April 16, 2024
12:30–2:00 p.m. ET

Sponsor: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, Service Member, Veterans and their Families Technical Assistance Center 

Join us for an informative webinar on the critical issue of intimate partner violence (IPV) within the Service members, Veterans, and their families (SMVF) community. As highlighted by the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) report, Intimate Partner Violence—A Risk Factor for Suicide Among Veterans, IPV is a significant concern for women Veterans and service members. Regardless of their rural or urban dwelling status, they face higher rates of IPV experiences than their civilian counterparts. However, IPV is not confined to women alone. It can affect anyone, irrespective of their gender or sexual orientation.

IPV is not just a risk factor for suicide, but also a gateway to a host of physical, mental, and social health problems. These include post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, substance misuse, financial difficulties, and homelessness.

In this webinar, we bring together experts from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the RAND Corporation, and VA to shed light on the implications of IPV. Attendees will gain an overview of IPV, including the latest data and research findings. We will delve into a recent study by RAND that focused on enhancing support for women Veterans.

Additionally, we will discuss federal initiatives related to IPV. Attendees will hear about the release of the first-ever U.S. National Plan to End Gender-Based Violence: Strategies for Action and SAMHSA’s related efforts. Moreover, there will be an opportunity to become familiar with VA’s IPV Assistance Program (IPVAP), including proactive measures taken by VA to assist SMVF affected by IPV.

We will explore how we can collectively support those who have been impacted by IPV. Following the presentations, we will open the floor for questions, providing you with the opportunity to engage directly with the subject-matter experts.

Join us as we strive to increase understanding of IPV and strengthen access to resources for those impacted by IPV within the SMVF community.