NASW was pleased to be a co-chair organization of the National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence, held in New Orleans, Louisiana, this past week. The Family Violence Prevention Fund hosted this fifth biennial conference, which addressed domestic violence and health. Domestic violence is often seen as a public health problem, and the role health care providers can play in preventing violence and helping victims is well recognized.
At the opening session, the audience was addressed by Lynn Rosenthal, a social worker and longtime advocate, who is the White House Advisor to the President and Vice President on Violence Against Women. The keynote speaker was Eve Ensler, a playwright, performer, and activist and the author of The Vagina Monologues and the founder of V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls.
Many social workers presented their research on intimate partner violence, its health and mental health consequences, and the burden placed on families, communities, and our nation. NASW staff and members were represented on the national conference steering committee and on panel and individual presentations that addressed innovative and promising practice, scientific reports, and skill building.
– Rita A. Webb, DCSW, ACSW
