Peaks around the third month postpartum have been suggested for both partner violence and depression justifying the importance of follow-up. Disclosure rates for VE among childbearing adolescents can be low, especially for partner violence.
Building trust and rapport with the adolescent may need to be done initially and gradually. Assessment of partner violence must be done in privacy without children or significant others in attendance at all contact points. Parental absence is needed for
true reports of child abuse by the adolescent as well. When assessing adolescents for partner violence, clarity of the term dating violence can be enhanced by asking specific questions. Questions such as “Have you ever received a bruise from your partner when hit by hand or other object” or “Have you ever been made to feel little, unworthy, or stupid” may lead to additional disclosures. Specific questions, requesting more than yes-or-no answers can also provide information related to other VE such as community or witnessed violence.