Clinical Congress 2020 Panel – Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Intimate Partner Violence
Intimate partner violence is a serious cause of injury and death for people of all genders, ages, and social strata including surgeons and their family members. As a consequence of stay-at-home orders put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic there has been an alarming increase in calls to domestic violence hotlines. Concurrently, courts, schools, and day care centers are closed and legal resources are not available. Shelters are either closed or overcrowded and the expected decline in the world economy will make it more challenging for victims to leave their abusers. This panel highlights the urgent need for increased recognition of IPV in the setting of the pandemic and the need for awareness, support, and resources from surgical departments.
AAMC Webinar – Creating Safe and Inclusive Environments for Faculty and Students in the Biomedical Setting
With the presence of #MeToo, Time's Up Healthcare, and diversity and inclusion efforts broadly at member institutions, leaders in academic medicine are increasingly aware of the need to create safe and inclusive environments. Recent studies have highlighted the prevalence and profound impact of sexual and gender harassment. Institutional leaders are looking for best practices to create safe environments that go beyond simply legal compliance. This webinar explored the more nuanced aspects of creating safe and inclusive environments including gender harassment, understanding the prevalence and impact of intimate partner violence, and strategies to promote inclusion in the scientific environment.
Intimate Partner Violence Resources
The task force has curated a list of medical and non-profit organizations and resources to support ACS members and their patients.
The National Domestic Violence Hotline—A non-profit organization that provides real-time crisis intervention, information, and referrals as well as on-line resources.
1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
The National Sexual Assault Hotline—A confidential, secure service that provides live help through the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network
1-800-656 HOPE (4673)
The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence—An advocacy organization working to prevent domestic violence and empower those affected.
The Academy on Violence & Abuse—An interdisciplinary organization of healthcare professionals dedicated to making violence and abuse a core component of medical and related professional education and clinical care.
Futures Without Violence (formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund)—Works to prevent violence within the home and in the community.
The National Network to End Domestic Violence—A social change organization, is dedicated to creating a social, political, and economic environment in which violence against women no longer exists.
The National Resource Center on Domestic Violence—A comprehensive source of information for those wanting to educate themselves and help others on the many issues related to domestic violence.
US Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women—The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) provides federal leadership in developing the national capacity to reduce violence against women and administer justice for and strengthen services to victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
The Women’s Law Organization—Provides legal advice and advocacy based on state statutes.
