Bianca Castro

Plano Emergency Room at Front Lines For Domestic Violence Victims

Domestic violence is a topic that isn't easy for people to talk about, especially potential victims and Texas Health Plano is making changes to help victims discreetly reach out for help.
"The CDC says one in five people is potentially a victim of domestic violence and that's unacceptable," says Dr. Ramsey Stone, trauma surgeon at Texas Health Plano. 
It's part of the reason why patients who come to the emergency department will be asked discreetly about whether they feel safe at home and and if doctors or nurses suspect abuse, a single click of the mouse will alert social services.
"As a trauma surgeon, we have the responsibility to care for the patient, both for their physical needs but also to recognize signs of domestic violence.  If we miss that, we really miss an opportunity to care for the patient," says Dr. Stone.
Potential victims can then be directly connected to resources, like the non-profit group Stonger Than Espresso, where domestic violence survivor Roxanne Bunkoff volunteers.
Bunkoff spent five years in an abusive relationship before escaping twenty years ago.
"He slapped me in the street. He's done it many times, in the streets, but that was the very first time," says Bunkoff.
"It was verbal abuse, put downs, calling me names, saying I was a bad mother, I was a slut, I was a whore," she adds. 
The isolation was, she says, what led to emotional trauma, but now, she says sharing her story helps her heal.
"I have healed from those wounds and now I'm able to share that with many others," says Bunkoff.

Domestic violence is a topic that isn't easy for people to talk about, especially potential victims and Texas Health Plano is making changes to help victims discreetly reach out for help.

"The CDC says one in five people is potentially a victim of domestic violence and that's unacceptable," said Dr. Ramsey Stone, trauma surgeon at Texas Health Plano.

It's part of the reason why patients who come to the emergency department will be asked discreetly about whether they feel safe at home and and if doctors or nurses suspect abuse, a single click of the mouse will alert social services.

"As a trauma surgeon, we have the responsibility to care for the patient, both for their physical needs, but also to recognize signs of domestic violence. If we miss that, we really miss an opportunity to care for the patient," said Stone.

Potential victims can then be directly connected to resources, like the non-profit group Stonger Than Espresso, where domestic violence survivor Roxanne Bunkoff volunteers.

Bunkoff spent five years in an abusive relationship before escaping twenty years ago.

"He slapped me in the street. He's done it many times, in the streets, but that was the very first time," said Bunkoff.

"It was verbal abuse, put downs, calling me names, saying I was a bad mother, I was a slut, I was a whore," she added.

The isolation was, she said, is what led to emotional trauma, but now, she says sharing her story helps her heal.

"I have healed from those wounds and now I'm able to share that with many others," Bunkoff said.

Resources for domestic violence:

Dallas Domestic Violence Resources 

Stronger Than Espresso

Hope's Door

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