Guest Editorial
The Mayor's Domestic Violence Task Force

Diana Quinlan, CRNA, MA, Guest Editor

Diana Quinlan is a member of the Duval County Medical Society Alliance and Chaired the committee on the revision of the 2002 Mayor's Domestic Violence Task Force  Resource Guide for Healthcare Professionals

In 1997 the Mayor of Jacksonville convened a task force of civic leaders and representatives to study and eradicate domestic violence within our city. In that year the number of domestic violence cases reached it's peak in Florida. Every year since then, the rate has progressively declined. Florida recently received a "B" grade, up from a "C" in 2000-2001 from the Family Violence Prevention Fund for the work of the Governor's Task Force and specifically for improvements in training, insurance and health law reforms regarding domestic violence. In April the Mayor's Task Force received the 2002 Governor's Peace at Home Award for their efforts, specifically with the Intimate Violence Enhanced Services Team (INVEST) and the new Center for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

Another project within the Mayor's Task Force was the development of a Resource Guide by members of the task force as an offering to the medical community. As a member of the DCMS Alliance and task force representative for DCMS, I have participated on this task force in several capacities including the development of the first Resource Guide for Healthcare Professionals that was printed as a supplement to Jacksonville Medicine in May 1999, and now this newly released revision. New additions or revisions to this 2002 supplement include:

  • A revised abuse assessment form (with anatomical chart)
  • Frequently asked questions for healthcare and mental health providers
  • Cross-Disciplinary Presentations
  • A model protocol for offices and hospitals
  • Screening recommendations
  • Family Relationship History form
  • An overview of the military's Family Advocacy Program
  • An extensive and updated Resources List (local, state and national)
  • And much, much more

It has been a pleasure working on behalf of the fine physicians of DCMS as an alliance member and a representative to the Mayor's Domestic Violence Task Force. I am proud of our committee's accomplishments and hope you will be pleased with the attached supplement. Keep it as a handy resource guide in your workplace and know that the contributions you make in your practice provide a vital link to the domestic violence victim and family.

The articles found in this issue of Jacksonville Medicine were developed to help the physician better understand the many community services available for the families and victims of domestic violence like Hubbard House, the Healthy Start Program, the Navy's Family Advocacy Program, and special Task Force initiatives. Lastly, a comprehensive article outlining specialty specific areas within medicine and the mental health community is included as a guide. A post-test is provided for CME credit as part of the on-going effort to provide educational opportunities. Throughout the journal and the resource guide one major theme emerges consistently and that is the need for ROUTINE SCREENING by all health professionals. Many tools have been provided to aid in this process.

In the last decade the rate of domestic violence in Florida peaked at 927 offenses per 100,000 population (1997), up from 815 in (1992) and now down to 759 in 2001. In Duval County with a population of 793,000 there were 11 criminal homicides and 7,246 offenses overall related to domestic violence including aggravated assault, rape, battery, etc. This is down 15% in 2000-2001 and we believe that much of the progress that is being made is the direct result of collaborative community initiatives like those brought about by the Task Force and others mentioned in this journal and the supplementary resource.

May, 2002/ Jacksonville Medicine

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