15C) Health and Social Care Issue – Domestic Violence

Form

• Physical abuse

• Sexual abuse

• Psychological abuse

• Deprivation

• Neglect

Target

• Spouse battering

• Child abuse

• Elderly abuse

Society

• Traditions and cultural values/beliefs, accepting to use violence for solving problems

Community

• Schools, companies, religious groups, hospitals, and communities are not aware of reporting domestic violence and tolerate domestic violence

Family

• Family conflicts caused by parenting styles, inharmonious marital relationships, etc.
• Caregivers lack knowledge and skills

Individual

• Loss of self-control due to alcoholism, drug abuse, and drug abuse
• Stressors (e.g., long-term unemployment) lead to emotional instability
• Growing up in a family with a background of domestic violence that establishes the habit of solving problems with violence

Physical

• Death or physical injuries due to physical abuse

• Complications or degeneration due to the neglect

Social

• Social withdrawal due to the feeling of shame or unwilling to disclose family problems to others

• Poor social relationships within or outside the family due to the family conflicts

Mental

• Physical or any forms of abuse are stressors
• Low self-image and self-esteem due to the loss of control or being victimized
• Negative emotional health status or depression or due to the unhealthy relationships with the abusers

Primary prevention

• Aims: to arouse public concern on domestic violence and promote family harmony

• Example: Family life education

Secondary prevention

• Aims: to identify risk factors of violence and provide surveillance, early identification and intervention

• Example: referral (immediate referrals from healthcare professionals and social workers when they identify the signs of abuse in check-ups or counselling)

Tertiary prevention

• Aims: to reduce relapse and casualty of domestic violence

• Example: shelter home, crisis Intervention and support centre