Groups Urge Physicians to Screen for Domestic Violence

By Nadia Crow, Reporter

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Feb 1, 2012 at 7:14 PM CDT

Story Updated: Feb 1, 2012 at 7:27 PM CDT

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa - One in four Iowa women will be victims of domestic violence according to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists along with the American Academy of Neurology wants all physicians to do routine domestic violence screenings.

Advocates say while numbers are rising nationwide and locally, that means they’re reaching more victims; but not enough. The goal now is to have every physician screen for domestic violence, to get that help to get more people. “Even when people do call and contact us, that is a small percentage of the reality of the violence that’s being perpetrated in our community,” said Wapoint Co-Director of Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services Michael Shaw.

It’s a sad reality in Eastern Iowa, as Waypoint saw a 30% increase in call volume to their domestic violence crisis line last year.

“Ask every woman, every time in a private space,” said Shaw. It’s a simple request from Waypoint’s Michael Shaw; not for his staff, but for physicians. “In the ideal world it would be any physician that is interacting with a woman that’s doing that universal screening just to ask that question.”

Recommendations from two national groups hope more doctors will do just that. Saint Luke’s Domestic Violence Task Team trains physicians on what to look for when they’re meeting with a patient. “Sometimes it’s physical signs, other times it’s their behavior,” said Saint Luke’s Hospital Social Worker Sarah Hefflefinger.

In many hospitals restrooms and exam rooms, you might see posters about domestic violence, but advocates say it’s not enough. Victims need one-on-one conversations to ensure they’ll find resources. “We have the nurse and the physician see the patients and ask how safe they feel at home or if they have any concerns of their well being in their current relationships,” said Hefflefinger.

“The likelihood is that more women will say this is what’s happening to me and have that language to talk about it and we’ll connect them with an advocate,” said Shaw.

Wednesday, the Iowa Senate Judiciary Committee begins discussion on the Violence Against Women Act that was last revised in the early 1990s. Advocacy groups hope lawmakers will change policy, and give them more funding to help the growing number of victims.

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