Domestic or family violence affects everyone, regardless of gender, race, education, profession, or socioeconomic status. Both abusers and victims come from diverse backgrounds. Health care professionals who focus on a single individual are missing the dysfunctional dynamics that sustain all abusive relationships. In the context of domestic violence, professional responsibilities for health care workers fall within the primary categories of recognition, intervention, and prevention. Many of these responsibilities are legally mandated, but none can be accomplished without overall awareness.

This course defines domestic violence as family violence, and further differentiates the categories of intimate partner violence, child abuse and neglect, and elder & dependent adult abuse, mistreatment and neglect. The dynamics of domestic violence are presented using Pence and Paymer’s power and control wheel as a guiding explanatory model.¹ Common forms of domestic violence are described and categorized and their effects within the family are reviewed. The core content within this course addresses concerns that are common to all forms of domestic violence. Health care professionals’ responsibilities and mandates regarding recognition, intervention, reporting, documentation and prevention of domestic violence are all addressed.

This course meets criteria for continuing education in Florida and provides a general background of information that is applicable to health care professionals residing in any portion of the United States.