Domestic Violence Response Initiative (DVRI)

Everyone Pays…

The World Health Organization has defined Domestic Violence (DV) as a worldwide public health problem. PSR/Maine recognizes DV as a major issue in our communities as well. Locally, an incident of DV is reported in the state of Maine every 96 minutes; but how many victims are not able to speak out?

Nearly one-third of American women report being abused by an intimate partner at some point in their lives. Click here to get the facts

Nationally, the costs of this epidemic exceed $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for treatment of victims through direct medical and mental health care services. 

Victims of abuse are at risk for homicide, suicide, serious injury and hospitalization. Additionally, they suffer from lingering effects such as chronic pain, unwanted pregnancies, HIV/STIs, depression, sleep disorders, and Post Traumatic Stress disorders.

Less than half of physicians routinely ask their patients about abuse.  By regularly screening patients, health care professionals create a safe environment for disclosure that might not otherwise be available to victims. Asking about abuse increases the likelihood of disclosure, and also raises public awareness. RADAR is a screening tool PSR has been using since the early 1990’s to help physicians become comfortable asking all their patients about abuse.

PSR/Maine has collaborated with several partners at the state level to establish the Domestic Violence Response Initiative (DVRI) in order to meet the needs of physicians in facing this epidemic. Click here to view our brochure

The DVRI offers a training with CME's avaiable that gives staff an interactive approach to efficient screening in a clinical setting and provides the tools needed to appropriately respond to domestic abuse.  A DVRI trained physician, paired with a local domestic violence advocate, will conduct a one to three hour training at your facility or conference – complete with resources for you, your staff, and your patients. 

In addition to the DVRI training, the opportunity exists to make a difference and help alleviate a serious public health issue by volunteering as an instructor, teaching other physicians and medical staff in your community to identify and react to the red flags of domestic violence.  Volunteering as little as three hours a year can make a great impact on the safety of your community.

To request a speaker or presentation at your health care facility or community event, email jm_psr@yahoo.com or  vr_psr@yahoo.com

Our primary partners for this project includeMaine Primary Care Association (MPCA), Family Crisis Services, the Violence Intervention Partnership, the Elder Abuse Institute of Maine , Caring Unlimited and Abused Women's Advocacy Project.

Gun Violence

Learn about legislation Maine Citizens Against Handgun Violence

There Ought To Be A Law   About the Movie

a new film that follows Cathy Crowley of Lewiston in the months after her 18-year-old son bought a shotgun at Wal-Mart and killed himself. Crowley felt compelled to talk to the salesperson who sold him the weapon. The Wal-Mart manager told her that the store was following the law and if she didn't like it, she should try to change it. So Crowley decided to do just that. She had no political experience, and had never even voted. But she sat at her kitchen table for 10 hours and wrote to every single lawmaker in the state legislative directory. Several lawmakers agreed to sponsor a bill that would require a waiting period before young people could buy guns.

RESOURCES

As part of the Domestic Violence Response Initiative, we have created a for use at grand rounds, that can be used for educating physicians and other healthcare workers on how to screen for DV.

Click here to view the power point

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