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Showing 1 – 12 of 12 results.

Curated

Custody Evaluations When There Are Allegations of Domestic Violence: Practices, Beliefs and Recommendations of Professional Evaluators in New York City, 1997-2009 (ICPSR 30321)

Released/updated on: 2013-01-31

Geographic coverage: New York City, United States, New York (state)

Time period: 1997-01-01--2007-01-01, 2007-01-01--2009-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of the beliefs and investigative practices of psychologists, psychiatrists, and social workers who had been appointed by a court to evaluate families in disputed custody cases when there were allegations of domestic violence. The research team conducted a Case Review study (Part 1) and administered an Evaluator Survey to corresponding case evaluators (Part 2) between August 2007 and December 2009. The case review study was implemented through four private non-profit legal services agencies in New York City that provide free legal representation to domestic violence victims in civil proceedings including custody and visitation litigation. A total of 69 cases involving custody or visitation issues that were litigated and resolved between 1997 and 2007 were identified for inclusion in the study. The case review study involved the development of a Coding Scale for Custody Evaluations with Domestic Violence (DV) Allegations in order to rate the characteristics of the custody evaluations and the court outcomes. Raters coded each of the 69 cases in the case review sample with the Evaluation Coding Scale. The research team administered the Evaluator Survey (Part 2) to 14 custody evaluators who had completed evaluation reports for the cases in the Part 1 case review study.

Curated

Simple Crosstabs

Eurobarometer 73.5: Civil Justice, Development Aid, Africa and the European Union, and Food Risk, June 2010 (ICPSR 34084)

Released/updated on: 2013-02-22

Geographic coverage: Cyprus, Portugal, Global, Malta, Greece, Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Latvia, Luxembourg, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia, Slovakia, France, Bulgaria, Lithuania, Romania, Hungary, Europe, United Kingdom, Spain, Czech Republic, Belgium, Finland, Denmark, Italy, Germany, Estonia

Time period: 2010-06-09--2010-06-30

The Eurobarometer series is a unique cross-national and cross-temporal survey program conducted on behalf of the European Commission. These surveys regularly monitor public opinion in the European Union (EU) member countries and consist of standard modules and special topic modules. The standard modules address attitudes towards European unification, institutions and policies, measurements for general socio-political orientations, as well as respondent and household demographics. The special topic modules address such topics as agriculture, education, natural environment and resources, public health, public safety and crime, and science and technology.

This round of Eurobarometer surveys includes the standard indicators on living conditions and expectations and covers the following special topics: (1) the European Social Fund (ESF), (2) civil justice, (3) development aid, (4) Africa and the EU, and (5) food risk. Questions pertain to living conditions and expectations, opinions on the ESF, the civil justice and commercial legal proceedings in the member states and the EU, and attitudes towards assisting developing countries. Other questions address Africa's problems, image, and relation to the EU, as well as opinions on food-related hazards.

Demographic and other background information includes age, gender, nationality, marital status, occupation, age when stopped full-time education, household composition, ownership of a fixed or mobile telephone and other durable goods, difficulties in paying bills, level in society, and Internet use. In addition, country-specific data includes type and size of locality, region of residence, and language of interview (select countries).

Curated

Evaluation of the Office for Victims of Crime Wraparound Victim Legal Assistance Network Demonstration Project, 5 U.S. states, 2013-2018 (ICPSR 38187)

Released/updated on: 2024-01-30

Geographic coverage: Illinois, Texas, Colorado, Alaska, Los Angeles, Denver, California

Time period: 2013-01-01--2018-12-31

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) created a new demonstration grant program, the OVC Wraparound Victim Legal Assistance Network Demonstration Project, to address the wide range of legal needs victims of crime have in relation to the victimization they experienced. The original four-year demonstration, which was increased to six years, included two phases: (1) a 15-month phase for planning, designing a new service delivery model in collaboration with local partners, and conducting a needs assessment, and (2) a second phase for grantees to implement the model as designed. The program originally funded six sites to plan and implement a new model of legal assistance for victims:

Alaska Immigrant Justice Center (entire state of Alaska)
Council on Crime and Justice (entire state of Minnesota)
Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, California)
Lone Star Legal Aid (72 counties in East Texas)
Metropolitan Family Services' Legal Aid Society (Cook County, Illinois)
Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center (City of Denver, Colorado)

The new wraparound service delivery models were expected to facilitate the implementation of wraparound pro bono legal assistance networks to provide legal services to victims. Because victims often receive legal services from a variety of uncoordinated organizations (e.g., victim legal clinics for help with enforcing rights, and legal aid offices or law school clinics for help with other specific civil legal needs), integrated networks may be better able to provide a wide array of legal services from a single, coordinated system. The demonstration grant requirements included: creating and actively engaging a steering committee, working cooperatively with technical assistance provider(s) as needed, and employing a local research partner to help perform the needs assessment and work closely with the evaluation team.

