Diversity and Trauma-Informed Approach for Children, Youth and Adults Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

IPV is a significant public health threat that adversely impacts the health, social, emotional and cognitive development of adult survivors and their exposed children. According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, more than 10 million adults experience domestic violence annually in the United States. This equates to approximately 1 incident of IPV occurring every 3 seconds. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that lifetime prevalence rates for children’s exposure to domestic violence hover in the area of 15.5 million; however, this figure is an estimation based on self-reported data and experts agree that the actual prevalence rate is much higher.

Given the prevalence of IPV and the deleterious impacts on survivors and their children, it is essential that behavioral health providers increase their awareness of the problem and gain skills to support those who are impacted. This training series will increase CBHC providers understanding, prevalence and knowledge of intimate partner violence exposure and subsequent impacts on survivors and their children. Strategies for screening, engaging with and caring for survivors of IPV and their children will be discussed. Trainers will review the dynamics of power and control, explore tactics used by people who use violence, and take particular care to highlight the hurdles survivors face in fleeing IPV; particularly survivors living in marginalized groups. Additionally, the workshops will highlight the importance of self-awareness and reflective practice to mitigate provider bias and vicarious trauma.

After completing this training, participants will be able to: