Providing Healing-Centered Support in Clinical Pediatric Setting

Check out our National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence patient and provider resources.

Talking with Caregivers

Talking with all of your patients’ caregivers about safe, healthy relationships and how relationships affect health, (instead of relying on screening), can improve family health + safety and prevent violence.

Providing universal education in pediatric health care settings focuses on relationships and connection to resources for everyone.

Learn more

What to do in every visit

Talk to all caregivers about safe and healthy relationships, as well as resources and support for themselves and others if violence or abuse is occurring.

What to do when you think IPV is happening

Universal education helps provide resources and support for everyone, including those who don’t disclose, and can help reduce harm for families.

What to do when someone discloses

We don't need a disclosure to offer support. Disclosure is not the goal, but it may happen.

- National Domestic Violence Hotline
- Tips for Pediatricians: Trauma-Sensitive Responses to Disclosures of IPV

- How to Respond to a Caregiver’s Disclosure of IPV in a Pediatric Setting
- 16 Ways to Support Children Exposed to Violence and Trauma

Partner with advocates to support families

Make warm referrals to trusted family serving partners.

Pediatric health care providers can expand their care network for children and families by partnering with domestic/sexual violence advocates, family serving organizations and culturally-specific community-based programs.

Moving from Mandatory Reporting to Mandatory Supporting

Studies show that mandatory reporting can do more harm than good, and is often a barrier to seeking support for survivors. Prioritizing healing-centered support in mandatory reporting can help mitigate harm, center child safety and promote survivor autonomy.