Pilot Program for Assisting Veterans Experiencing IPV or SA

This technical report details a pilot program conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assist Veterans who have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) or sexual assault (SA). The program, mandated by the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, was implemented across 10 VA health care systems over two years. The report outlines the methods used to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing services to affected Veterans, including data collection and participant engagement. Results indicate that a significant percentage of registered Veterans were screened for IPV, with findings supporting the advisability of offering targeted services. The report discusses challenges and opportunities in reaching underserved populations, particularly Native American Veterans, and emphasizes the need for increased staffing and resources to enhance service delivery. Recommendations for program expansion and further evaluation are also provided, focusing on improving outreach and support for historically underserved communities.