The Daily Hampshire Gazette out of Northampton reported this week on a partnership between the registered nurses of the MNA and their employers at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital and Mercy Medical Center. The collaboration is an ongoing program to help prevent and respond to employee domestic violence.
You can read the full article here: http://northamptondaily.ma.newsmemory.com/publink.php?shareid=065bcc2a5 (scroll to the second item)
“As nurses, we have an important role to play ensuring the health and safety of not only our patients but also our colleagues, our peers, friends and loved ones,” said Cathy Penniman, RN, BSN, at Mercy Medical Center.
A Domestic Violence Task Force, which includes nurses and adminstrators, has been formed to develop safety policies and materials for all employees. Resources include outside assistance, such as from government agencies and nonprofits; reserved parking spaces; escorts to vehicles; increased security; spiritual care; leave of absence provisions; assistance on work time; and educational materials.
Domestic violence is a widespread problem. On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men. Nearly one in three Massachusetts women has experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner, the coalition says.
You can also learn more about the program via the MNA and the hospitals here: http://massnurses.org/news-and-events/p/openItem/10543
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