One in three women in Utah experiences very unhealthy and dangerous relationships with an intimate partner in their lifetime. Since this affects health (and children’s health), and identifying intimate partner violence and offering resources and support has been shown to improve health outcomes, Intermountain recommends that providers ask all female patients of reproductive age—in confidential, private, one-on-one interactions—a set of questions to help identify intimate partner violence. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and a great time to remind ourselves of screening and support.
Suggested script:
This is a confidential screen and results will not be shared with your friends/family. Free resources are available.
As healthcare providers, we are only required to report certain things to police or the Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS):
- If we are treating you for an injury today caused by an intimate partner
- If you tell me children are experiencing or witnessing abuse
- If you tell me your partner has threatened you with a lethal weapon (including strangulation)
I'd like to open the conversation and offer the chance to talk about intimate partner violence, and offer help if needed.
Are you in a relationship now in which you are often emotionally hurt by your partner such as being frequently insulted, put down or controlled?
- Yes
- No
- Prefer not to answer,
- Already addressed with my provider
Are you in a relationship now in which you are physically hurt by your partner such as being hit, shoved, slapped, kicked or choked?
- Yes
- No
- Prefer not to answer
- Already addressed with my provider
Are you in a relationship now in which you are forced by your partner to do anything sexually that you do not want to do?
- Yes
- No
- Prefer not to answer
- Already addressed with my provider
If NO to all the above:
Have you ever been in a relationship with a partner who hurt you emotionally, physically or sexually in any of these kinds of ways or who otherwise scared you?
- No
- Yes – but it has been dealt with previously
- Yes – and is something I am still dealing with
If any of the answers are YES:
I want you to know that you are not alone, and help and support exists. You have the right to feel safe and to be safe. I'd like to share some resources with you about intimate partner violence that I hope you use immediately.
- No More PSA
- Utah Domestic Violence LINKLine: 1-800-897-LINK (5465)