Economic Empowerment for Victims of IPV in Rural Areas

Abstract

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a current epidemic affecting women around the country. One in three women will experience sexual assault, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in her lifetime (Showalter, 2016). IPV can take many forms including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, and economic abuse and can have serious impacts on one’s health. Within IPV research, there have been unique barriers identified in rural areas. These communities have a significant lack of resources including hospitals, domestic violence shelters, and providers that provide trauma-informed care. Recent literature has suggested economic empowerment approaches to promoting an end to IPV in rural communities. Economic empowerment involves providing victims with the resources and skills they need to regain confidence and a sense of self after experiencing abuse.