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Domestic Violence and Co-Occurring Issues

Research has shown that when domestic violence is present, there is a probability that issues such as poor health, mental health disorders, substance abuse, homelessness, and financial instability are present as well. Service providers should be aware of and know how to address the needs of children, youth, and families who experience multiple issues. The following resources provide strategies for supporting families with co-occurring issues.

• Mental health
• Substance abuse
• Housing
• Financial instability

Working With Intersecting/Co-Occurring Issues National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women Presents resources that explore the impact of the multiple issues that affect victims and survivors of domestic violence, including information on mental health, homelessness, incarceration, literacy, poverty, religion, and substance abuse. Depression, Substance Abuse, and Domestic Violence: Little Is Known About Co-Occurrence and Combined Effects on Low-Income Families (PDF - 107 KB) National Center for Children in Poverty (2004) Summarizes recent research on the combined effects of these three issues and calls for the development of two-generation strategies that address the needs of adults and children simultaneously.

Updated on February 24, 2010