Beyond urban places: responding to intimate partner violence in rural and remote areas

J Forensic Nurs. 2015 Apr-Jun;11(2):93-100; quiz E1. doi: 10.1097/JFN.0000000000000070.

Abstract

Intimate partner violence is a recognized public health problem impacting the lives of women, families, and communities. Women in rural and more remote areas who experience IPV face unique barriers and challenges to accessing healthcare services to support healthy outcomes. Resources, access to services, presence of compassionate and informed healthcare providers, and environmental circumstances influence effective responses to this issue in rural and more remote areas. In a public health approach to this problem, prevention efforts, victim-centered responses, and the support of safety are imperative to improve outcomes for women. Forensic nurses play an important role in effective response by building linkages across health, human, and social systems through collaboration, partnership, activism, advocacy, and sensitivity to the issue across the rural landscape.

MeSH terms

  • Battered Women
  • Community Health Services / methods*
  • Crime Victims / rehabilitation
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Forensic Nursing / methods*
  • Health Services Accessibility / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data*
  • Spouse Abuse / prevention & control
  • Spouse Abuse / rehabilitation
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data*
  • United States / epidemiology