This book is taking a broad health focused approach towards Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA). It is now well established that DVA exerts a significant and detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of those who experience abuse. Universally healthcare professionals encounter individuals and families where DVA is or has taken place. This book is beneficial to a range of health care professionals through an exploration of theories and classifications of DVA, consideration of DVA in different contexts and consideration of the core issues surrounding working with individuals and families where DVAhas been identified. It provides a much needed evidence based addition to the existing texts in this field in terms of the inclusion of real life scenarios, reflective exercises and pointers for further practice development. This book is a key point of reference for professionals working within a broad range of health care environments.

This Handbook provides a clear introduction to the theoretical debates surrounding the topic of domestic violence, and also offers practical advice on possible interventions. Focusing on improving the care of clients it covers: the causes and consequences of domestic violence personal and professional issues for the practitioner domestic violence and the law the process of effective intervention interventions in specific health care settings interventions where children are involved multi-agency approaches education and training. Taking an evidence-based approach to practical problems, Domestic Violence is an invaluable resource for nurses, doctors and other health practitioners who deal with the consequences of domestic violence in their daily work.

This edited book brings together the voices and insights of survivors, practitioners, educators and researchers working to prevent and minimise the harms of gender-based violence, with a specific focus on equipping health professionals and social workers to support victim-survivors. Practitioners can, and often do, play a critical role supporting victim-survivors of gender-based violence; however, this work has historically been carried out by those in specialist roles and there remains gaps and inconsistencies in education and training for qualifying and post-qualified professionals. This book makes a valuable contribution to addressing these gaps. It provides practitioners with a comprehensive resource on contemporary debates and research in the field of gender-based violence. To support readers’ learning, each chapter contains reflective exercises and draws clear links between research, theory and practice. The book is structured into four sections. The first section considers the ‘rise’ of gender-based violence in policy and practice, and questions to what extent this once marginalised perspective has become embedded in health and social work training and education. The second section of the book explores some of the expressions, contexts and implications of gender-based violence. Each chapter considers the role of health care professionals and social workers and invites the reader to reflect on their (potential) role in these areas. The third section of the collection focuses on one of the most common forms of gender-based violence that health and social work professionals are likely to encounter: physical, psychological, sexual and financial violence by an intimate partner, who may also be a parent. Finally, the fourth section showcases innovative responses to supporting victim-survivors and challenging systems that contribute to gender inequality. The intention of this book is to equip health care professionals and social workers with critical, practical and ethical resources to help them work with victim-survivors and, where possible, engage in transformative efforts to end the harms of gendered inequalities and violence.

Taking a multi-agency approach to domestic violence, this book looks at a range of issues that impact on those working in the healthcare field - from the starting point of identifying abuse when it's occurring, through to seeing a (hopefully) positive outcome for the individuals involved.

This fully revised second edition provides a comprehensive summary of our understanding of violence in the context of healthcare, covering both hospital and community settings, management, design, legal and social issues. This edition reflects the developments in understanding that have taken place since the first edition was published in 1994. All chapters have been comprehensively revised and there are new chapters on the care of victims, domestic violence and limiting violence through good design.

Of all women battered by their partners in the United States, only a small percentage are correctly diagnosed as victims of abuse. The medical community has a unique opportunity to intervene, but many health care professionals need more training to recognize the abuse, tools to intervene and information on where to refer victims for additional assistance. This study alerts such professionals to signs of abuse and helps prepare them to deal sensitively and appropriately with the needs of victims. The author provides vital information on the impact that examination and documentation may have upon subsequent prosecution of the batterer, while sample questions and forms assist examiners to record the most accurate information possible. Sherri L

Despite the prevalence of battered women in the medical setting, many physicians fail to correctly identify and refer abused patients. The introductory chapter of this book discusses definitions of domestic violence, issues of power and control, the prevalence of the problem, the effect of domestic violence on the medical system, and reasons why physicians fail to identify abuse. The profile of domestic violence victims is discussed in terms of gender, ethnic and socioeconomic status, age, marital status, personality traits, sexual orientation, pregnancy, disabilities, immigration status, use of alcohol and drugs, family history, relationship variables, and abuse of children. Issues pertaining to abusers discussed here include substance abuse, critical risk factors, dominance of men over women, and secrecy and denial. Recognition of domestic violence can be improved through patient history and demeanor, companion's behavior, direct questioning, routine screening, and physical examination. When abuse is detected, the physician has many avenues for action: referrals to services and shelters, documentation, treatment, counseling, legal services, and follow-up care. Specific legal issues may include mandatory reporting, duty to warn, liability for reporting, and legal options for the patient. The book discusses how the medical community can prepare itself for an optimal response to domestic violence.