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#1 Build Partnerships–for DV/SA Advocates

Violence can have a significant impact on health, and survivors have often been restricted from accessing care due to IPV and HT. Partnering with health centers will promote access to care for survivors in your program. Learn more about how health centers can also work to include DV/SA programs as part of their care team. 

"Noemi [patient advocate at Mariposa Health Center] and Mercedes [domestic violence advocate at Catholic Community Services] have come together to not just provide single advocacy on the DV side…but also advocacy on the client care/health side. They enhanced [available] resources, they broadened those support circles…and in a small community you definitely need as much as help as you can get because sometimes the resources are slim to none."

— Lisa Silva, Program Director, Catholic Community Services (Sierra Vista, AZ)

Hand Shake

Receiving warm referrals from health partners

Serving as the primary recipient of warm referrals from your partnering health center increases patients’ access to advocacy services. Offer trainings and continuing education with the health center to introduce your agency’s services and staff, along with the dynamics, prevalence, and health impact of IPV and HT. Trainings for your partner will better equip providers and staff to address and respond to IPV and HT at their health center.

 

Heart

Providing health services

Promote survivor health at your agency by offering important health services such as reproductive health resources, pain medication, and rapid HIV testing. Reflect a culture of health for your clients and staff through wellness classes, healthy food options, and info on health coverage and care. Another way that DV/SA advocates can promote health is by talking with survivors about reproductive coercion and offering reproductive health services like pregnancy tests, contraception, and condoms.

 

IPV, Trafficking, and Health: Know the Facts

Get more of our materials on the health impact of violence at the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence.

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