Hoping, Empowering, Strengthening

Many theoretical frameworks have been suggested for practice with survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) with very little verification of application. This study uses data from qualitative interviews with 22 IPV advocates to assess what constructs guide practice. What theories and philosophies guide advocacy practice? The findings revealed that empowerment, feminism, and strengths-based perspective are dominant lenses for practice but that hope theory and emerging clinical models are beginning to be adopted by advocates. Implications are discussed.