Providing services to survivors of domestic violence: a comparison of rural and urban service provider perceptions

J Interpers Violence. 2007 Apr;22(4):465-73. doi: 10.1177/0886260506296989.

Abstract

Although there is a considerable body of knowledge about domestic violence, a limited proportion focuses on domestic violence in rural settings. Using a nonprobability purposive sampling technique, 93 providers of domestic violence services from rural and urban localities in North Carolina and Virginia were located and asked to complete a self-administered survey soliciting provider perceptions about service consumers, the general public, themselves, and inter- and intra-agency issues. Significant differences were observed between rural and urban providers about service consumer needs and experiences, perceptions about the general public, area resource availability, agency funding, provider training, and worker safety. Implications of these differences are discussed.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Community Mental Health Services / statistics & numerical data
  • Domestic Violence / prevention & control*
  • Domestic Violence / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Services Needs and Demand / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Male
  • North Carolina
  • Practice Patterns, Physicians' / statistics & numerical data
  • Rural Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Survivors / psychology*
  • Survivors / statistics & numerical data
  • Urban Health Services / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Virginia