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Domestic Violence
Author: Julia Tortorice Click here for author information

 

Domestic Violence | Copyright © 2009 CEUFast.com

 

Purpose Statement

This course is designed to assist the healthcare worker in understanding domestic violence and the mandates about domestic violence that involve healthcare workers. It concludes with strategies for healthcare workers to use in identifying and managing victims of domestic violence.

 

Objectives

After completing this course, the learner will be able to:

1. define domestic abuse;
   
2. identify the characteristics or the abuser;
   
3. discuss why victims stay with abusive partners;
   
4. discuss why victims of domestic violence are not identified in the healthcare system; and
   
5. identify how healthcare workers can help victims of domestic violence.

 

Definition

Domestic violence amongst family members can take many forms. It may include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, threats, using the threat of removing children, using male privilege, intimidation, isolation, and other behaviors used to maintain fear, intimidation, and power. Acts of domestic violence are categorized into psychological battering, physical battering, or sexual abuse (NCADV, 2007).

Psychological Battering can include constant verbal abuse, harassment, excessive possessiveness, isolating the woman from friends and family, deprivation of physical and economic resources, and destruction of personal property (NCADV, 2007).

Physical Battering involves physical attacks or aggressive behaviors that range from bruising to murder. It often begins with what is excused as trivial contact that escalates into more frequent and serious attacks (NCADV, 2007).

Sexual Abuse is when a family member is forced to have sexual intercourse with the abuser or take part in unwanted sexual activity. It is often preceded by a physical attack (NCADV, 2007).

Physical battering is often accompanies by psychological battering and 30% or more of situations include sexual abuse (WHO, 2005).

Battering is a pattern of behavior that uses fear and intimidation to establish power and control over another person. It is an escalating process. It often begins with threats, name calling, and damage to objects or pets. It may escalate into restraining, pushing, slapping, or pinching. Next, the behavior may include punching, kicking, biting, sexual assault, tripping, or throwing. Finally, battering may become life-threatening with serious behaviors like choking, breaking bones, or using weapons (NCADV, 2007). Abuse tends to happen in cycles; does not just go away; and tends to get worse over time (NCADV, 2007).

 

Prevalence and Trends

The annual cost of domestic violence in the US in 2003 was $8.3 billion. This includes medical care, mental health care, and lost productivity (CDC, 2006). According the Bureau of Justice Statistics (Durose, Harlow, Langan, Motivans, Ratala, Smith, & Constatin, 2005), domestic violence is 11% of all reported and unreported violence. 49% were victimization of spouses, 11% victimization of children, and 41% victimization of other family. About 75% of victims of domestic violence were females and about 75% of the offenders were males. Females were the victim in 85% of abuse by a spouse or significant other. Males are more likely to be assaulted by a stranger or acquaintance (WHO, 2009). 79% of offenders were white and 62% were 30 or older. 25% of women are victims of abuse within their lifetime (NCADV, 2007). Elder abuse, child abuse and same sex abuse are also significant problems.

75% of domestic violence occurs at or near the victim’s home. Simple assault is the most common domestic violence offense with murder being less the 0.5% of occurrences (Durose, 2005). 47.8% of domestic violence offenders were under the influence of drugs or alcohol during violent events (Durose, et.al. 2005).

 Murder Trends

About 22% of murders in 2002 were family members. Family members were most likely to murder a young child, while a friend or acquaintance was most likely to murder an older child age 15 to 17. For murder victims, 43% were related to or acquainted with their assailants (Durose, et.al. 2005). 30% of women murdered in the US are murdered by their husbands, ex-husbands, or boyfriends (NCADV, 2007).

Workplace Violence Trends

Intimates (current and former spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends) were identified by the victims as the perpetrators of about 1% of all workplace violent crime. About 40% of the victims of nonfatal violence in the workplace reported that they knew their offender (Durose, et.al. 2005).

Race/Ethnicity

Non-Hispanic whites and non-Hispanic blacks are more likely to be victims of domestic violence than other races. Victimization rates are relatively high for American Indians and Alaska Natives and low for Asians and Pacific Islanders (Durose, et.al. 2005).

