Teaching and learning strategies highlighted in this sample curriculum to advance public health nurses’ knowledge and skills related to recognizing and responding to intimate partner violence have included links to evidence-informed, Canadian-developed, free e-learning resources.

Additional information about these resources is highlighted below. We would also like to acknowledge the generosity of the Middlesex-London Public Health Unit, who graciously shared their local orientation plan for increasing staff knowledge about intimate partner violence.

DVEducation (Women’s College Hospital)

DVeducation.ca is home to four free, evidence-informed, competency-based, interactive curricula on gender-based violence designed for health and social service providers, students, and trainees.

The newly updated, Responding to DV in Clinical Settings, will help providers recognize and respond to women who have experienced intimate partner abuse. The modules progress from basic to advanced competencies and straightforward to more subtle, complex case presentations. 

Addressing Past Sexual Assault in Clinical Settings was designed to enhance providers’ knowledge and skills in delivering sensitive care to women who have experienced sexual violence at some point during their adult lives. 

Recognizing and Responding to the Commonly Misunderstood Reactions to Sexual Assault focuses on enhancing providers’ knowledge about the diverse range of reactions survivors may experience and exhibit post sexual assault.

Understanding the Commonly Misunderstood Reactions to Sexual Assault: A Curriculum for Criminal Justice Professionals explores the diverse range of reactions survivors may experience and exhibit post sexual assault that may represent challenges in court proceedings.

Only the text manual for the curriculum, Making Connections: When DV, Mental Health and Substance Use Problems Co-Occur, is available. The interactive elements of the program have been discontinued.

Visit: www.DVeducation.ca to access any of these freely available curricula.

Mason, R. & Gold, K. (Oct. 2021). DV in Clinical Settings: An Online Curriculum (revised). Women’s College Research Institute, Women’s College Hospital, Toronto, Canada. https://dveducation.ca/domestic-2021/