Domestic Violence - Research Theme
Domestic violence, also called intimate partner violence, refers to physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse within close adult relationships, most often intimate partner relationships. It encompasses abuse in the form of coercive and controlling behaviours (World Health Organization (WHO), 2012). Pregnancy is a time of increased risk, this is often when violence first occurs or escalates (WHO, 2012). This results in increased risks of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality during the perinatal period (Donovan et al., 2016). Professionals such as midwives, public health nurses, general practitioners, obstetricians, and medical social workers are in the unique position of having regular contact with women during pregnancy, labour and birth and the postnatal period.
The aim of this research is to explore the views and experiences of maternity care professionals in screening for and responding to women’s disclosure of domestic violence in the peripartum period. This is a mixed methods study that will include a review of the undergraduate curricula regarding domestic violence across maternity healthcare professions in Ireland. A survey will be administered to maternity healthcare professionals including midwives, doctors, public health nurses and medical social workers. This will be followed by a number of qualitative interviews with participants to explore their views on and experiences of screening for and disclosure of domestic violence in the peripartum and their preparedness for this in practice.