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Studies show that up to 25 percent of women who come to hospital
emergency rooms are there for reasons related to domestic
violence. Six Partners hospitals (Brigham and Women’s
Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, North Shore Medical
Center in Salem and Lynn, Newton-Wellesley, and Faulkner)
provide services for victims of domestic violence. In addition
to meeting the medical needs of survivors, hospital and health
center-based domestic violence advocates help women obtain
emergency shelter, protection through law enforcement and
the courts, and develop safety plans for themselves and their
children. Advocates have assisted thousands of adult survivors
and provided training for thousands of physicians, nurses,
other caregivers, and staff to enable them to recognize and
respond to victims. Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) research
shows that women served through its domestic violence program,
HAVEN, have fewer emergency room visits and more primary care
following an advocate’s intervention.
Partners and Brigham and Women’s Hospital also support
comprehensive domestic violence services at Brookside Health
Center, Whittier Street Health Center, and Southern Jamaica
Plain Health Center. Partners and MGH support comprehensive
services at MGH Chelsea and MGH Revere Health Centers.
Hospital and health center advocates also intervene and provide
mental health services to children who have witnessed or have
been victimized by violence at home or on the street. In Chelsea,
mental health clinicians accompany police officers to domestic
violence calls, and work with children at the scene.
© Copyright 2007 Partners HealthCare System, Inc.
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