In 2017, we began a three-year plan to address intimate partner violence (IPV) called The HRSA Strategy to Address Intimate Partner Violence (PDF - 429 KB).
This Strategy identifies actions for our agency to address IPV as an important public health issue.
What is IPV?
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is any form of violence by a current or former intimate partner. It includes emotional and verbal violence, physical violence, sexual violence, and stalking.1
How common is IPV?
IPV affects millions of women, men and children. In the United States, approximately one in four women and one in ten men experience IPV within their lifetime.1
Our Vision
A world free from intimate partner violence, where engaged community and health care systems ensure access to high-quality health services and coordinated care for all.
How will we carry out our vision?
We focus on four priorities to address IPV:
- Train the public health workforce at the community level and organizational level.
- Develop partnerships to raise awareness of IPV within HRSA and HHS.
- Increase access to IPV-informed health care services for everyone.
- Address gaps in knowledge about IPV risks, impacts, and interventions.
What are the results of our efforts so far?
Here are some things we did during the first year:
- Delivered the Intimate Partner Violence Health Partners Toolkit to HRSA grantees and stakeholders.
- Recognized in a 2018 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Final Recommendation.
- Partnered with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Futures without Violence (FUTURES) on Project Catalyst.
What are our current and future efforts?
All 27 activities described in the Strategy were fully implemented by December 2020 with many recurring beyond then. The final summary report (PDF - 331 KB) describes key accomplishments by strategy priority, implications and sustainability of Strategy successes, and potential opportunities and next steps. You can also read the HRSA Strategy to Address Intimate Partner Violence 2017-2018 Progress Report (PDF - 3 MB) for further Strategy tracking information. OWH continues to encourage a focus on preventing and addressing IPV across HRSA activities.
What efforts do we lead at the community level?
We address IPV and human trafficking in community health care centers and domestic violence programs. We do this using our IPV toolkit and Project Catalyst.
Footnote:
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2019). Preventing Intimate Partner Violence (PDF – 512 KB)
