Prevention, Intervention, and Personal Coping
Prevention
Creating Awareness in Our Community
Raising Awareness about IPV: Communicate, Come Together to Collaborate, Discuss
Milestones in IPV
- IPV Awareness Month- October
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month-April
- Clothesline Projects-Ventura College, California State University Channel Islands
Prevention Strategies:
- Promoting healthy, nonviolent, respectful behaviors and relationships
- Open and honest, calm communication with partners, children, and family
- Teaching children early on about appropriate and inappropriate ways to interact with adults and other children
- Educating children about the body and proper names of body parts so they will be better able to discuss them if they are being touched inappropriately
- Being open and making the body a commonplace, so that everyone in the family feels comfortable discussing such topics
Intervention
Intervention Strategies/Coping:
Creative Outlets
Creative outlets, such as expressive writing and art, have been effective interventions for individuals who have experienced IPV.
Expressive Writing
- Expressive writing can help individuals gain a better understanding of the relational conflict, and develop empathy and forgiveness towards their partner (29).
- Writing can affect our physical health, psychological health, and interaction with others; thus, it may serve as a way for people who have experienced IPV to deal with the ongoing stress of their situation. Writing can also be beneficial to our psychological health. It can improve our mood, decrease negative emotions, and reduce anxiety levels. In a study that examined the effects of writing on symptoms of depression, PTSD, suicidality, pain, and hopelessness, there was no reduction in visits to a physician; however, there was a drop in depressive symptoms in women (10).
- Writing about a traumatic event may enable a person to increase verbal disclosure and emotional outlet; people might be better able to disclose personal emotions/feelings with another person if they have written it down first. Although issues such as boyfriend/girlfriend problems, IPV/abuse, or death in the family can be difficult to disclose; participants in studies feel better about themselves, are better able to understand the experience, and are more likely to disclose their emotions with another person. Also, confiding in someone or disclosing the traumatic experience allows the person to move on from the event (28, 29, 30).
Art: drawing and painting
- Art has a therapeutic effect associated with increased physical and psychological well-being (9, 21).
- Art therapy serves as a creative outlet that can be used by victims of IPV. Because many victims find it difficult to write about or verbally disclose their experiences, art can be useful in allowing victims to express themselves. Particularly, it is a means for individuals to creatively express feelings and emotions in various ways without using words. During art therapy patients are instructed to draw or paint various pictures; simple drawings or paintings that are representative of certain issues or events enable victims to gain insight, allow for further understanding, and make needed changes in order to move on from the traumatic experience. Exploring and discussing these drawings is a way for victims to confront the experiences and is helpful for children, adolescents, and adults (14).
- Singh investigated how abused children can utilize art therapy both as a creative process in communicating emotions and thoughts that result from domestic violence, and exploring symptoms of loneliness, vulnerability, fear, helplessness, anxiety , and depression (34).
- Art therapy can be a positive experience because of its ability to encourage children to release negative energy and any thoughts that may be difficult to discuss. It not only allows people to creatively engage in activities that display more personal issues, it also helps people temporarily cope with these negative experiences (36).
Music
Music therapy is a creative outlet that may be beneficial to those who have experienced IPV.
- Teague, Hahna, and McKinney studied the “…effect of group music therapy combined with other creative arts methods on the self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in women who have experienced intimate partner violence”. Although only a small sample sized was used, the results of the study found significantly decreased rates of depression and minor decreases in anxiety (39).
Another study examined the relationship between listening to music, sleep patterns and reduction of anxiety during the first weeks stay in a women’s abuse shelter (17). The experimental group reported lower levels of anxiety and better sleep quality after listening to 20 minutes of music stimulus before going to sleep. Experimenters hypothesized that the music was a distraction from real life stressors.
