Quiz Yourself: Answers

1. Some of the barriers associated with isolation in rural communities include:
      • Distant neighbors.
      • Leaving may require traveling long distances.
      • Few social contacts.
      • Children may cause the victim to be more homebound.
      • Bad weather may impede roads.
      • Social outlets may be few.
      • Social services and domestic violence centers may be distant.
    
2. Some of the barriers associated with law enforcement in rural communities may include:
      • Limited resources, few officers.
      • The same officer responding repeatedly.
      • Long response times.
      • Lack of 911 or enhanced 911 systems.
      • Prosecutors, judges, and officers may have little or no domestic violence education.
      • Officers may know perpetrators personally and assist them rather than the victim.
    
3. Some of the barriers associated with transportation in rural communities may include:
      • The victim may not have a car.
      • No public transportation.
      • Inability to drive.
      • Bad roads.
      • Without transportation, victim can't get to social services, work, or to the store.
    
4. The "collective conscience" can work for rather than against a victim if the community in general is opposed to domestic violence. In these cases, the perpetrator may be ostracized instead of the victim. Local organizations may make the eradication of domestic violence their mission, provide great strength and resources for victims as well as needed public education.
    
5. Some assets unique to victims of domestic violence in rural communities may include:
      • A collective conscience that favors the victim.
      • A closely knit community that is capable of providing very personal assistance to victims.
      • Community members who are willing to help those they know personally.
      • Strong and widespread friendship and support networks.
      • Greater access to legislators.
      • Strong social service coalitions.
      • High visibility of the issue of adopted by local groups such as churches.
    
6. Options for overcoming some rural barriers to domestic violence may include:
      • The use of watch systems to keep in contact with isolated citizens who might be in need.
      • More social service outlets and outreach in rural communities.
      • Better or updated telephone systems including enhanced 911.
      • More domestic violence training for rural prosecutors, judges, and officers.
      • More public education on domestic violence in rural areas.
      • More transportation options for rural residents.
   
   These are only some of the possible answers. Did you think of others?