 

Cycle of Violence

Abuse tends to happen in cycles. It does not just go away and tends to get worse over time. The Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence puts forth the following of violence as behavior patterns in an abusive relationship: (NCADV, 2007)

  

 

1. Tension Building
   
a. Tension mounts in the relationship
   
b. The batterer is irritable, frustrated, and unable to cope with everyday stresses
   
c. The victim attempts to appease the batterer by becoming compliant, nurturing, or staying out of the way
   
d. The victim often assumes responsibility for controlling the abuser’s anger
   
e. The victim denies the inevitability of the beating and the terror.
   
f. The batterer fears that the victim will leave and their fears are reinforced by the victim’s coping strategy of withdrawing and avoiding
   
2. The Battering Incident
   
a. The batterer's intent is to teach a lesson, not to inflict injury. In the process, they lose control of their rage
   
b. Only the batterer can end this phase
   
c. The victim needs a safe place during this phase
   
d. Once over, the victim will deny the incident, injuries and terror
   
3. The Calm Respite of “the Honeymoon”
   
a. The batterer is kind and charming; and very afraid the victim will leave
   
b. The victim wants to believe that the suffering is over; believing that this "good" side of the abuser’s personality is the person they love; and develops learned helplessness
   

Then the cycle continues and returns to stage one.

 

Abuser

There are many theories as to why some people are abusers. However, the reason abusers use this behavior is because violence is an effective method for gaining and keeping control over another person. In a domestic situation, the abuser traditionally hasn’t suffered adverse consequences as a result of violent behavior. Historically, domestic violence has not been treated as a "real" crime. This is evident in the lack of severe consequences, like incarceration or economic penalties. Rarely are abusers ostracized in their communities, even if their assaultive behavior is known (NCADV, 2007). Some cultures support the man’s right and just cause to punish their spouse by beating, in some circumstances (WHO, 2009).

Risk factors for violence against their spouse or significant other are (WHO, 2009):

  Family history of violence
   
  Alcohol and drug use
   
  Emotion dependency, insecure and low self-esteem
   
  Lack of impulse control
   
  Antisocial, aggressive, and borderline personality disorders
   
  Poverty
   
  Marital discord or conflict

Numerous studies from both industrialized and developing countries produced a consistent list of events triggering spouse or significant other violence. They are (WHO, 2009, pg. 9):

  not obeying the man;
   
  arguing back;
   
  not having food ready on time;
   
  not caring adequately for the children or home;
   
  questioning the man about money or girlfriends;
   
  going somewhere without the man’s permission;
   
  refusing the man sex;
   
  the man suspecting the woman of infidelity.

Batterers come from all social classes, races, cultures, religions, backgrounds, and countries (WHO, 2009). The following behaviors may be warning signs (NCADV, 2007):

  extreme jealousy;
   
  blames others for their faults and circumstances for their problems;
   
  unpredictable behavior;
   
  verbally abusive;
   
  unable to control their anger;
   
  always asking for a second chance, saying they’ll change and won’t do it again;
   
  their family resolves problems with violence;
   
  plays on your guilt;
   
  their way is the only way;
   
  behavior often worsens when using alcohol or drugs; and
   
  cruelty to animals.

 

Victims

Why do victims stay? All too often that question is answered with a victim-blaming attitude. Victims of abuse often hear that they must like or need abusive treatment, or else they would leave. Sometimes, victims are told that they “love too much" or have low self-esteem. The truth is that no one likes being beaten, regardless of his or her emotional state or self-image. The reason a victim stays is complex (NCADV, 2007).

According to the National Coalition against Domestic Violence, victims stay in an abusive relationship because of (NCADV, 2007):

1. Lack of resources
   
a. Responsibility for dependent children.
   
b. Not employed outside of the home.
   
c. The victim does not solely own any property.
   
d. Lack of access to cash or bank accounts.
   
e. Fear of being charged with desertion; therefore, losing children or joint assets.
   
f. Fear of a decline in living standards for herself and her children.
   
