Isabella Carter
Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects people of all genders, races, ages, sexual orientations, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds. It can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, economic, and psychological abuse, as well as coercive behavior that intimidates, manipulates, or harms the victim. While females are often the victims of domestic violence, it is important to recognize that gender roles can be reversed. In the context of intimate partner violence (IPV), denying a spouse medical treatment for injuries can constitute abuse and is a form of interference with their healthcare. This can have severe physical and mental health consequences, and in some cases, may even result in death.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prevalence of spouse denying wife medical treatment | 11-19% of women report IPV in the past year, 22-54% report lifetime exposure |
| Health problems | Injuries, gastrointestinal problems, pain, arthritis, dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, infection, substance abuse, improper medication administration, malnutrition, intracranial bleeding |
| Signs of abuse | Injuries on head, neck, face, forearms, and hands; anxiety, depression, and fatigue; specific or vague medical complaints such as headaches, palpitations, chest pain, painful intercourse, or chronic pain |
| Legal prosecution | The Violence Against Women Act makes it a federal crime to cross state lines to stalk, harass, or physically injure a partner; or enter or leave the country violating a protective order |
| Mandatory reporting | State statutes in Colorado and California include reporting of IPV victims' injuries in their mandate for reporting of all injuries that result from assault and violence |
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What You'll Learn
Denial of medical treatment is a form of domestic violence
The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) defines domestic violence as "physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological actions or threats of actions or other patterns of coercive behavior that influence another person within an intimate partner relationship." This includes denying a partner medical care, which can have severe physical and mental health consequences. Abused women often present in medical settings with acute and chronic health issues such as injuries, gastrointestinal problems, pain, and arthritis. They may also experience psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue.
Abusers may directly or indirectly interfere with their partner's healthcare, hindering their ability to seek treatment and potentially worsening their health conditions. This interference can take many forms, such as obstructing access to healthcare facilities, controlling their partner's ability to make medical decisions, or preventing them from taking prescribed medications. In some cases, abusers may use firearms to threaten or coerce their partners, putting them at risk of severe injury or death.
The impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) on healthcare is critical to recognize. Studies have shown that a large majority of individuals, both abused and non-abused, support mandatory reporting of IPV injuries. Mandatory reporting has been shown to increase the detection of abuse and improve access to restraining orders and swift perpetrator arrest, potentially enhancing victim safety. However, there is limited data to support the premise that mandatory reporting laws directly improve the situation for victims.
The denial of medical treatment by a spouse is a form of domestic violence that can have significant physical and mental health consequences. It is essential to recognize the signs of abuse and support victims in seeking the necessary medical care and protection they need to live free from abuse.
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Emotional and psychological abuse
Some signs of emotional and psychological abuse include the abuser questioning the victim's memory of events or denying that an event happened, even when they know the victim's account is true. This form of abuse is commonly known as "gaslighting", which causes the victim to question their reality and doubt their own judgment and memory. Victims may feel confused, "crazy", and constantly second-guess themselves, wondering if they are too sensitive. Gaslighting can leave long-lasting trauma, even without physical scars.
Another tactic used by abusers is continually pretending not to understand what the victim is saying, making them feel stupid, or refusing to listen to their thoughts and opinions. They may also change the subject whenever the victim tries to initiate a conversation, further questioning their thoughts in a way that makes them feel unworthy. These behaviours are meant to isolate and control the victim, making them feel that they cannot trust their own perceptions of reality.
In addition to gaslighting and manipulation, emotional and psychological abuse can also take the form of withholding medical treatment or care. For example, in the case of disabled individuals, abusers may withhold, hide, or manipulate medical equipment or tools that the victim relies on, such as a walking stick or hearing aid. This form of abuse can have serious consequences for the victim's health and well-being and further reinforces the power imbalance in the relationship.
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Physical abuse and injuries
Physical abuse is a form of intimate partner violence (IPV) that involves any physical act that intimidates, manipulates, hurts, injures, or wounds someone. This includes hitting, slapping, shoving, grabbing, pinching, biting, and hair pulling. Physical abuse often results in severe physical injuries that require medical attention at a hospital or clinic. The most common sites of injuries are the head, neck, and face, but injuries can also occur on the body, breasts, genitals, rectum, and buttocks. Defensive injuries may also be present on the forearms and hands.
In addition to direct physical violence, IPV can also encompass behaviours that restrict a woman's freedom, such as denying them access to medical treatment. This form of abuse is often overlooked, but it can have serious consequences for the victim's health. Abused women tend to have more health problems than non-abused women and may present with acute or chronic health issues such as injuries, gastrointestinal problems, pain, and arthritis. They may also experience psychological symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue, as well as specific medical complaints like headaches, palpitations, chest pain, painful intercourse, or chronic pain.
Denying a spouse medical treatment for injuries is a form of abuse that can have serious and even life-threatening consequences. It is important to recognize the signs of physical abuse and to seek help from a healthcare provider or domestic violence support service. In the United States, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers essential tools and support to survivors of domestic violence, and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) provides information and resources about intimate partner violence.
