[The Impact of Domestic Violence on Women]

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Acknowledgement

I would first like to express my gratitude for my research supervisor, colleagues, peers and family whose immense and constant support has been a source of continuous guidance and inspiration.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names & surname here], declare that the following dissertation/thesis and its entire content has been an individual, unaided effort and has not been submitted or published before. Furthermore, it reflects my opinion and take on the topic and is does not represent the opinion of the University.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

INTRODUCTION1

DISCUSSION4

Defining Domestic Violence4

Types of Domestic Violence7

Estimating Incidence and Prevalence of Domestic Violence9

Violence against women in the home13

Violence by strengthening cooperation to combat15

Causes of Domestic Violence16

Costs of Domestic Violence17

Health Costs of Domestic Violence19

Protect Women from Violence20

Healthcare Use of Women Affected by Domestic Violence21

Responses to Domestic Violence: Politics to Service23

CONCLUSION25

REFERENCES27

INTRODUCTION

Domestic violence is a major public health issue that influences all aspects of affected women's lives and has far reaching impacts across all levels of society. The impact of domestic violence on women's health is said to be devastating and is believed to result in poor general, reproductive and psychological health. Indeed, domestic violence has been cited as the single biggest health risk to Australian women. There is also evidence that the negative impact on women's health is long term and continues even after the violence has ended. Women who suffer domestic violence may be unable to work because of mental or physical incapacity connecting health outcomes, poverty, divorce, unemployment and homelessness for these women and their children.

Women who are subjected to domestic violence seek help from a wide range of professionals within health and social care sectors, and studies show that overwhelmingly, their experiences tend to be negative. Health professionals and women affected by domestic violence believe domestic violence is a healthcare issue and that health professionals should be involved with identification and health management of women affected by this type of violence.

As nurses are employed in the largest numbers within healthcare settings they are often the first line of contact for women affected by domestic violence. However, it is difficult to examine the nursing response as it appears that nurses rely heavily on other disciplines (particularly medicine and social work) to shape their understanding and underpin their responses to addressing the health needs of women who experience domestic violence. Health service responses in general, are difficult to detail. Whilst there is a plethora of research there has also been a failure to disseminate widely evaluation findings of the initiatives that have been undertaken to address the perceived health issues associated with domestic violence.

The purpose of this study was to seek information about the health and healthcare issues of women who are subjected to or who have been subjected to domestic violence perpetrated by intimate male partners, and to use information gleaned from nurses to inform healthcare providers at a broader level. The context of the study is Australian, specifically United Kingdom, however draws on local, national and international literature which ...