Domestic Violence and Health Care in Nevada: An Overview for Nurses

Nevada RNformation, Feb 2006 by Hanson, Katy E

Providing Information and Making Referrals

Providing resource materials for victims of domestic violence (i.e. brochures, information and safety cards, posters, etc.) in waiting rooms, exam rooms, and bathrooms is something that all health care settings can do to make patients more aware of the issue, as well as to make them feel more comfortable disclosing abuse. The Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence (NNADV) has a wide variety of resources available to you at no cost, including information packets, practitioner reference cards, posters, victim information cards and brochures, hotline magnets, and handbooks for victims and professionals-please call our Resource Center at 775-828-1115 (Reno, Sparks & Carson City) or 800-230-1955 (Statewide) for a complete listing, and to obtain materials. The National Health Resource Center, a Project of the Family Violence Prevention Fund (FVPF) is another place to obtain such materials-visit www.endabuse .org/health or call 1-888-Rx-Abuse.

When making referrals, be aware of hotlines and other available resources in your community, and pass this information along to the victim. (Never insist that she take materials with her, however, as this may compromise her safety.) One place to start is the Nevada Statewide Domestic Violence hotline-where advocates are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide support and information about possible options and community resources-at 1-800-500-1556. The following are some general options that may be available to victims of domestic violence in the state of Nevada:

* Advocacy and direct services. There are a variety of domestic violence programs around the state whose staff and volunteers can provide emotional support, as well as help for victims in obtaining necessary legal, counseling, and social services. Many of these programs have shelter services available, and may also hold support groups for victims of abuse. To find out about domestic violence programs in your area, call the Nevada Statewide Domestic Violence hotline (1-800-500-1556) or the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence (775-828-1115 or 1-800-230-1955).

* Legal protection. Nevada has a. mandatory arrest law (NRS 171.137) which states that "whether or not a warrant has been issued, a police officer shall, unless mitigating circumstances exist, arrest a person when he has probable cause to believe that the person to be arrested has, within the preceding 24 hours, committed a battery upon his spouse, former spouse, a person to whom he is related by blood, a person with whom he is or was actually residing, a person with whom he has had or is having a dating relationship, or with whom he has a child in common." Law enforcement will arrest based on who appears to them to be the "primary physical aggressor," so victims should be aware of this if they've inflicted any injuries on the abuser while defending themselves. Anyone arrested under this statute will be held in custody, even if bail is met, for a minimum of 12 hours. Victims may also wish to get an order of protection (a court order that the abuser stop hurting, harassing, and threatening the victim), which can be obtained, without a lawyer, in a Family or District Court. Temporary orders last for up to 30 days, and extended orders last for up to one year. Violation of the terms of an order of protection is a misdemeanor, and arrest is mandated by law.