Healthcare Workers; TheirRole in Helping Victims ofAbuse and DomesticViolenceAn Academic presentation by

Dr. Nancy Agnes, Head, Technical Operations, Tutors India

Group:  www.tutorsindia.com

Email: info@tutorsindia.com

Introduction

Role of Social Workers

Conclusion

Outline

TODAY'S DISCUSSION

The issue of abuse and domestic violence which iscommonly termed as domestic abuse, is consideredas a problem that impacts women as well as men.

This would be irrespective of their caste, financialstatus, ethnic origin, educational qualifications orsexual orientations.

Domestic abuse has been defined in several waysand many terms have been utilized to describe it.

INTRODUCTION

Contd...

Across several developed nations there are terms such as; spousalviolence, intimate partner violence or family abuse that have beenused commonly.

Such terms are extensively used to widely elucidate the kind ofviolence or abuse which might occur within people in the agegroup of 18 or above and is generally distinct from sexual abuseand violence or child abuse.

The impact from domestic abuse is known to affect all facets in thelife of the victim such as; social, mental, economic and financial.

Contd...

In addition, individuals who are exposed to domestic violence have morescope to experience issues in health, have the propensity to miss workand thus suffer loss of income which impacts the nation as well.

As per evidence presented by the, it is said that around 1.9 million peoplein the UK, aged between 16 – 59 years, experience domestic abuse.

Between men and women, women are more prone to experiencedomestic abuse.

The rate of prevalence of domestic abuse has been estimated as 6 out ofevery 100 adults, at the rate of 4.3% men and 7.5% women, thus leadingto 713000 men and 1.2 million women.

Contd...

Percentage of Adults (16-74years) who Experienced Domestic Abuse in 2020

It has been clearly stated by Public health guideline that professionals from thedomain of healthcare have a responsibility to extend support to individuals whohave been impacted by domestic abuse.

As per evidence presented by the, it is said that around 1.9 million people in theUK, aged between 16 – 59 years, experience domestic abuse.

Between men and women, women are more prone to experience domestic abuse.

Nonetheless, prevalent evidence has indicated that the focus of social workers ismostly on issues pertaining to child protection and children, while tending to ignoreadult victims of abuse.

Contd...

Evidence presented by Robbins and Cook, also indicated thatthose individuals who have experienced domestic abuse andhave interacted with social workers’ state that social workerswere not very helpful in terms of facilitating the requiredsupport.

Therefore, this paper would explore the role of social workersin providing care to victims of domestic abuse.

The roles would mainly be; victim identification, referring tospecialist domestic violence services and extending legalassistance.

As far as healthcare professionals are concerned, victimidentification is quite significant.

Though the evidence in this context is mixed in terms ofthe need for routine screening for identifying domesticabuse victims, it has been empirically proven thathealthcare professionals are required to do more forvictim identification.

VICTIM IDENTIFICATION

ROLE OF SOCIAL WORKERS

Contd...

Appropriate response is a major aspect of victim identification in situations whereindividuals might reveal the abuse they are experiencing.

Considering that concerns have risen about distrust of social workers in extendingto adult victims of domestic abuse, social workers are expected to be ratherempathetic while responding to victims and their families in instances of abuse.

This would go a long way in developing trust.

[Looking to write a master dissertation on Healthcare ? Get in touch with usinfo@tutorsindia.com]

Contd...

A significant role that social workers are supposed to playwould be to refer domestic abuse victims to specialistservices.

Though social workers are not expected to have theexpertise to provide the required specialist support, theyshould be in a position to refer victims to the right specialist.

Most victims fail to approach specialist service providingagencies owing to several agencies but when victims arereferred to specialist services by social workers, it becomeseasy for the victims to consider the referral.

REFERRING TO SPECIALIST SERVICES

Contd...

Some common barriers faced by victimsinclude; fear of repercussion, stigma, shame,disbelief and fear of being blamed.

Therefore, due academic assistance fromsocial workers would enable victims to getthe required help.

Contd...

Modifications effected recently within legislation hasindicated that social workers play a major role in extendingsupport to individuals who have been exposed to violenceor victims of domestic abuse.

As per the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment ofOffenders Act, the level of evidence which can be permittedto provide support for matter relating to domestic abuse.

Though it has been specified in the Act that documentaryevidence could be provided by healthcare workers tofacilitate legal assistance, there was no clarity ondocumentary evidence that social workers could provide

LEGAL ASSISTANCE

Contd...

Nonetheless, changes effected in the law in theUK [law academic writing help] has revealed thatsocial workers have been acknowledged asindividuals who can clearly identify as well as refervictims of domestic abuse thereby, extendingdocumentary proof thus allowing victims to gainlegal assistance.

The issue of domestic abuse is no doubt a private problem whichtends to have huge impact on public health as well as well-beingof individuals and the nation.

It leads to the creation of major problems in health which makes animpact on the economy of the nation, the ability of the abusedindividual to study and work and also to the healthcare system onthe whole.

This essay explored the role of social workers and healthcareprofessionals in extending support to victims of domestic abuse.

CONCLUSION

CONTACT US

+44-1143520021UNITED KINGDOM

+91-4448137070

EMAIL

INDIA

info@tutorsindia.com