IVAT Core Values

• Integrity – Commit to the principles of mutual respect, fairness, honesty, professionalism, and promoting justice and equality for all. Honor and follow up on commitments; seek to conduct ourselves using the highest standards of behavior.

• Inclusion – Foster an inclusive and diverse environment that honors and appreciates multi-cultural, international, and multi-disciplinary perspectives; strive to encourage open-mindedness, networking and collaboration.

• Social Responsibility – Contribute to social change and foster an institutional environment committed to empowerment and fairness; overcoming oppression and prejudice. Build a community based upon shared goals, governance and accountability.

• Innovation – Develop and disseminate relevant state-of-the-science educational resources and continually evolve our services to adapt to the needs of the community. Strive to be at the forefront of continuous learning and growth to the fields of violence, abuse and trauma.

• Empathy – Foster an environment that promotes caring , understanding and empowering individuals, families, communities and societies.

Learn More About IVAT

Getting to Know

the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma

FVSAI d/b/a The Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT) is a 501(c)(3) organization that condemns violence and oppression in all its forms. We stand with all who work for equality and peace. IVAT is a leading international resource and training center, founded in 1984 as FVSAI and headquartered in San Diego, California with satellite offices in Los Angeles, Hawai`i and Maryland. IVAT works to improve systems responses and access for our most vulnerable populations, including victims of child maltreatment, youth violence, bullying, human trafficking, domestic violence, sexual victimization, and elder abuse. 

We host 2 international summits annually, house 3 academic journals, maintain several research databases, provide program evaluation, consultation, and a wide array of trainings addressing violence, abuse and trauma-- many of which can be used toward specialty certificates and continuing education, and offer vital professional and clinical services to San Diego County and beyond. We believe collaboration across systems is key to putting an end to violence and abuse.

Every $40 donation received allows us to provide one hour of psychological treatment services to a child, adolescent or adult in San Diego County who has been affected by violence, abuse or trauma. 

What Drives Us …

Mission

Our Mission is to promote violence-free living by improving the quality of life for individuals on local, national and international levels by sharing and disseminating vital information, improving cross-discipline collaborations, conducting research and trainings, and providing direct professional services, program evaluation, and consulting.

Vision

Our Vision is a world free from violence, abuse and trauma. IVAT condemns violence and oppression in all its forms. We stand with all who work for equality and peace. No one deserves to endure violence, abuse or trauma in their lifetime.

History

The Family Violence & Sexual Assault Institute (FVSAI), was founded in 1984 in Texas by Robert Geffner, Ph.D. In 1991, the Institute became a registered non-profit 501(c)3 organization to deal with sexual assault issues and gradually expanded its scope to include child, teen, and elder maltreatment. In 1999, the Institute relocated to San Diego. In 2006, FVSAI continued its work under the name IVAT - the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma.

Ho‘omaluhia

A Center of Excellence where East meets West, where indigenous voices are valued and diversity is honored, Ho‘omaluhia is the Hawai‘i-Pacific branch of the Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT). 

The organization has been doing business for over 30 years and delivering trainings throughout the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific for more than 20 years.  Ho‘omaluhia’s mission is to improve the quality of life and to contribute to violence-free, abuse-free living for all the peoples of Hawai‘i. Recognizing unequal access to systems of justice, protection, health and education by marginalized communities in the Pacific.

Ho‘omaluhia/IVAT focuses on addressing inequity in the access to care, and evidenced-based and promising practices in the delivery of care. We provide technical assistance, evaluation and research for programs and systems of care. 

Ho‘omaluhia/IVAT’s approach is one of Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), working collaboratively with providers and purchasers to improve systems responses and access for our most vulnerable populations.