Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario

Benefits of Routine Universal Screening

The RNAO Woman Abuse BPG development panel considered the benefits of routine universal screening including:

  • Increasing opportunities for women to disclose abuse;
  • Increasing opportunities for nurses to identify women who have been abused;
  • Linking health consequences to abuse, thereby positioning violence as a legitimate health concern;
  • Identifying the health impacts of abuse and providing early intervention;
  • Avoiding stigmatization by asking all women about abuse;
  • Reducing the sense of isolation abused women experience;
  • Affording opportunities to assist children of abused women;
  • Giving a strong message that abuse is wrong;
  • Informing women about violence against women services and other options that are available; and
  • Fostering healthy communities.
Women and Children
Woman Abuse: Screening, Identification and Initial Response
Background Information