Domestic Violence

Question 1

Define domestic violence

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 intimate partners of family members regardless of gender or sexuality

Question 2

What does domestic abuse encompass?

Answer 2

Psychological
Physical
Sexual 
Financial
Emotional

Question 3

What is the most common form of domestic abuse?

Answer 3

Non-sexual partner abuse

Question 4

What are the major risk factors of domestic violence and abuse?

Answer 4

Gender = biggest and most consistent RF
Younger Age
Relative poverty
Separation

Question 5

What are some physical presentations of domestic violence and abuse?

Answer 5

• chronic pain
• infectious illnesses
• STIs
• cardiovascular risk
• dizziness
• neurological symptoms
• GI disorders
• vaginal discharge
• gynaecological disorders (recurrent UTIs, chronic pelvic pain, vaginal bleeding and infection)
• memory loss

Question 6

What are some reproductive presentations?

Answer 6

• chronic pelvic pain
• STIs
• low infant birth weight
• miscarriages
• sexual dysfunction
• vaginal bleeding
• delayed prenatal care

Question 7

What are some psychosocial presentations?

Answer 7

• anxiety
• depression
• eating disorders
• panic disorders
• self harm
• sleep disorders
• PTSD
• suicide attempts

Question 8

What are some situational presentations?

Answer 8

• frequent healthcare service use
• partner intrusive
• social isolation
• recent separation/divorce
• high dose medication use/frequent use
• delays in seeking treatment
• not following through treatments/appointments

Question 9

What are some mental health problems?

Answer 9

• depression
• PTSD
• alcohol abuse
• suicidal thoughts

Question 10

How should clinicians respond to DVA?

Answer 10

• IRIS (identification and referral to improve safety) model
• training and support -> referral pathways -> health education material -> clinical enquiry (confidential, private)
• when women is alone not when 3rd parties
• keep confidential, only share when necessary
• non judgemental support
• believe the woman
• assess patient safety

Question 11

What is the prevalence of domestic violence?

Answer 11

• depends on definition of violence/measurement tool/sample type/geography
• lifetime of physical violence of men against women = 1/3
• physical violence in past year = 1/10