Resources: Where to Get Help
Top Ten Sites for Community Partners
The Keys Academy
438 South A Street, Oxnard, CA 93030
Services: Hispanic youth ages 14 to 21 who are on probation or otherwise at risk of entering the juvenile justice system, GED prep, college admission and requirements help, career development, skills training, adult mentoring support, testing and assessment, addressing gang and violence issues, resolving through communication.
Cornerstone Counseling Center
1633E Erringer Road #203 B, Simi Valley, California 93065
(805) 582-2619
cornerstonesb@aol.com
Services: Batterers treatment, anger management, co-custody parenting, drug and alcohol testing and assessment, parenting class, monitored visitation
Intervention Institute
870 Hampshire Road Suit A, Thousand Oaks, Ca 91361
(805) 379-3611
Services: Special groups and programs for adolescents, persons with co-occurring mental and substance abuse disorders, persons with HIV and AIDS, gays and lesbians, seniors and older adults, pregnant and postpartum women, men, and criminal justice groups, DUI and DWI offender
Joshua House Intensive Residential Substance Abuse
404 East Main Street, Santa Paula, CA 93060
(805) 921-0937
epi@fix.net
Services: substance abuse treatment, 30 day residential
Casa Pacifica
1722 South Lewis Road, Camarillo, CA, 93012
(805) 445-7800
info@casapcifica.org
Fax: (805) 987-7237
Prototypes Women’s Center
2150 North Victoria Avenue, Oxnard, CA 93036
Admissions Departnment: 805-382-5150
Main: (805) 382-6296
Services: Specialized residential treatment programs for single women and women with children. Outpatient behavioral healthcare services for men, women and children suffering from substance use and mental health disorders, trauma and domestic violence. Access to medical services through their medical partnerships.
Life Centers of Ventura County in Oxnard
522 North A. Street, Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 486-2721
lisagelinas@vclifecenters.com
Services: 24-hour helpline, confidential counseling, compassionate caring staff, pregnancy support services, help finding low cost medical care, assistance in developing goals, parenting classes, community outreach
United Parents for Family Violence Intervention Services in Camarillo
391 South Dawson Drive, Suite 1A, Camarillo, CA 93012
Office: (805) 384-1555
Fax: (805) 384-1080
24/7 line: (805) 551-0472
info@unitedparents.org
Services: Parent leaders work with parents to navigate the juvenile family courts and child family services systems. They connect with local resources to provide housing, parenting, anger management and/or domestic violence classes. 24/7 Help line
Channel Islands Center for Women’s Health in Ventura
2629 Loma Vista Road, Ventura, CA 93003
(805) 648-5204
Genesis Outpatient Programs for Drug Abuse
1650 Palma Drive, Suite 208, Ventura, CA 93003
805-650-3094
contactvta@genesisprograms.com
Clinics, Shelters, and Organizations by City
Camarillo
Interface Children and Family Services
4001 Mission Oaks Blvd, Suite # I
Camarillo, CA 93012-5121
(805) 485-6114
(800) 339-9597
Center for Family Health
Santa Rosa Health Center
5800 Santa Rosa Road, Suite 149
Camarillo, CA 93012
(805) 465-8900
http://www.cmhshealth.org/contact_us.shtml
Shelter
http://www.homelessshelterdirectory.org/cgi-bin/id/city.cgi?city=Camarillo&state=CA
