Abstract
The Development of an Intimate Partner Violence Coalition in North Texas
Jan Langbein
Genesis Women’s Shelter & Support, Dallas, TX
APHA's 2020 VIRTUAL Annual Meeting and Expo (Oct. 24 - 28)
On June 1, 2010, the Commissioners Court of Dallas County unanimously resolved to create the Dallas County Intimate Partner Violence Fatality Review Team (IPVFRT). The purpose of the Review Team is to identify all IPV-related adult fatalities that occur in Dallas County and improving prevention and intervention services that will lead to the decrease the incidence of these tragedies. From 2009 to 2013, there were 76 intimate partner violence (IPV) homicide victims killed by their partner in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Almost half of the 76 cases reviewed had a history of prior intimate partner violence and yet only approximately 40% had an intersection with services – primarily law enforcement or the criminal justice system. However, nearly every one of the victims had seen a healthcare professional during their relationship with the abuser. To that purpose, the DFW Intimate Partner Domestic Violence Coalition was formed as a subcommittee of both Tarrant and Dallas Counties’ Fatality Review Teams. Together we have developed brief surveys to help us determine the level at which victims of violence are being screened across the spectrum of health care. This abstract will describe 1) how one case study spurred a multidisciplinary response; 2) goals between community organizations, NGO’s HCO’s and Universities; and, 3) the baseline characteristics of HCO found. After collecting this initial data on the use of IPV screenings, the Coalition reinforced its conclusion that IPV screening is often a critical missed opportunity in creation of safety and services for victims. It concluded that the onus is on communities to coordinate efforts to continue to collect and analyze data to determine how DFW HCOs can increase their rates of completed IPV/DV screens, decrease instances of false negatives, and provide resources for more IPV victims.
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programs Public health or related education Public health or related nursing Social and behavioral sciences