Working at the Interface of Domestic Violence and Child Protection: The UK Family Physicians' Response

• In Event: 434 - Section on Children and Youth Roundtable Session (one-hour).
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 10. Policy, Practice, and Youth Well-being

Abstract

Although there is now considerable research evidence associating domestic violence with child protection, there is still a lack of research evidence on the understanding of barriers to developing practice at the interface of domestic violence and child protection in the context
of primary health care. Our interview study closes that gap, by providing qualitative evidence on the primary care management of domestic violence in the UK.

Our semi-structured interviews with 42 family physicians show that although there are many examples of positive practice in this field, there is also a great ambiguity about the appropriate management of families experiencing domestic violence. Many family physicians are uncertain how to support and communicate with the victim parent whilst protecting her safety and autonomy, maintaining confidentiality, and ensuring the safety of her children. Primary health care physicians are also unsure of thresholds for referral to social services and have substantially different reactions to the same case scenario. They almost never talk with children and teenagers about issues related to domestic violence. Many general practices have distant, poor, or no relationships with external child protection or domestic violence agencies such as local social services and specialist domestic violence services.

The heterogeneity in how primary care physicians manage the interface between domestic violence and child protection suggests the need for greater clarity in guidance and training.

Authors

• Eszter Szilassy, University of Bristol

• Cath Larkins, University of Central Lancashire

• Nicky Stanley, University of Central Lancashire

• Jessica Drinkwater, University of Manchester

• Marianne Hester, University of Bristol

• Gene Feder, University of Bristol