“We Listen to Women's Experiences of Intimate Partner Violence, but We Stop Them When It Comes to Sexual Violence:” Training Needs of Shelter Workers

The need for effective training to support survivors of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) remains underexplored. This study aimed to identify IPSV-related training needs among shelter workers. A comprehensive qualitative analysis was conducted with 179 shelter advocates through focus groups and a World Café. The analysis revealed four overarching needs: (a) enhancing ease; (b) clarifying the scope and limitations of interventions; (c) developing skills to respond effectively; and (d) guiding survivors through medico-legal and legal procedures. These findings provide key recommendations for improving the quality of support, enhancing survivors' recognition of IPSV, and facilitating their access to justice and recovery.