2. Institutional responses
   
a. Clergy and secular counselors are often trained to see only the goal of saving the marriage at all costs.
   
b. Police officers treat domestic violence as a dispute instead of a crime.
   
c. Police may try to dissuade women from filing charges.
   
d. Prosecutors are reluctant to prosecute cases and judges are lenient with the sentencing.
   
e Even with a restraining order, there is little to prevent a released abuser from returning and repeating the assault.
   
f. There are not enough shelters to keep victims safe.
   
3. Traditional ideology
   
a. The belief that divorce is not a viable alternative.
   
b. The belief that a single parent family is unacceptable, and that even a violent father is better than no father at all.
   
c. Many women are socialized to believe that they are responsible for making their marriage work.
   
d. The isolation of a victim contributes to a sense that there is nowhere to turn.
   
e. Rationalization of their abuser’s behavior by blaming stress, alcohol, problems at work unemployment, or other factors.
   
f. Many women feel that their identity and worth are contingent upon getting and keeping a man.
   
g. During the non-violent phases, the abuser may fulfill the woman’s dream of romantic love. She believes that he is basically good.

Children who witness domestic violence are at risk for emotional and behavioral problems. These include (WHO, 2009):

  Anxiety
   
  Depression
   
  Poor academic performance
   
  Low self-esteem
   
  Nightmares
   
  Physical health complaints

There is also evidence that domestic violence increases the risk of child mortality especially before the age of five (WHO, 2009).

 

Mandates against Domestic Violence

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) defines standards for healthcare organizations and monitors compliance with those standards. JCAHO mandates that hospitals must develop criteria to identify possible victims of abuse. The criteria must focus on observable evidence and not just on allegations. It must at least address physical assault; rape or other sexual molestation; domestic abuse; and abuse or neglect of elders and children. The criteria should be developed in a way to prevent any action or question that could create false memories of abuse in an individual (JCAHO, 2007).

Staff must be trained to apply the criteria. They should question whether abuse might have occurred if a patient's story for his or her injury does not match the actual injury. For example, a child’s x-rays may show an unexplained broken bone. Staff should observe the behavior of the people who brought the child to the emergency room. Does the child cling to one parent and avoid the other? Staff members should question the child in a nonthreatening manner, look for bruises on the body, and listen to explanations to see if there is balance between the physical evidence and the story (JCAHO, 2007).

A hospital must maintain a list of private and public community agencies that provide help for abuse victims. Staff must be able to make appropriate referrals for victims (JCAHO, 2007).

New York was the first state that requires hospitals to establish protocols to identify and treat domestic violence victims and make referrals to community services. California passed the first state law mandating protocols for hospitals and clinics to detect the presence of violence in the lives of patients (Nudelman, 1999).

California further required domestic violence training a part of the licensing and re-certification process for healthcare providers. Florida, New York, Kentucky and Puerto Rico also require domestic violence training for re-licensure of physicians (Nudelman, 1999).

WHO (2009, pg 25) recommends the following actions:

  Governments and other donors should be encouraged to invest much more in research on violence by intimate partners over the next decade.
   
  Programs should place greater emphasis on enabling families, circles of friends and community groups, including religious communities, to deal with the problem of partner violence.
   
  Programs on partner violence should be integrated with other programs, such as those tackling youth violence, teenage pregnancies, substance abuse and other forms of family violence.
   
  Programs should focus more on the primary prevention of intimate partner violence.

 

Role of Healthcare Professionals

Early identification and intervention with victims of domestic violence can help prevent injuries and save lives (Nudelman, 1999). Many victims of domestic violence seek assistance in healthcare settings, often repeatedly, but are only treated for symptoms and injuries. Healthcare professionals often fail to identify victims, due to a lack of training on what to look for and how to ask about domestic violence. Opportunities for intervention are missed and victims continue to suffer the adverse health consequences of physical and emotional abuse (Nudelman, 1999).

Mental healthcare providers see victims of domestic violence for suicide attempts, anxiety, and depression. Practitioners who specialize in chronic pain, such as headache or stomach disorders, also treat victims of abuse. Pediatricians who see abused children may also see abused women because child abuse and spousal abuse frequently co-exist (Nudelman, 1999).

Pregnancy may be a risk factor for battering, so obstetrical healthcare providers have an important role in identifying battered women (NCADV, 2007). Abused women have a higher rate of miscarriage, stillbirths, premature labor, low birth weight babies, and injuries to the fetus (Nudelman, 1999).

