NCJ Number
160333
Date Published
1992
Length
102 pages
Annotation
This manual is designed to provide health care practitioners with background on the physical, psychological, and social impacts of woman abuse, as well as information on how to detect and deal with it in a clinical setting.
Abstract
The manual first describes "battering" and the dynamics of power and control in a relationship, followed by statistics on battering. A medical protocol is then presented for assessing and treating suspected victims of battering. The first step in the protocol is to note signs that a woman may have been battered. Signs include injuries to the face, neck, or throat; injuries to the chest, breast, abdomen, or genitals; evidence of sexual assault; chronic pain; injuries during pregnancy; substantial delay between the time of injury and presentation for treatment; and multiple injuries in various stages of healing. The second step is to review the patient's history; this consists of checking the patient's medical record for a history of traumatic injuries or notations from previous providers who suspected abuse. The third step involves an interview of the suspected battered woman. Guidelines are provided for this interview. Other steps in the protocol are the medical examination and entries in the medical record, the collection of physical evidence, photographing injuries, reporting the incident to the police, using the courts, batterer treatment, risk assessment and safety planning, helping the children of battered women, working with populations with special needs, and referrals. Appended supplementary information and guidelines