Fillmore
Center for Family Health
Fillmore Medical Plaza
852 W. Ventura St.
Fillmore, CA 93015
(805) 524-2672
One Step a la Vez
Center Location
421 Sespe Ave.
Fillmore, CA 93015
Mailing Address: One Step A La Vez, PO BOX 192, Fillmore, CA 93016
Youth Center: (805) 625-7066
Administrative Office: (805) 625-7067
http://www.myonestep.org/Home
Battered Women’s Hotline: (805) 656-1111
Ventura County Victim Services
805-654-3622
www.homelessresourcesca.org/index.html
Ojai
Center for Family Health
Ojai
1202 Maricopa Hwy., Suite A
Ojai, CA 93023
805/640-2323
http://www.cmhshealth.org/contact_us.shtml
Ojai Valley Family Shelter
Mail: Ojai Valley Family Shelter
P.O. Box 945
Ojai, CA 93024
805-804-7094
http://www.ovfs.org
Oxnard
The Coalition for Family Harmony
1030 North Ventura Road Oxnard, CA 93030
(805) 983-6014
Fax: (805) 983-6240
Email: admin@thecoalition.org
Ventura County Rescue Mission
234 E. 6th Street Oxnard, CA (805) 487-1234
Lighthouse for Women and Children
104 N Hayes Ave Oxnard, CA 93030: (805) 385-7200
Western Pacific Housing
3301 West Gonzales Road Oxnard, CA 93030: (805) 604-4528
Rescue Mission Alliance Women Shelter
125 S Harrison Ave Oxnard, CA – 93031: (805) 487-1234
Community Counseling Services- Community services provided by California Lutheran University
(Oxnard 805-493-3059) Westlake Village (805-493-3390)
Oxnard Domestic Violence Response Team & Victim Advocates: Community Counseling Services & Housing: (800) 300-2181
Oxnard Domestic Violence/ Sexual Assault Hotline Crisis Counseling Services (805) 963-6832
Port Hueneme
Center for Family Health
Port Hueneme
321 E. Port Hueneme Rd.
Port Hueneme, CA 93041
(805) 652-4267
http://www.cmhshealth.org/contact_us.shtml
Santa Paula
Interface Children and Family Services
http://www.icfs.org/santa-paula-family-resource-center.html
Center for Family Health
Santa Paula
242 E. Harvard Blvd., Suite C
Santa Paula, CA 93060
(805) 525-9595
Simi Valley
Free Clinic
2060 Tapo Street Simi Valley, CA 93063: (805) 522-3733
http://www.suntopia.org/simi_valley/ca/homeless_shelters.php
Thousand Oaks
Conejo Free Clinic
80 East Hillcrest Drive, Suite # 102
Thousand Oaks, CA 91360
(805) 497-3575 Phone
(805) 497-4099 Fax
http://conejofreeclinic.org/medical-service.php
Ventura
Community Memorial Health System
http://www.cmhshealth.org/cfh/center-for-womens-health.shtml
Centers for Family Health
Ventura
120 N. Ashwood Ave.
Ventura, CA 93003
805/658-5800
Ventura
138 W. Main St.
Ventura, CA 93001
805/667-2850
http://www.cmhshealth.org/contact_us.shtml
Shelters
Project Understanding Homeless to Home
43 E. Vince St. Ventura, CA 93001: 805-652-1326
Ventura Transitional Living Center
155 S. Oak Street Ventura, CA 93001: 805-648-4977
Our Place Shelter
538 E. Thompson Blvd Ventura, CA 93001: (805) 652-2151
http://www.vchca.org/behavioral-health Oxnard, Ventura, Santa Paula
Other Resources
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence: www.ncadv.org
California Partnership to End Domestic Violence: www.cpedv.org
National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence – ALIANZA: www.dvalianza.org
National Center on Domestic & Sexual Violence: www.ncdsv.org
Girls, Inc.
Nationwide programs that teach girls to be strong, bold, and independent
http://www.girlsinc.org/
Group-Oriented Psychological Education Prevention (GOPEP)
School-based intervention program designed to help youth recognize and handle emotions, promote hope and optimism via goal setting, develop positive interactions with others and use artistic projects to reduce anxiety and fear.
Advancing Career Counseling and Employment Support for Survivors (ACCESS)
Community based support groups designed to rehabilitate battered women through vocation, education, and economic opportunities in efforts to increase women’s self-efficacy and critical consciousness.
Family Preservation and Healthy Steps
Family support program designed to provide educational services to parents at home, teaching them to reduce anger, frustration, and increase parenting skills in order to decrease the abusive behaviors committed at home.
