Ethics, Domestic Violence & Governance

Question 1

Describe the ages of consent in Scotland regarding sexual intercourse.

Answer 1

• <13: cannot consent; must report to Social Services
• 13-15: cannot legally consent, although consensual touching / kissing etc. considered normal part of growing up
• > 16: considered competent in all sexual decisions
• 16-18 w/ mental disorder: requires advocate

Question 2

What are the Fraser guidelines used for?

Answer 2

Providing contraception to <16yr olds without parental consent.

Question 3

Describe the Fraser guidelines.

Answer 3

1. sufficient maturity and intelligence to understand the nature and consequences of Mx
2. cannot be persuaded to tell parents, or allow doctor to do so
3. likely to begin/continue intercourse with or without protection/contraception
4. physical/mental health likely to suffer w/out Mx
5. Mx is in patient’s best interest

Question 4

When may it be acceptable to perform otherwise illegal examinations (e.g., rectal/vaginal exam of a child)?

Answer 4

• there is a legitimate reason to do so

- consent is received from a responsible person, unless it is an emergency

Question 5

Define ‘domestic violence / abuse’.

Answer 5

any incident, or pattern of incidents, of controlling, coercive, or threatening behaviour, violence, or abuse between those age >16 who have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.
- this encompasses, but is not limited to, psychological, physical, sexual, financial, emotional abuse

Question 6

Describe the epidemiology of domestic abuse.

Answer 6

• 1/4 women experience domestic violence over their lifetimes.
• In 90% of cases, children were in the same or adjacent room. In 50% of cases, children were also abused.
• 1/3 of domestic violence starts, or gets worse, with pregnancy.

Question 7

Define coercive control.

Answer 7

acts of / pattern of assault, threats, humiliation, intimidation used to harm, punish, or frighten the victim

Question 8

Define gender based violence (GBV).

Answer 8

primarily against women by men. this includes domestic abuse, rape / sexual assault, stalking / harassment, commercial exploitation, and ‘honour-based’ violence

Question 9

Describe potential features of physical, emotional, behavioural, and controlling abuse.

Answer 9

• physical: black eyes, bruises, busted lips, red / purple neck marks, sprained wrists
• emotional: agitation, anxiety, apprehension, meek / apologetic, low self-esteem, depressed
• behavioural: distant, isolated, excess privacy, signs of fear, describes perpetrator as ‘worse when drinking’ etc.
• controlling: asks permission, constant calls/texts, tracking, no money/vehicle, describes as ‘possessive’

Question 10

Describe the 5R’s model of managing domestic abuse.

Answer 10

• recognise: ‘are you alone?’ ‘can I ask you about your relationship with x?’
• respond: ‘i believe you’ ‘this is not your fault’
• risk assess: form a plan, dial 999 if in immediate danger
• refer: safeguarding team, local services
• record: ensure this is hidden from perpetrators