A. Specific
Signs of Partner Violence
- Positive
response to screening for family violence.
- Suspicious
injury
- Contusions,
abrasions, minor lacerations
- Fractures
& sprains
- Burns
- Injury to:
H&N, breast, or abdominal, genital, or anal area
- Reported
mechanism of injury inconsistent with findings
- Injury during
pregnancy
- Multiple
sites of injury
- Pattern
of repeated injury
- Delay in
seeking medical care
- A person
describes their partner as:
- jealous,
controlling or domineering;
- prone to
anger
- frustrated
with them or their children
- Patient
is reluctant to speak or disagree in front of partner
- A person's
partner
- accompanies
the patient to the exam room & answers all questions
- shows angry,
threatening or aggressive behavior toward the physician or other
people.
B. Diagnostic
Interviewing When Specific Signs Are Detected
- Talk with
the person in private
- Assure confidentiality:
"Our discussion will remain strictly confidential
- Ask directly
about injuries & abuse:
- "In
my experience, this type of injury is sometimes caused by other
people's actions. Are you safe? Is anyone hurting you or threatening
you?"
- "Are
you in any relationships where you are afraid for your personal
safety, or where someone is hurting you, threatening you, trying
to control your life or forcing sexual contact?
- "As
a child, adolescent or adult, has anyone ever hurt you physically,
forced sexual contact, or hurt you psychologically, for example
by telling you that you were worthless or unwanted?"
© B. Ambuel
& L. K. Hamberger, Family Peace Project, Family & Community
Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, 210 NW Barstow, #201, Waukesha,
WI, 53188, (414)548-6903. The Family Peace Project provides training
and consultation to professionals, organizations & communities.
Permission granted to copy this protocol for noncommercial use.
Your contribution to the Family Peace Project is tax-deductible.
Updated: 03/20/95 4:17 PM
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