To: Whom It May Concern

RE: Domestic Violence Impact Panels

The concept of a Domestic Violence Impact Panel is wholeheartedly supported by the Board members of NWADVTP and Domestic Violence Treatment Providers throughout the northwest.

A little over 7 years ago, a committee of professionals and community members formed to develop standards for the first Domestic Violence Impact Panel in Pierce County. This committee was made up of representatives from the courts, probation departments, victim advocates (both community & legal advocates), treatment providers, crime victims program, police, therapists, and community members. At that time, standards were developed, policies and procedures adopted (listed as attachments). Since that time, other panels have developed in many areas around the State of Washington. The Domestic Violence Impact Panel has been closely scrutinized over the years, and has stood the test of time. Other States around the country have adopted the Domestic Violence Impact Panel as a way to contribute to the process of stopping Domestic Violence.

The ideal panel is comprised of Survivor Family Members of a slain victim of Domestic Violence, a former Victim Of Domestic Violence, a recovering Perpetrator of Domestic Violence, others who grew up with Domestic Violence and chose a different path, with a closing by a Domestic Violence Treatment Provider who talks about what Domestic Violence is, the effects on the children, and the accepted remedies for Domestic Violence in the State of Washington. Most panels show a short video of Domestic Violence in the community. All speakers are screened for their ability to tell their story in a public setting (recommend at least two years recovery time for all speakers) in an objective, non-shaming way.

The Domestic Violence Impact Panel is designed to have an impact on all attendees, and it does. Treatment Providers from around the State have noted an impact on clients who have attended a panel verses clients who have not attended a panel. The clients that have attended a panel have less denial, minimization, and blaming of the problem. They integrate into the treatment process with much less resistance and are more willing to constructively talk about their issues of Domestic Violence. The anonymous evaluation forms that attendees are required to fill out after the panel have consistently been 98% positive.

In the years that Domestic Violence Impact Panels have been in operation in the State of Washington, nobody (victim, perpetrator or family member) has been negatively impacted, injured or killed due to a panel. This is an excellent way to contribute to the overall community education regarding Domestic Violence. There is no credible research or anecdotal evidence to suggest that Domestic Violence Impact Panels are in anyway harmful to anyone. The idea of impacting clients has always been a treatment tactic, and many treatment programs use impact processes to reach the perpetrator clients.

The Domestic Violence Impact Panel is not designed to replace any formal treatment, but is an adjunct to State Certified Treatment. The best time for a client to attend a panel is just prior to entering treatment, or during the first phase of treatment. It may also be beneficial for a treatment provider to send a person back to another panel at a time of potential relapse in clients attitude or behavior. The only type of client that a Domestic Violence Impact Panel does not have an empathetic effect on is the Psychopathic Style of Perpetrator…this person would also not be amenable to treatment.

The Northwest Association Of Domestic Violence Treatment Professionals strongly supports the growth of the Domestic Violence Impact Panel project throughout the Northwest as an adjunct to the Domestic Violence Treatment process.

Respectfully,


Steven C. Pepping, MA, CDP
NWADVTP President

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PANEL
MISSION STATEMENT

The Domestic Violence Panel will educate perpetrators
to help stop the cycle of violence and to support victim services.

GRANT CRITERIA: Below are the criteria used to determine if a proposal is acceptable for consideration.

The requesting organization must:

• Operate within the Eastern Pierce County area.
• Submit fully completed application
• Have specific and defined use for the funds requested.

RESTRICTIONS:

• Requests will not be considered for fundraising drives, capital campaigns political campaigns, or from individuals
• Applicants may not apply more than 1 (once) each year
• Request will be considered from $500 up to $2,500

If you have any further questions, please contact: Janet Schneider-Chance at (253) 850-1305

Guidelines

Membership Application