Translating Principles into Practice: Implementing the Feminist and Strengths Perspectives in Work with Battered Women

Abstract

This study examined the narratives of battered women to determine whether court advocates used principles of the feminist and strengths perspectives to assist the women in obtaining protective orders and devising safety plans. The results indicated that advocates were using principles of these perspectives. Advocates uncovered women’s strengths, often reinforcing the steps the women had taken to effect positive change in their lives, and gave the women information on resources. Most of the women were satisfied with the services and believed that the advocates showed concern about their plight. Taking time to listen was cited as a major aspect of that display of concern.