Domestic Violence Program

We Can Help You to a Better Life

At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we offer a program that can help stop the cycle of abuse. You can get control of your life and be happy again. It starts by understanding whether you are a victim.

Simply put, domestic violence is about power and control. Your abuser wants it and will use a variety of different methods to get complete power and control over you. So ask yourself, “Am I enduring any of the following types of abuse?"

• Physical Violence: Have you ever been hit, slapped, punched or kicked? Are you often being pushed or having items thrown at you?
• Emotional/Verbal Abuse: Have you been publicly humiliated or called names? Does your abuser play mind games with you or make you feel like you just can’t survive without him or her?
• Isolation: Are you kept from seeing friends or family, or even going to work? Are you made to account for every place you go and how long you are gone? Are you sometimes accused of cheating?
• Threats/Intimidation: Are you threatened with violence to yourself or those you love? Does your abuser threaten to take your children away? Do you feel guilty or trapped when your abuser threatens suicide?

How We Can Help End the Pain

If you ever find yourself in any of the previously mentioned situations, the Domestic Options for Violent Emergencies – the DOVE program at St. Elizabeth Healthcare can help. Through the program, you’ll be confidentially examined and interviewed by a forensic nurse who is specially trained in domestic violence. We’ll help you document your injuries and guide you to further sources of physical, psychological and legal assistance.

Here are some things to know about what you’ll receive through the DOVE program:

• A free forensic exam with a forensic nurse who will help you document your injuries through photographs and other records. Injury documentation can be a powerful healing tool. It is also essential to your case as you travel through the courts.
• Prior to the forensic exam you must be medically cleared by a physician.
• Your exam is completely confidential and under your control.
• Your records will be kept in the DOVE office at St. Elizabeth Edgewood.
• The DOVE nurse will connect you to staff at the Women’s Crisis Center, who will help you through the court system.