RT Article
T1 Barriers and Facilitators of Disclosing Domestic Violence to the UK Health Service
JF Journal of family violence
VO 37
IS 3
SP 533
OP 543
A1 Heron, Rebecca L.
A2 Eisma, Maarten C.
A2 Browne, Kevin
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1798314053
AB Domestic violence victims frequently visit health care facilities yet rarely disclose, so it is important to understand what factors are barriers and facilitators of disclosure. UK-based qualitative investigations into barriers and facilitators of disclosure in health care settings have suffered from a limited focus on ethnic minority women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore victims’ perceptions and experiences of disclosing to health care services and to identify barriers and facilitators of disclosure within an ethnically diverse UK sample. Semi-structured interviews were administered among 29 British (8 ethnic minority) female victims. Content analysis demonstrated that barriers to disclosure were; emotional (e.g., fear, embarrassment/shame and self-blame), physical (e.g., partner’s physical presence, controlling behavior, and manipulation of professionals) and organizational (e.g., appropriateness of setting and time for disclosure). Additional problems for ethnic minority women were language difficulties and religious practices. Facilitators to disclosure were interpersonal relations, safety, and validation from health care professionals. Barriers and facilitators of disclosure in health care services are diverse and some are specific to minority ethnic groups. Health care professionals should receive awareness and skills training to establish a positive, validating, and safe environment for victim disclosure.
K1 Nursing
K1 health care professionals
K1 support seeking
K1 Disclosure
K1 Battered Women
K1 Domestic abuse
K1 IPV
K1 Intimate Partner Violence
DO 10.1007/s10896-020-00236-3