Domestic Violence
Kelly Abken, Chair
The Benton-Franklin Domestic Violence Coalition includes members from social service agencies, health organizations, law enforcement and the judicial system. The Coalition provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas about DV issues. It monitors trends in the field as perceived and reported by those who are involved in various aspects of DV investigations and services. It identifies problems or concerns and addresses them. Its purpose is to decrease the incidence of domestic violence in our community while maximizing the delivery of services to the victims of domestic violence.
Subcommittee on Children's Exposure to Domestic Violence
Deb Robbins, Chair
After two years of work, the Child Witness subcommittee developed and implemented a community response for children who witness domestic violence in their homes. The committee took heed of the latest research that shows the impact exposure to domestic violence may have on children. While many are able to cope and show no ill effects, other children may exhibit behavior changes such as bullying and physical aggressiveness, poor peer relationships, difficulty separating from others, defiance with authority figures, changes in eating/sleeping patterns. Other research shows that boys exposed to domestic violence are far more likely to become batterers themselves than those who do not witness it. Girls exposed to domestic violence are far more likely to become victims of violence and sexual assault than girls who do not witness domestic violence. Children who are in homes where domestic violence occurs are also more likely than others to become victims of child abuse and neglect. To prevent or diminish the likelihood of those possible outcomes, the committee created a community response aimed at identifying children who may be at risk and offering services to the children and their families.
After the committee developed the program for child witnesses, committee agencies applied for grants that funded the implementation of the program. Program partners include Domestic Violence Services (DVS) of Benton and Franklin Counties, Catholic Family and Child Services, Benton Franklin Public Health, Benton Franklin Juvenile Justice Center, Safe Harbor Crisis Nursery, local Child Protective Services office personnel, Benton County Prosecutor’s Office, Pasco Police Department and Kennewick Police Department.
A grant from the Washington Council on the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (WCPCAN) funded the Safe Child Team in Pasco. The team includes on call advocates to the Pasco PD who respond at the scene of a DV incident when children six and under are present. The advocates assist with immediate safety planning and offer resources to the children and non-offending parent. The following day, a Public Health nurse may offer the family further services, including referral to Catholic Family and Child Services or other appropriate community resources. Follow-ups are made to the family on a regular basis.
A grant from the Benton Franklin Community Public Health and Safety Networks funded training for about 20 local therapists in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, an evidence-based practice recognized as appropriate for child witnesses to DV. Those therapists have agreed to see children as they are referred by DVS. Another grant from the same source pays for therapy for children and their families who lack insurance or the financial means to obtain therapy or counseling.
The combination of three grants and the willingness of the community partners to participate in a coordinated approach to DV creates opportunities for children and their families that did not exist before. The Committee will continue to monitor the program(s) and make changes as necessary to improve the outcomes.
Links to more information on domestic violence: