Support survivors escaping domestic violence

“I’m Kaylee, the Healthcare Advocate at Raphael House. I’m embedded at a Portland medical clinic, so patients who are experiencing domestic violence have a specialized advocate ready to support them.

I often link patients with resources like mental health care, legal support, or housing while they’re also connecting with longer-term support at agencies like Raphael House or our partners.

I recently worked with a survivor who opened up to her doctor about experiencing abuse. We worked together to find the resources she needed to get an apartment, and we just celebrated her first night in her new apartment after 4 years being homeless!

Because healthcare providers want to know more about how to respond to patients facing domestic violence, I also do a lot of workshops for staff in the clinic and across the community. I teach about screening for abuse, educating patients about how their relationships are affecting their health, and reproductive coercion (when an abuser controls someone’s reproductive health decisions).

And because domestic violence has a huge impact on survivors' health and wellbeing, I’ve also done trainings for survivors at Raphael House support groups. We cover everything from reproductive health, to the menstrual cycle, to advocating for yourself at your doctor’s office.

I see my role as a bridge for survivors – meeting them where they’re at and helping them navigate systems of support to take their next steps.”

–Kaylee, Healthcare Advocate