VOICES Fall 2023 - Domestic Violence Services Newsletter

VOICES

MEDICAL ADVOCACY: EMPOWERING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE THROUGH CONNECTIONS WITH HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

Medical advocacy plays a critical role in addressing intimate partner violence (IPV) or domestic violence, helping victims heal both physically and emotionally, and facilitating their journey towards safety and justice.

What is Medical Advocacy?

Medical advocacy is a specialized form of support provided to individuals experiencing IPV. It involves a collaborative effort between healthcare providers and domestic violence advocates to address the unique needs and challenges faced by survivors. The primary objective of medical advocacy is to ensure that victims receive comprehensive care and receive access to the information and support they need to navigate their abusive situation.

Medical advocates undergo specific training to understand the dynamics of IPV and its impact on survivors, as well as the connections between IPV and their health.

Survivors face significant barriers in seeking help that may include shame, fear of reprisal, or lack of awareness about available resources. Medical advocacy helps to bridge this gap by integrating domestic violence services within

the healthcare setting. Because most victims interact with healthcare professionals more frequently than with other service providers, hospitals and medical practice settings become crucial points of intervention.

What is DVS’ Role?

Domestic Violence Services (DVS) is at the forefront of the movement to address domestic violence in Lancaster County, providing supportive services and resources to survivors in their journey to safety and healing.

In 2022, DVS launched a Medical Advocacy Project, which includes the position of the Medical Systems Advocate, whose focus is to build the capacity of local healthcare providers to respond to IPV survivors. By working together to foster a survivor-centered approach, DVS and healthcare providers can empower victims to reclaim their lives, heal, and eventually, thrive!

The Connection between Medical Advocacy and Healing: The health impact of domestic violence extends beyond physical injuries; it can result in chronic health, behavioral health, and substance use issues. DVS’ Medical Advocacy Project also focuses on building networks of

support for survivors experiencing behavioral health and substance use issues, as well as better equipping DVS team members to understand and respond to these issues.

Policy and Best Practices: Over the past 20 years, IPV Medical Advocacy has gained recognition and support through various legislative and policy initiatives. Best practices include requiring healthcare providers to adopt protocols to address IPV in their settings, and mandating providers to undergo training on recognizing, documenting and responding to IPV. As employers, healthcare systems may be required to adopt policies to respond to their own team members who disclose that they are experiencing IPV. Additionally, many progressive healthcare systems have designated IPV advocates on staff to assist victims.

Medical advocacy is a vital component of supporting survivors on their path to healing. By integrating advocacy services within healthcare settings, more survivors will disclose the abuse and request help. As a result of Medical advocacy, advocates and providers are well-positioned to provide essential resources, and offer the support that survivors need to rebuild their lives.

Dear Friends of DVS,

Since we last communicated with you, the DVS Team has been moving forward to strengthen our capacity to serve survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) in Lancaster! DVS has hired 14 new team members so far in 2023, to fill vacancies, complete our Housing Team, and to continue to build the capacity of our Legal Center with a new staff attorney hired via a grant with the YWCA to help serve sexual assault victims.

At our Spring Mixer in May we featured a Community Talking Circle with survivors of IPV sharing their stories and experiences.

Later that month we held a series of Talking Circles for survivors, community partners, and DVS staff members. Our goal was to collect feedback about their experiences, and specifically survivors of color and LGBTQIA+ survivors, to inform our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging plan and improve access to our services.

All of the Circles were well-received and provided feedback. Staff were able to communicate what they need in order to continue to do this work with excellence. We will continue to collect survivor stories and community feedback on an ongoing basis – look for

From the Director Christine Gilfillan

opportunities to engage!

One outcome of our Talking Circles was a renewed recognition that building a “Community Collaborative” to address domestic violence is one of our major goals for the coming year. Not surprisingly, survivors reported that their journey to safety would be smoother and yes, less re-traumatizing, with better coordination between and amongst DVS and the other agencies and entities where they seek safety and help.

While our STOP (Services for Training for Officers Prosecutors) team addresses this dynamic within the courts and law enforcement, a second group focused on general community supports (health care, education, social services) is much-needed.

One thing that DVS is committed to doing more of within such a collaborative is providing training and information to our community partners on the challenges faced by survivors in seeking help, and clarity around what services and supports DVS offers. In addition, our partners can communicate their services and priorities, along with their questions and concerns about serving survivors.

A system for warm referrals can

be designed. If you are part of a system that also serves survivors and would like to be part of such a collaborative, please contact me.

It is our hope with this update and the theme of Domestic Violence Awareness Month that you will “Join the Movement” to address domestic violence in our communities. I’ll see you out there…

Wishing you peace and safety in your homes,

Christine A Gilfillan Director

2022-23: DVS Year in Review

DVS provides trauma-informed direct services to victims and survivors of domestic violence and their children in Lancaster County, as well as community awareness, education, and prevention programming. Direct services include 24-hour hotline and text line, Safe House/emergency shelter, Counseling, Children’s Programming, the Domestic Violence Legal Center (DVLC), and Bridge House/transitional housing.

