Browsing by Author "Kirkner, Anne"

Now showing 1 - 9 of 9
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    A Short-Term Analysis of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Services Following the Illinois COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2022-07-12) Schaffner, Caleb; Vasquez, Amanda; Kirkner, Anne
    With the implementation of stay-at-home orders to slow COVID-19 transmission, researchers and victim service providers raised concerns about an increase in the amount and severity of domestic violence (DV) incidents. Using InfoNet - an online database used by Illinois domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) service provider - researchers explored data collected on victim services client volume, service needs, and offense characteristics over the first three months of the pandemic in 2020 compared to data collected during the same periods in 2018 and 2019. Findings revealed large increases in telephone counseling, a precipitous drop in in-person counseling, and a change from on-site to off-site DV victim shelter use. This report also highlights several notable changes in offense characteristics, referral sources, and service provision and concludes with future research directions.
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    A Short-Term Analysis of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Victim Services Following the Illinois COVID-19 Stay-at-Home Order
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Authority, 2022-07) Schaffner, Caleb; Vasquez, Amanda; Kirkner, Anne
    On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020b). Those working with DV victims expressed concerns about victims experiencing economic instability and increased stress due to the pandemic, as well as being in close quarters with abusers and having fewer opportunities to access help or leave (The Network, 2020; Reichert et al, 2020).
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    Domestic Violence Trends in Illinois: Victimization Characteristics, Help-Seeking, and Service Utilization
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 10/17/2019) Houston-Kolnik, Jaclyn; Kirkner, Anne; Guharay, Rishi; Hiselman, Jennifer
    Domestic violence is a national public health issue that both federal and state funding work to address. Researchers analyzed data collected via InfoNet, a statewide case management and data reporting system used by domestic violence agencies across Illinois, and other state administrative data, to identify trends among those who have been harmed by domestic violence. Researchers found shifts in the number and characteristics of clients served, including an increase in clients who are veterans, older adults, and those who shared child custody with the offender. However, further research is needed to fully understand the unique needs of these client groups and how funding shifts may impact services in Illinois.
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    Financial Assistance for Illinois Victims: Crime Victim Compensation Fund
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority (ICJIA), 2019) Kirkner, Anne; Houston-Kolnik, Jaclyn
    Crime victim compensation (CVC) fund programs are available in all 50 states to financially assist victims of violent crime. The following article summarizes the purpose of crime victim compensation, victim-centered principles in CVC programs, and the criteria for CVC in Illinois. Researchers identified data on CVC awareness and applications in Illinois to explore how these data compare with reported crime trends and victim characteristics. Results suggest that many victims, including family members of homicide victims, are potentially eligible but do not receive CVC. Implications for how to adapt CVC programs to be victim-centered and improve access to CVC funds are discussed. (Author Abstract)
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    Financial Assistance for Illinois Victims: Crime Victim Compensation Fund
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 6/24/2019) Kirkner, Anne; Houston-Kolnik, Jaclyn
    Crime victim compensation (CVC) fund programs are available in all 50 states to financially assist victims of violent crime. The following article summarizes the purpose of crime victim compensation, victim-centered principles in CVC programs, and the criteria for CVC in Illinois. Researchers identified data on CVC awareness and applications in Illinois to explore how these data compare with reported crime trends and victim characteristics. Results suggest that many victims, including family members of homicide victims, are potentially eligible but do not receive CVC. Implications for how to adapt CVC programs to be victim-centered and improve access to CVC funds are discussed.
