When individuals consider domestic abuse, domestic violence typically comes to mind. Domestic violence, however, encompasses any attempt by one spouse or intimate partner to dominate and control the other. A perpetrator of abuse uses dread, remorse, humiliation, and intimidation to break you down and maintain control over you. However, you dread that it will occur again. You sometimes question if you’re hallucinating the abuse, but the emotional and physical anguish you experience is genuine. If any of the above sounds familiar, you may be a victim of domestic violence

Domestic violence/abuse is any incident of controlling or threatening behaviour, or violence or abuse between those age 16 or over who have been intimate partners or family members regardless of their agender or sexuality. It is estimated that about two million adults in England and Wales aged 16 and 59 experienced DVA in March 2018 (Office of National Statistics (ONS), 2018). Domestic violence is not always reported, and while it can affect individuals from all walks of life, women are significantly impacted. Intimate partner and sexual violence is a significant public health issue, affecting 30% of women worldwide and 27% of 15-49-year-olds (WHO,2021). This can negatively impact women’s health, mental, sexual, and reproductive well-being. Globally as many as 38% of all murders of women are committed by intimate partners. In addition to intimate partner violence, globally, 6% of women report being sexually assaulted by someone other than a partner, although data for non-partner sexual violence are more limited. Men against women mostly perpetrate intimate partner and sexual violence.

Lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and its resulting social and economic effects have increased women’s exposure to abusive partners and known risk factors while restricting their access to services. Humanitarian crises and displacement may worsen pre-existing forms of violence, such as intimate partner and non-partner sexual violence, and contribute to new violence against women. Intermate partner and sexual violence results from individual, family, community, and societal factors that interact to increase or decrease risk protectiveness. Some are associated with perpetrating violence, others with experiencing it, and others with both.

The following are some risk factors for both intimate partner and sexual violence:

• Poor educational attainment
• Previous exposure to juvenile maltreatment
• Unequal gender representation
• Community norms accord men a privileged position or an inferior status to women.
• Among the specific risk factors for intimate partner violence are:
• A history of previous exposure to violence
• Marital discord and dissatisfaction
• Partner-to-partner communication difficulties
• Male companions who exhibit controlling behaviour.

Mainly associated with sexual violence perpetration are beliefs in family honour and sexual purity, ideologies of male-oriented sexual a right, and poor legal sanctions for sexual violence. Gender inequality and norms regarding the legitimacy of violence against women are fundamental causes of violence against women.

Sexual violence results in severe short- and long-term physical, mental, sexual, and reproductive health issues for women. Additionally, they impact the health and well-being of their families. This violence has substantial social and economic repercussions for women, their families, and societies. Such violence can:

• Resulting in fatalities such as homicide or suicide.
• 42% of women who have experienced intimate partner violence have reported sustaining an injury.
• Contribute to unintended pregnancies, abortions, gynaecological issues, and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.
• These forms of violence can result in depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and other anxiety disorders, difficulty sleeping, eating disorders, and suicidal attempts.
• Sexual violence, especially in infancy, can increase smoking, substance abuse, and unsafe sexual behaviours.
• Children raised in violent households are susceptible to various behavioural and emotional disorders. These factors have also been linked to perpetrating or experiencing violence later in life.

Prevention and response

There is growing evidence on what works to prevent violence against women; based on well-designed evaluations, in 2019, WHO and UN Women, with endorsement from 12 other UN and bilateral agencies, published RESPECT Women – a framework for preventing violence against women aimed at policymakers. Each letter of Respect stands for one of seven strategies:

R – Relationship skills strengthening

E – Empowerment of women

S – Services ensured

P – Poverty reduced

E – Enabling environments (schools, workplaces, public spaces) created

C – Child and adolescent abuse prevented

T – Transformed attitudes, beliefs and norms.

Interventions for intimate partner violence in low- and high-resource settings include psychosocial support, economic and social empowerment programs, and working with couples to improve relationship and communication abilities. Curriculums that challenge gender stereotypes and promote equality and consent should be incorporated into school programs to increase safety, reduce severe punishment, and improve safety. Enacting and enforcing legislation, developing policies, allocating resources to prevention and response, and investing in women’s rights groups are essential for enduring change.

Preventing violence against women is possible. As a student Nurse, there is the need to be able to identify domestic violence victims through screening and facilitating their access to assistance and support. However, the health sector is vital in providing comprehensive medical care to women subjected to violence and acting as a referral hub for women who may require additional support services. Provide comprehensive services, sensitise and train health care providers in responding to the needs of survivors holistically and empathetically.