Caring for women subjected to violence: A WHO training curriculum for health care providers. Revised edition, 2021.

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of taking a clinical/medical history in cases of sexual assault?

Answer 1

To guide the examination, determine the care needed, and decide on the collection of forensic evidence.

Question 2

What should be communicated to the woman before taking her history?

Answer 2

Any obligation to report to the police and the limits of confidentiality.

Question 3

What are the key steps in history-taking and examination for survivors of sexual assault?

Answer 3

Taking the history of the assault, assessing the emotional state, and obtaining consent for each step of the examination.

Question 4

What is the primary purpose of the examination in cases of sexual assault?

Answer 4

To provide clinical care and psychological support, and to know when to collect forensic evidence.

Question 5

What are the four conditions that must be met to collect forensic evidence?

Answer 5

1. The woman wants to go to the police or it is mandatory.
2. The assault occurred within seven days.
3. The provider is trained in forensic examination.
4. A forensic science lab is available.

Question 6

What is the LIVES framework in providing first-line support to survivors of violence?

Answer 6

LIVES stands for Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety, and Support.

Question 7

What are the key elements of first-line support for survivors of violence?

Answer 7

Listening, inquiring about needs and concerns, validating the survivor’s experiences, enhancing safety, and providing support and referrals.

Question 8

What should be done before collecting forensic evidence?

Answer 8

Obtain separate consent for history-taking, examination, forensic evidence collection, and reporting/sharing evidence.

Question 9

What is the importance of documenting intimate partner violence and sexual violence?

Answer 9

Proper documentation is crucial for providing quality care, legal proceedings, and monitoring program quality.

Question 10

What are the guiding principles for providing woman-centred care?

Answer 10

Respect for human rights, promotion of gender equality, privacy, safety, and confidentiality.

Question 11

What should be avoided during the forensic examination of a sexual assault survivor?

Answer 11

The “two-finger test” or digital vaginal exam, as it has no scientific validity and is a human rights violation.

Question 12

What are the key components of the WHO clinical handbook for responding to intimate partner violence and sexual violence against women?

Answer 12

Identifying women subjected to violence, providing first-line support, clinical care for sexual assault/abuse, mental health care, and considerations for family planning and HIV.

Question 13

What is the role of health-care providers in the forensic examination of survivors of sexual assault?

Answer 13

To provide clinical care and psychological support, collect forensic evidence when necessary, and ensure proper documentation and storage of evidence.

Question 14

What are the steps involved in the problem-solving approach for offering basic psychosocial support?

Answer 14

Identifying the problem, describing the context, brainstorming solutions, prioritizing solutions, and making an action plan.

Question 15

What should be done if a survivor of sexual assault does not want to go to the police?

Answer 15

Respect her decision, provide necessary medical care and psychological support, and ensure confidentiality.

Question 16

What are the key principles of woman-centred care in responding to violence against women?

Answer 16

Respect for human rights, promotion of gender equality, privacy, safety, and confidentiality.

Question 17

What is the importance of explaining the limits of confidentiality to a survivor of violence?

Answer 17

To ensure that the survivor understands the circumstances under which information may need to be shared with authorities.

Question 18

What should be included in the documentation of a survivor’s history?

Answer 18

A structured form documenting the history of the assault, the survivor’s emotional state, and any forensic evidence collected.

Question 19

What is the significance of the RESPECT framework in preventing violence against women?

Answer 19

It outlines strategies for prevention, including:
relationship skills, empowerment of women, ensuring services, reducing poverty, creating enabling environments, preventing child and adolescent abuse, and transforming attitudes and norms.

Question 20

What is the significance of the RESPECT framework in preventing violence against women?

Answer 20

It outlines strategies for prevention, including relationship skills, empowerment of women, ensuring services, reducing poverty, creating enabling environments, preventing child and adolescent abuse, and transforming attitudes and norms.

Question 21

What are the key elements of the WHO training curriculum for health care providers responding to violence against women?

Answer 21

Understanding violence as a public health problem, guiding principles for care, provider-survivor communication skills, first-line support using LIVES, clinical care for sexual assault/rape, documenting violence, and care for mental health and self-care for providers.

Question 22

What are the minimum standards that need to be met before asking about violence in a clinical setting?

Answer 22

Protocols, training, privacy, confidentiality, and a referral system must be in place.

Question 23

What is the role of a certified counselor in the forensic examination of survivors of sexual assault?

Answer 23

To provide clinical care and psychological support, collect forensic evidence when necessary, and ensure proper documentation and storage of evidence.

Question 24

What are the key principles of woman-centred care in responding to violence against women?

Answer 24

Respect for human rights, promotion of gender equality, privacy, safety, and confidentiality.

Question 25

What is the importance of documenting intimate partner violence and sexual violence in a clinical setting?

Answer 25

Proper documentation is crucial for providing quality care, legal proceedings, and monitoring program quality.

Question 26

What is the importance of the LIVES framework in providing first-line support to survivors of violence?

Answer 26

LIVES stands for Listen, Inquire, Validate, Enhance safety, and Support, which are essential steps in providing empathetic and effective care to survivors.

Question 27

What are the key components of first-line support for survivors of violence?

Answer 27

Listening, inquiring about needs and concerns, validating the survivor’s experiences, enhancing safety, and providing support and referrals.

Question 28

What are the steps involved in the problem-solving approach for offering basic psychosocial support?

Answer 28

Identifying the problem, describing the context, brainstorming solutions, prioritizing solutions, and making an action plan.

Question 29

What should be done if a survivor of sexual assault does not want to go to the police?

Answer 29

Respect her decision, provide necessary medical care and psychological support, and ensure confidentiality.

Question 30

What are the key elements of the WHO training curriculum for health care providers responding to violence against women?

Answer 30

Understanding violence as a public health problem, guiding principles for care, provider-survivor communication skills, first-line support using LIVES, clinical care for sexual assault/rape, documenting violence, and care for mental health and self-care for providers.