Domestic violence makes you sick!

Almost a quarter of all women experience violence in their lives that affects their health: they are raped, abused or sexually abused. For the most part, these violent attacks take place in the “social vicinity”.

Domestic violence is one of the most significant health hazards for women in Germany – nationwide. And 95% of women are the victims of domestic violence, whether it be subtle forms of violence through behaviour that ignores the needs and sensitivities of the victim/victim or humiliation, insults and intimidation, psychological, physical and sexual mistreatment to the point of rape and killing.

Although acts of violence also occur in same-sex relationships, they are just as small in numbers as violence by women against men in a relationship.

Hopeless situation?

Victims of domestic violence often feel that their situation is hopeless:

• Instead of security, they experience violence because the perpetrator is or was a loved one.
• Threats, isolation and control from the violent partner unsettle and shake self-esteem.
• Children are almost always affected; therefore, all subsequent decisions are often accompanied by the concern of “taking a parent away” from the children if one decides to separate.
• Financial dependencies between victims and perpetrators and a lack of economic prospects make the step towards separation difficult.

 

Contact point doctor

Women who experience domestic violence often remain silent about what they have experienced and, for several reasons, are seldom willing to report it to the police or go to a counselling centre. However, they treat their injuries using emergency departments, gynaecological, and general medical practices. Doctors are, therefore, often the only and usually the first point of contact for women who have suffered violence. But hardly any doctor has learned in training or further education what he should consider with a patient in whom he suspects the use of violence behind the symptoms.

perceive violence

Doctors are challenged in two respects: They must perceive the injuries and symptoms of their patients from the point of view of “domestic violence”, allow the possibility of experiencing violence at all and be aware of it. This is particularly important because long-term consequences of violent attacks can often manifest themselves in chronic, psychological and psychosomatic complaints. Anxiety, long-lasting sleep disorders, eating disorders, the risk of addiction, and persistent gynaecological complaints can also be the result of violence against women, as can bruises, knocked-out teeth, broken bones or injuries in the genital area.

 

Treat health consequences

In addition, doctors must be able to treat and document the injuries and consequential health damage appropriately so that this documentation can be used as evidence. The treating doctor must be able to talk to the abused woman sensitively and be able to point out solutions or other ways.

Find the right speech.

Rarely do women bring up the violence that has been done to them. Studies show, however, that they find it a relief to be spoken to by a doctor. Subtle hints, such as the display of relevant information material in the waiting room, can indicate to the traumatized patient that their doctor knows about the problem of domestic violence. For some time now, there have been attempts in Germany to raise awareness of the issue of “domestic violence” among medical professionals. For example, with the “Signal” intervention project in the first-aid station of the Benjamin Franklin University Hospital in Berlin, an approach to improve the preparation of physicians was scientifically supported. It was found that 63.9 per cent of the women surveyed think that any anamnesis should generally ask about the violence they have experienced. Only 4.6 per cent of the women concerned found this question unnecessary. A quiet environment should be chosen for the conversation, with no interruptions. In no case should the honesty of the patient be questioned or an attempt made to trivialize the process.