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Domestic Violence Counts
the National Census of Domestic Violence Services
Executive Summary for
Arkansas
Download this report as a PDF file
"A woman whose abuser threatened to shoot her in the head and attach the protection order to the hole in her head is currently staying in our emergency shelter. She'll be save until she can be reunited with her family."
-An Arkansas program
On September 17th 2008, 26 out of 36 identified local domestic violence programs (72%) in Arkansas participated in the
National Census of Domestic Violence Services (NCDVS). The following figures represent the information provided by 26 participating programs about services provided during the 24-hour survey period.
VICTIMS SERVED
During the 24-hour survey period 207 victims of domestic
violence received housing services from a domestic
violence program, either in emergency shelter or
transitional housing.
379 adults and children were served in Arkansas.
- 207 adults and children found refuge in emergency
domestic violence shelters or transitional housing provided by local domestic violence programs.
- 172 adults and children received non-residential
services, including individual counseling, legal advocacy, and children's support groups.
- In just one day, 84% of local programs provided individual counseling or advocacy but only 26% were able to provide transitional housing.
LIMITED RESOURCES
Many programs reported a critical shortage of funds and staff to assist victims in need of services such as transportation, childcare, language translation, mental health and substance abuse counseling, and legal representation.
Programs reported that lack of staffing was a reason that they could not meet domestic violence victims' request for services. 96% of programs have less than 20 paid staff, including 85% of programs that have less than 10 paid staff. the average starting salary of a full-time, salaried front-line advocate is $18,737.
43 requests for services were tragically unmet due to a
lack of resources.
HOTLINE CALLS
Domestic violence hotlines provide critical support and
information for victims in danger.
133 hotline calls were
answered, more than 6 hotline calls every hour.
ATTORNEYS
Victims of domestic violence often need legal assistance with restraining orders and civil and family court matters. Of programs that participated in the Census, only 8% of programs reported being able to regularly connect a victim requesting legal assistance with an attorney.
"A 71-year-old woman who had been physically assaulted and is being threatened by her former boyfriend had her Order of Protection dismissed on the survey day. Legal Aid was not available to represent her."
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