DVS provided services to 1,808 victims and survivors of domestic violence.

1,252 were served by the DVLC; of these, 495 were represented by DVLC attorneys, and 667 were accompanied to court.

134 adults and children resided in the DVS Safe House for a total of 8,878 “shelter nights”.

Counselor/Advocates answered 753 hotline calls and texts.

Legal advocates drafted 128 Protection From Abuse (PFA) petitions.

171 survivors received Community Counseling services.

13 families, including 29 children, resides at DVS’ Bridge House transitional

Volunteers provided 1,290 hours of direct service.

Join the Movement: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

October is recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time when communities come together to shed light on a critical issue that affects countless lives. This year’s theme, “Join the Movement,” calls upon us to unite in solidarity against domestic violence. It serves as a power ful reminder that our collective efforts, whether through raising awareness, providing support, or advocating for change, can create a transformative impact.

As we wear the color purple and participate in events throughout the month, we reaffirm our commitment to breaking the cycle of abuse, amplifying survivor voices, and fostering a future where every individual can live free from fear and violence.

For a list of full events, visit our website: caplanc.org/dvam or scan the QR Code.

For more information or to get involved,

Empowering Change: Viewing Medical Advocacy Through a Prism of Healing with Linda Gort, Union Community Care

For Linda Gort, Medical Advocacy begins through a medical lens. As a nurse practitioner for 50 years, Linda has worked diligently with women and families as a high-risk OB nurse, Planned Parenthood Educator, and now as a Family Health Practitioner Nurse at Union Community Care.

She defines medical advocacy as “being in a place where you can see people’s strengths and needs in a holistic view. You [as a provider] match them in two ways. You match their strengths to things they can do to increase their self-esteem and match their needs/weaknesses to people who can do the job better than you can. That’s the issue. On my staff, we all do a lot of social work,” Linda says.

Medical advocacy is finding gaps in what the patient or client needs and finding a way to fill those gaps both inside and outside the hospital with different providers in the community. Medical advocacy works to find partners to empower the client with specific services and through a wholebody, holistic approach to what each individual needs for themselves or their families.

“I go back to say that medical advocacy is making sure that all women and families get the same treatment. Get the same questions asked in their histories and interviews, and we don’t make any assumptions about people’s abilities to follow through on the things that they need. That we also ask them to give DVS a chance to be more than just a shelter,” Linda says.

For Linda and her staff, medical advocacy and domestic abuse intertwine. Through her partnership and connection with Arrianna Dyson, DVS’s medical advocate, Linda works together to link her clients to DVS while educating her fellow medical staff on how to mitigate, spot and properly step in whenever a client faces domestic abuse.

“We see people who have intimate partner violence and other sexual abuse, and other kinds of abuse in our practice every day, and we’re trying to find a way to link DVS services more profoundly/more directly in several ways,” Linda says.

Linda and her peers work together to establish public forums, training, and conversations around domestic violence. They train nurses who do intake paperwork to include mandatory DV prompts/questions for each patient every visit. Additionally, Linda helps fellow nurses and providers identify and scan for domestic abuse.

Recently, Linda has hosted monthly meetings where staff learn about a particular service from providers within the community. By learning and connecting with providers, staff can learn about different resources to support their clients and issues within the community.

In the future, Linda hopes there will be increased training and more deliberate outreach with questionnaires surrounding domestic violence within hospitals and medical providers.

Linda believes that you must be an advocate, especially a medical advocate means not only knowing how to talk to patients about domestic abuse but you must also know how to train staff and providers to act upon instincts or red flags within the hospital.

“When I first went into OB, my huge fear was that I would be taking care of somebody, and the fetal monitor would not be good, and I wouldn’t recognize it. The first time I heard a deceleration, I think my heart stopped. I did recognize it, and it’s the same with identifying domestic violence or helping people identify it. It’s just like a red flag that waves in front of you,” Linda says.

“It’s trying to help them [medical staff] have selfconfidence when they are worried that something is wrong; it probably is. To have confidence in your clinical judgment and your emotional intelligence/ judgment,” Linda says.

As a nurse and advocate, Linda has seen the impact of domestic abuse, inner-partner violence, and sexual assault on women and families within Lancaster County. Through her work as a DVS volunteer and medical advocate, Linda continues educating providers on how to spot and support survivors and victims of domestic abuse.

“Those are life-altering things and experiences. The question [from providers to clients] is not “Does this make a difference in your life? Or did this make a difference in your life” in the case of past trauma, but the question is, “What has happened in your life, and what can we do now to help you move forward?” Linda said.

Catalyst for Change: DVS Spring Mixer

“I’m grateful for our 2023 sponsors and for everyone who came out to support Domestic Violence Services of Lancaster County! One of our key goals for the coming year is to continue to build strong community partnerships to best support survivors of intimate partner violence!”

