Purpose: Using focus group data this NIMH funded study explores the experiences of abused African American and Latina women receiving services in an emergency department (ED). Methods: Data were collected through focus groups with 40 women recruited from an ED. Women who reported physical or sexual abuse in the previous year and who were in a relationship longer than 3 months in the last year were eligible. The participants were African American (55%) and Latina (45%). Results: Preliminary focus group analysis suggest several themes: 1) women reported that ED staff rarely screened for IPV even in cases of physical injury and that ED staff often examined participants with partners or family members present; 2) many women were unaware of IPV services in their community and reported multiple barriers to getting help for abuse; 3) most participants, many of whom visited the ED on a regular basis, believed that ED staff could play an important role in linking abused women to IPV related services. However, a number of participants, particularly Latinas, were afraid of disclosing IPV because of potential involvement with child protective services, Conclusion: Study findings suggest that abused women believe ED staff may play a critical role in connecting abused women to IPV related services; however, the lack of routine screening of IPV and the presence of family members during visits continue to undermine the detection of abuse in the ED. Study findings may inform the design of contextually specific, screening protocols and enhanced referral interventions in the ED. See www.columbia.edu/cu/ssw/sig
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Emergency Department/Room
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.