Domestic Violence Medical Protocol

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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MEDICAL PROTOCOL
for Health Care Professionals in Monterey County

Health care professionals are often the first, and perhaps the only, professional a victim will turn to for help. Health care professionals have a unique opportunity to detect and intervene in domestic violence.

DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
A pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors, including physical, sexual, and psychological attacks against one's intimate partner. Without intervention, the violence usually escalates in both frequency and severity resulting in repeat visits to healthcare systems or death (suicide or homicide).

WHAT TO LOOK FOR:

  • History inconsistent with injury
  • Evasive, reluctant to speak in front of partner
  • Unexplained, multiple or old physical injuries
  • Delay in Seeking aid
  • Injuries during pregnancy
  • Repeat visits for treatment of injuries
  • Suicidal ideation or physical signs of attempts
  • Traumatic injury or sexual assault

CIVIL LIABILITY:
A physician who treats a victim and does not inquire about domestic abuse or accepts an unlikely explanation for the injury could be held liable if the victim returns to the abuser and is injured again.

CRIMINAL LIABILITY:
A violation of reporting law is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months or by a fine not exceeding $1000 or both.

IMMUNITY:
A health care practitioner who makes a report shall not incur civil or criminal liability as a result of a report required or authorized by law.

Official Forms

* For Law Enforcement and Health Professionals Only



For questions about the DVCC, please contact Alma Sanchez:

Email: Alma Sanchez

Phone: (831) 796-6413

Address:
142 W. Alisal Street, Ste. A, Salinas CA 93901

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