Evaluation of a Domestic Violence Training for Child Protection Workers & Supervisors: Initial Results

A two day domestic violence training for child protection personnel was evaluated using self-report responses to two case descriptions. One hundred thirty-seven supervisors and 369 workers were trained and 225 personnel participated in the study. Consistent with the goals of the training, there was an increased reported likelihood of providing assessment and brief interventions, holding the abuser responsible, substantiating emotional abuse of a child, and empathizing with victims. Respondents reported less likelihood of holding the victim responsible for stopping the violence, telling the woman she must end the relationship, and making referrals for couples counseling. Despite these positive signs of change, two areas showed room for improvement because they remained relatively high after training: the tendency to refer for couples counseling and the tendency to hold the woman responsible for stopping the violence and for the safety of the children. Future trainings may need to use other methods to convey the problems with couples counseling and the entrapment frequently experienced by battered women.