As our semester-long project for PHC 6534, we were tasked with putting together a sample grant proposal. I chose to focus on pets for domestic violence victims seeking shelter. Obviously, many people own pets. Concern for these animals can keep victims of Intimate Partner Violence from leaving their situation. Pets may be threatened, hurt or killed by abusers. Alachua County’s shelter already provides some capacity for sheltering families with pets, so my proposal is designed to build on that capacity.
My approach utilized the 5-tier health impact pyramid with a focus on socioeconomic factors and changing the context to make individuals’ default decisions healthy (Frieden, 2010). In the health impact pyramid, we see significant impact for “changing the context to make individuals’ default decisions healthy” (Frieden, 2010); if we can make the process of leaving easier by providing relatively low-cost pet care services, that presents an opportunity for a significant, population-level impact with relatively low individual effort and cost. If the pet is the sole factor remaining in the individual decision to stay in an abusive environment, we have provided an alternative (Frieden, 2010).
This program works on a trauma-specific level with a focus on tertiary prevention (Kisling, 2021)—that is, treating the abuse and providing a way out of the abusive situation—but also influences the primary level. By enabling the individual to leave the IPV situation, there will ideally be no additional trauma added to their existing load. Additionally, a positive relationship with pets has been shown to potentially have positive effects on children exposed to IPV (Hawkins et al., 2019).
My program was developed utilizing the CDC’s 4-level Social Ecological Model and primarily functions at the individual and relationship level, with a secondary influence at the community level (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). The most obvious thrust of the program is protecting the individual and/or their family unit as well as their pet at the individual level. Recognizing the importance of the human-animal relationship and the function of the pet’s place in the family and preserving and strengthening that relationship should make individuals in IPV situations more likely to leave; by not having to choose between the animal’s safety or their own, they will be more likely to pick safely.
The program is meant to provide opportunities for casual interaction without requiring formal attendance at a support group or other emotionally fraught situation. These low-key, low-stress socialization opportunities will provide survivors the chance to build relationships with others. Building these intergroup, community bonds in survivors will provide them with a web of support beyond what the shelter can ordinarily provide, assisting with building a new community and new life beyond “victim.”
This program was developed with SAMHSA’s Principles to a Trauma-Informed Approach in mind (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). In dealing with survivors of Intimate Partner Violence, safety is, of course, a vital first principle even outside the trauma-informed approach (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020). Given the tendency of victims to worry about pets (and abusers to hurt them), it is only logical to provide a safe place for the individual or family, including any pets. Expanding these services will enable supporting more victims to leave or in their decision to leave.
Likewise, peer support (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) is critical in building support for and a new identity beyond one’s survival and status as a victim. This program utilizes soft peer support by providing an opportunity to socialize, but around an activity involving one’s pets. Participants will strengthen the family bond or bond with the animal, but also have the opportunity to bond and talk with other pet owners and trainers.
This also recognizes the cultural issues (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) around survivors of Intimate Partner Violence by not treating them as a victim. The program treats them as a pet owner and provides opportunities to ensure the animal’s safety, continue their bond, develop new contacts and relationships with animal-related services; and also provides them with an out from the IPV situation.
I recognize the importance of empowerment, voice, and choice (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2020) in dealing with any victims of trauma, but especially for victims of Intimate Partner Violence. Accordingly, all programs are voluntary, and the groups will have choices as to the activities, parks, and locations they visit. They will also have the option to go, rather than being required to go.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015, June 25). Chapter 1: Models and frameworks. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/comm...ment/pce_models.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2020, September 17). Infographic: 6 guiding principles to a trauma-informed approach. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cpr/infogr...ples_trauma_info.htm
Frieden, T. R. (2010). A framework for Public Health Action: The Health Impact Pyramid. American Journal of Public Health, 100(4), 590–595. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2009.185652
Kisling, L. A. (2021, May 9). Prevention strategies. StatPearls [Internet]. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537222/
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