Hotlines

National Domestic Violence Hotline 800-799-SAFE

(For speakers of English, Spanish, and Creole)

Florida Domestic Violence 800-500-1119

Domestic Violence Injunction 305-547-3170

Domestic Violence Shelter 305-758-2546

Florida Elder Helpline 800-963-5337

Legal Assistance

Legal Aid (divorce, child custody, support) 305-579-5733

Florida Bar Attorney Referral Service – 800-342-8060

State Attorney’s Office, Domestic Violence Unit 305-547-0150

Financial Assistance

Victim Assistance Program – 305-758-2546

Child Support Enforcement – 305-530-2600

Counseling

Family & Victim Services

(treatment for victims, children, & perpetrators) 305-571-7750

“Common Ground”

(educational support groups for women) 305-758-2546

Rape Treatment Center

(medical & crisis counseling) 305-585-7273

REFERENCE:

Burt, Martha R., Janine M. Zweig, Kathryn A. Schlichter, Stacy Kamya, Bonnie Datz, Adele V. Harrell, “Evaluation of the STOP Formula

Grants 2000 Report: The Violence Against Women Act of 1994″ March 15, 2000.

Evans, Patricia. Verbal Abuse: Survivors Speak Out . Hollbrook, Massachusetts; Bob Adams Inc. Publishing, 1993.

Gerard, M. (2000). Domestic violence: How to screen and intervene. RN , p. 52 – 56.

Gondolf, Edward W. Man Against Woman: What Every Woman Should Know About Violent Men . Blue Ridge Summit, Pennsylvania; Tab Books Inc., 1989.

Island, David & Letellier, Patrick. Men Who Beat the Men Who Love Them: Battered Gay Men & Domestic Violence . New York; Harrington Park Press, 1991.

Jones, Ann and Schechter, Susan. When Loves Goes Wrong: What To Do When You Can’t Do Anything Right . New York; Harper Collins, 1992.

Lobel, Kerry. Naming the Violence: Speaking Out About Lesbian Battering . Seattle; Seal Press, 1986.

Maltar, M. Domestic Violence: the Florida Requirement . ME Resource, Sacramento, CA, 2003

Miami-Dade Advocates for victims. (2000). Information guide for abused women, Miami-Dade Advocates , [Brochure]. Pohlmann, L., Frazee, S., & Cousin, M.

Nicarthy, Ginny. Getting Free: A Handbook for Women In Abusive Relationships . Seattle; Seal Press, 1987.

Paris, Susan. Mommy and Daddy are Fighting: A Book for Children About Family Violence . Seattle: Seal Press.

Renzetti, Claire. Violent Betrayal: Partner Abuse in Lesbian Relationships . Newbury Park, California: Sage, 1992.

Schornstein, Sherri L. Domestic Violence and Healthcare: What Every Professional Needs to Know . Sage, 1997.

White, Evelyn. Chain, Chain, Change: For Black Women Dealing with Physical and Emotional Abuse . Seattle: Seal Press, 1985.

www.batteredmen.com

www.batteredmenshelpline.org

www.batteredwomen.com

www.breakthecycle.org

www.buddybuddy.com

www.crisisprevention.com

www.dateviolence.org

www.elderabusecenter.org

www.endabuse.org

www.fcadv.org

www.glennsacks.com/nowhere_to_go.htm

www.growing.com

www.menstoppingviolence.org

www.menstuff.org

www.menweb.org

www.myfloridalegal.com/directory

www.ncvc.org

www.nccanch.acf.hhs.gov/

www.ndvh.org

www.rainbowdomesticviolence.itgo.com

www.safe4all.org

www.salon.com

www.thehelpline.net/abused.html

www.usda.gov

www.4woman.gov/violence

A. MYTHS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

B. SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND GENDER

C. THE COSTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

II. TYPES OF ABUSE

A. PHYSICAL

B. PSYCOLOGICAL

C. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BATTERER

D. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VICTIM

F. THE CYCLE OF VIOLENCE

G. “RED FLAGS” OF A BATTERING PERSONALITY

H. WHY VICTIMS STAY

III. HELPING AND REFERRING VICTIMS AND PERPETRATORS

A. HOW TO CONDUCT A DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW

B. SCREENING QUESTIONS FOR VICTIMS

C. SCREENING QUESTIONS FOR PERPETRATORS

D. HELP FOR BATTERERS

E. SAFETY TIPS FOR VICTIMS WHO LEAVE THEIR ABUSER

F. LEGAL PROTECTION FOR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

IV. ELDER AND CHILD ABUSE

V. FLORIDA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

This home study is intended to educate health care professionals on domestic violence issues as required by Florida state law, Section 456.031(1)(a), F.S.

