Intimate Partner Violence: Health Care Providers’ Role

Originally broadcast November 6, 2025

Intimate partner violence affects more women in the United States than breast cancer and diabetes combined. Health care providers can be a lifeline for survivors, yet many still struggle to know how to talk about it or where to begin.

In this Conversations on Health Care episode, hosts Mark Masselli and Margaret Flinter speak with Virginia Duplessis, associate director at Futures Without Violence and director of the National Health Resource Center on Domestic Violence. Duplessis shares how health care professionals can take practical, compassionate steps to identify, prevent and respond to domestic violence.

“Violence is not an inevitable part of the human experience. We all have a unique and important role to play,” says Duplessis.

Her work helps providers use trauma-informed care to start conversations with all patients about relationship safety and well-being. Through Health Partners on IPV + Exploitation, Futures Without Violence is building partnerships that make these conversations part of routine care.

Duplessis also highlights how prevention can begin early, from school-based programs like Coaching Boys into Men.  Pregnancy and postpartum care also give providers more opportunities to build trust and spot warning signs.

“We want every patient to leave feeling supported, listened to and connected to information about what’s available in the community if they choose to seek help,” she says.

Click below for the full interview now and explore the resources on domestic and sexual violence, child abuse and more.

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