“I Look Across From Me and I See Me”: Survivors as Advocates in Intimate Partner Violence Agencies

Direct services, or advocacy, for intimate partner violence (IPV) have historically been offered by survivors, for survivors. Surprisingly little is known about the experience of advocates working in IPV-focused agencies who are survivors themselves. This qualitative study uses the grounded theory method to analyze interviews with 22 women working in IPV-focused agencies. The sample, more than 80% survivors, discussed how their work affected their experience through calling them to organizations, helping them to name the experience of violence, offering points of connection, and leading to an integration of professional and private experience. Implications for agencies and further research are discussed.