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Domestic Violence, Child Welfare, and the Health Care System

This section provides resources on how the health care system is addressing the issue of domestic violence.

National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence Family Violence Prevention Fund Discusses ways for the health care system to address the issue of domestic violence, including information on public policy, model programs, and a catalog of health materials. National Consensus Guidelines on Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence Victimization in Health Care Settings (PDF - 3920 KB) Family Violence Prevention Fund (2nd ed.) (2004) Includes information on assessment for both current abuse and lifetime exposure and makes practice recommendations on documentation, intervention, and referral. Identifying and Responding to Domestic Violence: Consensus Recommendations for Child and Adolescent Health (PDF - 2420 KB) Family Violence Prevention Fund (2nd ed.) (2004) Provides specific recommendations for assessing and responding to domestic violence in child health settings and encourages child health providers to highlight violence prevention during well-child and other routine visits.

Confronting Chronic Neglect: The Education and Training of Health Professionals on Family Violence
Cohn, Salmon, & Stobo (Eds.) (2002)
Reviews professional family violence training opportunities for health care workers and outlines conclusions and recommendations for improving curricular development and teaching strategies.

Health Consequences of Abuse in the Family: A Clinical Guide for Evidence-Based Practice
Kendall-Tackett (Ed.) (2004)
View Abstract
Provides health professionals with an overview of family violence assessment issues and offers suggestions for treatment and prevention.

Helping Young Children Affected by Domestic Violence: The Role of Pediatric Health Settings (PDF - 1040 KB)
Groves & Fox (2004)
In Early Childhood, Domestic Violence, and Poverty: Helping Young Children and Their Families
Highlights the importance of the pediatric health setting in working with young children affected by domestic violence, provides a review of research on screening strategies, and proposes policy recommendations for improved practice in these settings.

Successful Integration and Maintenance of Screening for Domestic Violence in the Health Sector: Moving Beyond Individual Responsibility
Thurston & Eisener
Trauma, Violence, and Abuse, 7(2), 2006
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Discusses the need for a larger organizational, social, and cultural framework for the successful implementation of protocols for domestic violence screening and prevention interventions in the health care systems.

Understanding the Link Between Child Abuse and Domestic Violence: An Essential Part of Family-Centered Care (PDF - 84 KB)
National Association of Children's Hospitals and Related Institutions (2004)
Discusses strategies for children's hospitals to integrate domestic violence services into existing child abuse treatment and prevention programs.

We've Had Training, Now What?: Qualitative Analysis of Barriers to Domestic Violence Screening and Referral in a Health Care Setting
Minsky-Kelly, Hamberger, Pape, & Wolff
Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 20(10), 2005
View Abstract
Presents perceived systemwide and individual hospital department barriers to the identification and referral of domestic violence victims by staff and the implications for improved screening protocol implementation strategies at health care organizations.

Updated on January 5, 2009