1. Rural Outreach of Little Compton By: Jessica Doyle Faculty Sponsor: Professor Maureen Moakley, Political Science

2. Intimate Partner Violence also called domestic violence, battering or spouse abuse, is violence committed by a spouse, ex-spouse, current or former girlfriend or boyfriend. It can occur among heterosexual or same-sex couples. The violence can be physical, sexual and psychological in nature and includes verbal threats of physical or sexual violence against a partner and stalking a partner

3. Quick Facts One in every four women in the US experience domestic violence in her life Females are 85% of the victims Younger women are affected more than older, although middle aged women (35-49) are most susceptible to intimate murder Racial groups are almost equally affected Statistics only reflect reports to the police, many cases go unreported or underreported A Violence Against Women Public Health Survey determined the highest rate of IPV in RI occurs in urban areas and areas with seasonal dwelling; the second highest being in rural areas (Little Compton fits into both)

4. Rural Characteristics Geographic/ Physical isolation Economic structure (male dominate homes)/ Traditional gender roles Kinship Ties Poverty Shortage of health care Decreased access to resources Poor transportation/ roads Lack of anonymity

5. Rural Grant Programs Began with the passing of the Violence Against Women Act in 1994 These programs are designed to secure safety of victims in rural jurisdictions The DELTA program is a rural outreach program based in Rhode Island that encourages partnerships to end violence through prevention, education, advocacy and services

6. Characteristics of Little Compton 100% rural population, predominantly white Population: 3,500 Relatively high education and income rate, small pockets of rural poverty exist 1 to 5 women suffer IPV per 100 women 56% of domestic violence incidents occur in front of children

7. Interview Insights Of all those contacted, less than half agreed to be interviewed (school committee, town council, social services) Overall, on a scale of 1 to 5, most would rate IPV at 2 or 3 in Little Compton, with fair amount of intervention from law enforcement One informant noted a prevalence of elderly abuse

8. Interviews Feel we should be reaching out to dating teens, teen mothers, families, elderly All are comfortable referring WRC to friends, but none know about services Location is minus for the most part, one said plus because “people are used to leaving town for services”

9. Leading Prevention Strategies Prevention is the leading component in dealing with Intimate Partner Violence (1) definition and measurements; (2) identifying causes of the problem for development of interventions; (3) evaluations of interventions (4) dissemination These steps require a promise to youth education, strengthening community assets, and engaging community partners

10. Rural Intervention Strategy Universal Screening by health care providers Appropriate training Mandatory reporting Documentation/ Coding Employee assistant programs for health care providers experiencing domestic violence Integration of health service into community response Funding for expanded and improving health response

11. Recommendations Website link “Getting to know you” (Community Center) In school presentations, getting the youth involved Weekly services available in town Creation of a Little Compton Rep. in WRC Coalition with respected town members