Healthcare providers can help by screening for domestic violence, documenting abuse in the medical record, safeguarding evidence, providing medical advice, referrals, and safety planning, and showing empathy and compassion. Many victims of domestic violence will talk about their abuse if they are asked in a direct, caring, and non-judgmental manner (Nudelman, 1999). Abuse victims need referrals to legal and social services. They may need help with finding temporary shelter, advice on how to keep safe should they return home, and affirmation that the abuse is not their fault (Nudelman, 1999).

Screening questions should always be asked in a private room, away from the batterer and preceded by assurances of strict confidentiality. The spouse or partner should be separated from the patient if they demand to accompany the patient into the examining room (Nudelman, 1999).

It is not the role of the healthcare provider to invoke or foster criminal justice intervention. Calling the police is not always in the best interest of a victim of domestic abuse. Some victims of domestic violence have learned to distrust the police or believe that law enforcement intervention will further endanger them. Immigrant victims may fear that calling the police will lead to deportation. Others are unwilling to use law enforcement intervention until a safety plan is in place. Each victim should be informed of their legal options and encouraged to make their own choices (Nudelman, 1999).

 

Conclusion

Domestic violence is a crime that causes severe health consequences. Healthcare professionals are mandates and morally obligated to identify and offer assistance to victims of domestic violence. Legal and societal changes in the US have reduced the occurrence of Domestic Violence but the problem is still epidemic. Your efforts can make a difference.

 

Resources (Feminist Majority Foundation, 2007, pg 1)

State Coalitions on Domestic Violence

Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 4762
Montgomery, AL 36101
1-800-650-6522 (state)
TTY: 1-800-787-3224
Another State: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
130 Seward Street, Room 209
Juneau, AK 99801
Phone: 907-586-3650
FAX: 907-463-4493
Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)

Arizona Coalition Against Domestic Violence
301 E. Bethany Home Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85013
Phone: 602-279-2900
FAX: 602-279-2980
TTY: 602-279-7270
1-800-782-6400
E-mail: acadv@azcadv.org

Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1401 West Capitol Ave, Suite 170
Little Rock AR 72201
Phone: (501) 907-5612
FAX: (501)907-5618
Toll Free: (800)269-4668

Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence
1030 N. Ventra Rd
Oxnard, CA 93030
Phone: 805-654-6014
FAX: 805-654-1264
24-Hour Hotline: 805-656-1111
Spanish Hotline: 800-300-2181
TDD: 805-656-4439

Statewide California Coalition for Battered Women
PO Box 19005
Long Beach CA 90807
Toll-Free: 888-SCCBW-52
Phone: 562-981-1202
Fax: 562-981-3202
E-mail: sccbw@sccbw.org

Alternative Horizons
P.O. Box 503
Durango, CO 81302
Phone: 970-247-9619 24-hour hotline
E-mail: ah@frontier.net

Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 18902
Denver, CO 80218
TOLL-FREE: 888-778-7091
Phone: 303-831-9632
FAX: 303-832-7067
E-mail: ccadv@ccadv.org

D.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Intake Center
500 Indiana Ave NW
Superior Court Room 4235
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-879-7851
FAX: 202-387-5684
Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm

SOS Program (A part of DC Coalition)
Domestic Violence Intake Center Satellite Office
Greater Southeast Community Hospital
1328 Southern Ave SE
Room 311
Washington, DC 20032
Phone: 202-561-3095 x12
Fax: 202-561-3093
Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm

My Sister's Place
P.O. Box 29596
Washington, DC 20017
24-hour hotline: 202-529-5991
Administrative Office: 202-529-5261

Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence
100 W. 10th Street Suite 703
Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: 302-658-2958
FAX: 302-658-5049
Hotline: 1-800-799-7233

Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence
425 Office Plaza Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
TOLL-FREE: 800-500-1119
Phone: 850-425-2749
FAX: 850-425-3091
FL Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-500-1119
FL Domestic Violence Hotline TTY: 1-800-621-4202

