Within the United States, a variety of systems and programs address violence against women. These range from grassroots service providers to the criminal justice system to the health care industry. Survivors who access these systems have diverse experiences and backgrounds. The Promising Practices Initiative sought to identify an array of effective practices that these service providers could use to respond to survivors’ individual needs.

Vera staff worked closely with practitioners, policymakers, and other experts in the field on this initiative. We reviewed literature and other materials, conducted interviews, and convened panels of experts to identify interventions that work. Project staff conducted additional interviews and site visits to gather detailed information about each practice that was identified.

The importance of this work

The Promising Practices Initiative created a collection of on-line and print materials about these approaches. Vera staff tailored the information to match the needs and realities of specific practitioners—advocates, law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and others—so they could adapt and adopt particular approaches to enhance the effectiveness of their work with survivors and others affected by violence against women.

For more information, write to cvs@vera.org.