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Revista Paulista de Pediatria : Orgao... 2020Social isolation is currently identified as the best way to prevent the infection by the new coronavirus. However, for some social groups, such as children and...
OBJECTIVE
Social isolation is currently identified as the best way to prevent the infection by the new coronavirus. However, for some social groups, such as children and adolescents, this measure carries a contradiction: the home, which should be the safest place for them, is also a frequent environment of a sad aggravation: domestic violence. This study aims to evaluate the notifications of interpersonal/self-inflicted violence available in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases in the State of Santa Catarina (southern Brazil), for the juvenile age group, before and during the new coronavirus pandemics.
METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study of violence against children and adolescents (from 0 to 19 years) notified by health professionals by completing and entering the occurrence in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases of the State of Santa Catarina in 11 weeks in which the social isolation measure was instituted as mandatory, comparing with the same period before this measure.
RESULTS
During the study period, 136 municipalities in Santa Catarina made 1,851 notifications. There was a decrease of 55.3% of them in the isolation period, and the difficulties encountered in seeking protection and assistance institutions were listed.
CONCLUSIONS
The society needs to be aware of possible cases of violence in the children and adolescent population. It is important to provide accessible, effective, and safe ways for complaints and notifications, as well as a quick response to the cases, aiming at protecting victims and minimizing damages to prevent the perpetuation of the violence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Betacoronavirus; Brazil; COVID-19; Child; Child Abuse; Child Health; Child Welfare; Coronavirus Infections; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Male; Needs Assessment; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33146295
DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2021/39/2020267 -
International Journal of Public Health Apr 2020To analyse the impact of being affected by domestic and/or relationship violence in early adolescence on indicators of health and well-being.
OBJECTIVES
To analyse the impact of being affected by domestic and/or relationship violence in early adolescence on indicators of health and well-being.
METHODS
Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 13-14 year-old pupils attending schools in north-west England, with variables relating to vulnerability, violence and mental and physical health, was performed. The sample of 9626 represented 71% of the eligible population. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyse demographic exposure to violence and outcomes.
RESULTS
Pupils affected by domestic and/or relationship violence had significantly worse outcomes and experiences than non-affected peers. Odds ratios demonstrated higher risks of being lonely, being bullied or having deliberately self-harmed. They were also more likely to report an enduring health condition, poorer health practices and worse access to and experiences of health services.
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to violence in domestic and/or relationships is detrimental to children and young people's mental and physical health and vulnerability. Health risks and inequalities reported by CYP in this study provide compelling intelligence for renewed strategic policy-level consideration in the design and delivery of young peoples' health services.
Topics: Adolescent; Domestic Violence; England; Exposure to Violence; Female; Health Status; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Mental Health; Odds Ratio; Peer Group; Socioeconomic Factors; Students; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 32072204
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01340-3 -
Australian Journal of General Practice Nov 2022Domestic and family violence (DFV) is often difficult to recognise despite its high prevalence in the community. General practitioners require specialised skills to...
BACKGROUND
Domestic and family violence (DFV) is often difficult to recognise despite its high prevalence in the community. General practitioners require specialised skills to elicit a history of DFV, remain aware of the complex patterns of DFV, respond to potential risk and maintain engagement as part of a team involved in ongoing care.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this article is to outline the principles of recognising, responding, referring, recording and reflecting on care for those who may be experiencing DFV.
DISCUSSION
GPs have unique opportunities to identify, assess and respond to DFV because of the trusting therapeutic relationships they develop with patients. Managing DFV requires a safe place to disclose, skilled risk assessment, careful documentation, safety planning and ongoing therapeutic processes that soothe, validate, empower and connect to wider social supports. Trauma-informed general practice is a key element of integrated systems responses to DFV in our community.
Topics: Humans; Domestic Violence; General Practice; General Practitioners; Family Practice
PubMed: 36309999
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-03-22-6375 -
Clinics in Dermatology 2020Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been an alarming rise in domestic violence worldwide. Factors believed to be fueling this escalation in...
Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been an alarming rise in domestic violence worldwide. Factors believed to be fueling this escalation in domestic violence include increasing social confinement at home during lockdowns and mounting stress levels from unemployment that have resulted from the economic uncertainties of these times. This contribution explores some of the challenges faced by physicians in clinically assessing victims of domestic violence during the COVID-19 era. One such challenge is the increased reliance on telemedicine during the pandemic, a medium of communication that offers a narrower clinical view of patients than is what is usually provided by an in-person examination. In this contribution, we offer suggestions on how best to screen for domestic violence, whether through telemedicine or during an in-person encounter. The history and physical findings that suggest domestic violence are reviewed along with recommendations on how to make the clinical examination more sensitive and compassionate to the needs of the victims. One of the authors of this contribution (L.C.H.) is herself a survivor of domestic violence and has courageously shared, in these pages, details of her harrowing near murder by an abusing husband. From this case history, it is hoped that readers will gain wider insights into what domestic violence means from the perspective of a victim and how we can better help save victims from this widespread and devastating social problem.
