Sexual health needs of women in violent relationships

Abstract

Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace’ (Annan 2004). This quote by Kofi Annan, the UN general secretary, shows how far domestic violence has been recognised as a real and significant problem in all parts of the world. Despite this highlevel recognition, incidence of domestic violence against women remains at appallingly high levels. The consequences of this violence are far reaching and have implications not only for individual women and children, but also for health service provision and society as a whole. This article will examine issues of domestic violence and how clients may present socially and clinically to health services. Attention will be given specifically to how domestic violence exemplified by ‘coercive control’ results in women being unable to negotiate safe contraceptive or sex practices. Advice will be given on how disclosure by these women can be encouraged and what healthcare professionals can do with the information once the woman has disclosed. Studies into the prevalence of domestic abuse show consistent findings. One in four women experience domestic violence over their lifetimes and one in nine women suffer domestic violence in a given year (Stanko 2000). The 2001/2002 British Crime Survey estimated 635,000 inciSexual health needs of women in violent relationships