Determining the patient’s need for safety may be difficult, especially if the abusive partner accompanies the victim. It may be necessary to insist that the partner remain outside the exam room in order to allow the patient privacy to speak on her own behalf. Standard assessment tools such as the Abuse Assessment Screen or a composite of questions made up by an individual facility are convenient to use and offer some sense of routine assessment in an emotionally intense situation. Sometimes, however, there may not be sufficient time or presence of mind to complete a questionnaire.
There are a number of versions of the Abuse Assessment Screen or Tool, but most include the following questions:
| 1. Have you ever been emotionally or physically abused by your partner or someone important to you? | YES NO |
| 2. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, have you been hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by someone? If YES, by whom? Total number of times? | YES NO |
| 3. SINCE YOU'VE BEEN PREGNANT, have you been hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by someone? If YES, by whom? Total number of times? | YES NO |
| 4. WITHIN THE LAST YEAR, has anyone forced you to have sexual activities? If YES, by whom? Total number of times? | YES NO |
|
5. Are you afraid of your partner or anyone else? |
YES NO |
MARK THE AREA OF INJURY
ON THE BODY MAP SCORE EACH INCIDENT ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING SCALE:
1 = Threats of abuse including use of a weapon
2 = Slapping, pushing; no injuries and/or lasting pain
3 = Punching, kicking, bruises, cuts and/or continuing pain
4 = Beating up, severe contusions, burns, broken bones
5 = Head injury, internal injury, permanent injury
6 = Use of weapon; wound from weapon
If any of the descriptions for the higher number apply, use the higher number.
Other
Assessment Tools are available at this link from the Nursing
Network on Violence Against Women, International
One important question that
may determine the need for further assessment is whether or not the abuser owns
a gun. The protection of a restraining order is no guarantee of safety. Sixty
percent of the time restraining orders are violated.
Seeing telephone numbers of hotlines, shelters, legal aids and counselors may incite further violence in perpetrators. It is a useful practice to keep small, easily hidden cards with this information on it in all women’s bathrooms. Another way to help victims access resources is to call a shelter from a private exam room and hand the phone over to the victim, allowing her to talk confidentially by leaving her alone in the room.
Safe Horizons website is a resource for help in safety planning.
Please visit this link, and look for the answer to this question:
What are some of the essential parts of a safety plan?