Curated

Partially restricted

Evaluation of Victim Advocacy Services for Battered Women in Detroit, 1998-1999 (ICPSR 3017)

Released/updated on: 2012-08-22

Geographic coverage: Detroit, United States, Michigan

Time period: 1998-01-01--1999-01-01

This study evaluated advocacy services offered to battered women in Detroit, Michigan, and examined other aspects of coordinated community responses to domestic violence by focusing on women named as victims in police reports. Advocacy was defined as those services provided to support victims during the legal process or to enhance their safety. For the Preliminary Complaint Reports Data (Part 1), a random sample of preliminary complaint reports (PCRs), completed by police officers after they responded to domestic violence calls, were gathered, resulting in a sample of 1,057 incidents and victims. For Victim Advocacy Contact Data (Part 2), researchers obtained data from advocates' files about the services they provided to the 1,057 victims. For Case Disposition Data (Part 3), researchers conducted a computer search to determine the outcomes of the cases. They looked up each perpetrator from the list of 1,057 incidents, and determined whether there was a warrant for the focal incident, whether it turned into a prosecution, and the outcome. The Initial Victim Interview (Part 4) and Follow-Up Victim Interview Data (Part 5) were conducted from April 1998 to July 1999. During the same period that researchers were completing the second interviews, they also interviewed 23 women (Victim Comparison Group Interview Data, Part 6) from the list of 1,057 whom they had been unable to reach during the first interviews. They compared these 23 women to the 63 who had second interviews to determine if there were any differences in use of services, or views toward or participation in prosecution. Variables in Part 1 focus on whether alcohol and abuse were involved, previous incidents, the suspect's psychological aggressions and physical assaults, if a weapon was used, if the victim was hurt, if property was damaged, if the victim sought medical attention, and the severity of physical abuse or injury. Variables in Part 2 provide information on the role of the advocate, methods of contact, types of referrals made, and services provided. Variables in Part 3 include the type of charge, outcome of resolved case, why the case was dismissed, if applicable, and if the suspect was sentenced to probation, costs, confinement, no contact with the victim, a batterer program, or community service. The initial, follow-up, and comparison group interviews (Parts 4-6) all collected similar information. Variables about the incident include how well the respondent remembered the incident, if police arrived promptly, if the respondent was advised to file charges, if police told the respondent that a counselor was available, and if the respondent's partner had been in jail since the incident. Variables concerning advocacy include whether the victim contacted advocates, and if advocates provided legal help and referrals. Legal system variables include whether the respondent felt pressured by anyone to drop charges or pursue charges, if the respondent received help for preliminary examination or trial, and if contact with the legal system helped the respondent. Variables about services include whether the respondent received assistance in temporary shelter, food/money resources, child care, employment, education, a lawyer for divorce/custody, support or self-help group, or a substance abuse treatment program. Variables concerning what happened in the previous six months cover the number of times the respondent had called police because of danger, left home because of a violent incident, partner had been arrested because of violence, and partner physically abused respondent. Variables about events that occurred while the respondent and abuser were separated include how often the partner harassed the respondent on the phone, wrote threatening letters, violated legal restrictions, refused to leave the respondent's home, failed to pay child support, and threatened to take the children. Demographic variables include respondent's race or ethnic background, education, marital status, number of children, number of children who lived with respondent, and employment status and income at the time of the interviews.

Curated

Formative Evaluation of a Medical-Legal Partnership on the Westside of Chicago, Illinois, 2016-2021 (ICPSR 38258)

Released/updated on: 2024-06-26

Geographic coverage: United States, Chicago, Illinois

Time period: 2016-01-01--2021-01-01

In February 2016, Under the Rainbow (UTR), a pediatric trauma-based therapy program within Sinai Chicago's Behavioral Health department, joined with the Legal Council for Health Justice (LC), the scope of which includes assistance in accessing public benefits and special education, to form a medical-legal partnership (MLP). Integrating legal services with health care, the partnership allows patients seeking services at UTR to receive referrals for legal services through LC. The partnership is built on access to judicial and legal services as a social determinant of health that can lead to improved health outcomes, and thus the goal is to provide training and support to providers on legal and social barriers to health and provide free legal assistance to patients.