Georgia Advocates for Battered Women and Children
250 Georgia Avenue, S.E., Suite 308
Atlanta, GA 30312
TOLL-FREE: 800-334-2836
Phone: 404-524-3847
FAX: 404-524-5959

Hawaii State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
716 Umi St., Unit 210
Honolulu, HI 96819
Phone: 808-832-9316
Fax: 808-841-6028
Email: hscadv@pixi.com

24 Hr Shelters (Hawaii.By Island)

Hilo
959-8864

Kauai
245-8404

Kona
322-SAFE (7233)

Maui/Lanai
579-9581

Molokai
567-6888

Oahu
841-0822

Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence
515 28th St
Des Moines, IA 50312
TOLL-FREE: 800-942-0333
Phone: 515-244-8028
FAX: 515-244-7417

Idaho Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
815 Park Blvd, Suite 140
Boise, ID 83712
TOLL-FREE: 888-293-6118
Phone: 208-384-0419
FAX: 208-331-0687
E-mail: jmatshushita@idvsa.org

Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence
801 South 11th Street
Springfield, Illinois 62703
Phone: 217-789-2830
FAX: 217-789-1939
TTY: 217-241-0376
E-mail: ilcadv@springnet1.com

Between Friends
(Formerly The Friends of Battered Women and Their Children)
P. O. Box 608548
Chicago, IL 60660
Phone: 773-274-5232
FAX: 773-262-2543
HOTLINE: 1-800-603-HELP
E-mail:info@afriendsplace.org

Life Span
P.O. Box 1515
Des Plaines IL 60017
24-Hour Crisis Line: 847-824-4454
Phone: 847-824-0382
Fax: 847-824-5311
E-mail: life-span@life-span.org
Special site on Police Domestic Violence

Indiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1915 W. 18th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
TOLL-FREE: 800-538-3393
Phone: 317-917-3685
Fax 317-917-3695
Crisis Line: 1-800-332-7385

Kansas Coalition Against Sexual and Domestic Violence
220 S.W. 33rd, Suite 100
Topeka, KS 66611
TOLL-FREE: 888-END-ABUSE (Kansas state-wide hotline)
Phone: 785-232-9784
FAX: 785-266-1874

Kentucky Domestic Violence Association
P.O. Box 356
Frankfort, KY 40602
Phone: 502-209-5382
FAX: 502-226-5382

Louisiana Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 77308
Baton Rouge, LA 70879-7308
Phone: 225-752-1296
FAX: 225-751-8927

Maine Coalition to End Domestic Violence
170 Park St.
Bangor, ME 04401
Phone: 207-941-1194
FAX: 207-941-2327
Email: mcedv@mcedv.org

Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence
6911 Laurel Bowie Road, Suite 309
Bowie, MD 20715
TOLL-FREE: 800-MD-HELPS
Phone: 301-352-4574
FAX: 301-809-0422

Jane Doe Inc./Massachusetts Coalition Against Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence
14 Beacon Street, Suite 507
Boston, MA 02108
Phone: 617-248-0922
FAX: 617-248-0902
TTY/TDD: 617-263-2200
Bay County Women's Center
P.O. Box 1458
Bay City, MI 48706
TOLL-FREE: 800-834-2098
Phone: 517-686-4551
FAX: 517-686-0906

Michigan 24-Hour Crisis Line: 517-265-6776

Minnesota Coalition for Battered Women
450 North Syndicate Street, Suite 122
St. Paul, MN 55104
Metro-Area Hotline: 651-646-0994
Phone: 651-646-6177
FAX: 651-646-1527
E-mail: mcbw@pclink.com

Missouri Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1000-D Northeast Drive
Jefferson City, MO 65109
Phone: 573-636-8776
FAX: 573-636-6613

Women's Support and Community Services
2165 Hampton Ave
St. Louis, MO 63139
HOTLINE: 314-531-2003
Office: 314-646-7500

Mississippi State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 4703
Jackson, MS 39296-4703
TOLL-FREE: 800-898-3234
Phone: 601-981-9196
FAX: 601-981-2501
E-mail: mcadv@misnet.com

Crisis Line
P.O. Box 6644
Great Falls, MT 59406
Phone: 406-453-HELP
TOLL-FREE: 1-888-587-0199

