What Others Are Doing—HowYou Can Help Steps Toward Preventing Domestic Violence (NAPSA)—Millions of Ameri- cans avoid injury and even premature death when moreis done to curb domestic violence. It’s a problem that occursin all types of families and relationships regardless of race, sex, religion or economic status. It’s damaging whether it is emotional or physical and has devastating health effects. Drugs, alcohol, money or stressful situations often complicate the issue. The good newsis that a large health plan has begun to tackle the serious issues of domestic violence and to show substantial results from doing so. Kaiser Permanente has created a supportive environment in its medical facili- ties that includes using health education materials, posters, flyers and other information that encourage people to speak up about domestic violence. Its clinicians are trained to be comfortable raising this issue, providing a car- ing response, referring patients to on-site domestic violence services and offering information about community resources. In addition to helping patients, the program also addresses domestic violence experienced by employees. “At Kaiser Permanente, we understand that it’s difficult for patients to bring up the topic of domestic violence, which is why we help our doctors understand how to ask about it and provide a caring response,” said Brigid McCaw, M.D., medical director of the Family Violence Prevention Program, Kaiser Permanente Northern California. “We want to identify the situation before people come in with a broken bone or a black eye and help them get connected to resources that can help.” The advent of social media has allowed domestic violence to take on new forms, and with the bene- ago are 19 percent higher than for other women, even after the abuse There is help for those who has ended. It is important to know that somethingcan be doneto help prevent this tragedy if everyone takes domestic violence seriously. Anyone subjected to it should realize that he or she is not alone. There is support in the community. Take action to keep yourself and your children safe. Find someone to help you with your feelings. Don’t be afraid to take legal action if necessary. Call a friend. Call the police. You can also reach out to a fit of these new technologies comes the risk of digital abuse, Where To Get Help National Domestic Violence Hotline; (800) 799-SAFE or (800) 799-7233; www.ndvh.org have been subjected to domestic violence. which can include unwanted, repeated calls or text messages, breaking into e-mail or social networking accounts, and being pressured to send private or embarrassing pictures or videos. Domestic violence is not just a problem for adults. A survey by the Alabama Coalition Against Domestic Violence found that 40 percent of teenage girls were either victims or knew someone their age who had been abused. According to the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence, 22 percent of women and 7 percent of men have experienced physical domestic violence at somepointin their lives. Domestic violence causes an estimated 2 million injuries to women, 580,000 to men and 1,500 deaths annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the physical and mental health costs of domestic violence come to more than $4 billion annually—$5.8 billion when lost productivity is factored in. Annual health care costs for women who were abused years numberof organizations: Family Violence Prevention Fund: www.endabuse.org Kaiser Permanente Northern California Family Violence Prevention Program: www.kp.org/ domesticviolence Kaiser Permanente Health Encyclopedia: www.kp.org National Library of Medicine: www.nlm.nih.gov/medline plus/domesticviolence.html National Women’s Health Information Center: www.4woman. gov/violence/types/dating.cfm National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline: www.loveisrespect.org Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.choose respect.org Liz Claiborne’s “Love Is Not Abuse” campaign: www.loveisnot abuse.com Community United Against Violence support line—lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender sensitive support: (415) 333-HELP or (415) 333-4357; www.cuav.org Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN): (800) 656-HOPE or (800) 656-4673; www.rainn.org.