In this study, the research team conducted a formative evaluation of the existing MLP between the two organizations (located in Chicago, Illinois, United States). The specific aims of this evaluation were to:

Determine how a medical-legal partnership (MLP) can improve knowledge and understanding of domestic and community violence
Understand how the MLP can serve different populations by looking at program process and implementation in-depth
Prepare the MLP for impact evaluation to determine how the MLP can fill gaps in victimization research and legal intervention programs

Existing data from patient health risk assessments collected by UTR and legal services data collected by LC were obtained and analyzed. Clients had been served by UTR and referred to LC between July 2016 and May 2021. Interviews with staff at both organizations were conducted in 2019 and 2020. The research team also completed documentation review and created other artifacts (e.g. protocols, implementation guides, process maps) as a result of the evaluation.

Curated

Legal Service Agencies, 1970 (ICPSR 7369)

Released/updated on: 2005-11-04

Geographic coverage: United States

These data, focusing on the effectiveness of legal service programs, were collected by the Office of Legal Services under the Office of Economic Opportunity. The data include information about each agency, its budget, and the characteristics of its clients and personnel. Evaluations of the agency's effectiveness and operation were made by a visiting observer based on consultations with staff and community members. Evaluative measures include community attitudes, agency resources, and staff competence.

Curated

Restricted

The Long-Term Effects of Civil Legal Services on Battered Women [Iowa], 2012-2015 (ICPSR 36451)

Released/updated on: 2017-12-20

Geographic coverage: Iowa, United States

Time period: 2012-01-01--2015-01-01

These data are part of NACJD's Fast Track Release and are distributed as they were received from the data depositor. The files have been zipped by NACJD for release, but not checked or processed except for the removal of direct identifiers. Users should refer to the accompanying readme file for a brief description of the files available with this collection and consult the investigator(s) if further information is needed.

This study was a two-year panel study of how the receipt of civil legal services provided by Iowa Legal Aid (ILA), influences safety, psychological well-being and economic self-sufficiency outcomes for women who experienced Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) residing in metro and non-metro communities in Iowa. The study looked at both the provision of family law services (divorce, child custody, child support) and CPOs. Also examined was the impact of the quality of the attorney-client relationship on women's sense of empowerment on these outcomes. Five waves of data were collected, starting with an initial assessment interview with four follow-up interviews conducted at 6-month intervals. Information collected includes women's history of IPV, measures of repeat abuse, psychological well-being and parenting, quality of the attorney-client relationship, and empowerment.

Curated

National Evaluation of the Domestic Violence Victims' Civil Legal Assistance (CLA) Program, 1997-2003 [United States] (ICPSR 20355)

Released/updated on: 2010-04-05

Geographic coverage: United States

Time period: 1997-01-01--2003-01-01

The national evaluation of the Legal Assistance for Victims (LAV) program had three main objectives: (1) to document the range of local activities and programs supported by the Fiscal Year 1998 to Fiscal Year 2000 LAV grants, (2) to conduct a process evaluation by examining and documenting LAV grantee planning and implementation efforts, and (3) to evaluate the effectiveness of LAV programs in meeting the needs of the victims they serve. A mixed method approach was developed to conduct the evaluation. The researchers used a classic triangulation framework of quantitative agency data, telephone survey interviews, mail surveys, interviews and focus groups with service providers, and case studies. The evaluation of effectiveness included (1) before-after analysis of caseload data on 88,901 clients and (2) interviews with 124 LAV clients. The range of local activities and programs was documented primarily through two mail surveys of grantees. For Part 1 (2001 Mail Survey), data include information regarding project staffing, partnerships, legal and advocacy services provided, and implementation challenges. It was completed by 156 grantees. Part 2 (2003 Mail Survey) was administered to the 2001 survey respondents who had also received continuation grants in 2001 or 2002. It was completed by 79 grantees. This survey sought information on successful practices for achieving key project objectives. It also attempted to quantify the number and types of legal services provided and gain more quantitative information on unmet needs. Part 3 (Legal Assistance for Victims Data) contains caseload data including demographics related to clients such as gender, ethnicity, and income. It also contains information regarding the case including type of case, hours worked on the case, and results of the case. There are also data related to the agency such as jurisdiction of the agency and type of agency. For Part 4 (Victims Interviews), data include demographic information, history and background of the case, legal services received, satisfaction with legal services, impact of legal services, and the victim's current situation.

