Since 1981, October has been designated Domestic Violence Awareness Month and serves as a call to action to end domestic violence in our communities. This awareness campaign is designed to educate, destigmatize, and empower victims. We stand with survivors, and we will wear purple on #PurpleThursday, October 17 to demonstrate our support.

In the last few years, the Department of Veterans Affairs has been addressing Intimate Partner Violence among veterans and their families. VA defines Intimate Partner Violence as violent behavior by a current or former intimate partner that includes physical and sexual violence, psychologically aggressive or coercive acts, and stalking. IPV ranges in severity, as well as frequency, from a single episode to multiple occurrences over years.

National data reveals that more than a third of women and men will experience Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetimes. In fact, in the United States, a current or former intimate partner is responsible for killing one in five homicide victims and over half of homicides among women.

According to a 2022 report by the VA Office of Inspector General, between 14-58% of veterans have experienced Intimate Partner Violence. 35% of female veterans have been victims. And, active-duty military and veterans are three times more likely to commit violence against their partners.

Victims of Intimate Partner Violence have higher incidences of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and self-harm behaviors; physical health problems including heart and digestive conditions, and higher rates of chronic diseases; and risky health behaviors such as smoking, heavy alcohol use, and decreased preventative health care.

In 2012, the VA chartered a Domestic Violence Task Force that recommended programs to raise awareness, implement a national program and leadership structure, standardize screening, provide intervention and resource referrals, adhere to mandated reporting laws, train clinical staff, and establish community partnerships.

In 2014, the VA created the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program (IPVAP) and expanded it to every medical facility in 2019. And, in 2021, Congress directed the VA to conduct a 2-year pilot program to assess the medical treatment, housing assistance, and other benefits being provided to veterans who are victims of Intimate Partner Violence.

In September 2022, VA data revealed that more than half of facilities lacked an IPVAP protocol. For many IPVAP Coordinators, their responsibilities to screen for and serve victims is only a portion of their duties, and more than half reported inadequate resources to perform these duties.

As a result, the Office of the Inspector General provided 7 recommendations:

1- The Under Secretary for Health ensures that Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program

protocols are developed at all medical centers consistent with the national requirement.

2- The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the sufficiency of current guidance and operational

status regarding Intimate Partner Violence Assistance Program coordinators’ dedicated time and

population needs, and takes action as warranted.

3- The Under Secretary for Health determines the appropriate guidance for dedicated

administrative staff support in consideration of the Intimate Partner Violence Assistance

Program coordinators’ responsibilities, and takes action as warranted.

4- The Under Secretary for Health considers the establishment of standardized Intimate Partner

Violence staff training content and format as well as the evaluation of training efficacy, and takes

action as warranted.

5- The Under Secretary for Health develops intimate partner violence screening requirements

based on the current guidance and patient population needs, and takes action as warranted.

6- The Under Secretary for Health expedites standardized program evaluation processes with

oversight and reporting responsibilities to ensure identification of implementation and program

deficiencies and monitoring of corrective action and performance improvement plans.

7- The Under Secretary for Health evaluates the current guidance and operational status related

to the roles and oversight functions of the Veterans Integrated Service Network Intimate Partner

Violence Assistance Program champions and lead coordinators and clarifies expectations and

requirements.

HVAF administers a rapid rehousing/rental assistance grant from the VA called Supportive Services for Veteran Families that allows flexibility to serve victims of Intimate Partner Violence, even if the fleeing victim is not the veteran. We stand with survivors and are committed to ensuring they are safely housed and provided necessary support to maintain their housing.

If you are a victim of domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text 88788 for help.