Building a Novel Health Curriculum for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence Residing at a Transitional Housing Program

Abstract

We used a community-based participatory research approach to develop, implement, and evaluate one of the first health curricula for female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors residing at a transitional housing program. The curriculum comprised 12 workshops that were developed based on the survivors' experiences, needs, and interests. Evaluation participants included 20 of the 37 women who attended at least one workshop, 12 workshop facilitators, and two housing center staff. Participants found the curriculum to be engaging, interactive, and helpful in building a supportive community. Suggestions for curricular improvement as well as opportunities for further research and curricular development are discussed.

A systematic review of community-based research interventions for domestic violence survivors.

“…Community team members in 17 articles included DV advocates or staff (Bloom et al, 2014;Cattaneo et al, 2009;Chronister et al, 2012;Clark et al, 2014;Gilbert et al, 2015;Kelly & Pich, 2014;Kramer et al, 2012;Levin, 2001;Macy et al, 2012;Nicolaidis, Wahab, et al, 2013;Ragavan et al, 2017;Renzetti & Follingstad, 2015;Serrata et al, 2016;Sullivan, 2003;Sullivan et al, 2016;Wahab et al, 2014). DV survivors were included in different capacities such as participants in needs assessments that guided project design, reviewers of project materials, members of community advisory boards or teams, and program implementers (Bloom et al, 2014;Gilbert et al, 2015;Kelly & Pich, 2014;McWhirter, 2011;Nicolaidis, Wahab, et al, 2013;Ragavan et al, 2017;Renzetti & Follingstad, 2015;Sullivan, 2003;Sullivan et al, 2016;Wahab et al, 2014). Other community partners included staff at other community-based agencies, public health or governmental organizations, and general community members (Blodgett et al, 2008;Cattaneo et al, 2009;Chronister et al, 2012;Galano et al, 2017;Gilbert et al, 2015;Levin, 2001;Macy et al, 2012;McWhirter, 2011;Ragavan et al, 2017;Renzetti & Follingstad, 2015;…”

“…when their own conditions are not being addressed" (p. 218). Ragavan et al (2017) described the challenges inherent in using separate topic-specific experts for each workshop, primarily due to insufficient time for relationship building. CBPR Value 3: Attending to equal distribution of structural and individual power.…”

“…Chronister et al (2012) created a resource file, career packets, and collaboration with the company Career Information System to connect women to employment opportunities. Ragavan et al (2017) codeveloped a facilitator's manual, which provided details on how to lead each workshop. Sullivan (2003) described replication and expansion of the program (including funding for a program coordinator position), explaining that "social action researchers have a responsibility to disseminate innovations that have shown to be effective .…”

Intimate Partner Violence: Identification and Response in Pediatric Health Care Settings

“…Clinicians may wish to create bidirectional and longitudinal partnerships with community-based IPV agencies to provide support for IPV survivors in clinical settings and offer community-based health care services to IPV survivors. 18,25…”

“…Clinicians may wish to create bidirectional and longitudinal partnerships with community-based IPV agencies to provide support for IPV survivors in clinical settings and offer communitybased health care services to IPV survivors. 18,25 Providers should be prepared to encounter survivors who decline offered resources. It is important to keep in mind the many barriers to seeking help for IPV and leaving an abusive relationship, such as concerns about the safety of children with an abuser if the nonoffending parent is not present, threats to take away children if attempts to leave are made, financial insecurity, and cultural or religious practices.…”