Thanks to a new partnership with the Survivor Link network, the University of Missouri is now offering students the opportunity to strengthen communities and build capacity to address intimate partner violence.

Kathleen Preble, an assistant professor with the MU School of Social Work, recently was named faculty coordinator for the state of Missouri. This makes Missouri the 12th state in the nation to join the Survivor Link network, which includes internship opportunities for students.

“Relationship violence impacts nearly every social, legal and public health sector in our communities,” Dr. Preble said. “Increasing community partners’ confidence in identifying and responding to relationship violence translates into healthier, more resilient communities.”

This internship offers students in the School of Social Work an opportunity to learn more about intimate partner violence, promote healthy relationships and build capacity within agencies to address the problem of relationship violence. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, about 42% of Missouri women and 35% of men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetimes. Additionally, Missouri ranks second in the nation for women murdered by men, according to the Violence Policy Center; 56% of those cases are perpetrated by an intimate partner.

Practicum students who are selected to be a Survivor Link intern earn a stipend and an educational grant. In exchange, they receive specialized training and deliver presentations about domestic violence intervention and prevention at their field placement location. The program operates in partnership with AmeriCorps.

Students who want to get involved with the program can contact Kathleen Preble at preblek@missouri.edu. Nonprofits or government agencies in the community who might be interested in having a Survivor Link practicum student placed with their organization can contact Andrea Aderton at adertona@missouri.edu.