Approach to suspected DV Flashcards
8 most common behaviors associated with DV
Using coercion and threats
Using intimidation
Using emotional abuse
Using isolation
Minimizing, denying and blaming
Using children
Using male privilege
Using economic abuse
Nationally, this group is 4-times (!) more to experience violence in all settings
LGBTIQ+ COMMUNITY
Risk Factors of DV:
prior h/o abuse, high-risk sexual behavior, substance use, mental illness, less education, unemployment and poverty3
Recognize Behaviors that may raise your concern for DV/IPV:
Overall poor health, unexplained injuries, frequent ER visits, delay in seeking/initiating care, noncompliance, repeated abortions (elective), inappropriate affect, overly
involved partners, social isolation, and reluctance to undergo exams
universal screening questions for DV:
“Do you feel safe at home?” asked at all initial clinic visits, routine prenatal visits, ER visits, and hospital admissions
T/FIn Utah, providers can incur civil
or criminal liability for reporting cases
of suspected abuse
F
Documentation of the report of DV should include:
- Which law enforcement agency was contacted
- What phone number was called
- When the contact was made
- Name of the law enforcement officer spoken with
- Case number assigned by the law enforcement agency
What to include in the report:
- Name and address of the injured person
- Injured person’s whereabouts, if known
- Character and extent of the person’s injuries
- Name, address, and phone number of the person making the report
- Information on any children who may have witnessed the incident
_____% of utah women will experience some form of domestic/partner violence in her lifetime
33% 1/3
DV linked à the 12 leading health indicators defined in Healthy People 2020 Initiative
- overweight and obesity,
- tobacco use,
- substance abuse,
- risky sexual behavior,
- infant deaths and preterm births,
- mental illness,
- injury and violence,
- lack of current immunizations, and
- poor access to health care
Red flags for DV victimization
- Women 20-34
- Men in same sex relationships
- Having a disability
- Recent trauma history
- Unexplained injuries
- Injuries inconsistent with the story
- Delay in seeking medical care
- Physical injury during pregnancy
- Direct or indirect reference to abuse
- Alcohol/substance abuse
- History of depression, anxiety, suicidality
- Overly protective or controlling partner
Symptoms/injuries concerning for DV:
- Injury to head, neck, torso, breasts, abdomen or genitals
- Defensive wounds
- Strangulation injury
- Mental illness
- Sexually transmitted infections
- OB complications
- Chronic pain syndromes
- Chronic fatigue
- Sleep disorders
SEPARATING THE
PATIENT FROM VISITORS
- Safety first
- For the patient, for your staff and for
yourself - Private discussion
- Use professional interpreters (if needed)
- Is this a case of rape? Or other assault?
STOP – call police and Forensic Nurse
Examiner
Document like it will be read in court
someday:
- Be accurate
- Use patient words
- Do not interpret, don’t omit
- Give facts
Who to involve with suspected DV
- Crisis worker
- Social worker
- Forensic nurse examiner (evidence collection)
- Clergy/Chaplain consultation
- Victim’s Advocate
- Safety plan (Crisis or SW can also do this)
