I want to implement an evidence-based victim assistance intervention in a hospital setting. Embedding specialized staff (domestic violence victim advocates) transforms routine clinical encounters into opportunities for trauma-informed intervention, instead of relying on external referrals that survivors may never access. Hospitals are key intervention points for DV survivors: Many survivors of domestic violence interact with the healthcare system more frequently than with law enforcement or social services, especially through:

• Emergency departments

• Obstetric and gynecologic care

• Primary care and pediatrics

• Behavioral health services

Domestic violence (DV) is associated with chronic pain, injury, mental health disorders, reproductive complications, and adverse birth outcomes. Because survivors often seek medical care without disclosing abuse, hospitals are uniquely positioned to identify and intervene early.

Having a domestic violence victim advocate in a hospital setting is very innovative. Currently, DV victim advocacy exists in DV shelters and co-located in court locations. Referrals are made from hospitals to DV shelter agencies; however, this doesn't always result in receiving services. Survivors face well-documented barriers when accessing DV services, including:

• Fear of retaliation

• Shame or stigma

• Lack of transportation

• Time constraints

• Complexity of referral systems

Traditional models depend on off-site referrals, which result in low follow-through. Co-located advocates reduce this “drop off” by:

• Meeting survivors immediately and privately

• Offering support at a moment of crisis or readiness

• Providing warm handoffs instead of phone numbers or brochures

I am seeking funding for a pilot study to place hospital-based advocates to transform the care of survivors of domestic violence. We will evaluate it using a pre-posttest research design using mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative measures). Our team includes doctoral level epidemiologists, master in public health, DV advocates, and students in public health. The DV advocates will be trained in:

• Crisis intervention

• Safety planning

• Legal and social service navigation

• Survivor autonomy and confidentiality

• Public health approach to violence prevention

They complement clinical care by addressing non-medical determinants of safety and recovery, such as housing, immigration concerns, child safety, and legal advocacy. By integrating advocates into care teams, hospitals operationalize trauma-informed care—moving beyond awareness to actionable support.

Research shows that survivors of DV often experience:

• Frequent emergency visits

• Poor management of chronic conditions

• Delayed preventive care

Hospital-based advocacy programs in other countries (i.e., the UK) have been associated with:

• Increased safety behaviors

• Improved connection to community resources

• Reduced repeat ED visits related to violence

Funding for this is very scarce from research grants, and we need philanthropists to help us advance this project. Hospitals become active community safety partners, not just treatment sites, redefining their role in public health.

I am the Director for the James and Jennifer Harrell Center for the Study of Family Violence and we will be directly implementing the study assessing implementation and evaluating its outcomes in partnership with the DV shelter agency and a community hospital in Tampa Bay, Florida.

Donations can be made directly at: Harrell Center page for giving located at https://giving.usf.edu/online/gift/f/546030/

SEARCH for fund: J and J Harrell Study of Domestic Violence (#540260)

Donations go through USF Foundation (501c3) and are all tax deductible.

The USF Foundation is a qualified 501(c)(3) organization, so gifts made to the Foundation are considered charitable contributions. Please let me know if your financial advisor requires any additional information from the Foundation.

For your gift, the check should be made payable to the USF Foundation and designated for the J. and J. Harrell Study of Domestic Violence (Fund #540260).