How Health Care Providers Can Fight Against Intimate Partner Violence

By Lisa James, Director of Health, and Vedalyn DeGuzman, Program Specialist, Futures Without Violence

Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence (IPV), is a health care problem of epidemic proportions. Nearly one in four women in the U.S. have experienced severe physical violence by an intimate partner in her lifetime.¹ Furthermore, a study found that women who talked to their healthcare provider about the abuse were four times more likely to use an intervention.²

In February of 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force issued new recommendations to support screening and response to IPV — recommending that health plans provide the service. Also, new guidelines in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) which ensure that select U.S. health plans will now cover annual screening and counseling for lifetime exposure to IPV, provide the opportunity to reach thousands more women and children with preventative messages and improve the health and safety of current victims of abuse.

Health care providers are in a unique position to help victims who seek routine or emergency care. However, health care providers often miss this golden opportunity to help a victim because they are not trained to screen patients for abuse. Simply by routinely screening patients for abuse and providing them with information about harm reduction strategies and referrals, we can make an enormous difference for victims and their children. In some cases, we can save lives by addressing both the acute and the immediate consequences of IPV as well as the chronic long term health conditions associated with a history of abuse.

The new health policies offer opportunities for deeper collaborations and coalition building between health providers and domestic/sexual violence advocates, and the potential for better outcomes for women. They may also likely lead to increased demands for training, coalition building and referrals over time. Millions of women, covered by employer-sponsored insurance, the new Insurance Marketplace, and Medicaid will be eligible to receive these services.

To learn more about screening in the health care setting, please view the Health Cares About IPV: Intimate Partner Violence Screening and Counseling Online Toolkit or call the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence at 1-415-678-5500, or e-mail: health@futureswithoutviolence.org.


¹ Black, Michele C., Kathleen C. Basile, Matthew J. Breiding, Sharon G. Smith, Mikel L. Walters, Melissa T. Merrick, Jieru Chen, and Mark R. Stevens. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey: 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta: National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_executive_summary-a.pdf

² McCloskey LA, Lichter E, Williams C, Gerber M, Wittenberg E, Ganz M. (2006). Assessing Intimate Partner Violence in Health Care Settings Leads to Women’s Receipt of Interventions and Improved Health. Public Health Reporter. 121(4):435-444.

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Lisa James is Director of Health Care Programs at Futures Without Violence (FWV). Ms. James has collaborated with health care providers, domestic violence experts and health policy makers across the U.S. to develop statewide health care responses to domestic violence through training, health policy reform and public education. Ms. James has also worked with FWV’s international program, collaborating with leaders from non-governmental and health care organizations in Russia, Mexico, India and China to build the capacity of health systems, providers and community members to identify and help victims in reproductive health settings. Ms. James has a Master’s Degree in Women’s Studies from the University College Dublin, Ireland and a Bachelors Degree in Humanities from San Francisco State University, California.

Vedalyn DeGuzman is the Program Specialist of Health Care Programs at Futures Without Violence. Vedalyn works on several health care initiatives including the National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence which is attended by over 1,000 participants. Other initiatives involve providers from varied health settings including national educational activities with major health associations–specifically coordinating the National Health Collaborative on Violence and Abuse, a collaborative of over 25 leading national professional health associations.

Dancing with an Angel

By John Glass, Staff Trainer and Recreation Therapist, Sacramento Children's Home

This Domestic Violence Awareness Month, you will hear many statistics about domestic violence. But behind the numbers are stories of real child victims. Although domestic violence is often thought of as a private issue between two partners, this is simply not the case. The ripple effect of abuse can be felt throughout communities, especially by children who are directly or indirectly exposed to it.

Angel (not her real name) moved to the Sacramento Children’s Home when she was 13 years old. She didn’t know her father, and her mother was an alcoholic who left her alone for days at a time or brought home strange men who abused her. Angel struggled with anger management issues and developed a daily smoking habit. When she entered the Children’s Home Residential Treatment Program, she was running away fairly often.

Growing increasingly concerned for her safety, staffers associated with Angel’s placement met with her to discuss the best way to move forward. They asked the teen, “What do you like to do? What do you feel you do well?”

Angel took a few moments and replied, “I like to dance.”

Coincidentally, we were just in the process of establishing an Expressive Arts program. The Specialist provided a variety of dance styles for Angel to experiment with, and she chose Jazz. Angel soon became the queen of our talent shows, and something interesting started to occur; Angel started caring about herself. She combed her hair neatly, she smiled more, she quit smoking, and she stopped running away. Angel realized she was good at something.

