The Efficacy of Safety Plans in Mitigating Domestic Violence Experiences: A Tehran Study

Domestic violence constitutes a pervasive global issue, posing significant threats to the physical and psychological well-being of family members, with women being disproportionately affected. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a safety plan intervention in mitigating the experiences of domestic violence among female victims residing in Tehran, Iran. A quasi-experimental design was employed, utilizing a pre-test, post-test (at 30 and 60-day intervals) with a control group. Fifty-six female victims of domestic violence aged between 20 and 61 years were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 28) or a control group (n = 28). The experimental group received training on the "safety plan" intervention. Data collection was conducted using the Wife Abuse Experience Questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using Repeated measures ANOVA. Analysis revealed that the total domestic violence score in the experimental group significantly declined from the pre-test mean of 38.5 to the first post-test mean of 28.86, and subsequently to the follow-up mean of 29.14. Conversely, the control group exhibited an initial reduction in the first post-test (from 33.36 to 28.43), followed by a slight increase at the follow-up stage (mean of 30.54). Repeated measures ANOVA demonstrated that this divergence in trends was statistically significant, confirming the intervention's efficacy regarding the total domestic violence score. Furthermore, the intervention successfully mitigated emotional violence, verbal violence, and sexual violence. However, no statistically significant impact was noted concerning mild physical violence or severe physical violence. The safety plan intervention emerged as a concise and efficacious approach for mitigating domestic violence experiences among female victims. Notably, the intervention demonstrated effectiveness in reducing non-physical forms of violence, including emotional, verbal, and sexual abuse. Consequently, this intervention holds promise as a practical tool for social workers and specialists within support centers dedicated to addressing domestic violence.