What is Domestic Violence?
Domestic Violence may be defined as a pattern of abusive behavior used to gain or maintain power and control over an intimate partner. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, or economic. Such actions (or threats of actions) may frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone.
» Sexual Assault Resource Page
Screening for Domestic Violence
Patients are screened for domestic violence with the following questions:
- Is anyone close to you threatening or hurting you?
- Is anyone hitting, kicking, choking or hurting you physically?
- Is anyone forcing you to do something sexually that you do not want to do?
The question
"Do you feel safe to go home now?" is asked to help clarify the urgency of intervention for patients identified as Domestic Violence victims. A positive answer to this question should prompt an automatic Social Work consult.
In non-urgent cases, providers may utilize brochures provided by Day One and also may leave a referral telephone message for Social Work. Social Work may involve Day One as a resource for Domestic Violence victims- advocates are available 24/7.
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W&I Domestic Violence Assessment Guide
Additional Resources for Abused Women
Victims residing outside of Rhode Island should be referred to the National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (TTY 1-800-787-3224).
In accordance with RI state law, suspicion or knowledge of child abuse or neglect must be reported to DCYF at 800-742-4453; suspicion or knowledge of mistreatment of disabled people must be reported to the Office of Quality Assurance, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals at 401-462-2629; suspicion or knowledge of elder abuse must be reported to the Department of Elderly Affairs Protective Services Unit at 401-462-0555.