Curated

National Indigent Criminal Defense Survey, 1982 (ICPSR 8417)

Released/updated on: 2006-03-30

Geographic coverage: United States

This survey was conducted to provide national-level data on basic information such as system types, funding sources, costs, and caseloads of indigent defense programs for defense practitioners, policymakers, and planners in the criminal justice system. The goal of the survey was to provide data that could begin to answer questions regarding the nature and scope of indigent service delivery. Specifically, the three basic objectives were to provide descriptive data, to assess the level of response to defense service delivery requirements, and to facilitate further research.

Curated

State and Local Prosecution and Civil Attorney Systems, 1976 (ICPSR 7674)

Released/updated on: 2005-11-04

Geographic coverage: United States

The purpose of this data collection was to establish a current name and address listing of state and local government prosecution and civil attorney agencies and to obtain information about agency function, jurisdiction, employment, funding, and attorney compensation arrangements. The data for each agency include information for any identifiable local police prosecutors. Excluded from the study were private law firms that perform legal services periodically for a government and are compensated by retainers and fees. Variables cover agency functions and jurisdiction, agency funding, number and types of employees, compensation and employment restrictions for attorneys, agency's geographical jurisdiction, number of branch offices, and number of branch office employees.

Curated

Partially restricted

Simple Crosstabs

A Study of Wife Abuse Among Vietnamese Immigrants to the US, 2000-2001 (ICPSR 35247)

Released/updated on: 2015-02-09

Geographic coverage: United States, Massachusetts, Boston

Time period: 1999-01-01--2002-01-01

This study involved a purposive sample of 129 Vietnamese immigrant women to the United States, 57 of whom experienced domestic violence. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected on abuse, efforts to stop the abuse, immigration experiences, current and prior relationship with partners, and many facets of life. One year after the first interview, the women who had experienced abuse were re-interviewed to determine whether their circumstances had changed and why they had or had not changed. For both interviews, data were collected on contacts with the justice system and satisfaction with those contacts. To measure abuse and one-year outcomes, variables included: values/norms promoting husband's domination, conflict over expectations about gender roles and other aspects of family life, immigration (reasons for immigration, sequencing of husband's and wife's move, each person's legal status), and circumstances related to immigration (discrimination, employment and occupational status, proximity of extended family, wife's support network). Qualitative data on the pattern, nature, and context of the abuse was collected to provide description of why the abuse occurred, and to support findings from the quantitative analysis and/or better specify the causative model. Additional variables included wife's perceptions of immigration law and the outcome of criminal justice involvement; wife's perception of the consequences of divorce (financial, legal realities and cultural norms regarding child custody, effect of marital status on woman's social status and quality of life); need for and effects of wife moving from the ethnic community to the mainstream to escape abuse (need of identification with the ethnic group, support network of relatives and friends, social reactions to abuse); wife's economic power (ability to speak English, earn a living); wife's experience in seeking help (knowledge of United States legal system, availability of legal and victim assistance for abused women, experience with the justice system and victim assistance programs). Demographic variables included age, race, citizenship status, religion, education, and number of children.

Curated

What Constitutes Success? Evaluating Legal Services for Victims of Crime, Arizona, Maryland, and Oregon, 2019-2021 (ICPSR 38265)

Released/updated on: 2023-10-16

Geographic coverage: Oregon, United States, Maryland, Arizona

Time period: 2019-01-01--2021-01-01

Victim legal services generally, and victims rights enforcement legal services specifically, are still relatively new victim assistance fields compared with other forms of crime victim services. Therefore, the field of victim legal services has so far lacked a conceptual framework that articulates the ultimate goals of these services, and how the provision of these services is intended to promote those goals. This formative evaluation, which is a collaboration between the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) and the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI) and funded by the National Institute of Justice, seeks to address this gap by first creating a conceptual model and theory of change, and then testing it in practice.