Effects of Cooperation on Health Care after Domestic and Sexualised Violence in Hesse and its Impact on the Implementation of the Istanbul Convention

Abstract

Domestic and sexual violence are key risks to the health of women. The Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence imposes new requirements on the provision of healthcare. In order to offer an adequate level of healthcare to those affected, cooperation between involved facilities is of high importance. So far, however, surveys on working methods and networking modes in connection with post-violence healthcare have been lacking. A total of 34 manual-based expert interviews were conducted with healthcare professionals in clinics and other healthcare facilities, with staff members of dedicated protective outpatient clinics, coordination or counselling centres and with women's representatives. The interviews were subjected to qualitative content analysis. To date, in Hesse there has been no continuous or structured cooperation between the various healthcare facilities and other actors with regard to the issue of violent abuse. While there exist services in Hesse that specialise in healthcare following sexual and/or domestic violence, cooperation within the healthcare system only occurs on an ad-hoc basis. No healthcare professionals are permanent participants in the regional Round Table initiatives against domestic violence. Adequate provision of care following domestic or sexual violence is currently not guaranteed for those affected. The establishment of a coordination office that is solely responsible for the provision of care to victims of violence could potentially bring the various involved parties together and ensure that continuous efforts are made to address the issue.