Grant: Doctoral Award - Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarships

In Canada, it is estimated that one in three women have experienced some form of violence in their adult lives. The most common form of violence towards women is intimate partner violence (IPV). Women who survive IPV have significantly higher rates of substance use and mental health concerns compared to women who have not experienced IPV. Current models of substance use treatment respond to women's experiences of violence by offering, Trauma-and Violence-Informed Care (TVIC). Little evidence exists to determine whether the TVIC model of treatment is effective, and what factors facilitate or hinder this approach. By drawing on women survivors who access substance use treatment and service providers who work closely with them, I will address this gap in understanding. Using ethnography to produce knowledge that is grounded in women's and health service providers experiences, allows findings to directly impact policy and practices. Findings from this study will contribute to recommendations on how healthcare and specifically TVIC services could improve women's access to and experience of substance use treatment in Canada.