Violence and Abuse

Nurse’s Role

Recognize violence
Prioritization of care based on risk
Referrals/Connections to resources
Mandatory reporting

Abuse Recognition

• Understand types/forms of abuse
• Identify risk factors
• Recognize physical and other signs
• Nonverbal clues
• Perform risk assessments

Violence Prevention

Promote life skills
• Healthy relationships
• Positive parenting
• Conflict resolution
• Policy advocacy and implementation against violence

Community Violence

• Child abuse
• Elder abuse
• Intimate partner violence
• Human trafficking
• Youth violence
• Firearms

Child Abuse: Assessment Findings

• Unexplained bruises, burns, bites, fractures
• Anxiety, fearfulness, social withdrawal
• Changed eating/sleeping habits
• Missing school

Child Neglect

Assessment findings
• Missing immunizations
• Many school absences
• Poor hygiene
• Inappropriate clothing
• Home without supervision
• Developmental delay

Nursing Interventions for Child Abuse

• Establish safety for acute danger
• Collab w/ other health care members
• Refer to CPS (State)
• Contact police
• Refer to counseling

Elder Abuse

• Intentional harm/failure to care for people > 60
• Financial abuse common
— Unauthorized use of money, possessions, etc.
• Older women higher risk
• Abuse rates high in institutional settings

Assessment of Elder Abuse

• Patterns of physical injury
• Signs of neglect
• Fear, distress, anxiety
• Risk factors (social isolation, mental illness, etc.)
• Caregiver role strain

Intimate Partner Violence Risk Factors

• Unplanned pregnancy
• Low socioeconomic status
• LGBTQIA+
• Relationship conflicts
• Harmful gender roles

Human Trafficking Risk Factors

• Migrant workers
• Homeless youth
• Disabilities
• LGBTQIA+
• Substance abuse

Assessment of Human Trafficking Victims

Physical bruising or injury
Fearful, submissive behaviors
Accompanied by controlling individual
Poor hygiene
Not aware of current location

Youth Violence

• Ages 10 to 24
• Physical and bullying common
• Cyberbullying
• High risk of depression and self-harm