Domestic Violence Screening: Findings of a Pilot Project Conducted by Allied Health Staff in Community Health

Abstract

This article examines a pilot project that introduces screening for domestic violence into an allied health team at a community health service. The screening was delivered over a three-month period from May 2005, with 44 clients screened. It explores the context in which the project was initiated, the experience of allied health staff in undertaking the screening, and project findings. It concludes that although the screening did not result in significant numbers of women disclosing domestic violence, it enhanced the capacity of allied health staff to respond to women who have experienced domestic violence, and strengthened the linkages between allied health and counselling staff.