Summary of IPV

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a prevalent health issue and it is important anyone involved in health care have an awareness of the problem. Identifying and treating IPV victims can have a significant impact on their health and well-being. I hope readers have gained an understanding of the magnitude of the problem and how they can help IPV victims. In order to help health educators develop an awareness about the topic I believe the power and control wheel adequately summarizes what intimate partner violence is.

References

Domestic Abuse Intervention Project. (n.d.) Power and control wheel. Retrieved from http://www.theduluthmodel.org/training/wheels.html

Mandatory Reporting Versus Mandatory Referral

Mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence is considered controversial and organizations such as Futures Without Violence do not support mandatory reporting. In fact, Futures Without Violence (n.d.) stated current evidence indicated mandatory reporting increased the risk of revenge by the batterers and placed the victim in danger. Additionally, the World Health Organization does not support mandatory reporting because it infringes on a woman’s autonomy and decision making (Feder, Wathen, & MacMillan, 2013). However, according to the current evidence mandatory referral is considered a much better option because it allows the victim to maintain confidentiality ensuring victim trust and true accounts of their abuse (Futures Without Violence, n.d.). Mandatory referral also ensures the victim has control of their own situation allowing them to maintain informed consent (Futures Without Violence, n.d.). Thus, according to the current available evidence mandatory referral is a better option than mandatory reporting for intimate partner violence victims.

References

Feder, G., Wathen, C. N., & MacMillan, H. L. (2013). An evidence-based response to intimate partner violence: WHO guidelines. JAMA: Journal Of The American Medical Association, 310(5), 479-480. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.167453

Futures Without Violence. (n.d.). Mandatory reporting of domestic violence to law enforcement by health care providers: A guide for advocates working to respond to or amend reporting laws related to domestic violence. Retrieved from www.futureswithoutviolence.org/.../Mandatory_Reporting_of_DV_to_ Law%20Enforcement_by_HCP.pdf

IPV Presentation for Rural Nurses

Strategy Presentation

I completed my strategy presentation this week and I was a little nervous presenting information about intimate partner violence to my peers. This was the first presentation I have given in thirteen years. I think the presentation went well after I reviewed it. I really enjoyed answering the questions afterwards. I did notice the shock of the audience when I discussed the incidence of intimate partner violence and I felt like I could have heard a pin drop during the presentation. I think the fact I followed two fairly upbeat presentations added to the change of atmosphere in the room. I think the presentation was effective and the audience did learn something.

How Unstable Families Increase the Risk of IPV

Families definitely play a role in the development of an intimate partner violence (IPV) victims or perpetrators. Interviews with troubled teenagers consistently demonstrated a lack of family structure or a lack of balance in discipline as predictors of low self-esteem and sexual promiscuity which are risk factors for IPV (Pipher, 2005). Women with low self-esteem desire to achieve others acceptance and frequently fall victim to IPV. The CDC (2010) described emotional dependence and  insecurity, being a victim of physical or psychosocial abuse, and history of experiencing poor parenting as a child as increasing someone’s risk of IPV. These factors can contribute to becoming a victim or a perpetrator.  Pipher (2005) described several interviews with teens that came from unstable families and had increased stress due to family relationships. The stressors caused the teens to have increased alcohol and drug abuse, promiscuity and depression which increased their risk of being a victim of IPV. In addition, Kimmel (2008) describes men whom believe they are entitled to sex and that women exist to please  men. These are learned behaviors through family relationships, media and the current culture. Unfortunately IPV seems to be a vicious cycle that is difficult to break due to early family experiences and modeling of behaviors.

 References

      Centers for Disease Control. (2010). Intimate partner violence: risks and protective factors. Retrieved from  http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/intimatepartnerviolence/riskprotectivefactors.html

      Kimmel, M. (2008). Guyland. New York, New York: HarperCollins.

      Pipher, M. (2005). Reviving Ophelia: saving the selves of adolescent girls. New York, New York. Penguin Group (USA), Inc.

A Low Cost Way to Prevent Domestic Violence in Married Couples

Braithwaite and Fincham (2014) may have found a low cost way to prevent domestic violence in married couples. Domestic violence is most commonly caused by intimate partners such as the spouse (Bureau of Justice Statistics, 2014). A computer prevention program created by the researchers called ePrep decreased physical violence in married partners by 90% and the results lasted a year. The prevention program included information about risk factors for relationship problems, communication training, problem solving methods, marital friendship help, and a plan of action that included weekly homework. The program resulted in major decreases in physical violence after completion and at the one-year follow up. Emotional violence also decreased after completion of the program and at the one-year follow up. According to Braithwaite and Fincham (2014) with more testing ePrep may be a low cost answer to helping couples improve their relationship skills and decrease domestic violence in married couples. With the current computer age ePrep could be widely used and may be the best solution for low cost widespread education for couples at risk for domestic violence.

References

Braithwaite, S. R., & Fincham, F. D. (2014). Computer-based prevention of intimate partner violence in marriage. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 5412-5421. doi:10.1016/j.brat.2013.12.006

Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2014). Nonfatal domestic violence, 2003–2012. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ndv0312.pdf

Facts and Figures

Domestic violence is emotional abuse or violent behaviors an intimate partner or family member uses against another person to maintain control over the relationship (Domesticviolence.org, 2009). Domestic violence accounts for 21% of violent crimes and 76% of the victims are female and 21% of the victims are male (Bureau of Justice Statistics [BJS], 2014). Domestic violence is committed most often by current or former boyfriends or girlfriends (BJS, 2014). There is a high rate of injury in victims of domestic violence and injuries occur 45% of the time (BJS, 2014). Injuries are more likely when victims are experiencing intimate partner violence and the associated injuries are more likely to be severe (BJS, 2014). Unfortunately only about one-half (55%) of domestic violence incidents are reported to the police and 77% of the time the victimization occurred in their own home (BJS, 2014). In 2010 39% of the 3,032 female homicide victims were murdered by an intimate partner (BJS, 2013).

Domestic violence can result in adverse health conditions such as chronic headaches, chronic pain, trouble sleeping, decreased activity, and poor physical and mental health (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014). The costs of domestic violence are tremendous. Intimate partner rape, physical assault, and stalking alone cost $5.8 billion a year with $4.1 billion consisting of direct medical and health services (National Center for Injury Prevention, 2003). Thus, domestic violence is prevalent and costly to society.

References

Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2013). Intimate partner violence: Attributes of victimization, 1993-2011. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/press/ipvav9311pr.cfm

Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2014). Nonfatal domestic violence, 2003–2012. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/index.cfm?ty=pbdetail&iid=4984

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2014). NISVS summary reports. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/nisvs/summary_reports.html

Domesticviolence.org. (2009). Definition. Retrieved from http://www.domesticviolence.org/definition/

National Center for Injury Prevention. (2003). Costs of intimate partner violence against women in the United States. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pub/ipv_cost.html