Domestic Violence - Your Words Can Make a Difference

Did you know that population based studies indicate that nearly one-third of American women will experience abuse by an intimate partner during their lifetime? Or, that domestic violence is the leading cause of female homicides and injury related death during pregnancy. Looking beyond the physical harm, domestic violence is connected to risk factors for chronic health problems. Women with a history of abuse and children raised in violent homes are more likely to experience a wide array of physical and mental health problems, ranging from stomach trouble, smoking, substance abuse and obesity to serious depression.

Health care professionals can play an important role in identifying and preventing domestic violence by routine screening of patients. Screening is usually considered a secondary prevention strategy by early detection of a health risk and intervention. Early identification of domestic violence can help victims escape before the violence escalates. It can help them understand that the abuse will get worse and make informed choices. Victims of domestic violence report that the most important factor in interactions with health care providers was being listened to about the abuse.

Screening for abuse with patients that do not have a history of domestic violence is an opportunity for primary prevention that helps to preserve health and remove the cause of poor health. Screening can inform patients that domestic violence is an important health care issue and lets them know the health care provider is a safe person to talk to if they or someone they know ever experiences abuse.

Talk to your patients about domestic violence – it could save a life.

Let them know that if something about their relationship scares them or they are worried about their children and need to talk, they can call:

National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY for the Deaf)

http://www.ndvh.org

Help is available in English and Spanish and many other languages.

All contact with the hotline is free and confidential.

Information about helping your patients experiencing domestic violence is available by calling Gateway’s Special Needs Unit at 1-800-642-3550, option 1.