Domestic Violence Against Women: A Global Pandemic

Physical and sexual violence against women is a global health problem that adversely affects women around the world every day. Even more troubling is that violence is most prevalent among partners that are intimate with one another and not strangers. Intimate partner violence is no respecter of persons. It adversely affects the young and old, mothers, single women, women with disabilities and high school and college-aged girls. Intimate partner violence can be physical, emotional and/or sexual. Intimate partner violence is also called domestic violence because the perpetrators are often the victim’s husbands, ex-husbands, boyfriends, or ex-boyfriends. While intimate partner violence is daunting as it affects 5 million women in America and 30% of women worldwide; have a very important role to play in helping reduce instances of abuse that demonstrate a priority in eliminating tolerance for violence better-offering support to women who have been victims of domestic violence (Svavarsdottir & Orlygsdottir, 2009; Brownridge, 2006; Bacchus, Mezey & Bewley, 2002).

Having lived with abuse for many years, women are plagued with low self-esteem, perpetual fear, psychological and emotional trauma, financial hardship, the loss of custody of children, sexually transmitted diseases and the end of connections with family and friends who might otherwise serve as a support group. What’s worse, in countries where women have fewer rights than men – particularly married women – it is not uncommon for women to endure severe violence at the hands of an intimate partner and for society to shrug its shoulders and look the other way. Cultural standards and practices seem to suggest that women need to be disciplined for undesirable behavior, and these beliefs justify the most heinous physical crimes against women (WHO, 2013).

A study performed among a sample of 7,027 Canadian women living in a marital or common-law union examined the likelihood of partner violence against women with disabilities compared to the violence against women who had no disabilities. Alarmingly, the study found that women with disabilities had a 40% higher likelihood of experiencing violence in the 5 years preceding the study. Moreover, disabled women were at a grave and very troubling risk for suffering severe violence at the hands of intimate partners. The study showed that perpetrator-related variables alone produced an elevated risk of partner violence against disabled women (Brownridge, 2006; WHO, 2013).

Currently, the World Health Organization is advocating that women who seek healthcare after experiencing violence be paid specific attention to, whether or not they disclose the nature of their injury or ill health. These women are very vulnerable to health problems over the short and long term so that WHO clinical and policy guidelines this past June have evolved to address the lack of knowledge and training that nurses and other health workers have to identify women who are at risk of partner violence and responding appropriately.

Moreover, health care clinics, STD and HIV testing facilities and other short term and emergency care settings provide critical connection points for women who are survivors of violence. To appropriately address and respond to issues, nurses must ask the right questions, follow standard operating procedures, utilize private and confidential consultations, and enlist a referral system that gives women access to needed resources. Failing to do so could thrust women back into a bad situation that might prove to be fatal, careful intervention can save the lives of these women and their children. That’s why a systemic and large scale public health response is thoroughly justified around the globe (Brownridge, 2006; WHO, 2013).

Survivors of sexual assault add a new dimension to potential services because they require the assistance of law enforcement, screening for diseases and mental health interventions. Moreover, women who have children will likely need services that help to keep children safe and help them to find stability without continuing to be vulnerable to the whims of the offending party. Research stresses the importance of using these guidelines to address violence in the medical and nursing curricula for upcoming healthcare professionals as well as addressing domestic violence during in-service training. The World Health Organization will also partner with countries around the world, starting with Southeast Asia, to ensure that their health organizations implement the recommendations in partnership with local and regional ministers of health, non-governmental organizations and organizations affiliated with the United Nations (Brownridge, 2006; WHO, 2013).

In summation, it is the obligation of government, health officials and every member of society to work to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and punish those perpetrators who abuse their power and authority over their victims and whose actions not only destroy families, but also cost the local and state government a lot of resources that might be expended elsewhere. Health officials have a responsibility to use due diligence to fulfill their responsibilities to maintain the health of individuals who suffer from these human rights abuses. Domestic violence is a global pandemic that has been shown to have adverse health effects on its victims. Women of all races, education levels, and ages are in danger of victimization. Research shows that a large scale, global response is justified to address the vulnerabilities of victims and to intervene in the healthcare setting. Finally, because continued gender-based violence is indicative of a systemic failure of governments and societies to recognize the human rights of women, it is rooted that the global culture of legitimizing violence, prostitution, rape, and abuse be ended (WHO, 2013; Brownridge, 2006; Bacchus, Mezey & Bewley, 2002).

References

Bacchus L., Mezey G. & Bewley S. (2002). Women’s perceptions and experiences of routine enquiry for domestic violence in a maternity service. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 109, 9–16.

Brownridge, D. A. (2006). Partner Violence Against Women With Disabilities: Prevalence, Risk, And Explanations. Violence Against Women, 12(9), 805-822.

Svavarsdottir E.K. and Orlygsdottir, B. (2009). Identifying abuse among women: use of clinical guidelines by nurses and midwives. Journal of Advanced Nursing. 65(4), 779–788. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2008.04872.x

Violence against women: a 'global health problem of epidemic proportions'. (2013, June 20). WHO. Retrieved November 10, 2013, from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases.