Letting the light in : universal screening for woman abuse in a northern health care setting

Given that substantial numbers of abused women seek health care services and given the negative impact abuse has on women, children and communities at large, the health care sector has a vital role to play in addressing violence against women. However, due to a combination of personal, institutional and ideological factors, the needs of abused women are often overlooked in the health care encounter. This is troubling because the hospital emergency room represents a significant point of entry for abused women to receive treatment, support and safety. For those living in northern, rural and remote communities, the hospital may be the only source of assistance available to women experiencing violence. This case study critically explores the implications of adopting a health care policy known as ' universal screening' for use in a northern, rural or remote health care setting. It is argued that with appropriate training and education, health care providers can use the screening process to go beyond simply inquiring about abuse and treating the physical symptoms to paving the way to women's empowerment. The mains goals of screening from an empowerment perspective are listening with empathy providing support and validation offering appropriate treatment, information and referrals and reassuring women that the violence is not their fault. Most notably, this project asserts that developing a critical consciousness about the complex interplay between the personal, social and political aspects of woman abuse is a necessary component of empowerment practice. With this knowledge, rather than feeling that they need to fix the problem, health care providers will recognize that women are the best judges of their own circumstances.--Page ii.