In this podcast, Drs. Holt and Clements examine the related factors toward this increase risk for IPV occur during pregnancy, including the increased stress and potential for loss of control after the birth. Additionally, they explore what can we do as nurses and other direct providers to enhance assessment and promote safety. Ultimately, the most critically important first step is to screen for violence during interface with any pregnant person. 44% of all women in the United States report experiencing unwanted sexual contact. However, in spite of this significantly high rate, currently, only 16% of nurses report regularly screening for violence.

The CDC’s national and annual examinations of pregnancy and homicide have been lauded by public health experts for recognizing this pervasively overlooked phenomenon. Dovetailing with the Healthy People 2030 objective/target regarding the reduction of physical abuse of assaults by a current or former intimate partner for people aged 12 years or older (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services [USDHHS], 2020, it is imperative for nurses and other care providers to expand their awareness of this often overlooked group in significant need for targeted and consistent assessment and referral.

Dr. Karyn Holt is a Professor in Residence at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the School of Nursing. She is an Advanced Practice Nurse in the field of nurse midwifery (CNM) earning her Masters in Nursing with a specialization in Nurse Midwifery at Georgetown University and her Doctor of Philosophy degree from Touro University, New York.

Holt spent the first part of her nurse midwifery career delivering over 1000 newborns while in the Air Force. While serving in the Air Force, she began teaching in the maternal child arena within higher education and developed a passion for playing a part in assisting in students’ educational endeavors as well as her obstetric midwifery practice. She shares many stories about these times.

Dr. Paul Thomas Clements is a forensic psychiatric clinical specialist, and Certified in Danger Assessment. Clements has provided hospital consultation for EMT’s, Child Protective Agency personnel, trauma/emergency nurses, psychiatric providers, hospital systems, and corporate executives - each regarding vulnerability risk assessment, bullying, and decreasing the number of violent incidentsin the workplace.

Clements has three edited textbooks, including: Violence against women: Contemporary examination of intimate partner violence (co-authored with Dr. Holt) and he has numerous peer review publications and conference presentations. Clements has also spent time in Bolivia, working with provincial judges, prosecutors and forensic psychologists regarding enhanced assessment and intervention with children victimized by sexual aggression and other forms of violence.

Resources:

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization, helps survivors recover through the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-HOPE or 4673) and the Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline (877-995-5247).