Montana Coalition Against Domestic & Sexual Violence
PO Box 818
Helena MT 59624
tel: 406.443.7794 or toll free at 888-404-7794
fax: 406.443.7818

Nebraska Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Coalition
825 M Street, Suite 404
Lincoln, NE 68508-2253
TOLL-FREE: 800-876-6238
Phone: 402-476-6256
FAX: 402-476-6806

Nevada Network Against Domestic Violence
220 S. Rock Blvd. Ste. 7
Reno, NV 89502
TOLL-FREE: 800-500-1556
Phone: 775-828-1115
FAX: 775-828-9991

Safe House
18 Sunrise Drive, Ste. G-70
Henderson, NV 89014
Phone: 702-451-4203
FAX: 702-451-4302
24 Hr Hotline: 702-564-3227
E-mail: safe@intermind.net

New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
P.O. Box 353
Concord, NH 03302-0353
TOLL-FREE: 800-852-3388 (in New Hampshire)
Helpline: 603-225-9000 (outside of New Hampshire)
Phone: 603-224-8893
Fax: 603-228-6096
1-866-644-3574 For a domestic violence center near you
1-800-277-5570 Sexual Assault

New Jersey Coalition for Battered Women
1670 Whitehorse/Hamilton Square Road
Trenton, NJ 08690
TOLL-FREE: for Battered Lesbians: 800-224-0211 (in NJ only)
Phone: 609-584-8107
FAX: 609-584-9750
TTY: 609-584-0027 (9am-5pm, then into message service)

Strengthen Our Sisters
P.O. Box U
Hewitt, N.J. 07421
E-mail: ssisters@warwick.net
24-Hour Hotline: 800-SOS-9470 (800-767-9470)
Office: 973-248-0776

New Mexico State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
200 Oak St NE #4
Albuquerque, NM 87106
TOLL-FREE: 800-773-3645 (in New Mexico Only)
Legal Helpline: 800-209-DVLH
Phone: 505-246-9240
FAX: 505-246-9434
E-mail: nmcadv@nmcadv.org

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
350 New Scotland Avenue
Albany New York 12208
Phone: 518-482-5465
English: 1-800-942-6906
English TTY: 1-800-818-0656
Spanish: 1-800-942-6908
Spanish TTY: 1-800-780-7660
Email us at nyscadv@nyscadv.org

North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence
123 W. Main Street, Suite 700
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: 919-956-9124
FAX: 919-682-1449
Toll Free: 1-888-232-9124

North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services
State Networking Office
418 East Rosser Avenue, Suite 320
Bismarck, ND 58501
TOLL-FREE: 800-472-2911 (In ND Only)
Phone: 701-255-6240
FAX: 701-255-1904

Ohio Domestic Violence Network
4807 Evanswood Drive
Suite 201
Columbus, Ohio 43229
(614) 781-9651
(614) 781-9652 Fax
(614) 781-9654 TTY
E-mail: info@odvn.org

Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
3815 N. Santa Fe Avenue, Suite 124
Oklahoma City, OK 73118
405-524-0700 telephone
405-524-0711 fax

Oregon Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
380 Spokane St.
Suite 100
Portland, OR 97202
Telephone: 503-230-1951
Fax: 503-230-1973
Statewide Crisis Number: 1-888-235-5333

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence/National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
6440 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112-2778
TOLL-FREE: 800-932-4632
Phone: 717-545-6400
FAX: 717-545-9456

Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence/National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
125 N. Enola Drive
Enola PA 17025
HOTLINE: 800-692-7445
Phone: 717-728-9740
Fax: 717-671-8149
TTY: 877-585-1091

Women's Center of Montgomery County
Main Administrative Office:
101 Washington Lane, Ste. WC-1
Jenkintown PA 19046
Toll-free hotline: 800-773-2424

Norristown Office:
Women's Advocacy Project
400 Courthouse Plaza, 18 W. Airy St.
Norristown PA 19404
610-279-1548

Pottstown Office:
Women's Advocacy Project
555 High Street, 2nd Floor
Pottstown PA 19464
610-970-7363

