Violence Against

Women
Chapter Five
The Goal of this Presentation is to
Increase Your Understanding of
Violence Against Women by:
1. Looking at the historical perspective of the treatment of
women.
2. Discussing the conceptual and theoretical perspectives of
violence against women.
3. Discussing the women experiencing intimate partner violence
(IPV).
4. Looking at the effects of IPV during pregnancy.
5. Discussing appropriate nursing interventions for those involved
with IPV.
6. Evaluating the different types of sexual violence along with
the long-term effects, treatment, and care of victims.
The Historical Perspective of
Violence Against Women
Rome: condoned divorce or killing
of one’s wife for offenses
1700’s: “Rule of thumb”
1800’s : men slowly lost the legal
right to beat their wives
1971: First woman’s shelter
opened in London
The Historical Perspective of
Violence Against Women
1979: First description of
“Battered woman syndrome”
1994: First “SANE” program
started
1996: First “Violence Hotline”
2015: First “Safe room”
Conceptual and Theoretical
Perspectives

1.Biological
2.Psychological
3.Sociological
4.Feminist
5.Ecological
Women Experiencing
Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV)
What is IPV?
According to Tjaden & Thoennes (2006), IPV
is “the actual or threatened physical, sexual,
psychological, or emotional abuse by a
spouse, ex-spouse, boyfriend, girlfriend, ex-
boyfriend, ex-girlfriend, date, or
cohabitating partner”
Women Experiencing
Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV)
 Who is at risk of IPV?
Women Experiencing
Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV)
When is one of the most dangerous times for
those experiencing IPV?

According to Campbell (2004), “Leaving an

abusive relationship is extremely difficult and
the most dangerous time because most
homicides occur shortly after separation”.
Women Experiencing
Intimate Partner Violence
(IPV)
Cultural Considerations :
Do they fear police or other governmental
agencies?
Do they experience more IPV or do they
report more IPV?
Do they avoid reporting because it would
reflect poorly on their family?
Do they avoid reporting out of fear or
embarrassment?
Cultural Considerations
Cultural Considerations
IPV During Pregnancy
IPV During Pregnancy
 Pregnancy is not a protection against IPV
 Sometimes IPV begins for the first time in
pregnancy
 IPV is usually greatest in the first trimester
 Teensare subject to higher rates of IPV
than older women
 IPVhas detrimental effects on the
fetus/pregnancy
Nursing Interventions for
those experiencing IPV

 Nurses are mandatory reporters in

cases of IPV
 Mandatory reporting is controversial
 Victim may prefer a female caregiver
Nursing Interventions for
those experiencing IPV
ABCDES Intervention:
A- make sure the victim does not feel she is alone
B- help the victim understand the belief that IPV is
never acceptable and not her fault
C- assure victim everything said is confidential
D- make sure everything is documented
E- educate her on assistive resources and services
S- Help victim develop a plan to stay safe once she
leaves
Violence Against Women
Sexual Violence
Sexual Violence
Sexual Harassment:
Sexual Violence

Sexual Assault: Is the

unwanted touching of
any part of a person
that would be covered by a
swimming suit.
Sexual Violence
Rape:
Sexual Violence

Statutory Rape: Is anyone

over the age of eighteen
having intercourse with a
minor.
Sexual Violence
Molestation: Any
inappropriate sexual
touching, genital
exposure, behavior,
or photography of a
minor child by an
adult.
Sexual Violence Long
Term Effects
Treatment and Care for
Victims of Sexual
Violence
 Attend to immediate health care needs
 Collect evidence/document condition
 S.A.N.E.
assessment (Sexual Assault Nurse
Examiner)
 Offernumbers for referral and supportive
services
 Plan discharge and follow-up care
Key Points

 Violence against women is a major social and

health care problem
 Thousands of lives
 Billionsof dollars in direct and indirect health
care costs
 IPV includes physical, sexual, emotional,
psychologic, and economic abuse
Key Points (cont.)

 Nurses must increase awareness of own beliefs

and values regarding victimization of women to
provide effective care
Key Points (cont.)

 Theoretic frameworks provide foundation for

understanding the complexity of victimization of
women
 Psychologic
 Sociologic
 Biologic
 Feminist perspectives
Key Points (cont.)

 Cultural influences regarding violent behaviors

and relationships sensitize the nurse to the
special needs of women from various ethnic
groups
 Battering affects young, middle-aged, and older
women of all races; all socioeconomic,
educational, religious groups, and pregnant
women
Key Points (cont.)

 All states have mandatory reporting of abuse of

children and older adults
 Some have mandatory reporting of wife abuse
 Rape is legal term meaning a violent, aggressive
sexual assault
 Nurses respond with sensitivity and caring to
women experiencing abuse and victimization
Key Points (cont.)

 Follow-up and collaborative care important in all

instances of abuse
 Nurses should be knowledgeable about reporting
requirements and available community service for
women who have been sexually assaulted