Addressing Intimate Partner Violence - Session 1: CREATING A SUPPORTIVE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT TO ADDRESS INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs in all segments of our society, but vulnerable populations like migrant women may encounter additional disparities and barriers to care that make intervention and treatment of IPV more complex. Language barriers, economic hardship, and isolation from their communities, support networks, and cultures of origin make it increasingly difficult to come forward and report IPV. Those affected often suffer in silence for fear of losing their jobs or enduring legal ramifications like being reported to immigration by a citizen partner. In addition, immigrant and migrant women can have less access to social and medical services increasing their negative health outcomes. Health centers can make significant strides in reducing IPV in the community through culturally sensitive tactics both in the exam room and in the community.

In these two sessions, Migrant Clinicians Network provides specific and effective action items to better serve women who have experienced IPV in the exam room, and to make our communities safer by engaging men in the community.

Session 1: CREATING A SUPPORTIVE CLINICAL ENVIRONMENT TO ADDRESS INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

This Learning Collaborative will explore ways in which clinicians can address IPV in a primary care setting. The first session will build on MCN’s decades of experience in supporting clinicians ability to use the exam room as a safe space to speak to women potentially affected by IPV. MCN worked with clinicians to identify a method to initiate dialogue through a brief low-literacy assessment tool that relied on icons to identify types of abuse. Through this training, we will prepare clinicians to understand exit plan development including critical items/documents, sources for financial support, and how to identify a trusted network. We will also discuss how to engage local and regional resources to provide resources and support for women experiencing IPV.