Creating a Digital Trauma Informed Space: Chat and Text Advocacy for Survivors of Violence

Abstract

There is little research on virtual service models like chat and text services in agencies that work with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA). This study fills a gap in the research by exploring how chat and text services are provided in one IPV and SA-focused community organization. We analyzed chat and text transcripts ( n = 392) from a large multiservice, multivictimization focused agency, and conducted interviews with 11 advocates providing chat and text services through the agency hotline. Staff interviews were analyzed using grounded theory and transcripts were analyzed using content analysis. Results indicate chat/text services provide a space for connection, resource provision, education, and access to resource gain in a timely, concise, and survivor-centered way. The five major goals for chat/text advocacy models include the following: (1) rapid access to support and connection; (2) identification of options and needs for each service user; (3) increased access to resources and supports; (4) expanded understanding of violence, abuse, and harm; and (5) improvement of survivor safety. The research team identified 15 general advocacy skills and 4 chat and text specific skills used by chat/text advocates to reach program goals. Findings highlight the utility of chat/text services for increasing access to support services for survivors of violence, particularly adolescents, emerging adults, those living with an abusive individual, and during times of emergency. Future research should continue to explore the promising practice modality of chat/text services for providing advocacy to underserved and hard-to-reach populations.

EHealth for Sexual Assault: A Systematic Scoping Review

“…Guidelines for enhancing cultural competency and inclusiveness in eHealth interventions have been developed to enhance the effectiveness of eHealth interventions for racially, economically, and gender diverse populations (Nimmon et al, 2012; Yellowlees et al, 2008; Young, 2022). While some have argued that tailored services may not always be feasible as it would require both the development, implementation, and maintenance of potentially different tailored user interfaces (Hicks et al, 2017; Villegas-Gold, 2018; Wood et al, 2021; Wright et al, 2021), doing so should nonetheless remain a priority. Research on the effectiveness of eHealth services should also strive to include more diverse samples as much of the existing research on telehealth has been lacking in diversity (Weaver et al, 2021) and the differential impact of eHealth on diverse survivors is currently unknown.…”

“…Intervention feasibility. While some eHealth interventions are relatively inexpensive and easy to implement (e.g., intervention videos in acute settings) (Miller et al, 2015;Walsh et al, 2021), developing, operating, and revising other kinds of interventions can be time-consuming and costly (Hicks et al, 2017;Villegas-Gold, 2018;Wood et al, 2021;Wright et al, 2021). Villegas-Gold (2018) estimated the costs of developing a fully-functioning, mobile-friendly website at a minimum of USD 10,000.…”

“…For example, challenges in terms of establishing rapport, interpreting clients' emotional state, and showing empathy over video/audio/chat were noted by some service providers (Moylan et al, 2021;Sitz et al, 2021). Many service providers also experienced increased stress and fatigue following online work due to insufficient technical support; inadequate equipment; lack of privacy when videoing from home; literately bringing the traumatic content of sessions into the home; having to acquire new skills (Azzopardi et al, 2021;Tener et al, 2021;Wood et al, 2020Wood et al, , 2021.…”

“…In a similar vein, video and chat services may require increased staffing, in part because these services are typically not restricted to users from a specific geographical location (Hicks et al, 2017; Webber & Moors, 2015). Finally, a high degree of technico-legal expertise is generally required to safely implement eHealth, and providers in some studies thus worried about user-rights and confidentiality (Schrag et al, 2021; Sitz et al, 2021; Wood et al, 2021).…”

The Urgency of Digital Citizenship Learning Module for Indonesian Student

“…The urgency of our research departs from a form of concern that is reinforced by the many cases of social violence in the virtual world, such as cyber bullying, cyber raping, digital drama, cyber hoaxes, and others. This shows the fact of the adverse impact of using technology that digital users should be aware of [8]. In addition, Indonesia as the world's largest social media user [9] is another fact that supports that many of Indonesia's digital societies are more frequent and dominate the digital social world than other countries [10], even to the point of a dependency or an addiction [11].…”