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Workplace violence is an increasing problem in organizations today and is especially challenging in the healthcare industry. Considered a human rights issue, workplace violence affects the dignity of millions of people worldwide and is a major source of inequality, discrimination, stigmatization, and workplace conflict. The consequences to organizations and employees are staggering and include negative financial, safety, and health-related outcomes.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to be able to describe the key characteristics and factors related to the prevalence of workplace violence, including its impact on the workplace and the employee, characteristics of potential victims and perpetrators, and guidelines for the prevention of workplace violence.

Domestic (intimate partner) violence is an international healthcare and human rights issue affecting millions of people every day. Individuals and healthcare providers who understand the causes of violence, recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse, and are knowledgeable in screening and support strategies for victims are critical factors in the early treatment and prevention of this healthcare epidemic.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the extent of domestic (intimate partner) violence and discuss its causes, signs, symptoms, risk factors, and intervention strategies.

Older adults today are vibrant, independent, living longer, and in better health than their ancestors. However, as this growing population increases, so does the issue of caring for elderly individuals. Caregivers must often cope with stressful economic and personal burdens when caring for the elderly, who pay the price for this stress and may be abused, exploited, or neglected.

The outcome of this course is to provide the learner with an understanding of the causes and types of elder abuse; professional responsibilities related to reporting, documenting, and intervening in cases of suspected abuse; and action steps to prevent elder abuse.

Child abuse is a national and international issue that has serious long-term consequences for the child and the community. A social problem that has existed for thousands of years, child abuse in all its forms first became a topic of national interest in the 1960s with the advocacy of Henry Kempe, founder of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Today, there is a system of laws in all 50 states that now define what constitutes abuse and neglect and who is mandated to report abuse.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe the types of abuse; signs, symptoms, and risk factors of abuse; and pertinent elements of the laws impacting mandatory reporting of abuse and neglect.

The prevention of child maltreatment, particularly the reduction of abusive injuries and their consequences, is an important public health concern. Even when they do not result in death, serious traumatic brain injuries in children have profound lifetime consequences. The crime of pediatric abusive head trauma (PAHT) is a preventable and severe form of child abuse. In the United States, child abuse is the third leading cause of all head injuries, and its prevention and treatment present a challenge to healthcare providers.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to describe PAHT (also called "shaken baby syndrome"), including the epidemiology, risk factors, physical signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and prevention strategies.

Rape or sexual assault can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. These forms of sexual violence are among the most underreported crimes in both the United States and the world because of the intensely difficult nature of the crimes. Understanding the various forms of sexual violence, the concept of consent, and the short- and long-term impacts of sexual assault on individuals, families, and communities is essential to preventing this form of violence.

The outcome of this course is for the learner to discuss the impact of sexual assault on the victim, including risk factors and types of perpetrators, and key factors in the effective assessment and treatment of the sexual assault victim.