Survivors of intimate partner violence often require complex, sustained support to rebuild stability, health, and long-term well-being. Yet a recent analysis by the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) found that these services are fragmented and largely insufficient to truly meet survivors’ needs across the communities where the Weinberg Foundation works.
To better understand how philanthropy can strengthen these services, the Foundation commissioned IVAT to assess the most pressing gaps, barriers, and opportunities in Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, New York City, and Northeastern Pennsylvania. This effort builds on the Foundation’s commitment to promoting safety and reducing the traumatic effects of intimate partner violence.
In the following Q&A, Leisel Harry, who leads the Foundation’s grantmaking focused on trauma, abuse, and safety, discusses what IVAT’s findings revealed and how they’re shaping Weinberg’s strategy to more effectively support survivors of intimate partner violence.
What did the IVAT analysis reveal about the needs of survivors of intimate partner violence?
IVAT’s assessment underscored that survivors of intimate partner violence often require complex, long-term, and specialized support to achieve safety and stability.
However, the analysis found that survivor services are frequently fragmented, underfunded, and not available at the scale needed across our communities. Many organizations lack the stable resources required to coordinate care, invest in staff, deliver services that are tailored to survivors’ cultures and communities, or support survivors beyond the immediate crisis.
In short: The complexity of survivors’ needs far outpaces the capacity of existing programs and systems, and long-term recovery requires a more coordinated and long-term approach.
Why are current services often fragmented, underfunded, or unable to meet the full scope of survivor needs?
The IVAT findings revealed funding for services is sparce and unreliable, particularly for small, community-based organizations. Because agencies must compete for limited federal dollars, they often do not collaborate, even though working together could strengthen the entire field. In addition, services are frequently disconnected, making it difficult for survivors to access continuous support as they contend with issues of safety, mental health, housing, and financial stability.
Organizations also face growing programmatic and operational demands. The COVID-19 pandemic amplified emotional stress, financial instability, and isolation, all of which increase risk and make it more difficult to leave abusive relationships.
Why did the Weinberg Foundation commission this assessment, and what gaps in the service system were you aiming to understand?
The Foundation’s work in trauma, abuse, and safety has long included intimate partner violence alongside issues such as child abuse, elder abuse, sex trafficking, exposure to community violence, and grief support. Over time — and especially since the pandemic — requests for support related to intimate partner violence increased significantly.
To respond effectively, the Foundation needed a deeper understanding of the gaps and barriers survivors face, the pressure points experienced by service providers, and the best practices that lead to stronger outcomes. It also sought to identify opportunities to strengthen the full range of support services for survivors, particularly through more stable funding, greater collaboration, and a stronger focus on prevention.
The assessment allowed the Foundation to step back, examine the broader landscape, and identify where philanthropic investment could meaningfully advance survivor safety and recovery.
What is IVAT and how did its team evaluate survivor services across Baltimore, Hawaiʻi, New York City, and Northeastern Pennsylvania?
The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma is a leading international resource and training center focused on trauma and abuse. It hosts global summits; publishes academic journals; maintains research databases; and provides program evaluation, consultation, and training.For this report, IVAT:
- conducted in-depth interviews with more than a dozen stakeholders from Baltimore and the Foundation’s other priority communities;
- engaged direct service providers such as shelters, therapy programs, and organizations serving the Jewish community;
- included public system leaders, government agencies, and people who have experienced intimate partner violence; and
- completed literature reviews and examined best practices across different demographics and cultural groups.
This approach provided a comprehensive look at both survivor needs and the capacity of organizations supporting them.
What gaps or opportunities did the assessment uncover that most affect survivors’ long-term safety and recovery?
A few things stood out:
- Collaboration is limited by competitive funding, preventing organizations from coordinating services that would benefit survivors.
- Prevention and early intervention are often overlooked. Organizations tend to prioritize crisis response over educating young people or helping prevent recurring victimization.
- Smaller organizations — often those serving specific communities — struggle to retain staff, build data systems, and sustain operations because of inconsistent funding.
- Many providers track only outputs (e.g., number of nights in a shelter) rather than outcomes (e.g., long-term safety, self-confidence, mental health).
The analysis made clear that survivors need holistic pathways to safety that go beyond immediate protection, to include access to education, economic mobility, mental health support, and long-term stability.
How will these findings shape the Foundation’s strategy to strengthen comprehensive, long-term support for survivors of intimate partner violence?
The Foundation is sharpening its focus on intimate partner violence to support more effective, lasting solutions. Key shifts include the following:
- Prioritizing grants that address housing needs for low-income individuals and families.
- Investing in three- to five-year grants to increase organizational stability and bridge funding gaps.
- Working with nonprofit professionals and people who have experienced intimate partner violence to strengthen data collection, adopt best practices, and measure meaningful outcomes related to safety, stability, and well-being.
- Supporting smaller organizations, especially those recruiting staff members that reflect the communities they serve.
- Encouraging organizations to diversify funding to ensure long-term sustainability.
Ultimately, we aim to help define what true safety means for survivors: not just leaving an abusive relationship but achieving job security, financial stability, mental and physical well-being, and a long-term plan for a healthier life.
