Empowering Victims of Violence Through Education and Trauma-Informed Support

The impact of violence doesn't end when a victim arrives at the hospital. Beyond treating physical injuries, healthcare organizations have a critical opportunity to help individuals regain a sense of safety and begin the path toward healing.

To better support victims in the aftermath of a violent event, Cleveland Clinic has developed a specialized Victim Advocacy Program that provides free, confidential services to patients, visitors and caregivers affected by trauma, including workplace or domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, harassment, child or elder abuse and human trafficking.

“A hospital is often the first place people turn to in times of crisis, so our advocates play a crucial role in bridging the gap between medical care, emotional support, victim resources and long-term safety planning,” says Heather Ochocki, the program’s Lead Victim Advocate.

In safe hands

Victim advocates provide immediate emotional support while helping survivors navigate the practical challenges that often follow violence. They are specially trained to connect individuals with medical care, legal resources, support groups, emergency shelters, transportation, and food assistance if needed.

Established by the Cleveland Clinic Police Department in 2014 and now managed by the organization’s Center for Workplace Violence Prevention and Caregiver Well-being, the program also provides essential links to legal aid and can help victims complete crime-related documentation. Ochocki notes that it is not uncommon for advocates to accompany victims and their family members to criminal justice proceedings.

Perhaps most importantly, advocates assist victims in creating a personalized safety plan that can help reduce risk once they’re discharged from the hospital. The plan may include identifying trusted contacts, keeping important documents and essential items in an accessible location, establishing a code word with family or friends, and knowing where to go in an emergency.

“Because every situation is different, the safest plan is one tailored to the individual's circumstances and developed with the support of a trained victim advocate whenever possible,” Ochocki explains.

Critical interventions

Although victims may be referred to the program in a variety of ways, many are identified in the emergency department or during other medical visits when they present for treatment of their injuries. Victim advocates also partner with other subject matter experts, including forensic nurses, to educate caregivers on effective screening and response practices. If they believe a particular patient is at risk, they are instructed to consult internal resources regarding next steps. In addition, victim advocates review Cleveland Clinic Police reports daily for incidents of workplace violence.

“Clinicians play an essential role by providing the medical interventions a victim needs, and victim advocates can extend that care a step further by providing trauma-informed emotional assistance and important connections to community resources,” Ochocki says. “That additional support can be invaluable in the aftermath of a traumatic experience.”

Among the program’s chief goals is to build patient trust, particularly in cases of intimate partner violence (IPV), where fear or shame can discourage victims from reporting a crime. Perpetrators of domestic violence exhibit notably high re-offending rates, Ochocki notes, which puts victims at ongoing risk. Although she says no single program can adequately address the complex combination of psychological, social and economic factors at the core of IPV, victim advocates aim to increase safety by reducing stigma.

“We know that the risk of being revictimized increases when a person feel alone,” she explains. “Our goal is to provide a safe, nonjudgmental environment where victims feel comfortable disclosing abuse and know they will be believed and supported. By validating their experiences and connecting them with confidential resources, we can reduce shame and improve health outcomes.”

Protecting and supporting caregivers

With incidents of workplace violence increasing in hospitals across the country, the program has continued to strengthen its role in advocating for Cleveland Clinic’s 75,000-plus U.S. employees. In fact, workplace violence has become such a significant concern that approximately 60% of the program's cases now involve the organization’s caregivers.

Avoiding assumptions about who may be at risk is essential to ensuring all victims receive compassionate, equitable care and access to appropriate support and resources, Ochocki says.

“Abuse can happen to anyone,” she explains. “IPV doesn’t stop at the front door of the hospital and doesn’t discriminate based on age, gender or socioeconomic status. It’s essential to have the same protections in place for our caregivers that we do for any other member of our community.”

In addition, the organization has established an employee hardship fund that provides financial assistance to caregivers experiencing acute financial stressors related to IPV. The funds are available to cover a variety of expenses, from security cameras to attorney fees.

“By supporting the dignity and emotional well-being of everyone within the healthcare environment, we can create a safer and more empathetic community,” Ochocki concludes. “As healthcare organizations increasingly recognize violence as a public health issue, programs like ours demonstrate how trauma-informed advocacy can improve safety, recovery and long-term well-being for both patients and caregivers.”