title: Back to basics: essential qualities of services for survivors of intimate partner violence.
abstract: Survivor voice is essential to effectively implement survivor-focused IPV (intimate partner violence) services. In this focus group study, domestic violence survivors (n = 30) shared detailed perspectives as service seekers and recipients, whereas national hotline advocates (n = 24) explored relationships between service providers and survivors based on their interactions with both. Four thematic categories related to enhancing IPV services emerged: providing empathy, supporting empowerment, individualizing care, and maintaining ethical boundaries. Advocates identified additional factors that interfered with quality services, including the following: inadequate organizational resources, staff burnout, lack of training, and poor integration with other community resources. Respectful, empowering relationships are the centerpiece for quality IPV services.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Work, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC, USA. skulkar4@uncc.edu
authors.forename: Shanti J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.forename: Holly
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: Diane McDaniel
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rhodes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002055:Burnout, Professional; D019548:Crime Victims; D004493:Education; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006282:Health Personnel; D006295:Health Resources; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010344:Patient Advocacy; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D011209:Power, Psychological; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013179:Spouse Abuse; D017741:Survivors; D014932:Women's Health Services / Q000941:ethics / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult