Course ID: FQULWU103
Course Name: Domestic Violence
Credits: 2

This two-contact hour home-study continuing education course focuses on the importance of the nurse having knowledge and understanding of domestic violence in order to provide the most effective and sensitive care possible to potential victims. The course encompasses the definition and critical elements of domestic violence, its various forms across the life span, causes, and consequences. Also included is the process of how abuse and neglect are reported, investigated, and managed by professionals. Prevention of domestic violence is explored with emphasis on early identification, therapy, and education. Healthcare professionals are provided with information on community resources, victim and batterer counseling, child protection services, and legal aid information resources. Infant, child and older adult resources are also included.

About the Author
Dr. Fishman is currently an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University and has a private practice in psychotherapy and clinical consultation. She received her Master of Science degree in Psychiatric Nursing from Rutgers, State University of New Jersey, in 1975, and her Ph.D. in Research and Theory Development in Nursing Science New York University in 1988. Areas of research interest include violence toward women, sexual knowledge of teenagers, life review, ego-integrity, death anxiety, cancer counseling, interventions with Alzheimer patients, and gero-psychiatric nursing.

Course Objectives
Upon completion of this self-study course, the participant will be able to:

1. Discuss the current statistics related to domestic abuse in the U.S.
2. Define domestic violence.
3. Identify three common types of abuse.
4. List four clinical manifestations of domestic violence.
5. List four characteristics of victims of domestic violence.
6. Identify four verbal interventions to utilize with victims of abuse.
7. List four characteristics of a potential batterer.
8. Describe the cycle of violence.
9. Describe briefly the following nursing interventions for suspected abuse
   

   A. Screening procedures B. History taking C. Communication D. Safe and Caring Assessment and Interventions E. Preparation for S.A.F.E. escapes.

10. State the importance of documentation when charting situations of domestic violence.
11. Identify the current reporting procedures for health professionals.
12. List four resources available to assist the victim and batterer.