Objectives:

Upon completion of this program the learner will be able to:

•  Describe the dynamics of an abusive and/or violent relationship.

•  Identify three “red flags” of a battering personality.

•  Identify three characteristics of the victim of domestic violence.

•  List three reasons that victims may stay in an abusive relationship.

•  Describe screening procedures used to identify and assist both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.

•  Identify two legal protections available to victims of domestic violence.

•  List three community resources available to assist the victim, the perpetrator and the family.

I. WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?

Domestic violence is a crime in all fifty states. Florida law (741.28, F.S.) defines domestic violence as “any assault, aggravated assault, battery, aggravated battery, sexual assault, sexual battery, stalking, aggravated stalking, false imprisonment, kidnapping, or any criminal offense resulting in physical injury or death of one family or household member by another who is or was residing in the same single dwelling unit”. Domestic violence may also be defined as a “pattern of controlling behavior by one person who has a personal, intimate or familial relationship with another.” (Governor’s Task Force on Domestic Violence, 2000).

The crime of assault is an intentional, unlawful threat, by word or act, to do violence to someone, coupled with an apparent ability to carry out such threat, creating a well-founded fear in the other person that violence is imminent. Aggravated assault is assault with a deadly weapon.

The offense of battery occurs when a person intentionally touches or strikes another person against their will or intentionally causes them bodily harm. Knowingly causing great bodily harm, permanent disability or disfigurement, using a deadly weapon, or committing battery against a pregnant victim is aggravated battery .

Anyone who willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follows or harasses another person, for no legitimate purpose, causing substantial emotional distress, commits the offense of stalking . Making a credible threat which causes someone to reasonably fear death or bodily injury either for themselves, their child, sibling, spouse, parent, or dependent, is aggravated stalking .

Kidnapping and false imprisonment mean forcibly, secretly, or by threat confining, abducting, or imprisoning another person against her or his will and without lawful authority.

Because violence inflicted by an intimate partner has traditionally been treated more leniently by law enforcement than violence inflicted by a stranger, domestic barterers are not always arrested.

On January 5, 2006, the President signed the “Violence Against Women” Reauthorization Act. This works though the use of STOP grants. As a result, “victims are safer, better supported by their communities, and treated more uniformly and sensitively by first-response workers.”

A. MYTHS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

Myths and misunderstandings about domestic violence abound. Although domestic violence occurs in approximately one out of three relationships , it remains one of the nation’s best-kept secrets. Domestic violence is the most under-reported crime in the country, with the actual incidence probably 10 times higher than reported. It remains a major health concern.

One prevalent myth is that perpetrators of domestic violence strike when angry and out of control. On the contrary, violence is an intentional choice, used to establish power and control in an intimate relationship. (Barterers manage not to beat their bosses or terrorize their friends when they are angry.) Domestic abuse is always about power and control . While the violence may not occur often, it is a constant underlying factor in the relationship. Although the first violent incident may not be severe, once battering begins, it tends to increase in severity and frequency, sometimes leading to permanent injury or death. The occasional slap or shove can evolve into a push down the stairs, a punch in the face or a kick in the stomach.

Another myth is that perpetrators are driven to violence by the behavior of their partners. In fact, perpetrators are unaffected by their partners’ efforts to change their behavior in order to appease them. The behavior the abuser chooses to target at any one time usually cannot be predicted by the partner, and this unpredictability is a major means for the banterer to maintain control.

Since domestic violence occurs in approximately one out of three intimate relationships, both heterosexual and homosexual, chances are great that any healthcare provider will encounter both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence on a routine basis. Providers must realize that ignoring domestic violence is essentially an act of collusion with the perpetrator. The price of not intervening may be preventable death, serious injury or persistent mental and physical problems. The role of healthcare professionals is to be fully informed, clear in understanding the destructive nature of domestic violence and available over time to facilitate change. This course meets the mandate of the Florida legislature requiring training on domestic violence, and follows the curriculum guidelines of the Florida State Board of Nursing for issuance of 1 contact hour needed for license renewal. Experienced educators weed through the myths about domestic violence, offering real solutions for positive interventions. Join us for an informative and serious discussion of this problem as you satisfy your relicensure requirement.

Some of the Objectives Include:

1. Identify three “red flags” of a battering personality.
2. List three reasons that victims may stay in an abusive relationship.
3. Describe screening procedures used to identify and assist both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence.
4. List three community resources available to assist the victim, the perpetrator and the family.

Who Should Attend:

All persons required by Florida statute to take a Domestic Violence course

The course fee is $20 for 2 contact hours

Don’t Forget Your CPR Update, HIV/AIDS Update and Prevention Of Medical Errors
Mandatory Requirement.