Domestic Abuse

This website is intended to assist affiliated healthcare professionals of Stanford University Medical Center with questions about possible management of patient and co-worker domestic abuse and violence.

Definition from California Attorney General

Domestic violence often involves a pattern of coercive behavior that includes physical, sexual, verbal, emotional and psychological abuse. The California Penal Code defines abuse as “intentionally or recklessly causing or attempting to cause bodily injury, or placing another person in reasonable apprehension of imminent, serious bodily injury to himself, herself or another.”

Here you will find simple and practical how-to information about:

• screening patients for domestic abuse
• legal reporting requirements and forms
• patient referral contacts
• patient handouts in multiple languages
• educational resources and references
• news and events about SUMC and community domestic abuse prevention
• guidance on being supportive of co-workers  who may have this issue