Resources Library: Publications/Reports

Data Detox x Youth

Added Wednesday, April 21, 2021 by Action Alliance

Data Detox x Youth is an activity book to help young people take control of their tech. This interactive toolkit encourages young people to think about different aspects of their digital lives, from their social media profiles to their passwords, with simple activities for reflection and play.

The activity book contains four sections:

- Digital Privacy, which focuses on reducing data traces and understanding online profiling;
- Digital Security, with tips on creating strong and secure passwords;
- Digital Wellbeing, which deals with the addictive nature of smartphones;
- and finally Misinformation, a guide for consuming and sharing information online.

The toolkit is designed for 11 to 16-year-olds who already have their own devices, but it can be used by people of all ages. All you need is a smartphone or a tablet, a printer and something to write with.

Places where the Data Detox x Youth could be used:

- In a classroom (or virtual classroom)
- At home
- By youth groups and organisations (e.g. in a workshop)

Also available in العربية (Arabic), Basque, Brazilian Português, Čeština (Czech), Deutsch, Español, Ελληνικά (Greek), Italiano, Nederlands, Norsk, Português and Shan.

Developmental Impact of Child Victim of and/or Witness to Interpersonal Violence

Added Tuesday, November 12, 2013 by Virginia Department of Social Services

This handout was provided by Linda Swimm, a private practice therapist, at the workshop titled "Children's Services" at the Virginia Department of Social Services Office of Family Violence Promising Practices conference held on September 16, 2013. 

Domestic Violence And Housing Stability: A Role For DV Programs

Added Wednesday, November 28, 2018 by Action Alliance

Within the DV movement, our dedication to that first and most elemental step—ensuring that there is a route toward safety—is reflected in our decades long commitment to building and protecting emergency shelter capacity. Yet today, some communities are implementing new service models less reliant on emergency shelter as survivors’ primary gateway to domestic violence advocacy and aimed instead at being more responsive to the specific needs of each survivor. And some shelters are closing their doors. Is this a sign that we are losing ground—or that we are becoming more flexible?

A change from the traditional communal living shelters, which are important and cherished programs, is gut-wrenching for many of us. However, in many ways it’s our success that has brought us to this important juncture as a movement and opened the way to a re-envisioning of the work ahead. Having created more avenues to basic safety in many communities, we can turn our focus to developing new approaches to assisting survivors who are still isolated from help or who need resources other than emergency services.

Click here to view this resource.

Domestic Violence Homicide Response Plan: A Toolkit for Domestic Violence Programs

Added Monday, July 01, 2019 by Action Alliance

Every survivor that domestic violence programs work with is a potential homicide victim. Advocates know this as they work with survivors, advocating on their behalf and building relationships with them and often their families. Domestic violence programs deal with the reality of knowing that a homicide could happen at any time, yet not allowing this knowledge to overpower their work with victims. When this most tragic violation occurs the traumatic impact is profound. This is felt by everyone - no matter the nature of their relationship with the victim. The needs of those closest to the victim, including their children, family and friends are of utmost importance. In addition, domestic violence programs, their clients and staff, and the communities they work within are deeply impacted. A homicide can change organizations and communities forever.

During this time, programs are asked to fulfill a variety of roles and often at the same time are dealing with their own sense of loss. An important part of responding and coping with these events is to realize there is no single “right” answer. Each of these tragedies is as unique as the human being whose life was taken, and all aspects of this person’s life and death need to be acknowledged, respected, and addressed as your program and community decide how to respond. It is also critical for the domestic violence program to utilize the tools and skills of trauma-informed care in their interactions with colleagues and others impacted by the death.

Produced by End Domestic Violence Wisconsin, the objective of this document is to provide a framework for domestic violence programs to develop a plan for how they will respond to a homicide in their community, whether the victim had been a client or not. Additionally, many of the elements of this plan can be adapted for use when programs experience a death of a client in shelter, as often the effects felt are similar.

Educational Rights of Homeless Children and Youth

Added Monday, August 22, 2016 by Action Alliance

We know that many of you work in programs work on behalf of children and youth everyday addressing a wide range of educational issues, including but not limited to, addressing safety needs associated with attending school, helping kids transition to schools, and general academic support. Recognizing that children and youth experiencing homelessness often have difficulty in school, there has been efforts to put policies and practices in place to protect the rights of all students and ensure access to services to support success in school.

In December 2015, the President signed into law the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA), which ensures that education of homeless students.  The law takes effect this October.  Below are links to some basic fact sheets on this new law:
Homeless Student Fact Sheet and Rights
U.S. Department of Education Guidance.  This document also provides specific guidance on protecting the privacy of homeless children exposed to or experiencing domestic violence.
Information of Shelters and Advocates. This will also take to you to a link to find the Student Services Liaison in your community.

We hope this information helps you better understand the variety of rights of students, as well as provide you information on services in the community that are available to you to advocate on behalf of homeless students in your community.

The College of William and Mary the Education of Homeless Youth program for the Department of Education in Virginia.  More information can be found on the program's website.