Diversity and Trauma-Informed Approach for Individuals Impacted by Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)

Training Description:

Policy recommendations from The Governor Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence state that Behavioral Health Helpline staff and the Community Based Behavioral Health Center staff receive core training on 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.

Training Objectives:

After participating in this training participants will be able to:

1. Describe the definition, prevalence and historical context of IPV exposure.
2. Discuss the impacts of IPV exposure on children, youth and adult development and behavior.
3. Apply basic best practice strategies to support basic survivor safety and risk assessment and enhance the resilience and well-being of survivors and their children who have been impacted by IPV exposure.

Continuing Education Credits:

Discipline	Approval Statement
Licensed Social Worker
Licensed Psychologist
MA Licensed Mental Health Counselor
MA Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor	This course has been approved by the Department of Public Health, Bureau of Substance Abuse Services/LADC Unit for 3.5 contact hours for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselors and Assistants.
MA Registered Nurse	Program meets the requirements for nursing contact hours as specified by the Massachusetts Board of Registration in Nursing 244 CMR 5.04.
MA Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist	This activity has been certified by NEAFAST on behalf of the Massachusettes Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health & Human Services Professions, for LMFT professional continuing education. Certification PC-042414.