Health Professionals’ Responses to Women’s Disclosure of Domestic Violence

Abstract

This study explored women’s experiences of their responses from health professionals following disclosure of domestic violence within a health setting. The existence of health-based policies guiding professionals in the provision of appropriate support following disclosure of domestic violence is only effective if health professionals understand the dynamics of violent relationships. This article focuses on the findings from the interviews conducted with 15 women living in the United Kingdom who disclosed their experiences of domestic violence when accessing health care. Following thematic analysis, themes emerged that rotated around their disclosure and the responses they received from health professionals. The first two themes revealed the repudiation of, or recognition of and failure to act upon, domestic violence. A description of how the health professional’s behavior became analogous with that of the perpetrator is discussed. The final theme illuminated women’s receipt of appropriate and sensitive support, leading to a positive trajectory away from a violent relationship. The findings suggest that the implicit understanding of the dynamics of violent relationships and the behaviors of the perpetrator of domestic violence are essential components of health care provision to avoid inadvertent inappropriate interactions with women.

‘We don’t see because we don’t ask’: Qualitative exploration of service users’ and health professionals’ views regarding a psychosocial intervention targeting pregnant women experiencing domestic and family violence

“…However, appropriate and regular training will help HCPs to develop communication skills that will help them to empower women to disclose their experiences of DFV openly and take appropriate actions to provide support and manage the consequences of DFV [8,30]. Training of HCPs should include issues such as understanding dynamics of a violent relationship and socio-cultural drivers of DFV, validating women's experiences, screening and dealing with barriers faced during screening, maintaining information regarding community resources and assisting victims with appropriate referrals [42,43].…”

Domestic Violence Interventions in Social and Health Care Settings: Challenges of Temporary Projects and Short-Term Solutions

“…International research on the topic has also shown that perceptions of, and attitudes toward, DV often hinder interventions in violence (Friedman & Loue, 2007;Keeling & Fisher, 2015;Pratt-Eriksson et al, 2014;Ramsay et al, 2012).…”

Trends in Hospital Admissions for Intimate Partner Violence in Australian Mothers With Children Born From 1990 to 2009

“…Meuleners et al (2008) determined that women of child bearing age were more likely to be hospitalised for assault than women of non-child bearing age. Despite a greater use of health services women are reluctant to disclose they are victims of IPV to health professionals, for a multitude of reasons such as stigma, fear, and the lack of a safe place to disclose (Garcia-Moreno, Jansen, Ellsberg, Heise, & Watts, 2005;Keeling & Fisher, 2015).…”