Intimate partner violence victimization: identification and response in primary care

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Women's Health
• Clinical Medicine

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue affecting over one-third of women in the United States.
• Screening instruments like HITS and AAS are effective in identifying IPV victimization.
• Validated nonjudgmental statements are essential when addressing IPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize current clinical recommendations and interventions for intimate partner violence (IPV).
• To highlight the importance of screening and safety planning for IPV victims.
• To discuss the role of counseling and healthcare policy in addressing IPV.

Main Methods:

• Review of clinical guidelines and evidence-based practices for IPV screening and intervention.
• Discussion of validated screening tools (e.g., HITS, AAS).
• Outline of recommended intervention components: safety assessment, planning, referrals, and treatment.

Main Results:

• Short screening instruments effectively identify IPV victimization.
• Intervention strategies include safety planning, referrals, and treatment of associated health conditions.
• Counseling demonstrates effectiveness in reducing IPV victimization.

Conclusions:

• Clinical guidelines advocate for universal or near-universal IPV screening for women.
• Comprehensive intervention and referral services are recommended for IPV victims.
• The Affordable Care Act is expected to expand access to IPV screening and counseling services.