Building Provider Capacity to Address Reproductive Coercion In Gender-Based Violence Services: A Pilot Training Evaluation

Background and Purpose
Gender-based violence (GBV), including intimate partner violence (IPV), is a critical public health and human rights issue with significant implications for sexual and reproductive health (SRH). Survivors face increased risks of reproductive coercion, pregnancy complications, sexually transmitted infections, and diminished reproductive autonomy. Despite these risks, SRH remains under-integrated within IPV service delivery systems, a gap reflecting broader structural inequities that limit access to comprehensive care, particularly within contexts shaped by restrictive reproductive health policies.

This pilot study evaluates a trauma-informed SRH training for IPV service providers, examining its impact on knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions to integrate SRH into practice. Grounded in community-informed research, this study contributes to the development of practice-ready interventions that strengthen survivor-centered care.

Methods
A pretest–posttest design with a 30-day follow-up was used to evaluate a 1.5-hour training delivered to IPV service providers at four community agencies in the Southwestern United States. Participants included intake staff, case managers, therapists, and supervisors representing diverse backgrounds in age, race/ethnicity, and professional experience.

Training content addressed: (1) intersections of IPV and SRH, including reproductive coercion; (2) contraception and STI/HIV prevention; (3) sexual safety planning; (4) trauma-informed, survivor-centered communication strategies; and (5) linkage to local SRH resources.

Guided by the Kirkpatrick evaluation framework, structured electronic surveys (Qualtrics) were administered before and after each training session and at a 30-day follow-up, assessing participant satisfaction, SRH knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and behavioral intentions related to SRH integration. Analyses included descriptive statistics, paired comparisons, and exploratory assessment of implementation facilitators and barriers.

Results
Preliminary findings indicate improvements in self-reported SRH knowledge, confidence in addressing reproductive coercion, and perceived role responsibility for integrating SRH into IPV services. Participants reported increased intentions to initiate SRH discussions, incorporate sexual safety planning, and provide referrals to SRH resources.
Post-training feedback reflects high relevance and acceptability, with participants emphasizing the value of practical tools and communication strategies. Early follow-up data (in progress) suggest variability in implementation, with structural and organizational barriers influencing sustained practice integration.

Conclusions and Implications
Findings underscore the importance of integrating SRH into IPV services as a core component of trauma-informed, survivor-centered care. This pilot offers a scalable approach to building provider capacity and addressing an often-overlooked dimension of survivor well-being.

Implications include the need for organizational and policy support to sustain SRH integration, as well as further research on implementation processes and long-term outcomes. By equipping providers to address reproductive coercion and expanding access to SRH resources, this work advances bodily autonomy, reduces health inequities, and strengthens systems of care for survivors, which are key goals in advancing reproductive justice and a more equitable, democratic society.