A community-based participatory project to build disaster and crisis resilience among sexual and domestic violence service providers

BACKGROUND: Research has demonstrated that the incidence and severity of domestic violence (DV) and sexual assault (SA) increase during and following disaster and crisis events. These events also threaten the viability of DV and SA service provider organizations. DESCRIPTION: We developed an innovative community-based participatory project in a large midwestern city to build resilience among DV/SA service providers. We identified and convened all stakeholders within the SA/DV community through a working group that self-identified needs and priority interventions. The group was facilitated by a non-profit healthcare emergency management organization. The group identified three major needs directly related to resilience: (1) need for robust continuity of operations planning (COOP) to allow service provider organizations to continue providing services following a disaster or crisis event; (2) need to consider unique needs of victims of SA/DV when planning community disaster shelters; and (3) need for better integration of Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) services through the public safety community. RESULTS: The group developed and launched free COOP workshops for SA/DV service providers. The group also convened planning meetings with the American Red Cross and other shelter providers to discuss unique safety and support needs of SA/DV clients. Finally, SANEs were integrated into the city's electronic bed diversion and monitoring program allowing law enforcement and EMS officials to see SANE availability in real-time. These initiatives increased resilience and connected the SA/DV community with the broader public safety and emergency management community in a meaningful way that will benefit clients and the community at large.