LEARNING OUTCOME AND OBJECTIVES:  Upon completion of this continuing education course, you will have increased your understanding of the impact of domestic violence and the role of the Kentucky nurse in identifying and responding to patients presenting with known or suspected domestic violence signs and symptoms. Specific learning objectives to address potential knowledge gaps include:

• Identify the different types of domestic violence.
• Describe who is affected by domestic violence.
• Discuss the healthcare implications and adverse effects of domestic violence.
• List common risk factors, lethality issues, and dynamics of abuse.
• Recognize the signs and symptoms of domestic violence.
• Discuss appropriate documentation in cases of suspected domestic violence.
• Summarize Kentucky’s mandatory reporting, information sharing, and referral requirements.
• Identify community resources and victim services and protections.
• Explain a model protocol that addresses domestic violence.

INTRODUCTION

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the United States will experience serious physical violence from a domestic partner over their lifetime, and sometimes it will result in death. In the United States, 1 in 5 victims of homicide are killed by a domestic partner, and over half of female victims of homicide are killed by a current or former intimate partner (CDC, 2022a). Viewed as a national public health problem, domestic violence is a crime in all 50 states.

Domestic violence, which is believed to be underreported, affects not only victims but also their families and communities through a ripple effect. Victims of this crime experience diminished quality of life, decreased productivity, and negative health consequences. An estimated lifetime economic cost to society of $3.6 trillion is attributed to domestic violence (CDC, 2022a).

The term domestic violence refers to physical, verbal, psychological, sexual, or economic abuse (e.g., withholding money, lying about assets) used to exert power or control over someone or to prevent someone from making a free choice. This includes any behaviors that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone. Rape, incest, and dating violence are all considered to be forms of domestic violence. The related term intimate partner violence (IPV) describes violence committed by a current or former partner.