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

Nevada RNformation, Feb 2006 by Hanson, Katy E

Remember that the nurse's role when helping victims of domestic violence is not to solve the patient's problem for her, but rather to lend a supportive ear, to educate her about the detrimental effects of abuse on her health and safety, and to provide her with relevant information regarding her options for getting help (Warshaw 5).

In addition to materials for distribution and display at your health care setting, NNADV and the National Health Resource Center also have many educational materials available to help nurses and other health professionals begin to integrate domestic violence assessment and intervention policies and procedures into their practices. The Network has a large lending library available to all interested parties containing a variety of books, manuals, and videos geared toward health practitioners who want to make a difference in the lives of domestic violence victims.

Over the last two decades nurses, and health care providers in general, have expanded their ability to recognize and respond to domestic violence, but there is still much work to be done. The Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence exists to help you and your agency in developing effective and pertinent responses to victims of domestic violence and their children. Please call us-we can discuss the needs of your health care setting regarding this issue, and assist you in developing a relevant and effective program for responding to victims of abuse. Help solve the problem of domestic violence in your community-together, we can make a difference.

(Endnotes)

i These facts are based on statistics obtained from quarterly Marriage License Reports submitted by domestic violence programs in Nevada, compiled by the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence.

ii The facts in the latter 4 bullet points are reprinted from "The Facts on Health Care and Domestic Violence." Family Violence Prevention Fund. Nov. 2005. .

Works Cited

Campbell, Jacquelyn, et. al. "A Call To Action: The Nursing Role in Routine Assessment for Intimate Partner Violence." National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence, A Project of the Family Violence Prevention Fund. Nov. 2005. .

"The Facts on Health Care and Domestic Violence." Family Violence Prevention Fund. Nov. 2005. .

Family Violence Prevention Fund. National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings. San Francisco: Family Violence Prevention Fund, 2004.

Nosek, Maragaret. "Guidelines for Physicians on the Abuse of Women with Disabilities." Center for Research on Women with Disabilities, Baylor College of Medicine, 1999. Nov. 2005.

Warshaw, Carole, Anne L. Ganley, and Patricia R. Salber. Improving the Health Care System's Response to Domestic Violence: A Resource Manual for Health Care Providers. Ed. Debbie Lee, et al. Family Violence Prevention Fund, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. San Francisco: Family Violence Prevention Fund, 1996.

by Katy E. Hanson, Program Specialist: Education and Outreach for the Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence