Understanding Gender-Based Violence : An Essential Textbook for Nurses, Healthcare Professionals and Social Workers

This edited book brings together the voices and insights of survivors, practitioners, educators and researchers working to prevent and minimise the harms of gender-based violence, with a specific focus on equipping health professionals and social workers to support victim-survivors. Practitioners can, and often do, play a critical role supporting victim-survivors of gender-based violence; however, this work has historically been carried out by those in specialist roles and there remains gaps and inconsistencies in education and training for qualifying and post-qualified professionals. This book makes a valuable contribution to addressing these gaps. It provides practitioners with a comprehensive resource on contemporary debates and research in the field of gender-based violence. To support readers’ learning, each chapter contains reflective exercises and draws clear links between research, theory and practice. The book is structured into four sections. The first section considers the ‘rise’ of gender-based violence in policy and practice, and questions to what extent this once marginalised perspective has become embedded in health and social work training and education. The second section of the book explores some of the expressions, contexts and implications of gender-based violence. Each chapter considers the role of health care professionals and social workers and invites the reader to reflect on their (potential) role in these areas. The third section of the collection focuses on one of the most common forms of gender-based violence that health and social work professionals are likely to encounter: physical, psychological, sexual and financial violence by an intimate partner, who may also be a parent. Finally, the fourth section showcases innovative responses to supporting victim-survivors and challenging systems that contribute to gender inequality. The intention of this book is to equip health care professionals and social workerswith critical, practical and ethical resources to help them work with victim-survivors and, where possible, engage in transformative efforts to end the harms of gendered inequalities and violence. Preface Identifying and Responding to Violence and Abuse: Why Adopt a Gendered Lens? Gender-Based Violence: A Health and Social Problem of Global Scale Disclosure and Help-Seeking: Formal and Informal Routes The Role of Health and Social Work Professionals and Systems Rationale and Structure of This Book Reading This Book: Considering Your Needs and Those Around You Conclusions Contents Editors and Authors About the Editors About the Authors Part I: From the Margins to the Mainstream? Gender-Based Violence in Health and Social Work 1: Raising Awareness and Improving Responses to Gender-Based Violence: The Contribution of Feminist Thought and Activism 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Gender-Based Violence Is Not Inevitable 1.3 Causes and Consequences of Women’s Inequality 1.4 What Is the F Word? 1.5 What Is Patriarchy? 1.6 What Do Feminists Want? 1.7 Gender-Based Violence or Male Violence Against Women and Children? 1.8 Male Violence as a Form of Social Control 1.9 A Conducive Context for Male Violence 1.10 Believe Her 1.11 Patriarchy Is Not Nature 1.12 Un-gendering 1.13 Revolutionary Insiders References 2: Is Gender-Based Violence a Neglected Area of Education and Training? An Analysis of Current Developments and Future Directions 2.1 Introduction 2.2 The Difference Between Education and Training 2.3 Why Health Professionals and Social Workers? 2.3.1 Readiness to Address Gender-Based Violence 2.3.2 Components Necessary for Effective GBV Education and Training 2.4 Adopting a Consistent Approach to GBV Education and Training: The WHO Training Curriculum 2.5 Theoretical Framework for Training 2.6 Addressing Diversity Through Culturally and Ethically Appropriate Education and Training 2.7 Addressing GBV Survivors in the Education and Training Room 2.8 Interactive and Person-Centred Approaches to Learning 2.9 Length of Education and Training 2.10 Evaluation 2.11 Future Issues and Directions in GBV Education and Training 2.12 Conclusion(s) References Suggested Reading Additional Resources Part II: Understanding Violence and Abuse in the Context of Gender 3: The Continuum of Gender-Based Violence Across the Refugee Experience 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Forced Displacement 3.3 Risk of GBV During the Refugee Journey 3.4 Perpetrators and Survivors of GBV Across the Refugee Journey 3.5 Forms of GBV Violence Experienced from Displacement to Resettlement 3.5.1 Sexual Violence 3.5.2 Intimate Partner Violence and Family Violence 3.5.3 Forced and Early Marriage 3.5.4 Structural and Symbolic Forms of Violence 3.6 Implications for Practitioners Responding to GBV 3.6.1 Barriers to Help-Seeking in Resettlement Settings 3.6.2 Facilitators and Promising Practices in Resettlement Settings 3.7 Conclusion References 4: How Could a Gender-Sensitive Approach Help Us to Identify and Respond to Children Who Have Displayed Harmful Sexual Behaviour? 