Title: Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy
1Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy
2Facts About Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
- Affects approximately 1.5 million women each year
- Affects as many as 324,000 pregnant women each
year - May be more common than conditions for which
pregnant women are routinely screened - Possibly associated with unintended pregnancy,
delayed prenatal care, smoking, alcohol and drug
abuse
3All Women Are at Risk
- Victims of IPV come from every
- Age group
- Religion
- Ethnic/racial group
- Socioeconomic level
- Educational background
- Sexual orientation
4Window of Opportunity
- 96 of pregnant women receive prenatal care
- Average of 12?13 prenatal care visits
- Opportunity to developtrust in health care
provider
5Window of Opportunity
- During pregnancy, victims of IPV may be motivated
by the - Desire to be a good parent
- Desire to prevent child abuse
- Opportunity to think about the future
6Intimate Partner
- Current or former
- Spouse
- Partner
- Boyfriend
- Girlfriend
7Violence
- Coercive control exhibited through
- Physical violence
- Sexual violence
- Threats of physical or sexual violence
- Psychologic or emotional abuse
8Physical Violence
- Intentional use of force, such as
- slapping scratching
- pushing choking
- shaking burning
- biting hitting
- using a knife, gun, or other weapon
- Coercing others to commit such acts
9Sexual Violence
- Actual or threatened use of physical force to
compel a person to engage in a sexual act against
her/his will - Attempted or completed sex act with a person
unable to - avoid participation
- communicate unwillingness
- understand the nature of the act
- Abusive sexual contact
10Psychologic and Emotional Abuse
- Humiliating, name-calling, using profanity
- Embarrassing victim deliberatelyespecially in
public - Controlling victims movement and activities
- Isolating victim from friends or family
- Controlling financial resources
- Withholding information or resources
11Coercive Control and Intimidation
- Acts perceived by recipient as violent or
threatening - Recipients fear of attack or retaliation
- Threats alternated with kindness
12Violence and Pregnancy
- At least 48 of women report violence during
pregnancy. - As many as 324,000 women who gave birth in 1998
experienced violence.
13Violence and Pregnancy
- Violence during pregnancy may be more common
than - Gestational diabetes
- Neural tube defects
- Preeclampsia
-
14Possible Demographic and Psychosocial Factors
- Young maternal age/adolescence
- Unintended pregnancy
- Delayed prenatal care
- Smoking
- Alcohol and drug use
- Lack of social supports
- STD/HIV/AIDS
15Possible Effects on Fetus
- Direct effects
- spontaneous abortion
- fetal injury or death from maternal trauma
- Indirect effects
- maternal stress
- maternal smoking
- alcohol or drug use or abuse
16Possible Risks for Children
- Violence may involve other household members.
- Witnessing violence is a risk factor for abusive
relationships as an adult. - Child abuse is associated with depression,
substance abuse, poor school performance, high-
risk sexual activity.
17Barriers to Screening
- Time constraints
- Discomfort with the topic
- Fear of offending the patient or partner
- Perceived powerlessness to change the problem
18Use Your RADAR
- Routinely screen every patient
- Ask directly, kindly, nonjudgmentally
- Document your findings
- Assess the patients safety
- Review options and provide referrals
- (Massachusetts Medical Society, 1992)
19Routinely Screen Every Patient
- At first prenatal visit
- At least once per trimester
- At postpartum checkup
- At routine ob-gyn visits and preconception visits
20Components of Screening
- Review medical history.
- Observe and record presentations and behaviors of
patient and partner. - Ask direct questions and listen actively.
- Document patients response.
21Review Medical History
- Warning signs of IPV may include
- Previous medical visits for injuries
- History of abuse or assault
- Repeated visits
- Chronic pelvic pain, headaches, vaginitis,
irritable bowel syndrome - History of depression, substance use, suicide
attempts, anxiety
22Review Medical History
- Pregnancy-related factors, such as
- Unintended pregnancy
- Unhappiness about being pregnant
- Young maternal age
- Single marital status
- Higher parity
- Late entry into prenatal care/missed appointments
- Substance use or abuse (tobacco, alcohol, or
drugs)
23Observe Womans Behavior
- Flat affect
- Fright, depression, anxiety
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms
- dissociation
- psychic numbing
- startle responses
- Overcompliance
- Excessive distrust
24Observe Partners Behavior
- Being overly solicitous
- Answering questions for the patient
- Being hostile or demanding
- Never leaving the patients side
- Monitoring the womans responses to questions
25Ask Directly
- Ask questions in private.
