“You feel like an individual who matters”- the Beyond DV Recovery Pillars framework: its impact on the recovery and healing of victim-survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence

Abstract

Violence against women and children is widespread, and we must develop effective, holistic interventions to support victim-survivors’ recovery and healing. While there are some interventions that address single or multiple areas that impact the wellbeing of victim-survivors, the Beyond DV Recovery Pillars framework offers a holistic approach to improve the social, legal, health, housing and financial wellbeing of survivors. This evaluation used focus groups to examine the impact of this model by asking victim-survivors for their perspectives on the support they had received. Using reflexive thematic analysis, eight themes were created that described the Beyond DV model of care. The findings of this qualitative study show the need for a holistic, integrated, trauma- and violence-informed intervention to improve the overall wellbeing of people impacted by domestic, family and sexual violence. It is imperative to provide ongoing care to support victim-survivors’ long-term recovery and healing.