As a result, she began avoiding the negative influences of some of her peers. She attended school regularly and joined the dance program on campus. She began to take professional dance lessons off grounds. In fact, she did so well that she earned a scholarship to a state conference in Southern California. Angel was recognized for her dance achievements at a City Council meeting, and we celebrated in Old Sacramento with an enjoyable dinner.

Angel found her talent, and it changed her life. It boosted her self-esteem and gave her the motivation she needed to take on life.

Angel is just one of the many success stories coming out of the Residential Treatment Program at the Sacramento Children’s Home. Serving Northern California, the Children’s Home provides care for abused, neglected, traumatized and emotionally disturbed children, ages 6-18. Our Residential Treatment Program focuses on making significant and lasting behavioral changes through a combination of strength-based treatment, structured living environment, recreation activities, community engagements, and therapy.

Angel succeeded in large part because of her own talents, but also because she received the support, care, and encouragement to help her move past her previous hardships. At the Sacramento Children’s Home, our goal is to give children like Angel the treatment and tools they need to thrive.

A few years ago, Angel came by to say hello and see her old cottage. She was 32 years old at that time, and she shared with me that she was on her way to Japan. She was going to be teaching dance to children.

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John Glass has worked at the Sacramento Children’s Home for 27 years and currently serves as the Staff Trainer and Recreation Therapist. He is a Nationally Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist, Independent Facilitator of the Love & Logic Parenting Curriculum, and Certified Pro-ACT Instructor (Crisis Intervention). John owns a training and consulting business specializing in social skills groups, parenting classes, teambuilding, individual crisis intervention plans, therapeutic recreation consulting, and CPR, AED, and 1st Aid instruction. He holds a Masters in Therapeutic Recreation.

The Sacramento Children's Home is committed to helping build strong families; to opening doors to the future; to maximizing potential; and ending the cycle of child abuse. Established in 1867, the Sacramento Children's Home provides care to the most vulnerable children and families in the Sacramento community. Community-based, residential and educational programs address the issues of children, newborn to 21, and range from prevention of child abuse and parenting education, to acute trauma treatment.

PSA: Domestic Violence Knows No Boundaries

Worthless.

Weak.

Ashamed.

These are the unheard voices of domestic violence victims.

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Justice, domestic violence is one of the most chronically underreported crimes in the nation.¹ Due to a variety of factors including fear, embarrassment, and financial dependency, an estimated four out of five DV instances are unaccounted for.

Furthermore, a study conducted by GfK Public Affairs & Corporate Communications and the Avon Foundation for Women found that although 60% of Americans know a victim of DV and 80% believe DV is a problem in our society, only 15% think it is a problem among their own friends and family.²

Whatever the reason, the fact of the matter is that silence sustains violence.

This October, CalVCP has produced a video PSA in hopes of increasing social awareness and educating communities about the far reaching effects of DV. Our hope is that you will view and share this video, and join us in the fight to end domestic violence.

¹ U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics, “Criminal Victimization,” 2003.

² Avon Foundation for Women, “No More Study.” 2013.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month

This October, CalVCP kicks off its annual observance of Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) in an effort to spread awareness, help survivors, and move forward in the fight to eradicate domestic violence from our world.

Over a quarter of those applying for CalVCP assistance each year are victims of domestic violence (DV). DV isn’t strictly a personal matter or home issue, but an alarming and pervasive problem that affects 33 million of all U.S. adults, at a cost of over 5.8 billion dollars a year.

DV impacts victims, abusers, family members, friends and entire communities. Moreover, DV can happen to anyone, anywhere regardless of age, economic status, race, religion, nationality or educational background. To highlight the extensive reach of this crime, CalVCP’s 2013 DVAM efforts will center around the theme Domestic Violence Knows No Boundaries.

DVAM Resource Kit

In support of this year’s theme, CalVCP has released a variety of downloadable DVAM Theme Resources. You can help educate communities about the far reaching effects of DV by:

• Printing and hanging DVAM posters and fliers
• Sharing DVAM graphics on websites and social media
• Posting DV awareness facts on Twitter and Facebook
• Distributing CalVCP’s DV Fact Sheet

Blog: CalVCP Connection

Follow CalVCP’s DVAM blog series featuring guest authors who will share their knowledge on DV as it pertains to underserved and vulnerable populations.

