Domestic Violence, also known as Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a highly prevalent public health problem with devastating effects on individuals, families, and communities.

“Is someone you know hurting you?”

Does your partner:

• Embarrass you with bad names and put-downs?
• Look at you or act in ways that scare you?
• Control what you do, who you see or talk to, or where you go?
• Stop you from seeing or talking to friends or family?
• Take your money or Social Security, make you ask for money, or refuse to give you money?
• Make all the decisions
• Tell you you’re a bad parent or threaten to take away or hurt your children?
• Act like the abuse is no big deal, it’s your fault, or even deny doing it?
• Destroy your property or threaten to kill your pets?
• Intimidate you with guns, knives, or other weapons?
• Shove you, slap you or hit you?
• Force you to drop charges?
• Threaten to commit suicide?
• Threaten to kill you?

If even one of these is true, you may be experiencing Intimate Partner Violence.

“It is not your fault.”

• You do not deserve to be beaten or threatened.
• Battering is rarely a one time incident.
• You need to plan for you and your children’s safety.
• You are not alone. There is help available.
• It’s safe to talk to your doctor, nurse or social worker.

St. Cloud Hospital is committed to provide support, safety and resource information if you are experiencing domestic violence.

“It is OK to talk about family violence here.”

The doctors, nurses and staff can help you. They can document injuries or symptoms caused by the abuse. You may need these records some day.

They can tell you about local programs that can help immediately to get you and any of your children to a safe place.

All adults 14 years and older are screened on each visit and admission to the hospital by asking the question:

“Are you in a relationship in which you are physically hurt, threatened or made to feel afraid?”

We ask this question:

• As a routine health question regardless of the presence or absence of indicators of abuse.
• As a face-to-face health care encounter.
• In private: no friends, relatives, significant others, caregivers present.
• Directly and non-judgmentally using language that is culturally/linguistically appropriate.
• And will include in written or computer based health questionnaires.
  

If you respond “yes” to this question we will:

• Maintain your confidentiality while in our setting.
  (Note: If abuse involves minor children or vulnerable adults, we are required to report any incident to the appropriate sources.)
• Work with you to plan for safety while within our setting and help you plan for safety when you go home.
• Offer support of trained staff to help you.
• Provide written resources and information on domestic violence.
  

Personal Safety Information

• Call 911 if you are in danger or need help.
• Keep the following in a safe place:
  - Keys for house and cars
  - Important papers such as social security cards and birth certificates
  - Photo ID/driver’s license and any order for protection papers
  - Cash, credit cards, checkbook
  - Medications, children’s immunizations records
  - Spare set of clothes, personal items, children’s toys
  - Important phone numbers and addresses ( friends, relatives, police, domestic violence shelters)
• Plan the safest time to get away.
• Plan with your children. Identify a safe place for them, such as a room with a lock or a neighbor’s house. Reassure them that their job is to stay safe, not to protect you.
• Arrange a signal with a neighbor to let them know when you need help.
• If you no longer live with your abuser, inform your daycare provider, employer and school to not give out information about you. Give them copies of your Order for Protection.
• If your partner is in jail, you have a right to be notified before his or her release.
• Contact the local domestic violence program listed to find out about laws and community resources before you need them.
  

Helpful Resources
For more personal safety tips, support and information:

St. Cloud Hospital Women & Children’s Center Social Services: 320-251-2700, ext. 52257

Anna Marie’s Alliance/Central MN Task Force on Battered Women: 320-253-6900
www.annamaries.org

Central MN Sexual Assault Center: 320-251-HELP or 1-800-237-5090
www.cmsac.org

Rivers of Hope - Domestic Violence program serving Sherburne, Wright and adjoining counties: 763-295-3433 or 1-800-439-2642
www.riversofhope.org

MN Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-866-223-111

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE
www.ndvh.org

Additional information
www.endabuse.org