Get Involved
Date: October 10th, 2012
Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day (HCADV Day) is a nationally recognized awareness-raising day that takes place annually on the second Wednesday of October. Sponsored by Futures Without Violence, formerly Family Violence Prevention Fund, HCADV Day aims to reach members of the health care community and educate them about the critical importance of assessing for domestic violence, as well as the long term health implications of domestic violence and lifetime exposure to violence.
Medical studies link long term effects of domestic violence and abuse with a myriad of health problems including smoking, diabetes, obesity, eating disorders and substance abuse. However, while doctors and nurses routinely screen for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, too few screen for domestic violence. This year we hope to support you in your efforts to prioritize routine assessment and intervention for domestic violence as part of a preventative healthcare strategy.
There are many ways that you can provide leadership in your community on HCADV Day. Futures Without Violence is committed to helping you craft activities that best meet your interests, resources and time availability. Examples of past participation include hanging posters in waiting rooms that advertise local resource numbers; writing a newsletter article or an op ed for a local paper; committing to try routine assessment for one week; and inviting a speaker to conduct a brown bag lunch on domestic violence for staff. We encourage you to be creative!
Are you a health professional student who would like to get involved in domestic violence campus activism? Take a look at the Futures Without Violence Domestic Violence Campus Organizing Guide for Health Professional Students and Faculty, and join our health professional students and faculty listserv.
You can learn more about HCADV Day by viewing the News Release. Thank you for your interest and commitment! If you have any questions about your involvement, email: Vedalyn DeGuzman. Download the Health Cares About Domestic Violence Day Organizing Packet.
