"I left with my clothes and my laptop" Information issues of domestic violence survivors Lynn Westbrook, University of Texas Association for Library and Information Science Education Conference, January 2008

Cyclical flow of crises  3-stage cycle of abuse  7-9 attempts to leave  5.3 million victimizations  Poverty, lack of job, primary caregiver  Depression, PTSD, physical illness  Private resources support escape; social support as an increasing norm

Concerns about leaving Control: job, education, children, pets, social isolation, family isolation Safety-planning: documents, cash, medicines Most dangerous time Most vulnerable are least aware

Community responses Police are usually required to provide information when called Emergency room staff are trained to recognize and make referrals on abuse Shelters provide and connect to a range of social, legal, medical, and housing aids

Current Studies  reference in public libraries  Police department web sites  State e-government information  Survivors’ experiences and needs  Online BB interactions

reference support  151 libraries; 27 NR; 124 replies  65%: 1-3 resources, as requested  74%: at least 2 means of contact  78%: no description or context  0%: no cyber-safety warning  40%: no salutation at all  75%: no invitation to return  66%: no statement of support  51%: no signature at all  JASIST, 58 (3): , 2007.

Police web sites  100 largest cities; 172 departments  60% have some information  ~37% have info 1-click down  87% are English only sites  14-23% give basic IPV info  8-57% provide criminal justice info  17-33% point to immediate aid info  8-18% point to on-going aid info  1% give cyber-safety information  Library and Information Science Research. Accepted for publication in 2008.

State web sites  With D. Davenport and J. Richey  Legal arena has almost 6 x the info of the next closest arena, social services  Hot lines, injunction process, and local shelter information most common  Most information is 3 clicks in from the agency homepage  31% had some cyber-safety warning  JASIST. Accepted for publication in 2008.

Survivors’ experiences/needs  Interview 19 survivors, 24 shelter staff, 14 police in 10 cities; needs vary by situation  Considering change: understand abuse, shelter basics, working with police, money  During system engagement: government benefits, children’s needs, relocating, transportation, medical care  Post-system planning: housing, jobs, education, household basics

Online BB  1,793 posts; 341,382 words; 1 year  Financial needs: part of abuse, like a black eye  Legal needs: making the system work and handling its failures  Mental health needs: self, children, and abuser  Domestic violence needs: confirmation and support for the perception  Logistical needs: communicate, relocate, get employment  Surviving Domestic Violence. In Proceedings of the Information Resources Management Association International Conference. Information Resources Management Association, Hershey, PA

In-Process Studies  Internet access, use, needs in Texas shelters; first statewide analysis of what administrators have and need  Hospital staff information concerns; examination of medical and social work staff perspectives on information resources used with clients

Implications and questions  Role of public library as nexus point of e-government, crisis information need resources, and cyber-safety education; intellectual and ethical capitol  Needs of those outside of the formal support systems  Customization options/resources

Thank you! Please contact me at any time about any of this work: Lynn Westbrook School of Information University of Texas at Austin