February 12, 1999

Two million women are abused in the United States every year. Twenty-four percent of women seeking care in urban emergency rooms are or have been victims of domestic violence. One out of six pregnant women are abused during their pregnancy.

MGH's domestic violence program HAVEN (Hospitals Helping Abuse and Violence End Now) is dedicated to helping the women behind these statistics. Since its inception two years ago, HAVEN has assisted 750 patients and employees who have sought direct help for abuse. The program has provided an additional 650 consultations to MGH and community health providers looking for resources and education about domestic violence.

The MGH Social Services Department and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) established HAVEN to improve and enhance the MGH response to patients and employees whose lives are affected by domestic violence. HAVEN offers the MGH community many services – including advocacy, safety planning, training for health care professionals and special services for employees.

To provide these services, HAVEN often works closely with the MGH Police and Security Department. "The Special Investigations Unit (see story Making the MGH safe for employees and patients) is extremely well-trained and sensitized to victims of domestic violence," says Bonnie Zimmer, MSW, director of HAVEN. "Unit investigators go beyond the call of duty to help both patients and employees. Its presence helps the HAVEN staff and our clients feel safer. The unit allows us to provide better care to all."

MGHers can help support the efforts of HAVEN by joining the Domestic Violence Working Group, an interdisciplinary group that meets monthly to discuss and implement strategies to increase awareness and understanding of domestic violence throughout the MGH. New members are welcome to the next meeting Feb. 17, 9 to 10 am, in Burr Conference Room 3, third floor, Bartlett Hall Extension. The presentation will feature guest speaker Laurie Holmes, director of HarborCOV, a new battered women's program serving Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop and East Boston. For more information about MGH's domestic violence services, call 4-0054.