A government task force is recommending that clinicians ask young- and middle-aged women if they have ever been victims of domestic violence.
The U.S. Preventative Services Task Force's draft recommendation also asked that clinicians provide resources if the answer is "yes."
Some doctors are already conducting the screenings. Andrew Ross, a doctor at Mountain Vista OBGYN, for example, asks patients to disclose whether or not they are in an ongoing domestic violence situation. The office also offers victims resources -- such as handouts and flow charts.
James Wilk, a doctor of internal health at UCHealth Steele St. Medical Center, said most drafts lead the task force to deliver an official recommendation.
The task force is currently trying to get a feel for doctor and patient feedback, such as whether the questions they're using work well.
One in three women experience some sort of domestic violence in their lifetime, according to the World Health Organization.
Lydia Waligorski, the Public Policy Director at the Colorado Coalition Against Domestic Violence sat down to discuss screenings and the resources available to domestic violence victims. You can watch that interview below.
