Implementation
Once the battered women’s physical condition and safety have stabilized, it is critical to assess her future safety and collaboratively explore her fears, anxieties, and concerns. Despite the need to leave the abusive situation, the women often strongly believes that she has no other option except to return. If the women chooses to return to the batter, it is important to respect this decision. Making a decision to leave the better is usually a gradual process. However, it is critical that the women realize that she has options. The nurse often serves as the key factor in a beginning awareness that other options do exist.
At present, all states have laws that provide some level of protection for survivors of domestic violence, and there is a definite trend across the country to pass further legislation to ensure this protection. The reality is, however, that there is large gap between the actual laws and their implementation by the police and criminal justice system. In some localities, police are mandated to arrest the abuser if there is evidence of probable violence. In many states the police have to provide the battered women with