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

• Main Authors: Roderik F Viergever, Nicki Thorogood, Judith RLM Wolf, Mary Alison Durand
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2018-10-01
• Series: BMC International Health and Human Rights
• Subjects: Vulnerability; Vulnerable groups; Victims of violence; Human trafficking; Homeless people; Policy
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/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.