Domestic Violence: Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence

Domestic Violence: Child Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence is a 2-hour online continuing education (CE) course that details how to identify and help victims of domestic violence.

All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Territories have child abuse and neglect reporting laws that mandate certain professionals and institutions refer suspected maltreatment to a child protective services (CPS) agency. Some states use more specific definitions of who is a mandated reporter. Others opt for more flexible verbiage to cast a wider net. In all states, healthcare providers are mandated reporters.

Child abuse remains a dire social issue. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) state that at least one in seven children experience child abuse or neglect in the United States, with that number likely being an underestimate because many cases go unreported. To make matters worse, the long-term sequelae include a wide range of serious consequences, such as physical injuries, impaired brain development, behavioral disturbances, substance use disorders, and a variety of psychological disorders.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is, unfortunately, also a pervasive part of life in U.S. society. Approximately 41% of women and 26% of men have experienced contact sexual violence, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner during their lifetime. Survivors of these forms of violence may experience physical injury, mental health consequences like depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and suicide attempts. Other health consequences like gastrointestinal disorders, substance abuse, sexually trans­mitted diseases, and gynecological or pregnancy complications are also common.

This course reviews the prevalence rates, definitions, outcomes, risk and protective factors, screening procedures (including signs and symptoms clinicians should look out for), as well as best practices in responding to and reporting abuse of both children and adults. Bullying, cyberbullying, the increase in online crimes against children, the likelihood of abused children becoming abusers, behavioral and physical indicators that a child on your caseload is a victim, and treatment interventions for victims of child abuse are also discussed. Primary prevention strategies are included to prevent IPV from arising initially and to reduce the adverse effects on survivors. There is a special section on the complexity of an abuse victim’s decision about if, and when, to leave an abuser.

Healthcare professionals will learn to detect abuse when they see it, screen for the particulars, and respond with definitive assistance in risk assessment, safety planning, and providing referrals to available resources.

This course meets the domestic violence license renewal requirement of Florida licensees.

Course #21-70 | 2026 | 34 pages | 15 posttest questions | Mobile-Friendly