The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70902

Jean M Cimino, MPH, Maternal and Child Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 18A Davie Circle, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, 9196020794, JeanCimino@aol.com

In October of 1998, Governor Hunt formed the Task Force to evaluate North Carolina's response to domestic violence. The Task Force, comprised of twenty-five members representing different disciplines, split into three Committees. The Committees were asked to do the following: review current laws in the state and make suggestions that would enhance victim safety and accountability' recommend how to make services available to victims in all of North Carolina's counties, recommend training for law enforcement and court officials, and develop a public awareness campaign. Over the course of five meetings, the Task Force developed a total of 44 recommendations to address the issue of domestic violence in the state. The work of the Professional Education Committee is addressing recommendation #39. The general goal of this recommendation is to "improve the public health, mental health and medical response to victims of domestic violence by:" encouraging the implementation of domestic violence education and training programs to future health professionals and developing "best practices' standards regarding screening, assessment, documentation and treatment of domestic violence, appropriate referral of victims, and data collection."

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Determine the prevalence of domestic violence in North Carolina.
• Discuss the importance of developing "best practice" standards for health professionals in training regarding screening, assessment, documentation, treatment, appropriate referrals, and data collection for victims of domestic violence.
• Identify the challenges associated with a health care response to domestic violence.
• Identify and prioritize effective strategies for training health care professionals to respond to victims of domestic violence

Keywords: Domestic Violence, Professional Training

Related Web page: www.doa.state.nc.us/doa/cfw/cfw.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Governor's Crime Commission North Carolina Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.