Introduction: Sakhi’s Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) carried out a needs-assessment in June 2000 to identify and prioritize the health needs of survivors of domestic violence. The survey showed a striking need for improved education; survivors clearly wanted to learn about their health and their interests ranged from back pain and arthritis to prenatal care. Methods/Discussion: Since March 2000, Sakhi has sought to improve health awareness among survivors by presenting several topics at monthly support group meetings. WHI volunteers, all of whom were either health professionals or students, have led dialogues in holistic medicine, stress relief techniques, reproductive health and nutrition. The context of a support group meeting offered a comfortable environment in which participants could learn and ask questions of speakers who were both knowledgeable in health care and comfortable speaking to survivors of domestic violence. In addition, facilitators were able to reach out to survivors by speaking South Asian languages. They used colloquial terms to encourage discussion about sometimes uncomfortable topics such as sexual health. Sakhi is working to offer more comprehensive monthly health education seminars separate from the support group meetings. Topics for the future include HIV, heart disease and diabetes. Summary: Support group meetings have historically provided a safe place for survivors of domestic violence to obtain critical support in coping with violence and abuse . Sakhi has shown that these meetings can also function as a forum for discussion of health issues. See www.sakhi.com
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will have learned how to: 1) Assess, recognize and prioritize the health needs of domestic violence survivors 2) Create and implement health education workshops in the context of the support group meeting 3)Discuss health issues in a sensitive manner with survivors 4) Identify future steps in identifying health needs
Keywords: Asian Women, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Sakhi for South Asian Women
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.