Consult With Medical Providers
If after screening for domestic violence, health/nutrition workers identify significant health problems or injuries in a client attributed to domestic violence, they should follow appropriate WIC protocol in consulting with medical providers about these findings. You may contact your local domestic violence center for the names of physicianas and other medical professionals with domestic violence experience or expertise.

Follow-Up
Routine follow-up appointments with WIC clients for nutrition services can also provide an opportunity to discuss a victim’s domestic violence circumstances. If a client is in need of domestic violence services, WIC staff may refer them to the local Domestic Violence Center for immediate assistance. WIC staff can also make available to WIC clients, information about domestic violence services and programs, such as brochures on safety planning, legal options, crisis hotline numbers, and how to contact the local domestic violence shelter when necessary.

If the client or health/nutrition staff are in immediate danger, staff should call 911 for assistance. If the safety of the client or her children in their home is in question, staff may use the following Lethality Assessment Tool to estimate the level of danger present.

If danger seems imminent, health/nutrition workers should:

• Express grave concern to client about her safety.
• Inform her of heightened risk.
• Refer the client to law enforcement and / or the local domestic violence shelter.
• Respect her choice to stay. This may be the “safest” choice in that the most dangerous time for an abused woman is when she leaves.