Specific Support in Intimate Partner Violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Many of us work in the field of intimate partner violence and domestic violence or in related fields. It’s an area where advocates are necessary and the support we can provide is crucial. Although there is no way we can be prepared for every survivor’s situation, it is our duty to be as prepared and knowledgeable as we can be.
Below we highlight one training that covers fundamentals of serving survivors of domestic violence. The rest of this roundup is dedicated to specific instances that come up in our field for which we can give specific support. These special topics include self-managed abortions, spiritual health, specific support for Black women survivors, supporting children who witness domestic violence, and more. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for more!
DV 101 Training
Creating a Shared Understanding of Domestic Violence
October 2024
MCEDSV and MiVAN
The way we think about domestic violence, and how we define it, is impacted by messages we receive from society and shaped by our own experiences. In this course, you’ll learn more about what domestic violence means in an intimate relationship, how prevalent it is, and how to recognize risks, so that we can meet survivors where they are with consistent terminology, information, and services.
*You must be a registered member on MiVAN.org to take this training.
Specific Support Topics
Children and Trauma
October 2024
MCEDSV and MiVAN
Working with children who have been harmed can be one of the more challenging aspects of being an advocate but also one of the most rewarding, as advocates can play such an important role in supporting children and their caregivers. In this course, we will discuss the prevalence and effects of sexual abuse & domestic violence on children, perpetrator tactics, how children experience and express their trauma, how to support non-offending caregivers, and how to promote the resiliency and healing of children.
*You must be a registered member on MiVAN.org to take this training.
Self-Managed Abortion, Domestic Violence, and the Law
September 2024
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
“This training covers what self-managed abortion is and isn’t, the impact of criminalization of pregnant people and their families, and the difference between giving legal advice and information. Trainers also clarify that there is no requirement presently in any state to report someone who is self-managing their abortion. With the ever-changing legal landscape around abortion, and diminishing access to in-clinic abortion services, knowing how to support people who are considering self-managed abortion will become increasingly important.”
View the webinar: in English and in Español
Serving Black Women Survivors of IPV
February 2024
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence (NRCDV)
“The purpose of this 4-part Technical Assistance Guidance (TAG) series is to give advocates the tools and practical strategies to identify, reach, and effectively serve Black women-identified survivors of intimate partner violence.”
Part 1: Providing Survivor-Centered, Culturally Responsive, Trauma-Informed, Strengths-Based Care
Part 2: Taking an Intersectional Approach
Part 3: Understanding Reproductive Coercion, Non-Fatal Strangulation, and Intimate Partner Homicide
Part 4: Using a Web of Trauma to Understand Black Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Spiritual Health Matters
June 2024
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Research proves that healthy spirituality can have profound impacts on the holistic health and wellbeing of individuals. In this webinar, Dr. Ghia Kelly explores spiritual health as a protective factor and the ways faith and spirituality can help survivors connect with themselves, strengthen their support systems, and restore their hope. The speaker also discusses the importance of spiritual health for advocates and ways they can support their own spiritual self-care.
View this webinar: in English and in Español
She Trusted Me and I Reported Her: What do Advocates Need to Know about the Impact of Mandatory Reporting on Survivors?
May 2024
VAWnet
This article discusses the potential impacts of mandatory reporting on survivors of domestic violence, particularly when it intersects with the child welfare field, and offers suggestions for advocates around navigating mandatory reporting requirements.
Navigating Situationships: Recognizing Emotional Abuse and Setting Boundaries
August 2024
Battered Women’s Justice Project
This is a short web-article written for people who may find themselves in a situationship and wonder if they are seeing flags of possible emotional abuse. It highlights a few tactics of emotional abuse and how to find support.