1. “I am a survivor. I am strong.” Introduction Although there is ample research on domestic violence, very little concentrates specifically on life goals, strengths, and resources of the client. These are areas that are crucial to effective recovery and safety planning. An emphasis on strengths allows the therapist to identify resources that support the client, and it also identifies a way they positively cope (Bell, 2003). The objective of this study is to identify personal goals, strengths, and resources of the victims to discover what best helps them move forward. These data can support the development of a strengths-based framework for domestic violence (Hamby, in press). Methods 100 victims of domestic violence participated in this study. They were recruited from organizations serving victims in two towns in two southern states. In one town, participants were recruited from a support group for women in crisis. In the second town, participants were recruited from a domestic violence shelter, guardian ad litem program, or police. The sample was ethnically and racially diverse, including 29% African-American, 29% Latina/o, 26% European American, 14% American Indian, 1% Asian and 1% Other. Median annual income was $12,000 to $18,000. Goals, strengths, and resources were assessed with open-ended prompts. A coding system was developed based on an earlier study. Acknowledgments We would like to thank the victims who shared their experiences with us and Cheryl Bushman and Michelle Myer for assistance with data collection. Data collection was supported with a Sewanee University Research and Faculty Development Grant. Results Conclusions The findings of this study show that common strengths include faith, personal strengths, family, and church support. It is important to highlight strengths to build on client resources. This approach shifts the provider from expert to collaborator who cultivates the strengths of the client (Bell, 2003). Bell further suggests that clients are more likely to act on the personal and environmental strengths they possess when they are affirmed and supported. Our results also showed that housing, income, and education are primary goals for clients. Research shows that depression among battered women is related to financial difficulties, dissatisfaction with housing, and other post-shelter difficulties (Ham-Rowbottom, Gordon, Jarvis, & Novaco, 2005). Financial difficulties post-shelter manifest as a highly significant factor in depression and trauma symptoms. This suggests the need for specialized, client-centered interventions and more emphasis on post- shelter preparation. The Life Goals, Strengths, & Resources of Domestic Violence Victims Yooson Esther Chi & Sherry Hamby Department of Psychology, Sewanee, the University of the South Literature cited Bell, H. (2003). Strengths and secondary trauma in family violence work. Social Work, 48(4), 513- 522. Hamby (in press). Battered women’s protective strategies: Stronger than you know. London: Oxford University Press. Ham-Rowbottom, K. A., Gordon, E. E., Jarvis, K. L., & Novaco, R. W. (2005). Life constraints and psychological well-being of domestic violence shelter graduates. Journal Of Family Violence, 20(2), 109-121. Saleebey, D. (1992). Introduction: Power in the people. IN D. Saleebey (Ed.), The strengths perspective in social work practice (pp. 3-17). New York: Longman. Abstract Services for domestic violence victims have long assumed that the violence is the main issue. With few exceptions, there has been little effort to focus on the issues that are identified by battered women in a more client-centered approach to helping victims. This study is one of the first to explicitly ask victims of domestic violence about their life goals, strengths, and resources. The most common goals referred to getting or improving housing, finding or improving their job situation, and getting more education. 100 victims of domestic violence participated. Common resources included faith (53%) and personal strengths (47%). Social strengths were also commonly listed, including church support (38%) and family (34%). Legal resources were mentioned less frequently. Risk assessment and safety planning with victims needs to incorporate more issues that are salient to victims. Psychological/Personal strengths encompass ways in which one is strong and can keep safe. Faith includes prayer, spirituality, and belief in God. Personal strength includes positive self- esteem, courage, and respect for self. “I am a survivor. I am strong.” “Faith keeps me going.” These are people who survivors can rely on in times of trouble. “My church family prays for us. My family as well.” Financial strengths include sources of income or other support. “I work everyday, a good paying job, and some child support I had for seventeen years.” “My parents try to send money, and will try to help fix my car.”