Clinical Considerations: Best Practices for Health Centers and Providers’ Response to IPV/HT

The presentation emphasizes shifting from screening alone toward a universal education approach that provides all patients with information about healthy and unhealthy relationships, safety, and available resources regardless of whether they disclose abuse. The speaker highlights the importance of seeing patients privately, respecting confidentiality, responding supportively to disclosures, and using safety cards and other educational tools to reduce isolation and make patients aware of help when they are ready. The webinar also stresses that health centers should not act as criminal investigators but should focus on patients’ health, safety, and experiences, while developing strong partnerships with domestic and sexual violence organizations, human trafficking advocates, and legal and social service providers to offer comprehensive support