Today, I’m speaking with Amber Sutton and Haley Beech, two PhD students in the School of Social Work. They’re here to discuss their research on the connection between maternal health and intimate partner violence. We’ll speak about their work, research, and experience on this topic and then talk about some best practices for advocates for women who may be experiencing intimate partner violence and/or reproductive coercion.

While we won’t be talking about specific stories and examples of women’s experiences with IPV, I do want to give a brief trigger warning for this episode. If you find discussions of intimate partner violence or reproductive coercion difficult, please practice self care. While Amber and Haley will provide us all with some national and local resources for seeking help, I also want to remind members of the UA community that the WGRC offers free, confidential therapy and victim advocacy for individuals who have experiences intimate partner violence, as well as, sexual violence or assault. If you’d like to learn more about these services, please visit our website: wgrc.sa.ua.edu or give our office a call at (205) 348-5040.

Resources and Links:

The Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence http://www.acadv.org/get-help/shelters/

Futures Without Violence: https://www.futureswithoutviolence.org/addressing-intimate-partner-violence/

Love is Respect: www.loveisrespect.org

National Domestic Violence Hotline: https://www.thehotline.org/resources/pregnancy-and-abuse-how-to-stay-safe-for-your-9-months/

Amber and Haley's article about IPV and reproductive coercion: https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-1368