NCJ Number
222044
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 18 Issue: 8 Dated: August 2003 Pages: 872-890
Date Published
August 2003
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This study explored the screening for intimate partner violence in the presence of children.
Abstract
A summary of the results indicate that most mothers/survivors were comfortable with physicians using general questions to screen for intimate partner violence (IPV) but preferred in-depth discussions about the abuse and resource sharing in private. Several recommendations are offered for providers when screening mothers for IPV in front of their children. Until their implementation, providers are encouraged to screen in front of nonverbal children (younger than 3 years), general questions should avoid charged words, such as hit, hurt, harm, and afraid; providers should be sensitive to the variety of privacy, safety, and protection issues mothers have about IPV; and medical offices should consider providing supervised arrangements for care of children when a physician needs to have a private conversation with the mother. IPV protocols recommend screening IPV women/survivors alone, without partner or children present. However, the reality of asking the children to leave the exam room raises feasibility issues. The objective of this study was to understand the experiences and wishes of IPV mothers/survivors when their children were with them in the health care setting. Specifically, the study explored how victims felt about being screened for IPV in front of their children, what were the safety considerations, and what were the ideal screening formats and questions? Appendix and references