Domestic Violence Program
Domestic violence, or intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behaviors by one partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic/intimate partner violence can affect anyone at any time.
Developing Options for Violent Emergencies
At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we offer Domestic Options for Violent Emergencies – the DOVE program. Our DOVE Nurse receives specialized education and training in providing compassionate, patient-centered, trauma-informed care to victims of domestic/intimate partner violence. We are available 24/7 in any of our Emergency Departments, to anyone who needs our services.
You may choose to have one of our nurses perform a Domestic Violence Forensic Exam. This exam may include:
- Documenting a history of the physical and/or psychological abuse you have endured, in a confidential area of your medical record with limited access.
- Performing a head-to-toe examination to assess for injuries, and photographing them.
- Documenting your injuries in a confidential area of your medical record with limited access.
- Collecting forensic evidence from your neck, if you were strangled within the past 24 hours and have not showered.
- Providing you with safety resources.
Here are some things to know about what to expect through the DOVE program:
How to Reach Us
If you are a victim-survivor, please call the DOVE program at (859) 212-4252 from 7:00am – 3:00pm, Monday through Friday. Outside of office hours or in case of an emergency, please directly visit any of our Emergency Department locations:
- St. Elizabeth Covington
- St. Elizabeth Dearborn
- St. Elizabeth Edgewood
- St. Elizabeth Florence
- St. Elizabeth Ft. Thomas
- St. Elizabeth Grant
Other Agencies That Can Help
- For Emergencies: 911
- The Ion Center for Violence Prevention:
(859) 491-3335 - Safe Passage (IN): (877) 773-1990
- Women Helping Women (OH): (513) 381-5610
