Gender violence and mistreatment (I). Global aspects from the healthcare perspective

Lorente Acosta M

The consequences of gender violence on health have frequently been disguised in the

form of various clinical pictures and disorders, in the same way that violence is overlooked

in society through justifications and rationalizations. Social transformation and

critical thought regarding violence is favouring the rise of new cases, which have translated

into a significant increase in domestic violence reports filed; reaching 43.5% in

the last five years. These circumstances have resulted in a higher demand for emergency

healthcare services. Nevertheless, in spite of this increase, the global prevalence

of gender violence (30% of women as documented by the WHO) is inconsistent with

the number of cases presented to emergency department, which is approximately

17%. Besides, female victims of violence require medical services 30% more often than

women who do not suffer violence indicating that many of the cases show a symptomatology

not related to the physical injuries resulting from violent aggressions. The objective

of the present study was to point out the consequences of violence beyond the

specific aggression and to assess the view of the medical professionals with respect to

gender violence, specifically that of emergency physicians and highlight the limitations

and difficulties they face. This will help to ensure that physician response is not influenced

by the personal consequences derived from the violent aggression and limited

to that specific aggression. Medical professionals must focus on the health of the

woman who suffered the violence and should in no case, provide clinical assistance

based on other types of factors (police report, beliefs and prejudices,…). Emergency

physicians must be aware that “to do nothing is to do harm” because other wise,

women will continue to suffer violence and their health will further deteriorate. The data

reported may help professionals maintain a code of conduct and respond to cases of

gender violence following two very simple criteria: to act in the same way as they

would in other health situations that have personal consequences, and to bear in mind

that behind an aggression there is health problem caused by violence, which in many

cases will characterize the clinical picture.

Lorente Acosta M