- apart from male partner
- apart from family or friends
- Explain issues of confidentiality.
- Be aware of mandatory reporting laws in your
state and inform the woman of them.
26Ask Directly
Violence is a problem for many women. Because
it affects health and well-being, I ask all my
patients about it.
27Open the Door
- Find your own way of phrasing questions.
- Be prepared to hear your patients answer.
- Face-to-face talk is more effective than written
patient questionnaires. - Caring, empathetic questions may open the door
for later disclosure.
28Abuse Assessment Screen
- Short
- Tested in clinical settings
- Effective in identifying violence
29 Abuse Assessment Screen
1. In the last year (since I saw you last), have
you been hit, slapped, kicked, or otherwise
physically hurt by someone? (If yes, by whom?
Number of times? Nature of injury?) 2. Since
youve been pregnant, have you been hit,
slapped, kicked, or otherwise physically hurt by
someone? (If yes, by whom? Number of times?
Nature of injury?)
30Abuse Assessment Screen
3. Within the last year has anyone made you do
something sexual that you didnt want to do? (If
yes, who?) 4. Are you afraid of your partner
or anyone else?
31Additional Questions
Emotional Abuse Does your partner (former
partner) ever humiliate you? Shame you? Put you
down in public? Keep you from seeing friends or
from doing things you want to do? Child
Abuse Within the last year, has someone made
you worry about the safety of your child? (If
yes, who?)
32Questions Not to Ask
- Why dont you just leave?
- What did you do to make him/her so angry?
- Why do you go back?
33Reasons for a No Response
- Embarrassment/shame
- Fear of retaliation by partner
- Lack of trust in others
- Economic dependence
- Desire to keep family together
- Unaware of alternatives
- Lack of support system
34Responding to No
- Always chart the womans responseeven when she
says no. - Your questions may help those experiencing abuse
to move closer to disclosure. - Your questions indicate your willingness to
discuss the violence. - Your questions will let the woman know you and
other staff are always available as resources. - Women will choose when to disclose.
35Responding to Yes
- Things you can say
- This is not your fault.
- No one deserves to be treated this way.
- Im sorry youve been hurt.
- Do you want to talk about it?
- I am concerned about your safety (and that of
your children). - Help is available to you.
36Document Your Findings
- In the patients chart
- In the patients own words
- With a body map
- With photographs (get consent)
- With specific details
37Assess Patients Safety
- Is either the woman or her children in danger?
- Has violence escalated recently?
- Are there weapons in the home?
- If the patient is not safe, does she have a
safety plan?
38Components of a Safety Plan
- Pack a bag in advance.
- Have personal documents ready.
- Hide extra sets of house and car keys.
- Establish a code with family or friends.
- Plan where to go.
39Patient Options
1. Stay with abuser and formulate a safety
plan 2. Remove abuser through arrest or
protective orders 3. Leave the relationship
temporarily or permanently
40Referrals
- Keep a current list of local resources
- Office and hospital personnel with special
training - Law enforcement (police, lawyers, advocates)
- Shelters (housing, support groups, advocates)
- Local hotlines
- Child protective services
41 Referrals
Keep a current list of local resources
- Mental health services
- Trained clergy
- Victim advocates
- Legal services
- Social workers
42National Toll-Free Hotlines
800-799-SAFE800-787-3224(TTD)
43Collaborative Response
Religious Leaders
Advocates
Police
Health Professionals
Employers
Friends
Judges Legal Professionals
Policy Makers
Educators
44For More Information
ACOG(202) 638-5577www.acog.org/goto/noviolence
CDC(770) 488-5259www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/drh/wh_vi
olence.htm