Fifteenth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences

Abstract

This study addresses the public health crisis for survivors of violence. Through an intersectional analysis, data shows significant risks for domestic violence survivors and hate crime survivors. As hate crime incidents continue to rise, human service and public health professionals need context and capacity building to properly and equitably address the public health concerns of survivors and families and loved ones of victims of this brutality. The Legal Council on Health Justice (2019) reports that the long term health impacts for survivors of hate crimes is much higher than survivors of other types of harmful violent experiences. They attribute this to the extent of the crimes and the long standing feelings of fear, helplessness, and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, let alone the physical healing time and effort. Because of the significant risk to public health researchers and practitioners need to take a stronger approach when strengthen interventions. With a stronger public conversation in the region, preventative efforts will also benefit from an increase in public awareness. In an effort to create a model for state based coalition building, I share my work with Prevention at the Intersections. I am developing of a coordinated research and advocacy effort to lay the ground work for a regional coalition against hate crimes. I’d like for our work to serve as a model for other groups, universities, and funders on how to rethink the power of regional coalitions.