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International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2023Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people are more likely to be exposed to domestic violence than the rest of the population. Using a descriptive...
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex (LGBTI) people are more likely to be exposed to domestic violence than the rest of the population. Using a descriptive qualitative methodology, 28 professionals from the educational sector, aged between 28 and 64 years old ( = 44.5), were interviewed to describe and understand their perspectives on the sector's ability to support, intervene and get involved with LGBTI people and, particularly, with victims or former victims of domestic violence. Through a thematic content analysis, three main themes emerged: (i) life trajectories of LGBTI people; (ii) domestic violence perpetrated against LGBTI people; and (iii) training of the educational sector to intervene with LGBTI people. The results show that Portuguese education professionals are not trained to recognize and intervene with LGBTI people and, in particular, with those who are victims of domestic violence, since they are unaware of the existence of protocols and/or guidelines for detecting and preventing risk situations among students. Furthermore, the curricular plan fails in the coverage of domestic violence and LGBTI-related topics, although the National Strategy for Citizenship Education has been implemented in Portugal since 2017. Findings suggest the need to invest in education professionals' training.
Topics: Female; Humans; Adult; Middle Aged; Portugal; Sexual and Gender Minorities; Bisexuality; Homosexuality, Female; Domestic Violence
PubMed: 37444044
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20136196 -
The Indian Journal of Medical Research Dec 2019The public health ramifications of marital violence are well documented and include injury, mental health concerns and physical health consequences for women and their... (Review)
Review
The public health ramifications of marital violence are well documented and include injury, mental health concerns and physical health consequences for women and their offspring. Unfortunately, there remains social tolerance and even acceptance of these abuses against women, and health systems in India have done little to support victims despite their greater health risks. However, there are promising efforts and important advancements in India that could be built on for more effective prevention and support for women. Men and boys should be engaged in gender transformative interventions with male role models to alter men's attitudes of acceptability of and justification for marital violence and consequently their actual abusive behaviours. Given the strong demonstrated connection between men's risky and problem alcohol use and marital violence, alcohol interventions may also be beneficial. We must support women and girls vulnerable to marital violence, a group disproportionately affected by violence in their natal families as well, so they know that violence need not be part of their marriage relationship, and have skills on how to engage and communicate with or even leave their male partners to reduce their risk for violence. Formal services should be expanded for those in immediate danger and particularly for rural areas, where prevalence of marital violence is highest and supports are weakest. Finally, given the pervasiveness of attitudes accepting husbands' marital violence against women, and the fact that these have remained largely unchanged in India for a decade, large scale community and social change efforts are needed.
Topics: Alcoholism; Cross-Sectional Studies; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; India; Intimate Partner Violence; Male; Marriage; Public Health; Sex Offenses; Sexual Partners; Spouse Abuse; Spouses
PubMed: 32048616
DOI: 10.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1427_19 -
Violence Against Women May 2022Domestic violence during the perinatal period (DVPP) refers to the various ways that women's partners or ex-partners control and coerce them during pregnancy and the 2...
Domestic violence during the perinatal period (DVPP) refers to the various ways that women's partners or ex-partners control and coerce them during pregnancy and the 2 years postpartum. From the descriptions of 17 women with firsthand experience of DVPP, this article reports on its manifestations and the associated contexts. The results reveal escalating violence, diverse forms of violence, and exacerbated consequences over the perinatal period. The contexts that pose additional challenges for the women include financial precariousness and the partner's substance abuse, and to a lesser extent the residential situation.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Male; Parturition; Postpartum Period; Pregnancy; Substance-Related Disorders
PubMed: 34130557
DOI: 10.1177/10778012211014564 -
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 Jun 2020In times of disaster, domestic violence rates tend to increase. This is a concern in the context of COVID-19, which is a more prolonged crisis than most of those studied.
In times of disaster, domestic violence rates tend to increase. This is a concern in the context of COVID-19, which is a more prolonged crisis than most of those studied.
