Domestic Violence Prevention Program: Forensic Healthcare Services

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The purpose of this IHS grant is to provide access to treatment for American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) victims of domestic and sexual violence by supporting the development of and/or expansion of Forensic Healthcare (FHC) services that are culturally appropriate and trauma-informed. The intent is to impact FHC services in each IHS Area (provided by Tribes, Tribal organizations and Urban Indian organizations). This also includes promoting treatment, intervention, and prevention efforts for the social, spiritual, and emotional well-being of victims, including victims of child maltreatment. To address domestic and sexual violence, including victims of sexual exploitation/human trafficking, applicants are encouraged to use Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) and Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) approaches. Using these types of team approaches is crucial – especially among local, state, and Federal agencies that includes health care providers, law enforcement, child protective services, social services, legal services, domestic violence coalitions, behavioral health services, and victim advocacy. The MDT/SART are community-based approaches in responding to sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and sexual abuse victims. Without the advantage of a team approach method, a program is more likely to fail. Improving collaboration through formal inter-agency agreements can improve the response time for sexual assault victims.

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