Trauma-Informed Training and Systems Consultation for Organizations Serving Pregnant and Birthing Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
“When intimate partner violence drives maternal morbidity and mortality, survivor leadership isn’t optional; it’s essential. We help clinics, coalitions, and public agencies move from awareness to coordinated, trauma‑informed practice.” - Cassandra Aho
“What I needed most was for someone to listen, and believe that I could stay safe without leaving everything behind.”
— Survivor, birthing parent, community advocate
Why Survivor-Led Systems Change Matters
When intimate partner violence intersects with pregnancy and birth, the stakes could not be higher. Survivors need systems built to protect their autonomy, honor their dignity, and respond without coercion or surveillance. That is the work of Survivor-Led Change.
Founded by Cassandra Aho, Certified Professional Midwife and creator of the S.T.A.R.S. Framework, Survivor-Led Change provides trauma-informed care training and systems consultation to organizations on the front lines of this work.
Why Survivor Leadership Matters - IPV during pregnancy is a leading driver of maternal morbidity and mortality. Yet most systems are not designed with survivors at the center. Survivor-led change requires organizations to build systems where autonomy and dignity are not aspirational values but operational standards.
The S.T.A.R.S. Framework - Survivor-Centered, Trauma-Informed, Advocacy-Focused, Response-Coordinated, Surveillance-Synchronized. It replaces fragmented responses with warm handoffs, coercive documentation with privacy-protective protocols, and siloed practice with coordinated care.
Who We Serve - Healthcare organizations, CCR teams, cross-disciplinary coalitions, and public agencies committed to survivor-centered care at the systems level.
Take the Next Step - Book a 30-minute discovery call to explore how Survivor-Led Change can support your team.
Training and Workshops
Trauma‑informed, survivor‑centered training that helps clinical and community teams respond with presence and respect—reducing bias, avoiding coercion, and supporting survivor choice in real encounters.
Align everyday practice with survivor‑centered care
Systems Consultation
Support for Coordinated Community Response (CCR), leadership alignment, and protocol refinement—building warm handoffs, documentation guardrails, and shared language across partner organizations.
Resources and Tools
Survivor‑authored guides, frameworks, evidence-informed practical tools, scripts, workflow cues, and agreements that protect privacy and autonomy while improving access to care.
All services are grounded in the S.T.A.R.S. Framework, a survivor‑centered, trauma‑informed, advocacy‑focused, response‑coordinated, and data‑synchronous model that strengthens help‑seeking, reduces re-victimization, and expands equitable access to care.
Survivor-Led Change | Systems consultation & training grounded in the S.T.A.R.S. Framework. We are not a direct crisis service.
24/7 confidential support:
National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (Text START to 88788; chat)
StrongHearts Native Helpline (Native/Indigenous): 1-844-762-8483
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ youth): 1-866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678
Trans Lifeline (trans-led peer support): U.S. 877-565-8860
National Deaf DV Hotline (ASL/Deaf services): VP 855-812-1001
More resources: LGBT National Help Center, Ujima - The National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community (resources & TA), NIWAP - National Immigrant Women’s Advocacy Project (legal & benefits resources).
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© Survivor-Led Change.