Forging New Collaborations Between Domestic Violence Programs, Child Welfare Services and Communities of Color

This report summarizes the dialogues from the WOCN focus groups on domestic violence and child welfare. Over one hundred (100) domestic violence and sexual assault activists of color participated in these focus groups. The report includes highlights from their conversations regarding issues and barriers for battered women with children from communities of color and a set of recommendations. Created in 1997, the national Women of Color Network promotes and supports networking and leadership development for women of color activists working in the fields of domestic violence and sexual assault. The Network seeks to enhance the capacity of these activists to define and develop culturally specific approaches to addressing domestic violence and sexual assault in their communities. The Network is based in Columbus, Ohio.