The 2024 NIWRC Specialty Institute will offer presentations addressing the complex intersections of IPV with substance use, trauma, and mental health challenges that survivors experience. IPV increases survivors’ risks of suicidality, substance use disorders, depression, PTSD, and other mental health impacts. These issues are often weaponized by offenders to revictimize, victim-blame, and isolate survivors. Survivors of domestic violence and intimate partner violence are challenged with many obstacles, especially navigating systems, finding safety, and accessing services. Additionally, survivors face increased abuse, violence, and sabotaging of recovery by current or former partners when they reach out and access resources. This Specialty Institute highlights promising practices that showcase the critical need for:
- Trauma-informed advocacy.
- Resilience-informed advocacy.
- Culturally relevant advocacy.
