Cross Sector Relationships

Sexual and Domestic Violence

Thanks to a grant from the NC Governor’s Crime Commission, the Public Intersection Project is able to continue providing technical assistance to efforts intended to strengthen community capacity to stop domestic and sexual violence.  Any rape crisis or domestic violence program, coalition, or organized effort in North Carolina is eligible to receive services.

The technical assistance can be offered in the forms of facilitation services, training events, individual coaching, organizational consulting, or participation in committees or community events.

The following is a list of some of the organizations that received facilitation services from Lydian Altman-Sauer and Margaret Henderson during 2006-07:

• Community Coalition Against Family Violence in Craven, Jones & Pamlico Counties
• Family Abuse Services of Alamance County
• Family Violence Prevention Center of Orange County
• Family Violence Prevention Center of Pitt County
• Helping Hands of Warren County
• NC Coalition Against Sexual Assault
• Orange County Rape Crisis Center
• Rape Crisis Center of Catawba County
• U Care of Sampson County

We estimate we will be able to schedule 8-12 retreats in 2007-08, at no charge to the organizations.  Please get on the schedule early! 

For more information, contact Lydian Altman-Sauer (Lydian@sog.unc.edu) or Margaret Henderson (Margaret@sog.unc.edu)

Researching North Carolina Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault Service Delivery Practices

Funded by the NC Governor’s Crime Commission, this new research was recently completed by Dr. Rebecca J. Macy, of the School of Social Work at UNC-Chapel Hill. 

“A critical element of providing effective community-based domestic violence and sexual assault services is sound knowledge regarding which services work well to improve the lives of those who are surviving and have survived these forms of violence. The overall goal of this research was to develop service guidelines for North Carolina domestic violence and sexual assault agencies.”  The new report is available on-line at http://ssw.unc.edu/dvsaservices.pdf

During 2005-2006, the Public Intersection Project received grants from the NC Governor’s Crime Commission to support two projects:

1. “Organization of Sexual Assault Services”  The intent of this project is to conduct a survey to assess how or whether organizational structure affects the provision or reporting of sexual assault services in both single program and combined sexual and domestic violence programs.  Download a copy of the full report here.

2. “Community Capacity Building for Sexual and Domestic Violence Programs”  This project provides opportunities for community stakeholders to learn about and discuss ways to build the overall organizational capacity and community support of local sexual and domestic violence programs. 

During Phase 1, all 100 counties were invited to participate in one of seven workshops held across NC during January – April, 2006. 

We are pleased to share copies of the handouts used during the workshops.  Please note that even though these handouts are written with a specific SV/DV focus, they could easily be adapted for any other type of broad community problem-solving effort:

• The workshops were based on the article “Building Community Capacity to Meet Public Needs”  http://www.iog.unc.edu/pubs/electronicversions/pg/pgwin05/article4.pdf
• Text for the guided imagery exercise, to be used to encourage an audience to consider the ‘big picture’ of local service provision.
• Handout #1:  Community Asset Inventory
• Handout #2:  Assessing Your Community Capacity
• Handout #3:  Planning Resource Guide
• Handout #4:  The Next Steps Worksheet

During Phase 2, the project team will be available to provide technical assistance in communities and for local SV/DV programs.  Here are some examples of how we might help communities with common challenges:

• You need to build particular relationships.  We can provide one-on-one coaching for program directors.
• You need to plan your cross-organizational responsibilities in a new collaboration.  We can facilitate planning meetings or discussions to establish protocols and mutual expectations.
• You need to learn how local government processes work.  We can set up training events for program staff.
• You need to learn how to communicate your “theory of change” to potential supporters.  We can organize a work session for staff and help edit educational materials or proposals.

To explore the possibility of receiving technical assistance services under Phase 2, contact Lydian Altman-Sauer or Margaret Henderson