For a victim of sexual or domestic violence, confiding in a medical professional might feel safer than calling a domestic abuse hotline.
CHP Berkshires and the Elizabeth Freeman Center have partnered to create the One Door Project to care for victims who need both healthcare and violence intervention support. This special program is generously funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Research shows that women who experience abuse that confided in a medical clinician were four times more likely to seek out protection and 2.6 times more likely to exit an abusive relationship.
“These numbers mean many of our patients have had sexual trauma in their history—whether it was last night or years ago—so our care of patients must reflect this awareness,” said Dawn Kohanski, FNP, associate medical director of CHP Berkshires. “Now, we have a stronger link between CHP and EFC to quickly help our patients get support and safety resources.
In Berkshire County:
- The per capita rate of abuse protection order filings for sexual
and domestic violence is 35% higher than the state average, according to FY2022 MA court reports. - Compared with the pre-COVID era, EFC has seen a 262% increase in calls to its Berkshire County hotline.
- Immigrant communities, especially undocumented immigrants,
are particularly concerned about seeking help for fear of exposing their immigration status.“For our community, One Door means that both CHP and EFC speak the same language around sexual abuse, and we share each other’s resources quickly and seamlessly to help people get the immediate help and support they need, whether medical or other support care,” said Janis Broderick, executive director of Elizabeth Freeman Center. “All you need to do is walk through One Door.”
EFC’s toll-free hotline is 866-401-2425, or email info@elizabethfreemancenter.org.
To find a CHP Berkshires practice location, visit chpberkshires.org/locations.
