Intimate Partner Violence Survivors’ Unmet Social Service Needs

Abstract

Women who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization are at risk for physical and mental health problems, as well as social and economic challenges. In this cross-sectional study, 173 adult, English-speaking women who had experienced police response to IPV completed a self-report questionnaire about their use of, interest in, and need for various social services and whether or not each type of service helped (or would help) them to feel safer. More than three quarters of the participants reported a current need for health and economic support services. There was less interest in traditional IPV resources: law enforcement and domestic violence counseling or shelter. Expanding services to meet survivors' needs for health care and economic independence may facilitate long-term safety. Recommendations for further research in this area are provided.

Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Among Women Veterans: Health, Health Care Service Use, and Opportunities for Intervention

“…Within the VA system, patients can access care for a wide range of medical and mental health care needs all within a single facility. Previous literature has demonstrated a variety of other social service needs to help women escape and heal from partner violence, including needs for assistance with housing, child care, employment, legal services, and financial support (Dichter & Rhodes, 2011). In addition to medical and behavioral health care, the VA offers patients access to and coordination of social services through VA-specific housing, employment, and other social service programs and can also facilitate access to community-based resources.…”

Domestic Violence Interventions in Social and Health Care Settings: Challenges of Temporary Projects and Short-Term Solutions

“…Social welfare and health care workers not only have difficulties in recognizing the consequences of violence and the traumas that it causes but also struggle to understand what they see as the passive behavior of victims of violence. Often, victims' depression or inability to solve violent situations is considered the cause of violence rather than the obvious consequence of violence (Dichter & Rhodes, 2011;Koistinen & Holma, 2015).…”

Women’s Healthcare Utilization Following Routine Screening for Past-Year Intimate Partner Violence in the Veterans Health Administration

“…Intimate partner violence (IPV), including physical, sexual, and psychological violence from a current or former intimate partner, is a public health concern affecting 5.3 million women in the USA each year. 1 Experience of IPV is associated with elevated rates of multiple chronic and acute physical and mental health conditions, [2][3][4][5][6] as well as social health needs (e.g., housing, employment), [7][8][9] and healthcare use and costs. [10][11][12][13][14] Healthcare encounters, whether specifically related to IPV health impacts or not, present opportunities to both identify and provide patients with support related to IPV and its aftermath.…”