Getting Involved: DVAM Events

Raise awareness of domestic violence by participating in one of more of the following DVAM events hosted throughout the state:

• October 1–31
  Suited For Successful Families Collection Drive — sponsored by CalVCP
  Sacramento, CA
• October 6
  Girls Got The Blues: Sing for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
  San Jose, CA
• October 7–11
  Raising Voices For Hope
  Chico, CA
• October 8
  Day of Remembrance
  San Mateo County, CA
• October 12
  Safe Passage’s 3rd Annual Gala
  Brentwood, CA
• October 12
  Survivors Dove Release and Hopeful Healing Day
  Tustin, CA
• October 12
  Tulare County District Attorney 2013 Justice Run
  Visalia, CA
• October 17
  Kaiser Permanente Family Violence Prevention Team's Seventh Annual Eat to Defeat Domestic Violence
  Napa & Solano Counties, CA
• October 22
  Teen Dating Violence: Best Practices for School Personnel
  San Rafael, CA
• October 23
  Children Exposed to Domestic Violence Conference
  Folsom, CA
• October 23
  Unmasquerade: Unmask the Truth About Dating Abuse
  Hollywood, CA
• October 25
  Fourth Annual Solano County Domestic Violence Day of Remembrance
  Fairfield, CA
• October 25
  DVC Annual Conference: Innovative Models for Early Intervention and Prevention
  Santa Clara, CA

Regardless of where you are located, there are a variety of ways you can participate in DVAM throughout the month of October. We hope you will join CalVCP in supporting domestic violence survivors and taking a stand against this pervasive crime.

Protecting Victims’ Rights: Victims Information Notification Everyday (VINE)

By Sheriff Greg Ahern (Alameda County), President of the California State Sheriff’s Association

As our communities become more entrenched with technology, many law enforcement partners are taking on a greater role to create safer communities. The California State Sheriffs’ Association (CSSA) is assisting victims of domestic violence and other serious violent crimes through the Victims Information Notification Everyday (VINE).

The VINE Program is a 24-hour service that provides instant notification to individuals concerning the whereabouts of the person(s) who victimized them. Administered by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) in partnership with the CSSA, the VINE database tracks an offender’s information from the point of apprehension to re-entry into society, and it details transfers and relocations while he/she is incarcerated. This system allows victims to take the necessary steps and precautions for self-protection. Victims, witnesses, and next of kin can sign up to receive notifications, and all registrants’ information is confidential.

VINE has been partnered with the Alameda County community since 1996. During this time span, the system has delivered over 230,000 notification telephone calls to victims in the county. In addition, VINE was one of the first systems to utilize email technology, allowing registrants to receive notifications while away from home. To date, the Alameda County VINE Program has notified almost 4,000 individuals via email. VINE has also recently expanded its ability to contact users through social media efforts: a new iPhone and Android smart phone application informs victims of changes in the custody status of criminal offenders. This application is free to crime victims and is anonymous for users.

Although VINE caters primarily to victims of domestic violence, it also serves as an informational resource for both the public and private sectors. For example, VINE is used by employers to track the release date of disgruntled employees; journalists utilize the system to find the release date of high-profile offenders; judges refer to VINE to learn the release date of offenders who they have sentenced; and law enforcement consults this service to stay informed on the status of offenders in their own case files.

As the nation’s first automated system for victim notification, VINE seeks to preserve a victim’s right to personal safety following a crime. Just this year, there have been 961 new VINE registrants in Alameda County, and over 11,000 VINE notifications have been sent. The program’s success is even more impressive when reviewing statewide statistics. VINE is now live in 53 California counties, and there have been over one million offender searches performed throughout the state in 2013. The program has proven to be an effective tool that enables survivors to take pre-emptive action to avoid being victimized again. I urge law enforcement agencies that utilize the VINE Program to publicize their success, and others that are not members to join this valuable program.

For more information, see the California VINE website.

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Gregory Ahern has served as the Sheriff of Alameda County since 2007 and is the current President of the California State Sheriff’s Association. Employed by the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office for over 30 years, Sheriff Ahern has been actively involved in the development and implementation of a number of Alameda County programs, including the Youth and Family Services Bureau, Drug Education and Enforcement programs, Cold Case DNA Unit, and D.U.I. Enforcement Unit. He also initiated the Urban Shield tactical training exercise that provides a training venue to several thousand first responders each year. Sheriff Ahern earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Business Administration from Saint Mary’s College in Moraga.

September is National Campus Safety Awareness Month

By Abigail J. Boyer, Assistant Executive Director of Programs, Outreach, and Communications at the Clery Center for Security On Campus

This summer, it was hard to escape the omnipresence of Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines”, a pop tune with controversial lyrics and an even more controversial music video. While admittedly catchy, the suggestive song raises questions about what consent really means, in turn providing a valuable opportunity to have critical discussions about sexual violence and community responsibility to create a culture of respect.

