Identifying signs of intimate partner violence

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a major public health and social problem that affects people in every community, culture and country. Nurses can play a very important role in identifying victims who present to healthcare settings domestic abuse-related health issues. Evidence suggests that the majority of women who present to emergency departments have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their life, however, only 5% are identified by healthcare professionals. To be able to effectively identify and respond to victims, emergency nurses need to understand domestic abuse and its associated complexities. This article provides an overview of the issue, including the different types of abuse, prevalence, causes and effects on health. It also explores emergency nurses' roles in identifying and managing various situations they may encounter at work.Keywords: Domestic violence and abuse, DVA, intimate partner violence, IPV, Domestic violence in ED

Intimate partner violence among speaking immigrant adult Portuguese women in Canada

“…We can also recommend education services and resources directed to IPV professionals, the need for an effective screening tool, and having mandatory IPV screening in the health services (2,28) . Emergency nurses may be able to identify and respond to victims of IPV (1) . Finally, 'efforts to help women who have experienced IPV must go beyond caring for individual patients and aim to change the cultural, political and social contexts that produce and maintain IPV' (30) .…”

“…Women comprise more than 70% of the victims of IPV (5) and most women have experienced violence. Evidence suggests that most women who present to emergency departments have experienced domestic abuse at some point in their lives, but that only 5% are identified by healthcare professionals (1) . Women who are victims of IPV report more physical complaints and symptoms, particularly about cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and genitourinary systems than women with no history of IPV, and their health problems may persist after the abuse has ended (6) .…”

“…Women who are victims of IPV report more physical complaints and symptoms, particularly about cardiovascular, nervous, digestive and genitourinary systems than women with no history of IPV, and their health problems may persist after the abuse has ended (6) . Health consequences of IPV may include anxiety, anger, helplessness, hopelessness, low self-esteem, depression, excessive use of drugs or alcohol, gastrointestinal disorders, genitourinary tract, musculoskeletal disorders, permanent physical disorders or disabilities, chronic diseases (e.g., hypertension, chronic pain), and even premature death (1,4,(6)(7)(8) . In Canada, it was estimated that $6.9 billion (CAD) is spent annually to support survivors of IPV aged 19 to 65 (9) .…”

“…In this context, nurses (the professionals mostly involved with the care) may use this knowledge to better assist their patients, organize their services and educate other professionals and students around how to handle this topic. Nurses have an important role in identifying IPV when victims search for care in health care settings (1) . It is important to also understand in-depth the women's experiences of responses to IPV.…”

“…Intimate partner violence (IPV) has been identified as an important public social and health problem that affects people everywhere (1)(2) . According to Thomas et al, 1.5 to 5.3 million women of women per year report being physically and/or sexually victimized by their male partners at some time in their life (2) .…”