Domestic Abuse Flashcards
Define domestic abuse
Incident (one off, or regular) of abuse within a household, family, partnership by past or current partners >16yo
Give types of domestic abuse
Physical, sexual, psychological, financial, emotional
What behaviour does an abuser give
Controlling, coercive, threatening or violent behaviour
What are the impacts of DA on health
Assault - physical harm (fracture, miscarriage, bruises, etc.)
Stress - allostatic load (chronic health problems and medically unexplained symptoms)
Psychological - PTSD, suicide, depression, etc.
What are red flags for DA?
Areas that can be hidden well e.g. chest and abdomen
‘Unwitnessed’
Repeat attendance or delay in seeking health
Nigh/weekend when the partner is not working
What is important to ask if ?DA
Are there any children involved
Can confidentiality be broken in DA cases?
Must be broken but only for those that need to know:
- Notify Police if high risk of serious harm or murder
- Any concerns of child safeguarding - MUST break confidentiality
What are the affects of DA on children?
Affects physical and psychological wellbeing
Long term: self-esteem, education, relationships and stress responses
Link between DA and sexual abuses
What support can be offered?
Counselling
What are the 3 risk levels for DA?
Standard - serious harm unlikely/ not indicated
Medium - indicators of risk of serious harm. Potential to happen but not under current circumstances
High - indicators of imminent risk of serious harm or murder.
What is a doctors role?
Posters in practice
Enquire when suspicious - ensure all other family members are not in the room (even children as they are very good at reciting the conversation to the perpetrators)
Focus on safety - children and patients
Do not be judgemental
Ask direct questions
Be clear that DA behaviour is not acceptable and should not be tolerated
Give information (Helpline)
Escalate to appropriate processes and agencies
- Standard/medium risk => helpline or DA services
- High risk => MARAC or IDVA
What is MARAC?
- Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference
MDT meeting in all local councils. Police, social, IDVA, etc meet to discus cases/ patients
What is IDVA?
Individual Domestic Violence Advocate
- Attend MARAC on victims behalf and present all factors which matter to victim and are required.
- Focus on housing, legal services, etc.
What is DHR
Domestic Homicide Review
- review of all deaths which may be due to domestic violence.
- Present points to learn from.
