Although many associations recommend routine screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) and have treatment guidelines established, research is conflicting in regard to the benefits of these practices. To reach a consensus on care for victims, more data was needed that reflected patient outcomes that could be directly related to screening and treatment interventions. Outcomes data such as this will only become available when clinicians cultivate consistent practices for screening and treating IPV victims. The literature review exposed many barriers to screening and treating IPV victims in emergency departments (EDs). Barriers included fear, a lack of privacy, lack of concern, and few policies and procedures addressing screening. However, the five caring processes identified by Swanson’s Theory of Caring, maintained by a belief in persons grounded in knowing their reality and communicated by being with, doing for, and enabling, provides a structure of caring that can ultimately create an environment where IPV victims can begin to transition from victim to survivor. IPV victims experience far more ill effects than the visible physical trauma. Emergency room nurses are in a unique position to identify IPV victims, however many EDs do not perform routine screenings. Table, references