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Violence Against Women and Reproductive Health: Toward Defining a Role for Reproductive Health Care Services

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Abstract

Since a large proportion of U.S. women receive reproductive health care services each year, reproductive health care settings offer an important opportunity to reach women who may be at risk of or experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV). Although screening women for IPV in clinical health care settings has been endorsed by national professional associations and organizations, scientific evidence suggests that opportunities for screening in reproductive health care settings are often missed. This commentary outlines what is known about screening and intervention for IPV in clinical health care settings, and points out areas that need greater attention. The ultimate goal of these recommendations is to increase the involvement of reproductive health care services in sensitive, appropriate, and effective care for women who may be at risk of or affected by IPV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

    Linn Parsons

  2. Division of Reproductive Health, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Atlanta, Georgia

    Mary M. Goodwin

  3. Cecil Sheps Center for Health Services Research, The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

    Ruth Petersen

Authors
  1. Linn Parsons
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  2. Mary M. Goodwin
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  3. Ruth Petersen
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Parsons, L., Goodwin, M.M. & Petersen, R. Violence Against Women and Reproductive Health: Toward Defining a Role for Reproductive Health Care Services. Matern Child Health J 4, 135–140 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1009578406219

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