Screening for Domestic Violence in the Pediatric Office: A Multipractice Experience
The “Screening for Domestic Violence in the Pediatric Office: A Multipractice Experience” project, led by Dr. Robert M. Siegel, sought to screen mothers for instances of domestic violence in four different pediatric practice settings. This study marked the first time different practice settings were directly compared using the same screening tool. Four practices agreed to participate, and women who accompanied their children to well-child visits at these practices were eligible. Over a one-year period, a total of 435 women were screened using these 6 questions:
- Are you in a relationship now or have you ever been in a relationship in which you have been harmed or felt afraid for your partner?
- Has your partner ever hurt any of your children?
- Are you afraid of your current partner?
- Do you have any pets in the house?
- Has your partner or child ever threatened or hurt any of the pets?
- Are there any guns in your house?
The results showed that women screened in a variety of pediatric settings will disclose information about domestic violence.
- 22% of women screened described DV at some point in their lives
- 16% reported abuse longer than 2 years before the screen
- 6% reported more recent abuse
The researchers concluded that because women will disclose domestic violence, all pediatricians should be screening for DV and have protocols in place to offer women the services they need if DV is revealed.
