Introducing a Trauma and Violence-informed Practice Model informed by survivor voices

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a trauma and violence-informed practice model (TVI Practice Model). This model builds on survivor voices and the principles of trauma and violence-informed care (TVIC) to provide a practical, reflective tool that can support practitioners to introduce a trauma and domestic violence-informed approach into their practice. MethodsWe created a set of practice continuums depicting aspects of best practice developed from DV survivor voices about their experiences with a variety of practitioners. We then overlaid these continuums with the principles of TVIC so that they informed each other in the creation of the TVI Practice Model, which combined aspects of each. ResultsThe TVI Practice Model is a practical tool that supports practitioners to introduce a domestic violence lens into their trauma practice. It offers reflective continuums along which practitioners can position themselves, as well as specific areas to address to help them move further along the continuums to best practice.ConclusionDrawing on survivor voices and the values and principles of TVIC to inform each other, we have developed a model that fills a significant gap. The TVI Practice Model offers practitioners a valuable tool to support them to develop a DV lens in their trauma practice and to translate abstract, and often organisation-level, principles of TVIC into their individual practice. This will contribute to enhancing survivor experiences when seeking support.