Intimate Partner Violence IPV Assistance Program (IPVAP)
Providers, Staff & Community Partners
The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) works with both internal and external stakeholders to build a community of practice aimed at providing quality care and services to Veterans, their intimate partners and VA staff impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV).
Provider & Community Partners Resources
VA Providers & Staff Community Providers & Staff
What is IPV?
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a serious, yet preventable, public health epidemic that is known to disproportionately affect Veterans and their families. It includes “any violent behavior including, but not limited to, physical or sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression (including coercive acts) by a current or former intimate partner(s) that occurs on a continuum of frequency and severity which ranges from one episode that might or might not have lasting impact to chronic and severe episodes over a period of years. It can occur in heterosexual or same-sex relationships and does not require sexual intimacy or cohabitation (VHA Directive 1198).
What does IPVAP do?
VA is committed to ensuring that Veterans, their partners, and VA employees who are directly impacted by intimate partner violence (IPV) are provided with a comprehensive network of services and that all are treated with dignity and respect. Some services include (but are not limited to):
- Prevention
- Awareness
- Education and Training
- Screening and Assessment
- Safety Planning and Intervention
What makes VHA IPVAP unique?
The IPVAP addresses the full scope of IPV by serving those who experience, as well as those who use, IPV-related behaviors in their intimate relationships. The IPVAP has developed a comprehensive, Veteran-centered psychosocial rehabilitation framework that guides all facets of the program.
The following 4 guiding principles outlined below provide the foundation of all IPVAP services to promote safety, trust, recovery, and relationship health while reducing stigma or stereotyping.
1. Person-First: Using person-first language conveys dignity and respect for those seeking care and recovery. It promotes inclusivity and eliminates gender bias by avoiding the use of stigmatizing labels such as victim, batterer, offender or abuser. Instead, the IPVAP uses the terms those who experience or those who use IPV.
2. Veteran-Centric: The IPVAP recognizes and respects the unique needs of Veterans and their families and strives to provide services that honor the Veterans’ service.
3. Recovery-Oriented: The Recovery-Oriented System of Care (ROSC) model supports a coordinated network of VA and community services that builds upon the strengths and resilience of individuals and families to improve relationships and quality of life.
4. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) Approach: Programs and services offered through the IPVAP are founded on TIC principles. This calls for understanding, recognizing and responding to the effects of trauma, and emphasizing physical, psychological and emotional safety to encourage personal empowerment and healing.
Ways you can help…
Everyone can play a role in helping the IPVAP achieve our vision to ensure that Veterans, their intimate partners, and VA employees will not experience and/or use relationship violence and will be free from the resulting negative consequences. By establishing a Community of Practice, we can bring together the latest research, best practices, subject matter expertise and effective services to fulfill this mission.
As VA and community partners, you can help by participating in efforts to raise awareness, gain new knowledge and skills through training opportunities, support routine screening and engage in safety planning and intervention. Working together, we can promote safe, healthy relationships for Veterans, their partners and VA staff. Contact your local IPVAP Coordinator to ask how you can get involved.
Want to know more?
Watch: IPV Relationship Health Safety Download: IPV Factsheet
VA Providers and Staff, click below
Community Partners, click below.
VA Provider and Staff Quick Links:
- For additional information, assistance, local IPVAP materials, consultation or to request training, contact your local Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program Coordinator.
- If you are a VA Provider visit the internal IPVAP SharePoint for more information and resources:
- Always provide 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.
