Domestic Violence Evidence Project

This paper examines the work of domestic violence programs within a “social and emotional well-being” framework. It first elucidates how domestic violence negatively impacts survivors’ and their children’s well- being, and which factors have been shown to restore this well-being over time. It then describes the Theory of Change that is at the foundation of domestic violence programs’ work, and details how domestic violence programs creatively engage with survivors and their children to influence the factors known to promote their well-being. It concludes with a review of the empirical evidence examining the extent to which domestic violence programs have been effective in achieving their desired outcomes.







This is a paper in the Domestic Violence Evidence Project series.

"The Domestic Violence Evidence Project, an initiative of the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV), is designed to respond to the growing emphasis on identifying and integrating “evidence-based practice”. We are combining what we know from research, evaluation, practice and theory to inform critical decision-making by domestic violence programs and allies.

The project has collected and synthesized evidence from published, empirical research studies. Since we know that controlled research studies are not the only source of information on program effectiveness, we are also identifying where emerging evidence shows that programs and practices are making a difference in community settings. Together, these research reviews and profiles of innovative, culturally-responsive and evidence-based programs and practices can expand the field’s capacity to more effectively serve survivors and their families and help build a more robust body of evidence for our work." (from the website)