GCADV and GCFV Publications
Fatality Review Chronology Template
This document is a template to create the chronology for case reviews. Fatality Review Teams should consult the Fatality Review Project’s Policies and Operating Procedures Manual for information about completing the chronology.
SUPPLEMENT TO 2018 | 15TH ANNUAL REPORT
This document is a supplement to the Final Edition of the Annual Report (2018) of the Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Project. It provides aggregated data for the five year period, January 2014 to December 2018. The document includes a per capita map of domestic violence-related deaths in Georgia, as well as charts which illustrate those deaths by county and cause of death during the five year period.
Annual Report Distribution Letter for Task Forces
Many domestic violence task forces make distribution of the Fatality Review Report to local stakeholders an annual project. Task forces can download and use our cover letter to share the information and to invite new members to your meeting.
Stalking Log
A stalking incident log can be a useful tool for documenting individual acts of stalking in order to demonstrate
the pattern of behavior required to meet the legal definition of stalking. Stalking incident logs should be used to track phone calls, text messages, emails, threats, unwanted in-person contact and other tactics the stalker may implement. In addition to tracking these incidents via the stalking log, victims should save all evidence of stalking including electronic contacts, voicemails, letters and gifts.
Supplement to 2017 | 14th Annual Report
Traditionally, the Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Annual Report contains aggregated data and charts for all cases reviewed by the Project. In 2017, the Project focused on the connection between domestic violence and stalking, and to highlight the trends specific to stalking cases, the data in the Report was segmented for comparison against itself. This document is a supplement to the 2017 Annual Report and provides the aggregated data that our readers use for developing training content, conducting community outreach and education or when writing grant proposals.
Support for Survivors of Murder-Suicide Brochure
“Support for Survivors of Domestic Violence Murder-Suicide” This brochure contains suggestions, resources and reminders for grieving families, friends and communities who have been impacted by a domestic violence murder-suicide incident. Request copies of this brochure by emailing terri.powe@dcs.ga.gov.
Supplement to 2016 | 13th Annual Report
Traditionally, the Georgia Domestic Violence Fatality Review Annual Report contains aggregated data and charts for all cases reviewed by the Project. In 2016, the Project focused on the suicide-homicide connection, and to highlight the trends specific to murder-suicide cases, the data in the Report was segmented for comparison against itself. This document is a supplement to the 2016 Annual Report and provides the aggregated data that our readers use for developing training content, conducting community outreach and education or when writing grant proposals.
Connecting Community Resources to Local Law Enforcement
“Connecting Community Resources to Local Law Enforcement.” This resource, developed in collaboration with Mike Mertz, consists of 6 Roll Call trainings to address key moments of opportunity when law enforcement can intervene and assist victims of domestic violence achieve safety and hold abusers accountable. A key component to the Roll Call training series is the recruitment of and partnership with several suggested presenters, including domestic violence advocates, prosecutors, judges and judicial staff, chiefs of police and other leaders in law enforcement to assist with presenting the information to law enforcement officers. The manual includes 6 complete lesson plans, training scripts and resources. Request copies of accompanying PowerPoint presentations by emailing Niki.Lemeshka@dcs.ga.gov.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace Train the Trainer Toolkit
“Domestic Violence in the Workplace Train the Trainer Kit.” This CD contains resources and materials designed for conducting domestic violence education and awareness to the business community. Included are tips for speaking with the business community, marketing materials, and powerpoint slides. Request an email copy by emailing dmonley@gcadv.org.
Safe Sacred Space Task Force Training Guide
“Safe Sacred Space: A Training Guide for Family Violence Task Forces.” This training guide was developed for Family Violence Task Forces to use in their efforts to train local faith communities. It includes tips for conducting a successful training and a training outline complete with a suggested script. Request the powerpoint file by emailing dmonley@gcadv.org.
Safe Sacred Space Faith Manual
“Safe Sacred Space: A Manual for Faith Leaders.” This manual was developed for faith leaders to use in their response to domestic violence. It includes more in-depth information than the material covered in the “Safe Sacred Space Task Force Training Guide”. We designed these resources to be used in conjunction with each other. A limited number of hard copies are available to individuals and Task Forces who are conducting trainings and events for faith leaders in their community. Request an electronic copy by emailing dmonley@gcadv.org.
Friends and Family Brochure
“Domestic Violence: What to do if Friends or Family members are being abused.” Also available in Spanish. “Violencia Domestica: Lo que debe hacer si sus Amigos o Familiares sufren maltratos.”
This brochure offers tips for how to best support someone who is being abused. It covers definitions, how friends and family can help, signs that signal increased danger, and what to say and what not to say to the person you suspect is being abused.
Domestic Violence and Faith Brochure
“What every congregation needs to know about domestic violence” This brochure includes basic information about domestic violence, addresses common questions, and includes information for victims of abuse and for those committing abuse. It also offers suggestions to lay leaders and clergy on what they can do to prevent domestic violence.
Awareness Poster
“I broke my silence, I made a call, I saved a friend’s life.” This poster is designed to encourage family and friends to speak up when someone they care about is being abused. Its compact size makes it ideal for posting in restroom stalls, community bulletin boards, and other common areas.
Fatality Review Policies and Procedures Manual
This manual is an overview of how to coordinate a successful fatality review team to review domestic violence fatalities in your community. While every effort has been made to include all the information you will need, this manual is not intended to replace the technical assistance provided to local communities through the Project Coordinators for the Project.
Domestic Violence and the Media
Media reports often minimize the complexity of domestic violence and unwittingly perpetuate domestic violence stereotypes. This resource con be helpful for journalists covering domestic violence crimes in order to further explore the dynamics of domestic violence and the impact domestic violence has on the family and community at large.
Community Resources
Georgia Crime Victims Compensation
Survivors of domestic violence-related crimes often face a long emotionally and physically painful road to recovery. In the aftermath of a devastating crime that has taken or nearly taken a loved one, expenses can quickly pile up. If you have been a victim of crime or if you have lost a family member to a violent crime, you may be eligible for the Georgia Crime Victims Compensation Program. Please click here for more information.
Secondary Trauma
Survivors are not the only people affected by trauma. On a daily basis, advocates and other helping professionals listen to sad, emotional and tragic stories. The emotionally taxing nature of this work results in responders internalizing the feelings and emotions of those they are working with and developing trauma reactions in a process commonly referred to as vicarious trauma or secondary trauma.
These trauma reactions can inhibit on advocate’s ability to support survivors in a compassionate and empathetic way. Some of the warning signs of secondary trauma can include anger and cynicism, disbelief or mistrust of survivors, victim blaming, diminished creativity in addressing problems, emotional numbness and feeling hopeless or helpless.
The impact of secondary trauma on advocates and others can be minimized by utilizing a trauma-informed approach when setting organizational policies and incorporating these principles into the ways in which organizations support and supervise employees. The process of becoming trauma-informed is one that requires a comprehensive look at the organization as a whole- from structure, to policies, down to programming and specific practices. The principles of trauma-informed care are universal but the applications are different for particular groups. While we are focusing here on domestic violence advocates, any service provider or agency can become trauma-informed.
For More Information on secondary trauma, visit:
The National Center on Domestic Violence Trauma and Mental Health
The Joyful Heart Foundation