The issue is of particular concern on college campuses, where one in five female students is a victim of an attempted or completed sexual assault—commonly by someone known to the survivor. With September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM), university campuses should be a major focus of sexual violence education and prevention.

The first six weeks of the fall semester are often referred to as the “red zone”, a time when colleges and universities typically see an increase in sexual assault and other crime. With this in mind, August and September should mark the start of a year-long conversation about campus safety and the role students can play in changing the culture in their community.

Bystander intervention emphasizes this community responsibility and empowers peers to step in when they see attitudes or behaviors that could lead to sexual assault. Intervention doesn’t always mean a physical confrontation; a distraction or even the simple question, “Are you okay?” can make all the difference. Being a good bystander can also mean challenging rape culture by questioning pervasive attitudes like those heard in “Blurred Lines”.

Students should know there are on- and off-campus resources available to survivors of sexual assault, as well as federal laws that guide institutions’ responses to sexual violence. Victims have rights under both Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Act. Recent amendments to the Clery Act included within the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (known as the Campus Sexual Violence Elimination Act, or Campus SaVE) strengthened and expanded many of these rights to victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking.

As part of our Safe Campus, Strong Voices campaign (a partnership with Promoting Awareness, Victim Empowerment, with guidance from a number of other incredible organizations), the Clery Center provides a toolkit for institutions to use as they implement programming during the month of September. This year’s “Day of Action” is centered around the PACT5 project in which five universities created student-produced documentaries about sexual assault.

We are excited and honored to be part of these important efforts to help students, parents, faculty, and professionals at institutions nationwide engage in meaningful dialogue about the impact of sexual violence and other crimes on campus communities.

Whether addressing the media’s hyper-sexualization of women or a classmate’s demeaning remark, it’s our hope that these conversations empower college communities to take a step back and consider, “What can we do to change a culture of sexual violence?”

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Abigail Boyer is the Assistant Executive Director of Programs, Outreach, and Communications for the Clery Center for Security On Campus. Working in the non-profit field since 2007 as an educator, trainer, and speaker, Abigail presents nationally on topics related to the Clery Act, dynamics of sexual and domestic violence, victims’ services, and non-profit outreach. Abigail earned a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science at West Chester University.

There’s a New Bully on the Block

By Julie Nauman, VCGCB Executive Officer

It has been one year since the since the death of 15 year-old Audrie Pott. The northern California sophomore committed suicide last September after she was sexually assaulted by male classmates while passed out at a party, and then subjected to public persecution when photographic evidence of the attack circulated via social media.

Photo credit: Pott family

The fate Audrie endured — a daughter driven to self-destruction by the dual distress of sexual assault followed by aggressive cyberbullying — is a parent’s worst nightmare. As mothers and fathers, we aim to raise children who are kind and respectful toward others, and we hope other parents try to do the same; but the unfortunate truth is, what happened to Audrie could have happened to any teenager. In light of back to school season, I want to shed light on what the FBI deems one of the newest and most significant issues that plague our youth today: cyberbullying.

With the growth of electronic technology and the infinite scope of the internet, peer harassment today often extends far beyond the academic setting. Abuse known as cyberbullying refers to the public persecution of someone via devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites and text messages.

Although cyberbullies leave no physical signs of abuse, their psychological effects can be more extensive and long-lasting than bruises and broken bones. Hurtful messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a wide audience, and removing this content from the digital realm is extremely difficult. For bullied kids, the modern day structure of an always-connected society can breed, sustain, and amplify seemingly inescapable torment. Thus, it should come as no surprise that these victims suffer far-reaching physical, academic, and mental consequences. Cyberbullied children have a higher tendency to use alcohol and drugs, struggle in school, and battle health problems. They may also experience depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem that persist into adulthood.

Though its magnitude is evident, cyberbullying isn’t easily remedied because parents are often unaware of the problem. The 2008–2009 School Crime Supplement revealed that children only notified adults in one third of bullying cases. Negative messages surrounding snitching, gender stereotypes, fear of rejection, concerns of retaliation, and lack of confidence in adults’ actions contribute to this trend.

Tragedies like Audrie’s highlight the continued need for anti-bullying efforts on a societal level. I encourage parents to take a proactive role in piloting this cultural shift; by educating kids on the topic, maintaining open and supportive dialogues, and acting as role models, we can begin to not only change adult attitudes that too often dismiss bullying as “kids being kids” but also nurture positive youth advocates in our communities and empower children to take the lead in bullying prevention.

For resources on preventing and responding to bullying, visit www.stopbullying.gov.

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Julie Nauman is the Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB). VCGCB provides compensation for victims of violent crime and helps to resolve claims against the State.