Supporting ALL victims of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation: guidance for health providers

BMC Int Health Hum Rights. 2018 Oct 19;18(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s12914-018-0178-y.

Abstract

Smaller groups of victims of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation - such as male victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), victims of elder abuse, victims of abuse by carers, victims of parent abuse, victims of human trafficking, girls and boys below 18 years engaging in sex work, victims of sexual exploitation by gangs or groups and victims of honour based violence (such as forced marriages and female genital mutilation) - are often in contact with the health care system without being identified as such and frequently do not receive appropriate treatment. To address this problem, two things need to happen: 1) that ALL groups of victims of violence, abuse, neglect or exploitation are explicitly listed in policies and protocols, and 2) that both the similarities as well as the differences between the groups with regard to identification, support and referral - described in this article - are explained, so that health providers are appropriately supported in this important function.

Keywords: Abuse; Abuse by carers; Elder abuse; Exploitation; Female genital mutilation; Forced marriages; Grooming; Homeless people; Honour based violence; Human trafficking; Male victims; Neglect; Parent abuse; Policy; Slavery; Victims of violence; Violence; Vulnerability; Vulnerable groups.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Crime Victims / statistics & numerical data*
  • Elder Abuse*
  • Female
  • Guideline Adherence*
  • Health Personnel / organization & administration*
  • Human Trafficking
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons* / psychology
  • Male
  • Spouse Abuse*