-Christine Gilfillan, Director of DVS

Thank you to everyone who attended the DVS Annual Spring Mixer at the S. Dale High Leadership Center on Thursday, May 4. Attendees participated in a Community Circle convesration and enjoyed food and beverages while making new connections.

We were honored to recognize Bob Newell, the 2023 Catalyst for Change Award winner and Chris LaBoy with CNM Auto Repair the 2023 DVS Business Catalyst for Change winner.

Violence takes many forms, and it takes a village to end domestic violence. The work that we do is possible because of our incredible staff, volunteers, partners, and community.

Thank you for being a part of this important conversation as we work together to create a safe and healthy community for everyone.

Read all about our Catalyst for Change winners:

Linda Gort, on right, with medical professionals and friends at the DVS Spring Mixer 2022.

“When you look back on it, you’re learning a lot, you’re just becoming a smarter, better person overall. Then the better you are, the more you can help other people. So it’s a relationship that works both ways to me, you’re helping people, and you’re getting helped at the same time.”

Chip Bialzak

DVS Volunteer Advocate

Chip Bialzak embodies the essence of compassion and empowerment as he dedicates his time to volunteering at Domestic Violence Services. For Chip, this role isn’t just about advocacy – it’s about giving survivors the tools they need to make informed decisions, providing support, and letting them know they’re not alone.

As a devoted advocate, Chip works diligently with survivors, guiding them through the complex landscape of PFA court hearings. His mission is clear: to ensure that those without legal representation feel empowered as they navigate their initial hearings. Chip’s commitment began in 2021 after retiring from a successful career in the restaurant industry. Seeking a meaningful outlet, he discovered Domestic Violence Services and embarked on a journey to become an advocate.

From early morning to late afternoon, Chip is a pillar of strength for survivors. His role extends beyond the courtroom – he’s there to demystify the process, discuss options, and provide emotional support. With a background in business and logistics, Chip brings a unique perspective to the courtroom. However, he’s not content with resting on his laurels; he actively engages in trauma-informed training, ensuring that survivors feel heard, valued, and understood.

Chip’s commitment to helping others stems from a deep desire to stand in someone else’s corner, advocating for their best interests. Through his dedication, he’s learned that advocacy is a two-way street – not only does he uplift others, but he also experiences personal growth and fulfillment.

For Chip, every survivor’s journey represents an oppor

tunity for change and progress. He hopes to inspire others to believe in the system and spread the word about Domestic Violence Services. His ultimate goal is to create a ripple effect of support and awareness, ensuring that survivors find the help they deserve.

While Chip finds fulfillment in his work, he acknowledges that failures hold valuable lessons. Moments where he hasn’t been able to reach a survivor drive him to introspection, prompting him to refine his approach and improve his advocacy skills.

To those considering becoming advocates, Chip’s message is one of encouragement. He emphasizes that with dedication, training, and a little effort, you can profoundly impact someone’s life. As he beautifully puts it, “You’re learning a lot, you’re just becoming a smarter, better person overall. Then the better you are, the more you can help other people. So it’s a relationship that works both ways to me, you’re helping people, and you’re getting helped at the same time.”

Chip Bialzak’s story is a testament to the power of empathy, education, and unwavering support. His commitment to uplifting survivors shines as a guiding light, inspiring us all to make a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Interested in volunteering? Visit caplanc.org/volunteer

Join the Mission: Empower the Message, Amplify the Cause

Domestic violence affects individuals and families from all walks of life, and our commitment to providing support knows no boundaries. Whether you are a survivor seeking assistance, a concerned community member, or a passionate advocate, we invite you to stand with us in making a difference.

We believe that spreading awareness is a powerful tool in our mission. That’s why we encourage you to join us in raising awareness about our confidential and free services. By requesting our print materials, you can play an active role in educating others and promoting the availability of vital resources.

Request

DVS NEW Landing Page

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our revamped Domestic Violence Services landing page, brought to you by Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County! Our commitment to supporting survivors and raising awareness about domestic violence is stronger than ever, and this new online resource is a significant step forward.

Join us in spreading the word about this crucial new resource! Together, we can create a community where everyone feels safe, heard, and supported. Visit our DVS landing page and take a step towards making a positive difference!

601 South Queen Street

Lancaster, PA 17603

Business phone: 717-299-9677

24 hour HOTLINE: 717-299-1249

Text SAFE to 61222

Kristy Aurand

Heidi Bair

Frank Christoffel, III

Forrest Collier

Jennifer DiCola

Christine Gilfillan

Linda Gort

Dana Gulick

Angela Keen

Vanessa Philbert

Visionary

Sharon Hargrave

Dreamer

Peg Brown

Lenny Walton & Linda Gort

Woodstream

Friend

Angie’s Custom Cleaning LLC

Tony & Sherry Chivinski

EHD

Fulton Bank

HDC

Highmark/Penn State Health

Michael & Fran Kane

Medtrition, Inc.

Mutual of America

Schwanger Brothers & Co.

Ponessa Behavioral Health

UPMC Health Plan