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.