Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Healthcare Professionals released

A new resource manual designed to assist health care professionals was officially released at an event hosted Wednesday, April 11, in the Women’s Health Services department of Christiana Hospital.

The Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Healthcare Professionals was designed by the Domestic Violence Coordinating Council—a state agency whose mission is to improve Delaware’s response to domestic violence—in partnership with the Medical Society of Delaware and Christiana Care.

Christiana Care speakers included Matthew Hoffman, M.D., director of OB/GYN Education and Research at Christiana Care, and Anita Symonds, R.N., the forensic nurse examiner program coordinator.

Delaware Attorney General Beau Biden also spoke at the event. State Rep. Michael A. Barbieri and State Sen. Liane M. Sorenson, both whom are members of the council, were in attendance.

The resource manual provides accessible information to health care professionals to assist them with the screening and treatment of patients involved in domestic violence.

“Health care professionals often meet victims of domestic violence at moments of crisis, but these terrible situations can also present the opportunity to intervene and break the cycle,” Biden said. “By educating professionals on the signs of domestic violence, the unique medical and mental health needs of victims, and the resources available to their patients, this manual can help Delaware’s health care professionals change lives.”

Added Dr. Hoffman: “Domestic violence has been recognized as the cause of substantial medical costs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—totalling over $5.8 billion dollars in 2003. With this manual we now recognize that we have a resource to meaningfully address domestic violence as a medical issue.”