Citation

Hetling A, Zhang H. Soc. Sci. Q. 2010; 91(5): 1144-1163.

Affiliation

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Southwestern Social Science Association and the University of Texas, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1540-6237.2010.00725.x

PMID

21117333

Abstract

Objective. This study investigates whether or not domestic violence agencies are located in areas of need. Recent research indicates that community economic disadvantage is a risk factor for intimate partner violence, but related questions regarding the geographic location of social service agencies have not been investigated.Methods. Using Connecticut as a case study, we analyze the relationship of agency location and police-reported domestic violence incidents and assaults using OLS regression and correcting for spatial autocorrelation. Results. The presence of an agency within a town has no relationship with the rates of domestic violence. However, regional patterns are evident. Conclusion. Findings indicate that programs are not geographically mismatched with need, but neither are programs located in towns with higher rates of incidents or assaults. Future research and planning efforts should consider the geographic location of agencies.

Language: en