The Bridge Span Program is located in Providence Hospital and was created with the purpose of acting as a link between the hospital and community resources that are necessary to break the cycle of domestic violence.

 

Advocacy is provided to victims of domestic violence on-site at hospitals and  at a critical time before they return to the abuser and fall back into the cycle.  Services are offered to patients, employees and others affected by domestic violence.

 

The Bridge Span Program of Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center has the following components:

• Help in finding a safe place for you and your children

• Help in obtaining Legal Resources

• Linkage to individual or group counseling

• Assistance in calling the police and filing charges

• On-going support and connection to additional services in Wyandotte County.
   

Cycle of Violence

 

 

To meet with an advocate, please contact the Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center (913) 321-0951.  The Advocates are available 24 Hours a Day 

 

Services FOR VICTIMS OF:

Domestic Violence

and

Intimate Partner Violence:

Confidential on-site services

Education and support

Assistance in seeking shelter

Referrals to community resources

Assistance with obtaining PFAs

(Protection from Abuse Orders)

Legal Assistance

Safety Planning

Follow-up referral support

For Healthcare Providers and the Community:

Training and education about domestic violence and intimate partner violence.

Assistance in developing hospital wide protocols and procedures in meeting national accreditation standards.

Education on addressing domestic violence with patients

Screening

R = Routinely screen female patientA = Ask direct questionsD = Document your findingsA = Assess patient safetyR = Review options and referrals

Routine screening should be conducted for all female patients over the age of fourteen or for anyone where abuse is suspected.

Screening should be carried out in a safe private setting using straight forward non-judgmental questions.

Examples of direct questions:“Because violence is so common in manywomen’s lives, I’ve begun to ask about itroutinely.”

“Have you ever been hit, kicked, or punched by your partner?

“Do you feel safe at home?

If the patient answers yes to any of the above questions, be supportive, listen non-judgmentally, validate the experience, and offer resources.

Contact the Healthcare Advocate

Cycle of Violence

 

 

Tension Building Phase During this time, you feel like you are walking on eggshells to keep the peace. But no matter what you do the abuser will still explode and the anger will overflow.

• Acute Or Abusive Phase This is the time the abuser will become violent. The violence may be in the form of hitting, slapping, strangulation, pushing, kicking, stabbing, even shooting.

• Honeymoon Phase The abuser may apologize and make up by giving gifts.

And the cycle starts all over

again...

and again… and again…

and

 

Contact Information

To meet with an advocate, please contact the Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center (913) 321-0951

The Advocate is available 24 hours a day

Confidential services are offered to hospital/clinic patients and employees.

For additional information or screening call the

Della Gill/Joyce H. Williams Center and request

The On-Call Healthcare Advocate.

 Download the SPAN Brochure