The strongest single risk factor for domestic violence is female sex |
37.2 |
17.7 |
30.9 |
|
It is generally true that perpetrators use violence as a means of controlling their partners |
83.1 |
69.9 |
78.9 |
|
Warning signs that a woman may have been abused by her partner are: |
Chronic unexplained pain |
83.1 |
52.8 |
73.2 |
Anxiety |
85.3 |
79.8 |
83.5 |
Substance abuse |
70.0 |
37.1 |
59.2 |
Frequent injuries |
94.0 |
86.5 |
91.5 |
Depression |
89.1 |
79.8 |
86.0 |
|
A woman may not be able to leave a violent relationship because of: |
Fear of retribution |
95.1 |
79.8 |
90.1 |
Financial dependence on the perpetrator |
93.4 |
84.3 |
90.4 |
Religious beliefs |
86.9 |
73.0 |
82.4 |
Children’s needs |
91.8 |
86.5 |
90.1 |
Love for one’s partner |
83.6 |
73.0 |
80.2 |
Isolation |
86.9 |
74.2 |
82.7 |
|
Appropriate/not appropriate ways to ask about domestic violence: |
‘Are you a victim of domestic violence?’ (is not appropriate) |
94.5 |
91.0 |
93.4 |
‘Has your partner ever hurt or threatened you?’ (is appropriate) |
71.6 |
70.8 |
71.3 |
‘Have you ever been afraid of your partner?’ (is appropriate) |
93.4 |
86.5 |
91.2 |
‘Has your partner ever hit or hurt you?’ (is appropriate) |
50.8 |
36.0 |
46.0 |
|
The following are generally true: |
There are common non-injury presentations of abused female patients |
82.0 |
67.4 |
77.2 |
There are behavioural patterns in couples that may indicate domestic violence |
76.0 |
64.0 |
72.0 |
Specific areas of the body are most often targeted in domestic violence cases |
57.9 |
65.2 |
60.3 |
There are common injury patterns associated with domestic violence |
60.7 |
56.2 |
59.2 |
Injuries in different stages of recovery may indicate abuse |
85.3 |
62.9 |
77.9 |
|
Stages of change: |
Begins making plans to leave the abusive partner is ‘preparation’ |
82.4 |
70.0 |
78.5 |
Denies there’s a problem is ‘precontemplation’ |
93.6 |
77.9 |
88.8 |
Begins thinking the abuse is not their fault is ‘contemplation’ |
91.4 |
72.2 |
85.4 |
Continues changing behaviours is ‘maintenance’ |
62.4 |
50.0 |
58.4 |
Obtains injunction(s) for protection is ‘action’ |
51.7 |
40.5 |
48.2 |
|
The following statements are false: |
Alcohol consumption is the greatest single predictor of the likelihood of domestic violence |
25.6 |
30.6 |
27.2 |
Reasons for concern about domestic violence should not be included in a woman’s medical record if she does not disclose the violence |
87.2 |
61.2 |
78.8 |
Being supportive of a woman’s choice to remain in a violent relationship would condone the abuse |
80.3 |
69.4 |
76.8 |
Strangulation injuries are rare in cases of domestic violence |
53.1 |
28.2 |
45.1 |
Allowing partners or friends to be present during the consultation of a woman who had experienced domestic violence ensures her safety |
82.7 |
60.7 |
75.7 |
The following statements are true: |
There are good reasons for not leaving an abusive relationship |
56.7 |
21.2 |
45.3 |
Women who have experienced domestic violence are able to make appropriate choices about how to handle their situation |
39.9 |
36.1 |
38.6 |
Clinicians should not pressure female patients to acknowledge that they are living in an abusive relationship |
57.5 |
57.7 |
57.6 |
Women who have experienced domestic violence are at greater risk of injury when they leave the relationship |
40.8 |
27.1 |
36.4 |
Even if the child is not in immediate danger, clinicians have a duty of care to consider an instance of a child witnessing domestic violence in terms of child protection |
96.1 |
91.6 |
94.6 |