A Qualitative Exploratory Case Study of the Safe Doors, Safe Homes Intervention for Intimate Partner Violence Prevention in the Canadian Context: Perspectives from IPV Survivors, Service Providers and Police

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a pervasive public health issue, leading to heightened rates of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the Safe Doors, Safe Homes (SDSH) structural safety intervention in Canada, which seeks to enhance the safety of female IPV survivors within their homes.

Adhering to exploratory case study methodology, this research triangulated responses from three participant groups: female IPV survivors (n = 21), health and social service providers delivering IPV services (n = 12), and IPV-specialized police officers (n = 14). Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore the SDSH intervention’s feasibility and acceptability.

Content analyses of interviews identified barriers and facilitators for implementation, including (but not limited to): safety risks, challenges with temporary housing, intervention discretion, maintenance, the intervention's ability to reduce safety risks, its potential flexibility, and the availability of funding. Process considerations for implementing the SDSH intervention in Canada were described. Overall, most participants deemed the intervention necessary, with a small number of police officers also describing home relocation as a reasonable strategy for preventing revictimization.

This study provides insights into potential barriers and facilitators for implementing the SDSH intervention in the Canadian context. This knowledge is pivotal for informing adaptations that align with survivors’ unique needs, ensuring the success and safety of ongoing IPV prevention efforts. These findings establish a foundation for advancing the SDSH intervention conceptually and practically, offering valuable considerations for refining IPV interventions on practical and systemic levels.