Using Community Perspectives to Address Sexual and Domestic Violence: Results of a Mixed Methods Formative Evaluation

Purpose: Sexual and Domestic Violence (SDV) has escalated since the pandemic, highlighting the need to address the multi-faceted issue through community-based approaches.Understanding the community context is foundational to addressing gaps in unmet needs, improving collaboration, and increasing awareness surrounding SDV issues.This study addresses SDV in child and adult survivors in a small, under-resourced town in Massachusetts through a mixed-methods formative evaluation, conducted in collaboration between an academic institution and a local health department.Methods:The formative evaluation employed a mixed-methods approach guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR).The CFIR explored internal context, individual traits, intervention design, external factors, and processes related to SDV including: 1) identifying engaged and unengaged entities regarding domestic violence (DV); 2) conducting stakeholder surveys (n=7) and interviews (n=8) with community organizations, schools, health agencies, public safety, and mental health clinicians; 3) analyzing qualitative and quantitative data on stakeholders' readiness, motivations, and influence to impact SDV; and, 3) recommending areas for intervention and further collaboration aligned with the CFIR domains.Results: Most respondents acknowledged SDV as a community issue (n=5, 71.4%) with unmet needs (n=5, 71.4%).Some perceived barriers to accessing SDV support included a lack of awareness among community members about existing resources (n=4, 57.1%) and a stigma that prevents access to these resources (n=6, 85.7%).Qualitative insights highlighted challenges such as mental health and substance use complicating SDV intervention barriers such as insufficient emergency housing and staffing, a lack of resources for addressing crises, a call for more preventative efforts for youth, and considerations for improving data communication.Conclusion: The findings led to actionable recommendations to enhance existing programs and create new initiatives, fostering a coordinated system to address SDV.By employing a mixed-methods approach, the study offers a nuanced understanding of local challenges and opportunities for implementation, informed by the diverse perspectives of community stakeholders.The involvement of community voice ensures that local efforts are targeted and appropriate, resulting in more effective and inclusive systems-level approaches to SDV.Findings highlighted the need for post-COVID strategies that target SDV awareness and prevention, address stigma and access, improve resource allocation, and support robust multi-sector collaboration.