_____________________________________________________ Domestic Violence: The Florida Requirement
Culturally sensitive assessment involves a dynamic framework whereby the practitioner engages in a continual process of questioning. By incorporating cultural sensitivity into the assessment of individuals with a history of being victims or perpetrators of domestic violence, it may be possible to inter- vene and offer treatment more effectively.
DOCUMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP It is imperative that healthcare professionals document all find- ings and recommendations regarding domestic violence in the victim’s medical record, including a patient’s denial of abuse, if applicable. If domestic violence is disclosed, documentation should include relevant history, results of the physical examina- tion, findings of laboratory and other diagnostic procedures, and results of the assessment, intervention, and referral. The medical record can be an invaluable document in establishing the credibility of the victim’s story when seeking legal aid [35]. Healthcare professionals should offer a follow-up appointment if disclosure of past or current abuse is present. Reassurance that assistance is available to the patient at any time is critical in helping to break the cycle of abuse [35]. FACULTY BIOGRAPHIES Marjorie Conner Allen, BSN, JD , received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Florida, Gainesville, in 1984. She began her nursing career at Shands Teaching Hospital and Clinics at the University of Florida, Gainesville. While practicing nursing at Shands, she gave continuing education seminars regarding the nursing impli- cations for dealing with adolescents with terminal illness. In 1988, Ms. Allen moved to Atlanta, Georgia where she worked at Egleston Children’s Hospital at Emory University in the bone marrow transplant unit. In the fall of 1989, she began law school at Florida State University. After graduating from law school in 1992, Ms. Allen took a two-year job as law clerk to the Honorable William Terrell Hodges, United States District Judge for the Middle District of Florida. After completing her clerkship, Ms. Allen began her employment with the law firm of Smith, Hulsey & Busey in Jacksonville, Florida where she has worked in the litigation department defending hospitals and nurses in medical malpractice actions. Ms. Allen resides in Jacksonville and is currently in-house counsel to the Mayo Clinic Jacksonville. Alice Yick Flanagan, PhD, MSW , received her Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University, School of Social Work. She has clinical experience in mental health in correc- tional settings, psychiatric hospitals, and community health centers. In 1997, she received her PhD from UCLA, School of Public Policy and Social Research. Dr. Yick Flanagan completed a year-long post-doctoral fellowship at Hunter College, School of Social Work in 1999. In that year she taught the course Research Methods and Violence Against Women to Masters degree students, as well as conducting qualitative research studies on death and dying in Chinese American families.
INTERVENTIONS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE
After the assessment is complete, the patient may or may not want immediate assistance or referral. It is important for health- care providers to assure patients in a nonjudgmental manner that the decision of what they would like in terms of assistance is their choice and that the provider will help regardless of the decisions they are currently ready to make [35]. If the patient would like to immediately implement a plan of action, information for referral to a local domestic violence shelter to assist the victim and the victim’s family should be readily available. The acute situation should be referred imme- diately to local law enforcement officials. Other resources in an acute situation include crisis hotlines and rape relief centers. After a victim is introduced into the system, counseling and follow-up are generally available by individual counselors who specialize in the care of battered women and their spouses and children. These may include social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, other mental health workers, and community mental health services. The goals are to make the resources accessible and safe and to enhance support for those who are unsure of their options [35]. In Florida, a 24-hour domestic violence hotline is available for toll-free counseling and information. The number is 800-500- 1119. The counselors answering the toll-free line may refer the victim to her or his local domestic violence center. A list of Florida certified domestic violence centers organized by county may also be found on the Florida Department of Children and Families website at https://www.myflfamilies.com/services/ abuse/domestic-violence/find-your-local-domestic-violence- center. Florida’s domestic violence centers provide informa- tion and referral services, counseling and case management services, a 24-hour hotline, temporary emergency shelter for more than 24 hours, educational services for community aware- ness relative to domestic violence, assessment and appropriate referral of resident children, and training for law enforcement personnel.
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