Intimate Partner Violence

Question 1

Abuse can be:

Answer 1

Physical/Sexual
Mental
Emotional
Verbal

Question 2

Signs of abuse?

Answer 2

IPV has negative effects on mom and baby
Almost 1/3 of pregnant women have been verbally, sexually or mentally abused during their pregnancy.

Signs of abuse:
Delay in seeking care
Missed appointments
Social isolation
Lack of eye contact
Substance abuse
Partner does not want to leave woman alone
Vague explanations of injuries/Vague somatic complaints

Question 3

Screening + assessment + intervention =

Answer 3

improved outcomes

Question 4

Assessment of IPV?

Answer 4

Regular screening of ALL women for history/risk of IPV
Most important – validate that they have been heard…….
Establish safety (at the moment and future)
Observe for injuries – old/new

Associated health conditions warranting further assessment:
HA
GI problems
Chronic pain
Arthritis

Question 5

Education for IPV?

Answer 5

Abuse is a violation of rights
Facilitation of access to protective and legal services is first step

Support and community resources.

STIs
Pelvic pain
Substance abuse
Depression
PTSD
Suicide

Teens and adult women may stay because they feel trapped or that they interpret the behavior as love and commitment

Question 6

Special populations at risk? Teens

Answer 6

Inexperience
Jealousy
Trapped
Is it really love?

Question 7

Special populations at risk? Women with disabilities

Answer 7

Feel dependence on partner
No Financial dependence

Question 8

Special populations at risk? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, or Queer Persons

Answer 8

Equal to or greater than the general population
Control – such as pressuring of sharing their identity with friends & family
Withholding access to hormones
Isolate them from LGBTQ communities
Telling them that no one will help them because of their sexual identity.

Question 9

Human Trafficking?

Answer 9

Is a crime involving the exploitation of someone for the purpose of compelled labor or a commercial sex act through the use of force, fraud or coercion.

As a nurse you may have the opportunity to identify survivors of human sex trafficking, or IPV, intervene to help them obtain necessary health services, and provide information about ways to escape from their situation.
Be knowledgeable of reporting requirements and available community services for women who are victims of IPV or Human trafficking.