Susan Somogyi Wells, MSW, RSW, MBA

Consulting Services

An Enhanced Strategy

to End Domestic Violence

A BUSINESS CASE FOR:

It is about strategy, not programs

It must fit

Outputs are out – give me proof

An educated guess is good enough

Just follow the rules

“Everything I know about making a business case, I learned in Social

Work 101”

To Make a Case

Background Information

Presenting problem

Formulation

Goal

Plan

To Make a Case

Current Strategy

Current strategies are directed mainly towards women.

Assumptions

Assume one size fits all for men –40% is lower risk Situational Couple Violence

Assume one size fits all for women

Strategic Context

The Need

Strategies to end DV must close the current service gaps.

The Outcomes

Counselling can reduce the government’s costs related to DV and provide a return on investment. (e.g. EAP)

Strategic Context

The Problem

Current Strategies to end DV may not be the most economical and effective.

Must differentiate the violence, support men and respect women’s right to choose.

The Impact

The gap in the current strategy may be significantly increasing the indirect social and economic costs.

Strategic Context

The Strategic Fit

End DV

Prevent DV before it happens

Reduce spending

Reduce pressures on judicial services

Reduce pressures on Child Welfare

Ensure accessible services to diverse population

Closing the service gap with equal and consistent access to counselling aligns well with the Ontario government's current strategic priorities.

Strategic Context

Service Avg. Salary

Hourly Rate as per Avg. Salary

Hours/ Case

Total Cost

Notes

Police Services $69,238 $35.51 10.00 $355Responding to call, investigation, follow up, recording, court time based on 2 responding officers.

Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Services

n/a n/a n/a n/a In most jurisdictions the service is provided by volunteers. The associated costs are minimal and therefore not included in this analysis.

Children’s Aid Society $62,606 $32.11 8.00 $257All domestic incidents where children are in the home require a report to the Society.

Duty Council $84,033 $43.09 2.50 $108Note: not all offenders will require duty council as some will have the means to pay.

Judge $258,237 $132.43 0.25 $33  

Crown $161,921 $83.04 1.00 $83  

Court Reporter n/a $22.83 0.25 $6  

Court Clerk n/a $24.62 0.25 $6  

Victim Witness Assistance Program

$61,968 $31.78 1.00 $32  

Corrections Officer (Probation and Parole)

$50,000 $25.64 9.00 $231 Initial assessment and monthly contact of .5 hours with offender and victim.

VAW Shelter Services n/a n/a n/a n/aSince low risk is assumed, it is assumed shelter services are not required.

VAW Counseling Services n/a n/a n/a n/aSince VAW Counselling may not be accessed for some of these lower risk cases, it is not included in the costs.

Partner Assault Program (PAR)

n/a n/a n/a $967Ministry of Attorney General's funding formula for PAR is based on standard amount per participant per group.

Total Minimum Direct Service       $2,077 Cost of direct service for each case without administration fee.

Administration fee of above.       $11110% of total above costs – PAR as administration fees included in total cost of PAR.

TOTAL       $2,188For each domestic violence charge and conviction.

Cost Analysis – It’s a guess!

Direct costs of the current intervention - 2,188 per case.

The cost of prevention and early intervention - $1,000 per case.

Cost Analysis– It’s a guess!

The estimated direct cost saving to the province could range between $1.9 and $11.4 million per year.

Ontario DV rates 40% of cases that could benefit

(lower risk Situational Couple Violence)

20-80% utilization 50-75% will be successful (OQ45) Equals best case and worst case

scenario

Cost Analysis– It’s a guess!

All other arguments, potential arguments and a rebuttal

All other cost and ethical considerations.

Constraints and Considerations

Summary and Recommendations

Consistent practices

Think tank

Funding for pilot studies

Questions and Discussion