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Diversity Among Children Who Have Displayed Harmful Sexual Behaviour 4.3 Differentiating Harmful from Normative Sexual Behaviour 4.4 Developmental Perspectives 4.5 Bringing a Gender Lens to Harmful Sexual Behaviour 4.6 Towards a Sociology of Harmful Sexual Behaviour 4.7 Interventions for Harmful Sexual Behaviour and Gender 4.8 Future Directions: Harmful Sexual Behaviour Prevention and Gender 4.9 Conclusion References 5: Creating Inner and Outer Safety: Findings from a Research Study on Finnish Women’s and Children’s Experiences of Post-separation Stalking 5.1 Introduction: Thinking About Post-separation Stalking as a Form of Violence 5.2 Finland as a Research Context for Post-separation Stalking 5.3 Impacts of Post-separation Stalking on the Everyday Lives of Women and Children 5.3.1 Sense of Insecurity, Fear and Threat of Death 5.3.2 Changing Roles in Families and Family Dynamics 5.3.3 Shrinking of Social Networks and Reduction of Social Life 5.3.4 Complexities in Being Acknowledged as a Victim and Receiving Help 5.4 Helping and Supporting the Victims of Post-separation Stalking 5.4.1 Understanding the Nature of Post-separation Stalking and Recognising the Victims’ Need for Various Forms of Help and Support 5.4.2 Multiagency Risk Assessment with Women and Children 5.4.3 Creating Inner and Outer Safety for Women and Children References 6: What Does It Mean to Support Women with ‘Complex Needs’? Recognising and Responding to Systems of Power, Oppression and Inequality 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Voices of Women 6.3 What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Complex Needs’? 6.4 Intersecting Lived Experiences: The Things That Happen 6.5 Childhood, Being Mothers and Support Networks 6.6 Poverty, Debt and Housing 6.7 Involvement in Criminal Activity and the Criminal Justice System 6.8 Substance Use 6.9 Trauma and Mental Well-Being 6.10 Complexity and Multiplicity 6.11 Meeting Women 6.12 Know That You Have a ‘Need’ 6.13 Support Is Available 6.14 Getting There 6.15 Histories of Trauma Are Understood 6.16 Complexity of Service Provision 6.17 Feeling Safe 6.18 Complex Experience Care Model 6.19 Conclusion References 7: Challenging Social Norms and Legal Responses to Rape and Sexual Violence: Insights from a Practice–Research Partnership in Kenya 7.1 Introduction 7.2 The Kenyan Context 7.3 Life Course Perspectives and SV Impacts in Kenya 7.4 SV Response and Intervention 7.5 Special Issues That Arise in Disclosing Sexual Violence in Kenya 7.6 Ethics, Sensitivities and Complexities of Working with Survivors 7.7 Future Directions References Part III: Spotlight on Intimate Partner Violence 8: Intimate Partner Violence in Pregnancy and the Post-partum Period: A Research and Practice Overview 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Pregnancy and IPV 8.3 Global Prevalence of IPV During Pregnancy 8.4 IPV and Maternal Health and Well-Being 8.5 IPV and Maternal Mental Health 8.6 Pregnancy-Associated Homicide 8.7 Risk Factors Associated with IPV During Pregnancy and the Post-partum Period 8.8 IPV and Neonatal Birth Outcomes 8.9 The Impact of IPV on Young Children 8.10 Screening for IPV During Pregnancy 8.11 Guidelines for Asking About IPV Using Women-Centred Principles 8.12 Conclusion References 9: Supporting the Safety and Welfare of Children Affected by Domestic Violence and Abuse: A Practice Case Study 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Meet the Cooper Family 9.3 The Cooper Siblings 9.4 Access to Support 9.5 Conclusions References 10: Older Women as the Invisible Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: Findings from Two European Research Projects 10.1 Introduction 10.2 The Intimate Partner Violence Against Older Women (IPVoW) Project 10.3 Key Findings of the IPVoW Project 10.3.1 Data About Intimate Partner Violence Against Older Women 10.3.2 Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence