Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP)
National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
In recognition of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month for the month of October, the Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to taking steps to address the effects of domestic violence on its workforce, and providing support and assistance to VA employees whose lives are affected by such violence. Domestic violence includes intimate partner violence, sexual assault and stalking. Domestic violence is prevalent in every community, and affects all people regardless of age, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, gender, race, religion, or nationality. The consequences of domestic violence can cross generations and last a lifetime.
The VA Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) recognizes Domestic Violence (DV), and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious yet preventable public health problem that may disproportionately affect Veterans. The term, “intimate partner violence” describes physical, sexual or psychological harm (including coercive acts) by a current or former partner or spouse that occurs on a continuum of frequency or severity and does not require sexual intimacy or cohabitation. The IPVAP provides comprehensive and integrated services through a trauma-informed, person-centered, and recovery-oriented approach. The IPVAP recommends and promotes prevention and early intervention for those impacted by IPV.
We encourage Veterans, their Partners, and VA staff to Check Up, Check In and Check Out IPVAP Coordinator resources and services.
Heal, Hold & Center
This year’s National Call for Unity is an opportunity for “Connective Action” around the DVAM 2024 theme, Heal, Hold & Center. This is an intentional pause and moment of recognition and togetherness for advocates and survivors across the country. Who do you want to celebrate? This #CallforUnity asks each of us to commit to reconnection with those we honor and appreciate in this work to end and heal from domestic violence
The Importance of IPV Education and Support
All forms of IPV can negatively impact relationship health, well-being, and safety. Without intervention, IPV has the potential to result in harmful, or sometimes fatal outcomes. Providing universal education and support across the health care system is a vital step toward promoting prevention and early intervention for those who experience or use IPV. For individuals experiencing IPV, having access to education and support empowers individuals to make informed choices about their relationship safety and options. Education helps individuals recognize that they may be using IPV behaviors in their intimate partner relationships and encourages them to reach out for help. Couples who are caught in a cycle of conflict or poor communication styles can seek education and support to help improve their relationship skills.
In recognition of DVAM National Wear Purple Day, show your support the third Thursday in October and wear purple to help raise awareness of IPV. Additionally, please take the time to learn about available resources, increase awareness of healthy and safe relationships and refer Veterans, their partners, and VA staff to the IPVAP for services. It is imperative as a community to prevent and disrupt IPV. Together, we can make a difference.
Learn More About VA IPVAP And Other VA Services
- VA Whole Health
- National IPVAP Website
- National Center for PTSD
- National Domestic Violence Hotline*
- Veterans Crisis Line
- Futures Without Violence*
- myPlan App: Safety Planning Application*
- VA National Social Work
- National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)
30th Anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)
This year, the presidential proclamation marks the 30th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) by stating “domestic violence affects millions of Americans across our Nation with devastating consequences for survivors, families, and entire communities. Everyone deserves to live free from the fear of violence, especially in their own home. During National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, we recommit to extending support and resources to all survivors, continuing to hold perpetrators accountable, and ensuring that our society is truly safe for everyone.”
Consider how you can Start the Conversation about this important issue and show support for those impacted by domestic violence. There are many ways to Take A Stand such as sharing Domestic Violence Hotline numbers, wearing purple and staying informed by one of the many links below:
Consider how you can Start the Conversation about this important issue and show support for those impacted by domestic violence. There are many ways to Take A Stand such as sharing Domestic Violence Hotline numbers, wearing purple and staying informed by one of the many links below:
- Wear the color purple for #DVAM2024 awareness on #PurpleThursday which is October 17th, 2024
- Read the 2024 Presidential Proclamation on National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month | The White House
- VHA Assault and Harassment Prevention Office (AHPO): The mission of the Assault and Harassment Prevention Office is to systematically facilitate national harassment and sexual assault prevention and recovery strategies to promote a culture of respect and safety for all employees, Veterans, volunteers, and visitors. VA has a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment and sexual assault. Visit the AHPO Internet Site, for harassment prevention resources and information, including policies, VA and community resources, news, and information on how you can take an active role in ending harassment and sexual assault in VA.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Need Help? VA offers Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services for all employees, available at any time. Contact EAP at 1-800-222-0364.
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: If you or someone you know is in need of support, immediate and confidential help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline by visiting thehotline.org, calling 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224), or texting “START” to 88788.
- The National Network to End Domestic Violence (NNEDV), a network of 56 state and U.S. territorial coalitions against domestic violence, launched its fourth year of the national #Every1KnowsSome1 campaign in observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
- NNEDV Safety Net Project for Social Media Hygiene and Removing Sensitive Content from the Internet: So much personal information can be found online. Sometimes, it can be found on host websites (such as a personal blog, a social media site, or a company’s website). But even after updating privacy settings on your social media accounts, removing your information from data brokers, or taking other steps to remove the content from host websites, there can be a disconnect where it is removed from the sites themselves, but still appears in the search engine (e.g. Google or Bing) preview. It can include text or images, and there can also be a disconnect where the text no longer appears in search engine previews but images do. To remove images of our house (including layouts and blueprints) from Zillow, blur street images of your house from Google Maps and Apple requires that you email them “to request that a face, license plate, or your own house be censored.”
For more information or assistance, contact your local Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator, Primary Care Social Worker or other Provider. Women Veterans can also ask for the Women Veterans Program Manager.
Not yet a patient at VA?
Find help in the community by calling the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 (SAFE) or TTY 1−800−787−3224.
* Links with an asterisk (*) next to them will take you outside the VA website. VA is not responsible for the content of the linked site. This link does not constitute endorsement of the non-VA website or its sponsor.