Topics: COVID-19; Disasters; Domestic Violence; Epidemics; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32539247
DOI: 10.31128/AJGP-COVID-25 -
Health & Social Care in the Community May 2021Domestic violence victims are in frequent contact with the healthcare service yet rarely disclose. Therefore, it is critical to understand victims' experiences and... (Review)
Review
Domestic violence victims are in frequent contact with the healthcare service yet rarely disclose. Therefore, it is critical to understand victims' experiences and perceptions regarding disclosure in healthcare settings. The goal of this review is to provide an updated synthesis of qualitative research identifying barriers and facilitators, advice, and positive and negative outcomes of adult victims' disclosure of domestic violence to healthcare professionals (HCPs). A systematic search of PsychINFO, CINAHL and Web of Science was conducted in January 2018. Thirty-four eligible studies were identified, including 783 domestic violence victims (781 females). Formal quality assessment indicated variable study quality. Barriers of disclosure included negative HCPs attitudes, victims' perceptions of safety and concerns about the consequences of disclosing. Facilitators of disclosing included a positive relationship with the HCP, HCPs directly asking victims about abuse, and HCPs ensuring that the environment is safe and disclosure is confidential. Victims advised increased awareness of HCPs reactions to disclosure and avoiding mirroring their perpetrators minimization. HCPs were encouraged to engage in direct questioning and maintain a supportive and secure environment. Positive and negative outcomes of abuse were identified, such as being able to leave the abuser or, on the other hand, the victims' situation not changing. Our results indicate that barriers for disclosure of domestic violence in healthcare settings persist despite the widespread implementation of policies and guidelines to counter them. Based on these findings, we provide recommendations for clinical practice and future research to help improve disclosure in healthcare settings.
Topics: Adult; Attitude of Health Personnel; Disclosure; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Motivation; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 33440034
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13282 -
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 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jun 2023The double vulnerability of women with disabilities places them at the center of this research paper. Intersectionality is key in research on gender-based violence. This...
The double vulnerability of women with disabilities places them at the center of this research paper. Intersectionality is key in research on gender-based violence. This study analyzes the perspective of the victims and non-victims themselves on this issue, through a comparative analysis between women with and without disabilities, at two levels of analysis: quantitative, through the adaptation of various scales (Assessment Screen-Disability/AAS-D, and the Woman Abuse Screening Tool/WAST), and qualitative, with semi-structured interviews (open scripts and different themes), and focus groups with experts from the associative network. The results obtained indicate that the most frequent type of violence is physical, followed by psychological and sexual, mainly perpetrated by partners. The higher their level of education, the more they defend themselves; receiving public aid can be a risk factor for domestic and sexual violence, and belonging to the associative movement and having paid work outside the home act as preventive measures. In conclusion, it is necessary to establish strategic protection measures and effective detection and intervention systems to make victims visible and care for them.
Topics: Humans; Female; Spouse Abuse; Violence; Socioeconomic Factors; Sex Offenses; Disabled Persons; Domestic Violence
PubMed: 37372777
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126191 -
BMC Public Health Apr 2021To reduce the impact of domestic violence (DV), Mozambican governmental and non-governmental entities are making efforts to strengthen the legislative framework and to...
BACKGROUND
To reduce the impact of domestic violence (DV), Mozambican governmental and non-governmental entities are making efforts to strengthen the legislative framework and to improve the accessibility of care services for survivors of violence. Despite this remarkable commitment, the translation of policies and legislation into actions remains a considerable challenge. Therefore, this paper aims to identify gaps in the implementation of existing national policies and laws for DV in the services providing care for survivors of DV.
METHODS
This qualitative study comprised of two approaches. The first consisted of content analysis of guidelines and protocols for DV care provision. The second consisted of in-depth interviews with institutional gender focal points (Professionals with experience in dealing with aspects related to DV). The analysis of the document content was based on a framework developed according to key elements recommended by international agencies (PAHO and UN) for design of DV policies and strategies. Data from the in-depth interviews, where analysed in accordance with the study objectives.
RESULTS
Eleven (11) guidelines/protocols of care provision and innumerable brochures and pamphlets were identified and analysed. There is a standardised form which contains fields for police and the health sector staff to complete, but not for Civil Society Organisations. However, there is no specific national DV database. Although the seventeen (17) focal points interviewed recognised the relevance of the reviewed documents, many identified gaps in their implementation. This was related to the weaknesses of the offender's penalisation and to the scarcity of care providers who often lack appropriate training. The focal points also recognised their performance is negatively influenced by socio-cultural factors.
CONCLUSION
Within services providing care to survivors of DV, a scarcity of guidelines and protocols exist, compromising the quality and standardisation of care. The existence of guidelines and protocols was regarded as a strength, however its implementation is still problematic. There was also recognition for the need to strengthening by governmental and non-governmental entities the defined policies and strategies for DV prevention and control into practice.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Humans; Mozambique; Policy; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 33888119
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-021-10820-x -
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