-year project aimed to develop trauma-informed screening, service, and referral processes to address the needs of polyvictimized clients. Through this initiative, a polyvictimization screening tool was developed and administered with clients that receive services from the Sojourner Family Peace Center. Following the polyvictimization screen, results were used to inform client services and referrals.

The ICFW conducted a mixed-methods evaluation of this project with four central aims:

1. To examine a polyvictimization screen and its capacity to detect exposure to violence.
2. To identify gaps between the needs of polyvictimized clients and the community services that are available.
3. To assess service capacity at the Sojourner Family Peace Center and its partner agencies.
4. To examine client satisfaction, empowerment, and service engagement.

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Publications

Romain Dagenhart, D., Mersky, J. P., Schubert, E., Topitzes, J., & Krushas, A. (2021). Assessing polyvictimization in a Family Justice Center: Lessons learned from a demonstration project. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605211027998