Topics: COVID-19; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Physician's Role; SARS-CoV-2; Spouse Abuse; Survivors; Telemedicine; Wounds and Injuries
PubMed: 33341207
DOI: 10.1016/j.clindermatol.2020.07.003 -
BMC Health Services Research Jul 2022Recent UK policy has focussed on improving support for victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), in healthcare settings. DVA victims attending hospital are often at...
BACKGROUND AND AIM
Recent UK policy has focussed on improving support for victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), in healthcare settings. DVA victims attending hospital are often at highest risk of harm, yet DVA support in hospitals has been inadequate. A targeted service supporting high risk DVA victims, was implemented at a hospital Trust in North West England. The service was provided by Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs). This paper assesses the activity in the hospital-based IDVA service during the COVID-19 pandemicand addresses the research questions: What was the demand for the service? How did the service respond? What facilitated this response?
METHODS
A mixed-methods study was undertaken. Quantitative data on referrals to the service were examined using simple descriptive statistics and compared to other DVA services. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with IDVAs and other hospital staff involved with the service and the data subjected to thematic analysis.
RESULTS
The quantitative analysis showed that referrals dropped at the start of lockdown, then increased and continued to rise; the qualitative findings reiterated this pattern. Referrals came from a range of departments across the Trust, with the majority from A&E. Pre-pandemic, the population supported by the service included higher proportions of males and people aged 40 and over than at other IDVA services; this continued during the pandemic. The qualitative findings indicated a flexible response during the pandemic, enabled by strong working relationships and by using workarounds.
CONCLUSIONS
The hospital-based IDVAs provided an efficient, flexible serviceduring the COVID-19 pandemic. Referrals increased during the first lockdown and subsequent relaxing of restrictions. Locating the IDVAs within a team working across the organisation, and building good working relationships facilitated an effective disclosure and referral route, which endured through social restrictions. The IDVAs supported high-risk victims who may otherwise not have been identified in traditional community-based DVA settings during the pandemic. Hospital-based IDVA services can broaden access by supporting vulnerable, at risk populations whose needs may not be identified at other services.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Domestic Violence; Hospitals; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics
PubMed: 35790985
DOI: 10.1186/s12913-022-08183-z -
Violence Against Women Jan 2021The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the landmark legislation, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As we reflect on the Act, it is...
The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the landmark legislation, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As we reflect on the Act, it is important to examine how the VAWA influenced the response to violence against women. This guest editors' introduction provides a preview of five articles devoted to a special issue of . The articles highlight key aspects of VAWA. With H.R. 1585 awaiting consideration by the Senate, we suggest that perhaps now is an appropriate time to assess the Act's impact.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Gender-Based Violence; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Legislation as Topic; Male; Rape; Women's Health
PubMed: 32830588
DOI: 10.1177/1077801220949693 -
Journal of Primary Care & Community... 2023To implement an improved DV screening and follow-up protocol at a suburban community health clinic that is consistently used by staff with appropriate female patients as...
PURPOSE
To implement an improved DV screening and follow-up protocol at a suburban community health clinic that is consistently used by staff with appropriate female patients as well as to assess provider/staff barriers to this.
METHODS
The project was completed at a community health clinic and included 2 presentations: the first to outline current practices as well as the intervention plan at the pre-intervention time point and then to review results of the intervention and elicit feedback post intervention. Provider/staff barrier surveys were completed at both time points. The intervention consisted of completion of the HITS DV screening tool on all appropriate female patients and a system-level algorithm-based follow-up care plan for positive cases.
RESULTS
Eligible patient screening increased by 3.1% and patients screening positive increased from 0 to 1 from baseline to intervention. Average scores on the barrier surveys improved for all questions and improved significantly for 3 of the questions. The algorithm implemented was utilized for the positive screening.
CONCLUSIONS
Use of a DV screening tool, that has shown good concurrent and construct validity in the literature, a system-level algorithm for follow-up care and addressing provider/staff barriers to screening and follow-up are essential components of a successful DV screening and follow-up program.
Topics: Humans; Female; Public Health; Follow-Up Studies; Mass Screening; Domestic Violence; Ambulatory Care Facilities
PubMed: 37503785
DOI: 10.1177/21501319231189074 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Oct 2023Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared...
Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared to child abuse, interpartner violence, and elder abuse. One area that has received scarce attention is the connection between physical and emotional sibling violence and attachment in close relationships in adulthood. This research study examines the association between physical and emotional sibling violence and adulthood attachment in a sample of 2,458 individuals who completed a survey on the sub-Reddit platform "/r/SampleSize: Where your opinions actually matter!" Participants completed items on demographics, frequency of physical and emotional behaviors experienced with a sibling in childhood, and adult attachment. Results found physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood to be associated with attachment in close relationships in adulthood. Frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood was also associated with comfortability with intimacy and closeness, comfortability of depending and relying on others, and concerns of abandonment and rejection by others in adulthood. The findings underscore the need to not only include physical and emotional sibling violence in future research on attachment but also to examine the connection between these phenomena in diverse samples (ethnicity, sexual orientation). Also highlighted is the need for practitioners to assess sibling relationships when working with children, families, and adults experiencing attachment issues throughout the life course.
Topics: Adult; Child; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Siblings; Child Abuse; Domestic Violence; Emotions; Elder Abuse
PubMed: 37381789
DOI: 10.1177/08862605231179723 -
Pediatrics Mar 2024Childhood exposure to domestic violence is common, but the overlap between threats and violence against children and weapon/firearm use has not been well studied. The...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Childhood exposure to domestic violence is common, but the overlap between threats and violence against children and weapon/firearm use has not been well studied. The objectives of this study were to: assess differences in respondent firearm access and the use of weapons in granted domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) with and without minors (individuals <18 years of age); and characterize the frequency and characteristics of threats and acts of violence against minors.
METHODS
We conducted a cross-sectional study of a random sample of granted DVPOs from 2014-2020 in King County, Washington. We examined the use of threats, violence, and weapons by restrained individuals (ie, respondents) by reviewing and abstracting information from DVPO case files.
RESULTS
Respondent weapon use and firearm possession were more common among DVPOs including minors than DVPOs not including minors (weapon use: 38.2% and 33.0%; firearm possession: 23.1% and 19.1%, respectively). Almost 2 in 3 DVPOs including minors (1338 of 2029) involved threats or violence directed at a minor perpetrated by the DVPO respondent. About 1 in 3 (32.5%) DVPOs documented explicit threats, and 1 in 2 (48.9%) documented violence. Over two-thirds (680 of 993, 68.5%) of acts of violence directed at minors included a weapon.
CONCLUSIONS
We found higher lethality risk (weapon use and respondent firearm access/ownership) among DVPOs including minors. Many minors experienced threats and acts of violence involving weapons and firearms by DVPO respondents. Evidence-based safety planning strategies and training of judicial officers are needed.
Topics: Child; Humans; Cross-Sectional Studies; Domestic Violence; Firearms; Ownership; Records
PubMed: 38298059
DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062293 -
Exposure to Domestic Violence and Abuse: Evidence of Distinct Physical and Psychological Dimensions.Journal of Interpersonal Violence Aug 2020Recent literature on exposure to domestic violence (DV) highlights the need for increased understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). The current...
Recent literature on exposure to domestic violence (DV) highlights the need for increased understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and abuse (DVA). The current aims were to explore whether two separate dimensions, physical and psychological DVA, were evident in adult children's reports of their exposure to DVA in their family of origin, and whether these dimensions affected psychological well-being and perceived satisfaction with emotional support (hereafter referred to as ). Young adults ( = 465, aged 17-25, 70% female) reported their experiences of DVA as perpetrated by their parents/caregivers, as well as psychological well-being and social support satisfaction, in an online survey. Using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), we verified the presence of a two-factor model (physical and psychological DVA). Hierarchical linear regression analysis demonstrated the differing impact of these two factors: Specifically, although exposure to psychological DVA (domestic abuse [DA]) was related to reduced psychological well-being, there was no significant effect of exposure to physical DVA (DV). However, mediation analysis suggested the presence of a suppression effect; there was a magnification of the negative relationship between exposure to psychological DA and social support satisfaction when exposure to physical DV was accounted for. Although findings are preliminary, they provide strong evidence to support theoretical arguments regarding the need for future research to conceptualize exposure to DVA in terms of both physical and psychological dimensions. Our findings also highlight that to improve service response and provide effective interventions, it is essential to include exposure to psychological DA in risk assessments of such young adults.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Child Abuse; Domestic Violence; Exposure to Violence; Female; Humans; Male; Physical Abuse; Social Support; Young Adult
PubMed: 29294744
DOI: 10.1177/0886260517706763