Domestic Violence Prevention Committee

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Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence (IPV), is a serious public health issue.

Intimate partner violence is defined by the CDC as physical violence, sexual violence, stalking, or psychological aggression by a current or former intimate partner. It is estimated that over 10 million men and women experience domestic violence each year (Black et. al, 2011). Instances of intimate partner violence can escalate to murder, with the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increasing the risk of homicide by 500% (Campbell et. al, 2003). IPV can also lead to chronic health complications, miscarriages in pregnant women, and premature birth.

Physicians are in a unique position to combat the public health issue of intimate partner violence. Physicians have the ability to screen for IPV in their patients, offer resources, and follow up with their patients. However, there are existing gaps in the screening of IPV in patients, as well as what to do when intimate partner violence is recognized in a patient.

AMWA’s Domestic Violence Prevention committee is dedicated to closing these gaps through our three branches of education, advocacy, and research. Please select the tabs to learn more about the various sectors of our initiative.

Black, M.C., Basile, K.C., Breiding, M.J., Smith, S.G., Walters, M.L., Merrick, M.T.,
Chen, J., & Stevens, M.R. (2011). The National Intimate Partner and Sexual
Violence Survey (NISVS): 2010 Summary Report. Atlanta, GA: National Center
for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Campbell, J. C., Webster, D., Koziol-McLain, J., Block, C., Campbell, D., Curry, M. A., Gary, F., Glass, N., McFarlane, J., Sachs, C., Sharps, P., Ulrich, Y., Wilt, S. A., Manganello, J., Xu, X., Schollenberger, J., Frye, V., & Laughon, K. (2003). Risk factors for femicide in abusive relationships: results from a multisite case control study. American journal of public health, 93(7), 1089–1097. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.93.7.1089

Advocacy

We will advocate for survivors by supporting bills that offer social safety nets for survivors of domestic violence, improve law enforcement response to domestic violence, and prevent abusers from accessing firearms.

H.R.2542- Fair Housing for Domestic Violence and Sexual Violence Survivors Act of 2021

Victims of domestic violence often become homeless as a result of their abuse. Once victims reside in shelters, they are often denied housing opportunities. This bill prohibits discrimination against survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or sex trafficking in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate activities. 

H.R.1907 – Preventing Domestic Violence Homicides Through Assessment Training Act

This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award technical assistance and training grants for states, local governments, Indian tribes, and domestic violence victim service providers to establish or operate lethality assessment programs. A lethality assessment program connects victims of domestic violence to service providers, helps first responders and others identify and respond to possibly lethal circumstances, and identifies victims who are at high risk for being seriously injured or killed.

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H.R.1620 – Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2021

This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2026 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

The bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.

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Education

We will educate physicians and future physicians on best practices for IPV risk assessment in patients by:

• Offering IPV Prevention workshops and training led by experts in the field

• Offering courses to practice risk assessment in your patients

• Creating a clinical tool kit for IPV & firearm risk assessment

Programming Coming Soon!

Research

Out of the Shadows Index 2022 US Pilot Report

AMWA’s Dr. Nina Agrawal, Physician Chair of the Gun Violence Solution Committee, served as an export on this report.

Resources

Resources Coming Soon!

Get involved

Thank you for considering joining the fight against Domestic Violence! 

Please complete the form below if you are interested in joining the AMWA Domestic Violence Committee.

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Also, please log in to your member portal and subscribe to the Domestic Violence Prevention E-List to receive emails and notifications from our committee!

**Reminder: You MUST be a national AMWA Member to join a committee.