PHC6534: "Heal PalmPRIDE" Self-dense for LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Survivors

Domestic violence is a public health issue in Orange County, FL. The rate of domestic violence reports in Orange county , FL is 587.9/100,000, significantly higher than the average in the state of Florida (Florida Department of Health, n.d.).. Reports estimate that LGBTQ+ populations may have a domestic violence rate (DV) of up to 25%, similar to heterosexual women (Huecker et al., 2021). Victims and perpetrators of domestic violence most often have been exposed to several ACEs (Huecker et al., 2021). However, lack of domestic violence survivor support resources make it difficult for LGBTQ+ survivors to get help, even discouraging individuals to report abuse. Considering Orange County, FL has a considerable same-sex couple population, the 3rd largest in the state of Florida, an intervention targeting this vulnerable  population is needed (UCLA, 2019).

Heal PalmPRIDE is a trauma-informed program that is designed to empower LGBTQ+ survivors through self-defense skills, trust building exercises, and mental health counseling. Heal PalmPRIDE uses a trauma-informed approach with emphasis on the principles of Empowerment, Voice, and choice , Safety ,Cultural, Historic, and Gender Issues  (SAMHSA, 2014). Participants are empowered by having their experiences validated by counselors and class instructors. They are also given the choice to set their own goals for the sell-defense class. Safety is #1, as the self-defense classes take place in Harbor House, a safe house in Orange County, FL for DV victims. The program also educates the community to reduce stigma for LGBTQ+ folks in intimate partner relationships. Finally, the staff undergo trauma-informed training, in which they are taught about the historical anti-LGBT violence and effects of stigmatization of DV victims. Staff will be representative of the community they serve. The program targets young adult LGBTQ+ members that are survivors, or in the process of leaving an abusive relationship.

The program is designed from the CDC social ecological model, targeting the individual, relationship, and community levels (The social-ecological model, 2021). The relationship level of the Social Ecological Model is targeted in the self-defense classes and the school-based education phase. In self-defense, survivors create connections to their peers and program staff through trust building exercises and sharing lived experiences. The school based education teaches students how to identify abusive relations and pro-social behaviors. Finally, the program operates at the community level by including a school-based initiative and community educational event, targeting all members and allies in the LGBTQ+ community (The social-ecological model, 2021).

Heal PalmPRIDE operates using the  PRECEED/PROCEED public health framework (Crosby and Noar, 2011). The PRECEED/PROCEED framework allows program facilitators to view this health intervention as a participatory effort. Health as a community issue, and defines health as a state of physical well-being, not just the absence of disease (Crosby and Noar, 2011). The intervention works with several community partners such as OnePulse, Harbor House, and The Center in Orange County, to participate in program planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Resources

1. Crosby, R., & Noar, S. M. (2011). What is a planning model? An introduction to PRECEDE-PROCEED. Journal of public health dentistry, 71 Suppl 1, S7–S15. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00235.x
2. Florida Department of Health. (n.d.). Total Domestic Violence Offenses. Retrieved March 5, 2021, from http://www.flhealthcharts.com/...Viewer.aspx?cid=0312
3. Huecker, M., King, K. C., Jordan, G. A., & Smock, W. (2021, February 17). Domestic violence. Retrieved March 7, 2021, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK499891/
4. SAMHSA's Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative. (2014, July). SAMHSA's Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. Retrieved March 10, 2021, from https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/user...es/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
5. The social-ecological model: A framework for PREVENTION |violence Prevention|Injury Center|CDC. (2021, January 28). Retrieved March 10, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
6. UCLA The Williams Institute. (2019, January). The Williams Institute. Retrieved March 4, 2021, from https://williamsinstitute.law....ounties=true#density