Supporting people affected by intimate partner violence in emergency and crisis situations

Gender-based violence (GBV) is known to be associated with a number of negative health outcomes and therefore health and social care workers are likely to encounter individuals experiencing GBV. How health and social care workers respond to these patients can be crucial, not just in terms of treating any injuries or medical conditions but also in the opportunity they have for early identification and connection with ongoing support and advocacy. To achieve this, health and social care practitioners need to be knowledgeable and skilled in recognising the indications of GBV, discussing GBV with individuals and providing useful referrals to key support agencies. This chapter will discuss how GBV is likely to result in emergency health presentations, what the concept of an emergency health presentation refers to and how health and social care workers can respond appropriately.