Connecticut Coalition Completed Violence Screening Project

A five-year initiative successfully integrated intimate partner violence screenings into state OB-GYN practices.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Sex Life

Bold vector editorial illustration featuring a clinical examination chair in a bright, clean medical room, representing state healthcare initiatives. — The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence has finalized a five-year initiative to standardize intimate partner violence screenings across state OB-GYN practices. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should healthcare providers integrate routine domestic violence screening into standard patient care visits?

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence has concluded a five-year project focused on standardizing routine intimate partner violence screenings within OB-GYN offices. The effort aimed to improve patient safety by training staff and fostering stronger links with local support advocates.

Why it matters

Given that one in three women experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, routine clinical screening is essential for early identification and support. This project established a new standard of care by embedding these vital health checks directly into the maternal healthcare environment.

The five-year project focused on a population where 1 in 3 women are exposed to intimate partner violence over their lives. The initiative prioritized training and structural integration of screening protocols within OB-GYN offices statewide.

The players

Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence

This statewide organization works to prevent domestic violence through advocacy, public awareness, and the coordination of support services for survivors.

The details

The program utilized specialized training for OB-GYN staff to identify signs of abuse while creating direct pathways for collaboration with domestic violence counselors. This model ensures that screenings are not just performative but are supported by professional advocacy resources for patients in need.

The initiative began in 2021 to address domestic violence screening gaps.
A maternal health summit was held in Cromwell on September 29, 2026, to discuss findings.

Culture Shift

This initiative follows the pattern set by the Affordable Care Act's preventive services coverage mandates regarding the integration of social health screenings into standard clinical visits. It reflects a wider cultural shift toward recognizing domestic violence as a critical, treatable component of maternal healthcare.

Patients visiting participating OB-GYN offices across Connecticut can expect routine violence screenings as part of their standard care. This change encourages more proactive conversations about personal safety during routine wellness exams.

The takeaway

Healthcare providers play a critical role in identifying domestic abuse by creating safe, private environments for disclosure during routine visits. Patients should feel empowered to use these screenings as an opportunity to access resources and professional support.