Healthcare Program

1 in 3 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetime. These rates are reflected in the state of North Carolina. IPV has significant adverse impacts on physical and mental health. Individuals exposed to IPV experience higher rates of chronic pain, gastrointestinal disorders, stroke and heart disease. People with abuse histories also have increased risk of HIV and other STIs, as well as poor birth outcomes. Mental and behavioral health impacts of IPV include anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use disorders. Often the more severe the experience of IPV, and the longer someone has been exposed to IPV, the greater the health consequences.

Our Healthcare Program focuses on the intersection between IPV and health outcomes for both survivors and victims of IPV, as well as for advocates working in the movement against IPV. Our work in this area includes:

• Providing trainings on topics at the intersection of domestic violence/IPV and healthcare
• Sharing resources about best practices when serving survivors within healthcare settings, health and IPV statistics, and public health policy
• Providing technical assistance to our member organizations and domestic violence agencies across North Carolina
• Answering questions and sharing information on various health-related topics. Topic examples include abortion access, Medicaid expansion, traumatic brain injury, culturally specific health and IPV concerns, and shifting policy and research regarding health, wellness, and IPV

We also currently facilitate the Indigenous Peer Health Program with Biwa Consulting and Dr. Brittany Hunt. Since 2021 this program has trained Indigenous peer health advocates in Robeson County. Peer Health has been an impactful public health strategy that builds community among survivors. We are working to expand our peer health training offerings as a tool for IPV harm reduction.