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The Domestic Violence Intervention Program at St. Paul's Hospital

by Jude Poirier

A universal screening program for Domestic Violence/Relationship Abuse is implemented in the Emergency Department and Maternity Care Units at SPH.

Abuse in relationships is pervasive in our society and takes a great toll on the psychological, emotional and physical health of many people. Empowering and supporting the efforts of survivors of abuse and their friends and families, is the basis of our intervention.

We realize that abuse in relationships can happen to anyone, regardless of gender, marital status, socioeconomic status, culture, religion, age, sexual orientation, educational level or other labels that serve to define and separate us.

Our program is one of heath education and health promotion, so, for this reason, WE ASK ALL PATIENTS questions about abuse in their relationships. We are not trying to pressure our patients to disclose; rather, we are encouraging people to understand what abuse is, and how we can help each other, whatever our needs may be. We offer everyone a Domestic Violence Intervention Program Resource Card to be used now or at a later date, and/or to be shared with someone who may need to know how to find help. Anyone who requests help is offered a referral to a Social Worker and an opportunity to make a Safety Plan.

Our message is:

• Abuse is not only battering; it can be emotional/psychological, neglect, isolation, financial, sexual; or, any behaviour which negates the rights of one person by the imposition of coercive control by the other.

• Abuse in relationships can happen to anyone, in the broadest definition of relation-ship. The BC Institute against Family Violence refers to individuals who are related by blood, directly or indirectly through an intimate relationship, or who are in a relationship that has similar characteristics to traditional family groupings. This includes patient-caregiver relationships, same-sex relationships and dating relationships for example.

• You are not the only one. We believe you.

• There is help, should you want it now; or, in 2 days, 2 months, 2 years or 20.

• You are the expert in your own life decisions.

• You are a survivor, not a victim.

• You can make a plan to keep yourself safe. We will assist you in accessing resources or safety planning, if you wish.

• You can make a plan to leave that is right for your unique circumstances.

• If abuse in relationships is not an issue in your life, you will now be better informed, and you will be able to be an advocate and a resource for those persons who are being abused and who do not know there is help and support available to them.

We ALL have the potential to be in an abusive relationship, but some populations are more at risk than others. Still, the fact remains that relationship abuse is one issue where we can set aside our differences and join together to say that abuse, in any relationship, is wrong. With a united voice we can make a difference.

Jude Poirier is a nurse educator and Coordinator of St. Paul's Hospital Domestic Violence Intervention Program.