Should Physicians Screen For Sexual Assault? An Inter-Agency Discussion About Sexual Assault History Taking.
Lift Every Voice Family and Community Development Project is very grateful for all the hard work that TAASA and other Sexual Assault Support Agencies have done this year on behalf of survivors and other affected persons. The work is not done. Lift is currently working on a physician screening tool initiative that will address amending intake documents across the health care spectrum to take a sexual assault history. 82% of persons sexually assaulted never tell. And currently, most health care offices do not provide an atmosphere which may equip, empower or encourage someone to break the fertile wall of silence that predators depend and thrive on to continue these terrible acts. Lift is asking for your support in helping survivors to tell the secret of their abuse and break the silence. Talk to your physician. Tell them of the importance of this initiative which seeks to create an environment where survivors who have never made an outcry may do so by:
1. Encouraging the American Medical Association, Texas Medical Association, Texas Christian, Medical and Dental Association and County Medical Associations to require its memberships (MD., DO.) to take sexual assault CME training (online, individually or in a group)and conduct routine sexual assault screening.
2. Amending intake screening tools across the health care spectrum to take a sexual assault history.
3. Making available in health care offices brochures on the availability of counseling interventions (many survivors continue to struggle with physical, emotional, economical and societal concerns over the expanse of a life-time and may need assistance with coping years after their trauma), victim reporting and compensation and information on community support groups for survivors and other affected persons.
4. Making use of posters in facilities which depict survivors stories of help, hope and justice, utilize public service educational dvds and tapes to educate people about sexual assault and its effects on individuals, families and our community.
5. Partnering with sexual assault care centers and other support organizations by sponsoring events which seek to educate the public on sexual assault and ways they can help to diminish the stigma association with survivorship both for victims and other affected persons.
Lift is pleased to have recently hosted, Can We Talk About It? This was an Inter-Agency Dialogue which looked at the efficacy of sexual assault screening tools, possible barriers, and the development and implementation of screening tools. This event was moderated by The Dallas Examiner and many social service agencies were represented in this discussion. Lift is also very pleased to have had District Attorney Craig Watkins to have come by to address the forum. District Attorney Watkins is a champion of helping survivors break free of the stigma which so often besets toward life-time recovery. Our task force development meeting will be announced in the very near future and there is still room for you! If you are interested in helping Lift to promote this agenda in your community please email admin.marianjefferson.org or call 972-572-5438 or toll free 877-572-5438.
Do you think physicians and other health care providers should screen for sexual assault? Are you a physician who is currently screening for sexual assault? Lift would like to hear from you. Please email us and let us know what you think.
Share
Save
