Participatory Research with Survivors of Domestic Violence
Participatory research designs with survivors of DV and other forms of violence can help inform developmental and language access considerations for best practice and help grow awareness of complex social issues. This area of work includes photovoice projects and community listening sessions.
Community-Centered Mentorship
Dr. Macias and the Research and Evaluation team at Esperanza United are conducting an alumni study to explore professional competency outcomes and how domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking advocacy are incorporated into a range of early careers.
Domestic Violence Hotline Studies
Dr. Macias led the development of a focus survey as a collaboration between The Hotline and Esperanza United. To date, a graduate thesis and an undergraduate thesis project have been completed using this data. The team continues to disseminate findings and is supporting analysis and dissemination of a second survey in collaboration with another national training and technical service provider.
Intimate partner homicide prevention
Project funded by the Office of Violence Against Women. Focused on (1) fatality reviews connected with intimate partner violence for Latinx groups, (2) the intersection of Latinx identity and trans identity – the risk for homicide for this group is particularly high, and (3) listening to sessions with national survivors.
Children’s National Hospital
Program evaluation of the Children’s National Hospital’s trauma-informed family violence program. The services delivered to abused parents and children are being evaluated.
Data Analysis – Programs in New Haven Public Schools
Dr. Whitson has been working on program evaluations in New Haven Public Schools and will be analyzing a large data set related to substance use programs.
Past Projects
Photovoice – A Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR)
Esperanza United supported Students for Educational Justice, a New Haven-based youth-led organization, on a photovoice project. This project utilized visual research methods (photography), by training students to use the cameras to document, reflect upon, and communicate issues of concern to influence social change.
Restorative Justice and Gender-based Violence
The project focused on implementing restorative practices to better understand the impacts of gender-based violence on survivors. The project specifically focused on how these practices can be used in marginalized communities.
CT Latinx Behavioral Health & UC Irvine
A needs assessment for the Latinx community on gender-based violence in light of COVID-19.