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    Gender differences in intimate partner violence service use
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2023-08-16) Schaffner, Caleb; Vasquez, Amanda L.; Kirkner, Anne
    A review of intimate partner violence (IPV) literature found that few studies focus on male IPV victimization, but findings point toward similar rates for males and females. An article reviewing IPV prevalence in various countries concluded that 19.3% of males and 23.1% of females had been physically assaulted by an intimate partner. A British study found that while females were more likely to have experienced some form of partner abuse at age 16 or older (19.9%), 9.6% of males also had reported this type of abuse. Furthermore, a national survey investigating victimization estimated that 26% of males in Illinois will be victims of intimate partner violence or stalking during their lifetimes; the percentage for females was higher at 42%. Research also indicates that females perpetrate IPV. Authors of an article on prior studies of IPV in heterosexual relationships found 28.3% of females and 21.6% of males reported perpetrating physical violence in an intimate partnership. In addition, some studies have found the majority of IPV to be bidirectional in nature, with the lines between victim and perpetrator blurred in a relationship. While study methodologies, scope, and estimates may differ, research shows that males are IPV victims and that females perpetrate IPV. Despite the similarities in victimization rates, males are less likely to seek services from a domestic violence provider. Research showed male IPV victims were less likely than female victims to use formal services and were more likely to describe informal support as helpful. However, we know little about how IPV victim service receipt and victimization characteristics differ by gender. [Author Abstract]
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    Predicting the Effects of Sexual Assault Research Participation: Reactions, Perceived Insight, and Help-Seeking
    (National Institutes of Health (NIH), 2020) Kirkner, Anne; Relyea, Mark; Ullman, Sarah
    This study examined effects of participating in survey research for women sexual assault survivors with other trauma histories to understand the role of study participation on reported insight and long-term help-seeking behaviors. A diverse sample of 1,863 women from a large Midwestern city participated in a three-year study on women’s experiences with sexual assault. Regression analyses were conducted to: a) examine predictors of immediate positive and negative reactions to survey participation, and b) assess the impact of the survey on reported insight and women’s long-term help-seeking behavior. Overall most women in the study had a higher positive than negative reaction to the survey (92%), with a significant proportion indicating they sought additional services as a result of participating (55%). Women with CSA, more emotion dysregulation, and more characterological self-blame had more negative reactions to the survey while those with more education and individual adaptive coping had more positive reactions. Women who said they gained insight from answering survey questions were most likely to seek additional help. This study extends the literature by examining cumulative trauma and post-assault symptoms in relation to the effects of survey participation. This is also the first study of women sexual assault survivors to find a relationship between gaining reported insight from research and subsequent help-seeking. Participating in sexual assault research may help survivors gain greater insight into their recovery, which can lead them to seek out more resources for their ongoing trauma-related problems. (Author Abstract)
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    Recommendations for responding to survivors of sexual assault: A qualitative study of survivors and support providers
    (SAGE Publications, 2021) Kirkner, Anne; Lorenz, Katherine; Ullman, Sarah E.
    Empirical research has repeatedly examined the social reactions survivors receive from informal and formal support providers. This research has also provided an understanding of social reactions survivors perceive as helpful and hurtful. Advocacy agencies provide supplemental information instructing support providers how to respond to survivors in a positive way. However, these sources—to our knowledge—have not specifically asked survivors how they want to be responded to when disclosing assault and what they need in the aftermath of assault. Furthermore, studies have not asked support providers about how to respond to survivors in a positive way. Thus, the information provided to survivors and support providers on positive support may not be “survivor informed.” This study examined recommendations for responding to survivors from two methods. First, as a broader approach, open-ended survey responses from 1,863 survivors were examined for unprompted recommendations on what survivors need following assault. Second, in a sample of 45 informal support dyads, survivors and support providers were specifically asked to provide recommendations on responding to survivors in a positive way. Results include recommendations from survivors to informal supporters, formal service providers, and other survivors on what is needed in the aftermath of sexual assault. Results also include recommendations on responding to survivors in a positive way from interviewed support providers to other supporters. (Author Abstract)
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    Trauma Experiences of LGBTQ+ Victims: Victimization, Discrimination, and Other Stressful Experiences
    (Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority, 2021-12-21) Vasquez, Amanda; Kirkner, Anne; Gruschow, Karl; Genkova, Ana
    While there is robust literature on the prevalence of traumatic experiences among LGBTQ+ individuals, this study provides much needed information on the prevalence of victimization, discrimination, and other stressful life experiences of LGBTQ+ victims in Illinois. Study findings can demonstrate this population’s need for services and supports, including those that are trauma-informed and/or help victims heal from trauma.