What can we do?
In Austria, one in five women has experienced physical and/or sexualized violence at least once in her life. But also children, elderly people, men or disabled people could be affected by violence. Your patients could be affected, too. Many victims are ashamed and frightened.
Health services are the first point of contact for about75 % of women affected by violence who suffer from acute physical injuries and/or no longer bearable immediate and long-term effects of violence.
Why is it important?
Only one in three victims of intimate partner violence and only one in four victims of non-partner violence report the latest most serious incident to the police or any other service on their own initiative.
Many victims of violence do not speak to other persons about the causes of injuries, physical, psychological, psychosomatic, psychiatric, sexual and/or reproductive disorders and diseases on their own initiative, due to feelings of guilt and shame and out of fear of further violence. However, many victims have found it acceptable to be routinely asked about experiences of violence when in contact with the healthcare system. Therefore please ask!
Screening questions
The following questions could be useful for this purpose:
Does anybody know that you are here?
Should anybody not know that you are here?
Is anybody currently causing you anxiety or discomfort?
Further information: www.toolbox-opferschutz.at
Checklist
How do I deal with (suspected) violence?
Signs of violence
That's how you can tell if violence was involved
Group for the protection of victims
Where can I find support?