Bryn Mawr Office:
610-525-1427

Lansdale Office:
215-853-8060

Laurel House
P.O. Box 764
Norristown, PA 19404
Phone: 610-277-1860
HOTLINE: 1-800-642-3150
Fax: 610-275-4018
E-Mail: LaurelHaus@aol.com

Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
422 Post Road, Suite 202
Warwick, RI 02888
TOLL-FREE: 800-494-8100
Phone: 401-467-9940
FAX: 401-467-9943
ricadv@ricadv.org

South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault
P.O. Box 7776
Columbia, SC 29202-7776
TOLL-FREE: 800-260-9293
Phone: 803-256-2900
FAX: 803-256-1030

South Dakota Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
P.O. Box 141
Pierre, SD 57501
TOLL-FREE: 800-572-9196
Phone: 605-945-0869
FAX: 605-945-0870

PO Box 1402
Sioux Falls, SD 57101
(605) 271-3171 Phone
(605) 271-3172 Fax
1-877-317-3096
(Info/Referral only)
Email: siouxfalls@sdcadvsa.org

South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault
1-800-430-SAFE

Resource Center of Aberdeen, SD
24-Hour Crisis Line: (605) 226-1212
Toll Free: (888) 290-2935

Tennessee Task Force Against Domestic Violence
P.O. Box 120972
Nashville, TN 37212
TOLL-FREE: 800-289-9018
Phone: 615-386-9406
FAX: 615-383-2967

Texas Council on Family Violence
P.O. Box 161810
Austin, TX 78716
TOLL-FREE: 800-525-1978
Phone: 512-794-1133
FAX: 512-794-1199

Families In Crisis, Inc.
P.O. Box 25
Killeen, Texas 76540
Phone: 254-773-7765
Fax: 254-526-6111
1-888-799-SAFE

Domestic Violence Advisory Council
120 North 200 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84103
TOLL-FREE: 800-897-LINK
Phone: 801-538-4100
FAX: 801-538-3993

Women Helping Battered Women
PO BOX 1535
Burlington, VT
Phone: 802-658-1996
Toll-free: 1-800-228-7395
Women's Rape Crisis Center
1-800-489-7273

Vermont Network Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
P.O. Box 405
Montpelier, VT 05601
Phone: 802-223-1302
FAX: 802-223-6943
E-mail: vnadvsa@sover.net

Virginians Family Violence and Sexual Assault Hotline
2850 Sandy Bay Road, Suite 101
Williamsburg, VA 23185
TOLL-FREE: 800-838-VADV
Phone: 757-221-0990
FAX: 757-229-1553

Charlottesville, VA
508 Dale Ave
Charlottesville, VA 22903-4547
Phone: 434-979-9002
Fax: 434-979-9003

Richmond, VA
1010 N. Thompson St.
Suite 202
Richmond, VA 23230
Phone: 804-377-0335
Fax: 804-377-0339

Toano, VA
102 Industrial Blvd.
Toano, VA 23168
Phone: 757-566-4602
Fax: 757-566-4670

Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WSCADV- Olympia Office
101 N. Capitol Way, Suite 103
Olympia, WA 98501
Phone: 360-586-1022
Fax: 360-586-1024
TTY: 360-586-1029

WSCADV - Seattle Office
1402 - 3rd Ave, Suite 406
Seattle WA 98101
(206) 389-2515
(206) 389-2520 FAX
(206) 389-2900 TTY
wscadv@wscadv.org

Washington State Domestic Violence Hotline
Tel: 800-562-6025
E-mail: csn@willapabay.org

West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Elk Office Center
4710 Chimney Drive, Suite A
Charleston, WV 25302
Phone: 304-965-3552
FAX: 304-965-3572

Manitowoc Domestic Violence Center
PO Box 1142
Manitowoc, WI 54220
Phone: 920-684-5770

Wisconsin Domestic Violence Center
307 S. Paterson St. #1
Madison, WI 53703
Phone: 608-255-0539
FAX: 608-255-3560

Wyoming Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault
409 South 4th Street
P.O. Box 236
Laramie, WY 82073
TOLL-FREE: 800-990-3877
Phone: 307-755-5481
FAX: 307-755-5482

