Violence Intervention and Prevention

The MMS and its Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention educates physicians and others in violence intervention and prevention. 

YOUTH VIOLENCE

Violence is a leading cause of injury, death, and disability for American children. Physicians and other professionals have a role in violence prevention.

Tools for Parents

Information for parents and other caretakers of children, from toddlers through teens, to protect them from violence. All of these brochures are in PDF format. 

• Teen Suicide: Preventing Tragedy Brochure (.pdf, 8 pages)

• Non-Suicidal Self-Harm Brochure (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Raise Your Child With Praise: Tips for Parents with Two- to Five-Year-Olds | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Time Out! A Time for Quiet and Calm; A Break From Negative Behavior | Español | Português  (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Pulling the Plug on Media Violence: :Facts and Tips for Parents  | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 4 pages)
  

• When Children Witness Violence in the Home: Helping Children Cope | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Bullying Prevention: When Your Child is the Victim, the Bully or the Bystander | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 12 pages)
  

• Street Violence: Your Child Has Been Hurt - What You Can Do | Español  | Português  (.pdf 8 pages)
  

• Some Myths & Facts About Violence | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Dating Violence: What Parents Need to Know | Español  | Português  (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

• Protecting Your Child From Sexual Abuse | Español  | Português (.pdf, 12 pages)
  

• Protecting Your Child From Gun Injury | Español  | Português (.pdf, 8 pages)
  

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Basic information about partner violence, recognizing varied clinical presentations of violence, and referral to identify, counsel, and offer options to at-risk patients.

• Intimate Partner Violence: The Clinician's Guide to Identification, Assessment, Intervention, and Prevention (.pdf, 88 pages)

• Map of Domestic Shelters in Massachusetts (.pdf, 2 pages)

HUMAN TRAFFICKING

Human Trafficking: Guidebook on Identification, Assessment, and Response in the Health Care Setting (.pdf, 56 pages)

Published by the MMS Committee on Violence Intervention and Prevention and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Human Trafficking Initiative, this guidebook provides basic information about human trafficking and its health effects, and offers guidance regarding efficient and trauma-sensitive techniques for identification, assessment and response. The guidebook also includes local, statewide and national resources both for patient referral and for ongoing education.

RESOURCES

• Physician Safety in the Provision of Gender-Affirming Medical and Surgical Care Resource List

• Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Obligations
  - Overview of state requirements of physicians, who are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect under Massachusetts law
  - DCF Mandated Reporter Guide
  - Outline of mandated reporters and their obligations

• Child Abuse Reporting Form
  - The state form for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect