Stronger education, training and advocacy is needed to help Pennsylvanians adopt a “zero tolerance” attitude toward domestic violence, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare’s Domestic Violence Task Force.

“Over the past few decades, great strides have been made in raising awareness and providing services to those affected by domestic violence, but there is still more work to do to end this societal epidemic,” Public Welfare Secretary Harriet Dichter said. “This task force report provides comprehensive recommendations regarding Pennsylvania’s next steps in reducing domestic violence and supporting those who are affected.”

The task force, formed in September 2008, was created to provide recommendations for raising awareness about the magnitude of domestic violence in the state, reducing the occurrence of domestic violence and improving the systems and services for victims of abuse.

The task force report offers 22 recommendations impacting education and outreach, legal procedures, research and data collection and medical and workplace resources for domestic violence victims. Among the recommendations:

• Incorporating more programs into schools to aid students who have witnessed or been victims of domestic abuse or dating violence.
   
• Better integrating behavioral health and domestic violence services as part of a growing recognition that the trauma from domestic violence can have serious behavioral health consequences.
   
• Standardizing data collection among those involved in providing services to victims of domestic violence, including making all domestic violence events reportable to the Department of Health and the State Police.
   
• Increasing the capacity of domestic violence shelters and ensuring they are able to serve people with disabilities.
   
• Expanding medical partnerships between providers and health care systems to require screening, intervention and referral in domestic violence cases.

DPW’s Domestic Violence Task Force brought together more than 40 experts who routinely witness the devastating impact of domestic violence on its victims and society, including representatives from health care, the courts, law enforcement and social service agencies.

In Pennsylvania, more than 100,000 people are affected by domestic violence each year. The task force noted abuse can take many forms - including physical, emotional, sexual and economic abuse – and affects people of all socioeconomic backgrounds and education levels.

The full report is available on the Department of Public Welfare website at www.dpw.state.pa.us.