Domestic Violence
Tackling Domestic Violence The role of health professionals
This report raises awareness of the scale of the health problem represented by domestic violence and explains how health professionals can make an important contribution to tackling this issue.
Title: Tackling Domestic Violence - The role of health professionals
Author: Ann Taket (Professor of Primary Health Care, Faculty of Health and Social Care, London South Bank University)
Series: Development and Practice report 32
Date published: October 2004
Number of pages: 14
Domestic Violence is a major health issue for women
About one in four women will experience domestic violence at some time in their lives. This can have short and long term effects in terms of physical, mental and sexual health.
Domestic violence is not restricted to physical violence; it may include psychological, emotional, sexual and economic abuse, which may occur together or separately within the same relationship. To incorporate these offences we can use the term domestic abuse or partner abuse.
What action is needed by the Health Service?
The health service needs to:
improve availability of information on domestic violence and services for those who experience it
provide appropriate training for health professionals
institute systems of enquiry about domestic violence.
However, the health service can not meet all the needs of women experiencing domestic violence, it must work with other agencies in supporting, and providing options for survivors of domestic violence.
Improving availability of information on specialised services for domestic violence
Information for the public and health professionals is required, in a variety of forms. Information can help to drive away the myths about domestic violence and be an important form of prevention.
Information can be presented by posters, leaflets, postcards, small cards with key contact numbers, and should be available and visible in all health service settings, such as GP practices, clinics, hospitals, and reception areas. Devices such as coasters and keyrings can also be used.
In rural and semi-rural areas in particular, women may find it difficult to travel to support services. Providing such services on a sessional basis in more accessible venues can help.
Information should also be made available in different languages for those people whose first language is not English.
Providing appropriate training for health professionals
All health professionals and staff working in health settings should receive training on enquiring about domestic violence. Basic awareness training is also useful for administrative staff with patient contact (e.g. with GP receptionists and A&E receptionists)
Training packs also exist that can be drawn on and Local Women's Aid affiliated organisations and Domestic Violence Forums can often provide suitable trainers.
Training should be at least one day in length and include:
coverage of the nature and extent of the health problem represented by domestic violence
coverage of how to ask direct questions about experience of violence without compromising women's safety, for example never asking when a possible perpetrator is present
how to respond appropriately to those disclosing abuse
providing information on the local availability of services for those experiencing violence
safety planning for those experiencing abuse
safe documentation of violence
recognition that a large proportion of those being trained are likely to have personal experience of domestic violence and ensure that time and resources are included to respond to trainees' own needs regarding any personal experience of abuse.
Instituting systems of enquiry about domestic violence
What systems of enquiry are required for domestic violence?
All health professionals should be able to carry out selective enquiries
Routine enquiry should be considered in a number of different settings, in particular in primary health care (e.g. in maternity services or mental health settings).
Research has also shown that domestic violence increases during pregnancy and many projects have therefore implemented training and questioning in maternity services. Efforts also need to be made to ensure that in each locality all women can be reached.
Routine and selective enquiry form the basis for providing women who are experiencing abuse with information about the local specialised services available to them. These specialist services include those provided by a variety of voluntary sector organisations, in particular by Women 's Aid affiliated organisations, and in some instances by Victim Support, specialist Domestic Violence Units and Domestic Violence Officers within the police.
Advantages of routine enquiry
give all women basic information about the unacceptability of domestic violence and that abuse is not just about physical violence
give all women information that will be relevant to their friends, relations, neighbours, even if it is not personally relevant to them
help reduce both the stigma associated with abuse and the hidden/ taboo nature of domestic violence
give a clear message to women experiencing domestic violence that they are not alone in their experience, that the abuse they experience is unacceptable, and that there are services available for them to seek help in changing their situation.
The implementation, and the actual practice, of routine enquiry should be regularly reviewed in supervision, team meetings and/or review sessions.
Last update: Monday, August 06, 2007