and Older Women 10.3.3 Older Women’s Experiences of IPV 10.3.4 Leaving or Staying in the Violent Relationship 10.3.5 Intersectional and Contextual Factors 10.3.6 Help-Seeking and Provision of Support 10.4 The Mind the Gap! Project 10.4.1 Analysis of Police and/or Public Prosecutor Files 10.5 Capacity Building for Law Enforcement: Development of a Manual and Training 10.6 Awareness Raising to Improve Social Support Agency Outreach to Older Victims 10.7 Capacity Building of Social Support Agencies: Development of Guidance 10.8 Concluding Comments References 11: Supporting People Affected by Intimate Partner Violence in Emergency and Crisis Situations 11.1 Gender-Based Violence and Health 11.2 GBV Emergency Health and Social Care Presentations 11.3 The Impact of Disasters in GBV 11.4 The Health and Social Care Response to GBV 11.5 Working with the Four Rs 11.5.1 Recognise 11.5.2 Respond 11.5.2.1 Privacy and Confidentiality 11.5.2.2 Reassurance 11.5.2.3 Using Fear and Safety Questions 11.5.2.4 Avoid Negative Comments 11.5.2.5 Remain Supportive 11.5.2.6 Children 11.5.3 Refer 11.5.4 Record 11.6 The Future and Challenges for Health and Social Care Workers to Respond to GBV References Part IV: Responses and Innovations 12: Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach to Gender-Based Violence Across the Life Course 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Adopting a Trauma-Informed Approach 12.3 Infancy and Early Childhood 12.4 Middle Childhood and Adolescence 12.5 Adulthood 12.6 Older Adulthood 12.7 Intergenerational Patterns 12.8 Conclusion References 13: From Surviving to Thriving: A Feminist Empowerment Approach to Supporting Women Affected by Intimate Partner Violence 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Background 13.2.1 Empowering Women to Thrive 13.3 Provision of Safety 13.4 Sharing the Story 13.5 A Social Response 13.6 Conclusion References 14: Identifying and Responding to Female Genital Mutilation: Reflections from a UK Research–Practice Partnership 14.1 Introduction 14.2 What Terminology Should You Use When Discussing FGM? 14.3 What Is FGM? 14.3.1 What Is Deinfibulation? 14.3.2 What Is Reinfibulation? 14.4 How Big Is the Problem of FGM Globally? 14.4.1 How Big Is the Problem of FGM Nationally and Locally? 14.5 What Are the Immediate, Short-Term and Long-Term Consequences of FGM? 14.6 Who Performs FGM and How Is It Done? 14.7 Is FGM Associated with Other Forms of VAWG? 14.8 Why Is FGM Practiced? 14.9 What Is the Legal Context Around FGM, Specifically in the UK? 14.9.1 What Is the Offence of ‘Failing to Protect a Girl from FGM’? 14.9.2 What Are FGM Protection Orders and How Can They Help? 14.9.3 What Does FGM Mandatory Reporting Duty Involve and Who Does It Apply To? 14.9.4 What Does FGM Mandatory Recording Involve? 14.10 Why Is It Important That We Use a Multi-Faceted and Multi-Agency Approach to Safeguarding Around FGM? 14.11 What Are the Key Factors to Consider When Assessing if a Girl or Woman Is at Risk of or Has Recently Undergone FGM? 14.11.1 How Can You Ask About FGM Appropriately? 14.12 What Do You Need to Know About Safeguarding, Referrals and Information Sharing Around FGM? 14.13 Applying Your Learning to a Real-Life Case Study References 15: A Radical Feminist Legal Analysis of Child Arrangements and Domestic Violence 15.1 Introduction 15.2 What Is the Problem? 15.3 What Is the Radical Feminist Legal Perspective? 15.4 Historical Context and Birth of Women’s Rights to Their Children 15.5 Development of Law and Policy Framework for Tackling Child Contact and Domestic Violence 15.6 The Modern Family Justice System 15.7 How Successful Have Legal Advances Been in Reversing Centuries of Men’s Complete Ownership of Women and Children? 15.8 Conclusion References 16: Engaging in Gender-Based Violence Research: Adopting a Feminist and Participatory Perspective 16.1 Researching GBV in Healthcare and Social Work 16.2 Feminist Research: Principles and Benefits 16.3 Researching Gender-Based Violence Across Cultures 16.4 Participatory Research: Principles and Benefits 16.5 Feminist Participatory Research Practice to Research Gender-Based Violence 16.6 Concluding Remarks References 17: Reflections and Future Directions 17.1 Amplifying the Knowledge, Experience and Voice of Victim-Survivors 17.2 Thinking, Responding and Educating Differently 17.3 The Contribution of Feminist Thought, Activism and Practice 17.4 Building Alliances, Sharing Knowledge and Working in Partnership 17.5 Reflecting on Some of the Gaps in the Book 17.6 Concluding Thoughts References