Intimate partner violence

Question 1

Define intimate partner violence (1)

Answer 1

A behaviour by a current or former intimate partner that causes physical, sexual or emotional harm (0.5). It predominantly aims to control the victim. (0.5)

Question 2

Give 2 examples for Sexual abuse

Answer 2

• Unwanted touching
• rape

Question 3

Give 2 examples for Physical abuse

Answer 3

• Slapping
• choking
• kicking

Question 4

Give 2 examples for Emotional abuse

Answer 4

• treating an adult like a child
• harassment
• isolating an adult from family, friends or regular activity

Question 5

Briefly describe the cycle of abuse(4x0.5)

Answer 5

• Honeymoon phase: There is a period of calmness, the couple is getting to know each other, and the abuser starts isolating the victim from family and friends and manipulates them.
• Tension building phase: The abusive partner appears on edge and tense, making the victim feel like they are walking on eggshells. The victim will try to adjust their behaviour and attempt to appease the abuser to avoid upsetting them.
• Explosion phase: this is where the actual abuse occurs.
• Break phase: couple considers separating or taking a break until the abuser comes back with repeated apologies, flowers and gifts which eventually leads back to the honeymoon phase.

Question 6

Give 4 examples of mental health symptoms as a result of IPV

Answer 6

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Substance Use disorder
• Suicidal Ideation
• PTSD

Question 7

Give 2 examples of maternal related impacts of IPV.

Answer 7

• Unwanted pregnancies
• Miscarriages
• HIV
• STIs

Question 8

List two ways the perpetrator controls the victim in IPV?

Answer 8

• Isolates the victim socially/financially
• makes the victim afraid of them
• blames the victim for the abuse

Question 9

List two causes of poor health-seeking behaviour in a victim of IPV

Answer 9

• The perpetrator does not let the victim
• The victim may be afraid the family will find out if they are hospitalized

Question 10

Why shouldn’t doctors report abuse against an adult who is not mentally disabled? and what’s their responsibility in case their patient decides to take legal action? (2x0.5)

Answer 10

• because it can pose to be potentially dangerous to a victim including themselves disempowering to the victim.
• It’s a doctor’s responsibility to provide court with clinical notes as evidence when the victim decides to open a case.

Question 11

List the questions you will ask a patient when you do a danger assessment. (10x0.5)

Answer 11

• Does the woman fear for her life or safety?
• Is she being threatened with serious harm?
• Are there children involved in the abuse?
• Is the abuse escalating?
• Is a weapon involved? (Note: this need not be a weapon in the traditional sense; it could be any object that is being used to harm the woman or child)
• Does the partner abuse substances?
• Has there been strangulation?
• Is the perpetrator stalking the victim?
• Does the perpetrator display excessive jealousy?
• Is there coercive control?

Question 12

Explain the 6 “R’s” framework use in an approach of IPV. (6x0.5)

Answer 12

1.Realise- realise that abuse is happening
2. Recognise-recognise what a victim says in supportive and non-judgmental way
3. Relevant-do relevant clinical assessment and document all the medical findings which will be helpful in a case of legal action
4. Risk assessment/danger assessment - assess if is there a high risk of femicide?
5. cRis plan-come with comprehensive plan to help a victim
6. Refer - refer the victim to NGO, social worker