Domestic violence is a serious public health concern that affects the well-being of millions of people each year. The impact of Domestic Violence goes beyond the immediate physical injury a person may suffer at the hands of their abuser. Often, patients experiencing domestic violence suffer from insomnia, gastrointestinal disturbances, generalized chronic pain, mental health problems and long-term health issues that may be more difficult for a healthcare provider to identify as resulting from abuse.
This Committee, made up of health care providers, advocates and service providers, acknowledges the profound difference that health care providers can make by universally screening for domestic violence and providing resources. The Committee seeks to provide accessible information and education to health care providers in Delaware regarding the screening and treatment of patients for domestic violence.
The DVCC’s Medical Committee strives to ameliorate domestic violence and its effects in Delaware, by educating healthcare providers about best practice approaches. In 2021, the Committee updated the Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Health Care Professionals. This manual provides important information regarding patient safety, power and control tactics used in a domestic violence relationship, and community resources.
The purpose of the medical manual is to help providers recognize domestic violence; feel comfortable in screening for domestic violence and most importantly provide resources for domestic violence victims. These approaches do not require much time but can lead to a meaningful change in our care of domestic violence victims.
2021 Domestic Violence Resource Manual for Health Care Professionals
Chair:
Josephine Mokonogho, MD
At-Large Member
Health Care Community Representative
Staff Information:
Sara Paris, Planner IV
(302) 255-1703
Resources
Domestic Violence Hotlines (including emergency safety/shelter needs)
New Castle County 302-762-6110
New Castle County – (Spanish) Hotline 302-762-6110
Northern Kent County 302-678-3886
Kent & Sussex Counties 302-422-8058
Abriendo Puertas – (Spanish) Hotline 302-745-9874
National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-7233
National Teen Dating Abuse Helpline 1-866-331-9474
National Domestic Violence Hotline TTY: 1-800-787-3224
Child Abuse Report Line
1-800-292-9582
Child Mental Health Mobile Crisis (under age 18)
1-800-969-4357
ContactLifeline Suicide Hotline
New Castle County 302-761-9100
Kent & Sussex Counties 1-800-262-9800
Delaware State Police Victims’ Center 1-800-VICTIM–1
1-800-842-8461
The Victim Service staff is prepared to assist crime victims, witnesses and families with professional resources.
Crisis Intervention Services
Northern Delaware 1-800-652-2929
Southern Delaware 1-800-345-6785
These victim services are located throughout the State in the Crisis Intervention Service Centers, the Community Mental Health Centers, the Recovery Response Center and Emergency Rooms.
Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) staff are available 24 hours a day to assist people, 18 years and older, with severe personal, family or marital problems.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
1-888-373-7888
Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery and a crime that occurs when a trafficker uses force, fraud or coercion to control another person for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or soliciting labor or services against his/her will.
Sexual Assault Resources
New Castle County
YWCA Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC) 1-800-773-8570
Provides complete, free and confidential rape crisis victim service to sexual assault survivors aged 12 and older and their non-offending family members, friends and partners throughout the State of Delaware.
Kent & Sussex Counties
ContactLifeline Rape Crisis 302-761-9100
Assists survivors of a sexual assault, regardless of whether it just happened or happened many years ago with telephone counseling; information and referral; in-person support and assistance at hospitals police stations, and courts; plus, individual counseling for survivors, friends and family.
Delaware State University Rape Crisis 302-420-5751
24/7 victim service and crisis support
University of Delaware Sexual Offense Support (S.O.S.) 302-831-1001 press 1
24/7 victim service and crisis support
(give a first name & phone number and an SOS victim service advocate will call you back within 10 minutes)
