Medical Advocacy

Since 1993, PCADV Medical Advocacy Project coordinates collaborative partnerships of community-based domestic violence programs and local health care systems/medical facilities to promote health care-based identification of domestic violence victims seeking health care services or treatment and the provision of support, information, education, resources and follow-up services within the health care setting.
Essential elements include the following:

• Ongoing training on domestic violence for all health care providers and allied staff of the health care system or facility
• Institutionalizing a comprehensive response to patients experiencing domestic violence through the formal adoption and implementation of domestic violence protocols and policies
• The identification of battered women through routine screening
• The provision of domestic violence services within the health care setting

PCADV currently funds 35 medical advocacy projects with over 85 health care partners across Pennsylvania.

PCADV also has a Medical Advocacy Task Force that meets regularly in both the eastern and western regions of the state. Task Force participation is open to domestic violence program advocates and health care professionals.