This paper describes a 22-hour domestic violence learning module that is incorporated into the psychosocial course for seniors in a baccalaureate nursing program. As part of their learning experiences, students attend circuit court, meet with judges, and accompany advocacy workers. Additionally, they attend group therapy sessions with both the victims and perpetrators of abuse. Students keep journals reflecting their thoughts, feelings, and reactions throughout the experiences. Thematic analysis of these journal entries revealed five common themes. Students recognized their encounters in clinical situations as frightening and emotionally difficult, expressed surprise at their reactions to perpetrators, identified with victims, wrestled with issues of good and bad, and reported that stereotypes about victims and perpetrators had been incorrect. Debriefings and support by faculty are important for students throughout the experience.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring stress hormones and immunity following rape. The long-term goal is to evaluate the predictive value of stress-immune-inflammatory responses to later health outcomes. Fifteen women reporting rape were compared with 16 control participants. Serum stress hormones, proinflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, functional assays, and lymphocyte subsets were measured in blood samples. Women reporting rape had higher cytotoxic cells, lower B lymphocyte counts, higher proinflammatory biomarkers, and decreased lymphocyte proliferation compared to the control group. This finding suggests that rape produces activation of the innate immunity and suppression of some aspects of adaptive immunity. If these immune changes persist, they may contribute to the pathophysiology of long-term health sequelae by provoking chronic inflammation and decreased cellular immunocompetence.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of measuring stress hormones and immunity following rape. The long-term goal is to evaluate the predictive value of stress-immune-inflammatory responses to later health outcomes. Fifteen women reporting rape were compared with 16 control participants. Serum stress hormones, proinflammatory cytokines, acute phase proteins, functional assays, and lymphocyte subsets were measured in blood samples. Women reporting rape had higher cytotoxic cells, lower B lymphocyte counts, higher proinflammatory biomarkers, and decreased lymphocyte proliferation compared to the control group. This finding suggests that rape produces activation of the innate immunity and suppression of some aspects of adaptive immunity. If these immune changes persist, they may contribute to the pathophysiology of long-term health sequelae by provoking chronic inflammation and decreased cellular immunocompetence.

A unique educational module focused on domestic violence was developed at a large southeastern university to prepare nurses to deal with the complexities of family violence. This module included experiential learning to capture the full impact of violence, desensitize students to the “stories” of violence, and encourage maturity as the students developed wisdom beyond classroom knowledge. The goals were for students to recognize violence as significant, pervasive, and a long-term problem affecting health, safety, and well-being and to learn interventions appropriate for victims and perpetrators. Data from four semesters indicated a significant increase in knowledge about domestic violence and resources, decreased anxiety, increased confidence, and improvement in communication and assessment skills.