Project Empower Strives to Stem Domestic Violence

By Cheryle Rodriguez

The VCU Medical Center Injury and Violence Prevention Program hosted an Open House to bring more awareness to domestic violence and Project Empower, a multi-disciplinary initiative designed to help victims of intimate partner violence.

As part of National Domestic Violence Awareness month, organizers provided information and resources for victims and health care providers.

Lisette Johnson, a victim of domestic violence and the event’s keynote speaker, received the Project Empower Award for her work in educating health care professionals and empowering victims with her story of survival.

“Part of our mission is to raise awareness within the medical setting, by training health care workers to identify, screen and refer patients experiencing violence or sexual assault to those who can provide support,” said Jean Cheek, forensic nurse examiner, Department of Emergency Services.

Cheek said that Project Empower is unique because it is a hospital-based program that includes outside resources, such as the Virginia Center on Aging, YWCA of Richmond and Safe Harbor, an emergency shelter. 

Project Empower has established a crisis fund that provides monetary assistance to persons experiencing domestic or sexual violence crisis. 

The funds are allocated for employees or patients who may need assistance in becoming more independent or to increase their safety.

“Intimate partner violence can affect all socioeconomic groups, any ethnicity and children in this environment are affected,” said Cheek. “We’re hoping by educating and providing immediate assistance we can avoid some of these homicides that occur with intimate partner relationships.”

According to the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey, on average, 24 people per minute in the United States are victims of rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner.

For more information on intimate partner violence and Project Empower, visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu/outreach/domesticviolence/dv_resources.html.

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