Routine screening for signs of family violence

14 March 2007

Routine screening to start for signs of family violence

All women aged over 16 who attend hospital in Tauranga or Whakatane could soon be screened for signs of family violence – regardless of their reason for being at hospital.

The Bay of Plenty District Health Board has approved funding for frontline hospital staff to receive training in screening patients for signs of family violence, meeting a Ministry of Health guideline established in 2002.

The programme could start its rollout within months, say BOPDHB family violence coordinators Nicola Chadwick (partner abuse) and Raewyn Lucas (child protection).

“One in three women is living with, or is a victim of, family violence,” says Nicola.

“Ten children are killed each year by family members – seven women and children have died in the first six weeks of this year. Six women died between mid November 2005 and early January 2006.”

She says family violence affected 35,000 children in 2005, and police handled 45,000 family violence related calls.

“The majority of women live with it in a silent, self-blame capacity.”

The duo report that women who suffer family violence are three times more likely than non-victims to present at a hospital emergency department, five times more likely to need mental health services, and three times more likely to need other health services.

The BOPDHB approved funding for the new screening process in December, and the intention is that all women aged over 16 who attend hospital will be screened for signs of family violence – regardless of their reason for being at hospital.

Nicola stresses that the questionnaire will be presented only if circumstances allow. The questioning has to be done in complete privacy, with not even a child in the room.

If the woman answers yes during the screening, then her situation will be assessed for safety and she will be encouraged and supported to contact the community family violence agencies.

“For some women, it will be the first time anyone has asked them if they are suffering from family violence. It’s an opportunity for them to disclose.”

While many women might not be ready to leave a violent environment at that time, the duo believe that the way the situation is managed can have a lasting effect.

“It sends a powerful message when nurses say it’s wrong, you don’t have to live with it, and we can support you.”

The funding allows frontline staff to be released from their duties so they can complete the two-day national family violence training package.

One day focuses on partner abuse, the second on child abuse and neglect.

“The correlation between partner abuse and child abuse is between 30 - 60 per cent,” Nicola warns.

The initiative will be rolled out in three stages, starting with the ED, Maori Health, and the social work team. This could get underway by midyear.

The second stage targets public health nurses, paediatrics and maternity, followed by mental health in stage three.

“Routine screening won’t start until our people are trained. It is essential staff feel supported by their peers.”

► If you or any woman you know has been affected by family violence, phone your local women’s refuge on their 24-hour crisis lines:

Tauranga: 07 541 1911
Whakatane: 07 308 5531

ENDS

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