Domestic Abuse

Question 1

What is domestic abuse?

Answer 1

Any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling, coercive, threatening behaviour, violence or abuse between those aged 16 or over who are, or have been, intimidate partners or family regardless of gender or sexuality

Question 2

How does domestic abuse impact on health?

Answer 2

[1] traumatic injuries following assault [2] somatic problems or chronic illness consequent on living with abuse [3] psychological or psychosocial problems secondary to the abuse

Question 3

What are some examples of traumatic injuries following assault?

Answer 3

Fractures, miscarriage, facial injuries, puncture wounds, bruises and haemorrhage

Question 4

What are some examples of somatic problems or chronic illness consequent on living with abuse?

Answer 4

Headaches, GI disorders, chronic pain, low birth weight, premature delivery

Question 5

What are some examples of psychological or psychosocial problems secondary to the abuse?

Answer 5

PTSD, attempted suicide, substance misuse, depression, anxiety, eating disorders

Question 6

What is the best indicator in the history of domestic abuse?

Answer 6

‘Reported as unwitnessed by anyone else’, repeat attendance, delay in seeking help, multiple minor injuries not requiring treatment

Question 7

Is there a link between child abuse and domestic abuse in later life?

Answer 7

Yes

Question 8

How does child abuse affect health in later life?

Answer 8

Affects psychological and physical health. Long-term effects on self esteem, education, relationships and stress responses

Question 9

What abuse are children witnessing domestic abuse suffering from?

Answer 9

Even if there is not physical abuse on the child they are still suffering from emotional abuse

Question 10

If you suspect abuse should you change how you write the notes?

Answer 10

Make sure you make a note of EVERYTHING, it can be used in the future as evidence

Question 11

What is a doctors role in responding to domestic abuse?

Answer 11

Display (posters and numbers people can call); Safety (patient and potential children); Ask direct questions (non-judgmental and reassuring); acknowledge that that behaviour is not okay; give information

Question 12

What should you NOT do when responding to domestic abuse?

Answer 12

Assume someone else will take care of things; ask about domestic abuse in front of family members; tell them what to do, aim to empower them to make safe and informed choices

Question 13

When would you give domestic abuse risk levels?

Answer 13

When domestic abuse is definitely happening and you’re assessing the risk of serious harm

Question 14

What is standard risk domestic abuse?

Answer 14

Current evidence does NOT indicate likelihood of causing serious harm

Question 15

What is medium risk domestic abuse?

Answer 15

There are identifiable indicators of risk of serious harms. The offender has the potential to cause serious harm but unlikely unless a change in circumstance

Question 16

What is high risk domestic abuse?

Answer 16

There are identifiable indicators of imminent risk of serious harm. It is dynamic and could happen at any time and the impact would be serious

Question 17

What tool can you use to assess domestic abuse risk?

Answer 17

DASH tool

Question 18

What are some victim factors that increase the risk of serious domestic abuse?

Answer 18

Pregnancy/new baby; children/step-children; isolated

Question 19

What are some perpetrator factors that increase the risk of serious domestic abuse?

Answer 19

Violence towards others criminal history; drugs/alcohol/mental health; animal abuse; weapons; accomplices; controlling/jealous; perpetrator suicidal

Question 20

What are some factors between the victim and the perpetrator that increase the risk of serious domestic abuse?

Answer 20

Child contact conflict; separation; stalking; death threats; sexual abuse; escalation in frequency or severity; financial issues; strangling/choking/drowning

Question 21

What does MARAC stand for?

Answer 21

Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference

Question 22

What does a MARAC do?

Answer 22

In a single meeting, links up to date information about victims’ needs and risks directly to the provision of appropriate services and responses for all those involved (victim, children, perpetrators)

Question 23

What does IDVA stand for?

Answer 23

Independent Domestic Violence Advisors

Question 24

Who does IDVA primarily help?

Answer 24

It works primarily with women who are at the highest levels of risk from domestic abuse in the city, and helps them to increase their safety

Question 25

What does IDVA provide to increase safety of high risk women?

Answer 25

Advocacy and advise around domestic abuse, safety planning, support through court proceedings, signposting to specialist services: housing, legal services, refuge provision and home safety services

Question 26

What is a domestic homicide review?

Answer 26

A review of the circumstances in which the death of a person aged 16 or over has, or appears to have, resulted from violence, abuse or neglect by: (a) a person to whom they were related to or had been in an intimate relationship with or (b) a member of the same household as them

Question 27

What aspects can make up the power and control in domestic abuse?

Answer 27

Using isolation; minimising, denying and blaming; using children; using male privilege; using economic abuse; using coercion and threats; using intimidation; using emotional abuse