Profession Cares About Domestic Violence Issues

OOA President Participates in News Conference

OOA President Barbara A. Bennett, DO, participated in Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day news conference at the Ohio Statehouse, October 8, 2008.

Quoting the National Domestic Violence Network, Dr. Bennett, who served for many years on the Board of Artemis House, Dayton's domestic violence resource agency, said every family deserves to live in a world free from violence and that safe homes and safe families are the foundation of a safe society.

She said after screening patients for physical, sexual, or emotional abuse physicians can intervene in the following ways (per the Ohio Domestic Violence Protocol Summary): tell the patient that no one deserves to be hurt or put down; affirm that it is hard to talk about abuse; remind them that anyone can be a victim of abuse; tell patients they are not alone and that help is available; help patients to identify trusted individuals they can approach for assistance; discuss the importance of a safety plan and help them develop a plan or have them call the domestic violence crisis or hot line number; ask them if they need additional help in any way to complete their safety plan; tell them they can contact the hospital, clinic, or doctor's office for assistance between visits; and schedule a follow-up appointment.

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