Mandatory reporting of injuries resulting from IPV is a controversial topic. Some states, such as California and Colorado, have enacted legislation that mandates the reporting of all injuries resulting from assault and violence, including those inflicted by intimate partners. Proponents of mandatory reporting argue that it increases detection and documentation of injuries, aids in referring victims to appropriate services, and may increase victim safety by providing immediate access to restraining orders and swift perpetrator arrest. However, there is limited data to support the premise that mandatory reporting laws effectively improve the situation for victims, and it is important to consider the potential risks and benefits of restricting individual rights in the interest of public safety.
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Sexual abuse and assault
Sexual abuse in a marriage can be manipulative and coercive, with an oppressor using unrelenting pressure or threats to leverage a sexual encounter, even after their partner expresses discomfort or refusal. It is important to clarify that in a healthy relationship, couples can discuss and debate their differing physical desires without pressure, coercion, fear, or rejection. Spouses should be able to express different preferences without imposing their desires on their partner in the form of a demand.
Sexual abuse in a marriage can include rape or other forced sexual acts, withholding or using sex as a weapon, or criticizing a partner's sexual performance. It can also involve controlling the way a partner dresses to sexualize them, insulting a partner with sexual names, or accusing them of cheating to make them feel guilty.
The impacts of sexual abuse in marriage are devastating and are compounded by the nature of the relationship. Statistics reveal that sexual assault or forced sex occurs in approximately 40-45% of marriages that have involved verbal or physical violence. Marital rape or sexual assault occurs in 10-14% of all marriages in the United States. However, many victims remain silent due to feelings of shame and confusion.
It is important to recognize that sexual abuse in a relationship is not always physical but can also have significant emotional and cultural implications. Abusers may use aspects of a person's cultural identity to inflict suffering or maintain control. For example, not letting someone observe the dietary or dress customs of their faith, using racial slurs, or threatening to 'out' someone as LGBTQ.
If you think you or someone you know may be experiencing sexual abuse or assault in a marriage or committed relationship, it is crucial to seek help. Resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline and couples counseling services are available to provide support and guidance.
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The legal prosecution of perpetrators
Domestic violence is a serious issue that can take many forms, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. It is a prevalent issue, with approximately one-third of women and one-fifth of men experiencing abuse. The dynamics of abuse in intimate partner relationships are complex, and abuse can have severe physical and psychological impacts on victims.
When it comes to the legal prosecution of perpetrators of domestic violence, there are several important considerations. Firstly, it is essential to recognize that denying a spouse medical treatment for injuries is a form of abuse. This falls under physical abuse, as defined by the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW). The OVW provides valuable resources and guidelines to address domestic violence and prosecute offenders.
In the United States, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) plays a crucial role in the legal prosecution of perpetrators of domestic violence. It defines domestic violence and outlines programs to support victims. The Act also makes it a federal crime to cross state lines to stalk, harass, or physically injure a partner, or to violate a protective order. Additionally, it addresses the issue of firearms in the hands of abusers, making it a crime to possess a firearm or ammunition while subject to a protective order or if convicted of domestic violence.
To effectively prosecute perpetrators, it is vital to have strong evidence. This includes collecting and preserving physical evidence, such as tissue specimens, blood, urine, saliva, and vaginal and rectal specimens. Law enforcement personnel often assist with evidence collection and provide specific kits for this purpose. Additionally, specialized teams in domestic violence can provide valuable support in evidence collection, ensuring that each health facility has proper procedures in place to maintain a chain of custody.
Furthermore, during the prosecution process, it is essential to consider the safety and well-being of the victim. The National Domestic Violence Hotline offers essential tools and support to survivors of domestic violence, helping them navigate legal processes and connect with local resources, shelters, and medical and mental health services. The Hotline also provides support to friends and family members of victims, enabling them to recognize signs of abuse and provide assistance.
Prosecutors play a critical role in building strong cases against perpetrators of domestic violence. The Prosecutors' Framework is a valuable resource, providing practical guidance to prosecutors, investigators, and advocates. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to handle cases with sensitivity, ensuring trauma-informed approaches that treat victims with humanity while upholding due process for defendants.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, denying a partner medical care is a form of domestic violence and abuse. Domestic violence can be physical, sexual, emotional, economic, psychological, or technological and includes any behaviours that intimidate, manipulate, humiliate, isolate, frighten, terrorize, coerce, threaten, blame, hurt, injure, or wound someone.
Physical signs of abuse include injuries to the head, neck, and face. Defensive injuries may be present on the forearms and hands. The victim may also show psychological signs such as anxiety, depression, and fatigue, as well as physical symptoms like headaches, palpitations, chest pain, painful intercourse, or chronic pain.
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you are in the US, you can also call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233) or 800-787-3224 (TTY). You can also contact the National Center for Victims of Crime at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846).
Reporting laws increase physician detection and documentation of injuries from abuse and may aid in referring victims to appropriate services. Police reporting can increase victim safety by providing immediate access to restraining orders and swift perpetrator arrest.
