WORKING WITH BATTERED WOMEN: A Handbook for Health Care Professionals
Table of Contents
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Appendix A
INTERVIEWER'S CHECKLIST
- If you suspect abuse, ask the woman directly.
- Is she in need of immediate protection? Are the children?
- What action, if any, does she wish to take at this time?
- Offer referrals appropriate to her intentions at this time. Encourage her to act on her own behalf.
If she is immediate danger:
- shelter: if she wishes to go to a battered women's shelter, help her arrange transportation
- plans for children
- medical care: is hospitalization appropriate?
- police action: does she wish to call the police?
- ongoing support
If not in immediate danger, but planning to separate:
- provide her with a list of emergency numbers in your area (police, mobile crisis, battered women's shelters). Such a list can be obtained from the Hot Peach Pages. (In Saskatchewan, such a list exists ready-made in every DirectWest phone book in the province (just show your patient the Abuse Help Lines page near the front—she should already have one in her DirectWest phone book at home.)
- shelter/housing: give her the number of the shelter-she can call and speak to shelter workers who will understand her situation and outline her options
- practical considerations (see Safety Plan)
- ongoing support: does she have friends or relatives to support and assist her?
If remaining in the relationship:
- provide her with a list of emergency numbers in your area (police, mobile crisis, battered women's shelters). Such a list can be obtained from the Hot Peach Pages. (In Saskatchewan, such a list exists ready-made in every DirectWest phone book in the province (just show your patient the Abuse Help Lines page near the front—she should already have one in her DirectWest phone book at home.)
- encourage her to seek out friends or relatives who can offer ongoing support
- negotiate a "contingency plan". Anticipate the worst and prepare for it. (See Safety Plan).
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