Reported forcible sexual offenses, including rape, sodomy, and forcible fondling, totaled 1,250. The ANA believes there is a need to increase awareness of violence against women to reduce injuries and psychological misery. This concern is shared in the state of Florida where nurses are required to obtain ongoing continuing education about domestic violence to ensure that they have the preparation necessary to help its victims. With education, effective assessment skills, a nonjudgmental attitude, and appropriate community referrals, nurses can identify and support victims of violence, which is the second leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 15 and 44 years of age. It can involve children, same-sex relations, and the destruction of personal property and pets.
Abuse can be physical, emotional, or sexual, or any combination of the three.
What begins as name calling and belittling can escalate to physical violence. What starts as a push into a wall can lead to a broken arm or a fatal injury. An abuser will use whatever it takes to control the situation. The abuse might not occur regularly. Not all victims of domestic violence present in an ED with physical marks of abuse.