YWCA Battered Women Task Force
225 SW 12th St.
Topeka, KS 66612
Daytime: 785-354-7927
Evening and Weekend: 785-234-3300
Outside Topeka: 1-888-822-2983

National Organizations

Family Violence Prevention Fund
383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 304
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
Phone: 415-252-8900
FAX: 415-252-8991

Washington, DC Office
1522 K Street, NW #550
Washington DC 20005

Boston Office
67 Newbury Street, Mezzanine Level
Boston, MA 02116

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Public Policy Office
1633 Q Street NW, Suite 210
Washington, DC 20009
Phone: 202-745-1211
Fax: 202-745-0088
TTY - (202) 745-2042

National Coalition Against Domestic Violence
1120 Lincoln Street, Suite 1603
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-839-1852
Fax: 303-831-9251
TTY - (303) 839-1681

National Battered Women's Law Project
275 7th Avenue, Suite 1206
New York, NY 10001
Phone: 212-741-9480
FAX: 212-741-6438

Victim Services
Domestic Violence Shelter Tour
2 Lafayette Street 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-577-7700
Fax: 212-385-0331
24-hour hotline: 800-621-HOPE (4673)

National Resource Center on DV
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence
6400 Flank Drive, Suite 1300
Harrisburg, PA 17112
Phone: 800-537-2238
FAX: 717-545-9456

Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Family Violence Prevention Fund
383 Rhode Island Street, Suite 304
San Francisco, CA 94103-5133
Phone: 800-313-1310
FAX: 415-252-8991

Battered Women's Justice Project
Minnesota Program Development, Inc
202 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55802
(218) 722-2781

Resource Center on Domestic Violence, Child Protection, and Custody
NCJFCJ
P.O. Box 8970
Reno, NV 89507
Office: 775-784-6012
Phone: 800-527-3223
FAX: 775-784-6628
staff@ncjfcj.org
They are only a resource center for professionals and agencies.

Battered Women's Justice Project
c/o National Clearinghouse for the Defense of Battered Women
125 South 9th Street, Suite 302
Philadelphia, PA 19107
TOLL-FREE: 800-903-0111 ext. 3
Phone: 215-351-0010
FAX: 215-351-0779
National Clearinghouse is a national resource and advocacy center providing assistance to women defendants, their defense attorneys, and other members of their defense teams in an effort to insure justice for battered women charged with crimes.

National Clearinghouse on Marital and Date Rape
2325 Oak Street
Berkeley, CA 94708
Phone: 510-524-1582

Faith Trust Institute
(Formerly Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence)
2400 N. 45th Street #10
Seattle, WA 98103
206-634-1903 phone
206-634-0115 fax

National Network to End Domestic Violence
660 Pennsylvania Avenue SE, Suite 303
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: 202-543-5566
FAX: 202-543-5626

 

References

Durose, M., Harlow, C., Langan, P., Motivans, M. Ratala, R., Smith, E., Constatin, E., (2005). Family Violence Statistics, Including Statistic on strangers and Acquaintances. US Department of Justice. Retrieved 3/29/09 from http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/pub/pdf/fvs.pdf.

Feminist Majority Foundation (2007). Domestic Violence Hotlines and Resources. Retrieved 3/29/09 from http://feminist.org/911/crisis.html.

Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. (2009). Assessment of the Patient, The Comprehensive Administrative Manual for Hospitals, Chicago.

National Coalition against Domestic Violence. (2007). Retrieved 3/29/09 from http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet(National).pdf.

Nudelman, J., et al. (1999). Building Bridges Between Domestic Violence Advocates and Healthcare Providers. National Resource Center on Domestic Violence. June, 1999.

US Department of Justice. (2009). About Domestic Violence. Retrieved 3/29/09 from http://www.ovw.usdoj.gov/domviolence.htm.

CDC. (2006). Understanding Intimate Partner Violence, Fact Sheet. Retrieved 3/29/09 from http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/IPV-FactSheet.pdf.

WHO. (2009). Global Campaign for Violence Prevention. Violence by Intimate Partners. http://www.who.int/violence_injury_prevention/violence/global_campaign/en/chap4.pdf.