Summary
Each year world-wide tens of thousands of women and children suffer acts of physical, sexual and psychological violence inflicted by their family members, intimate partners, acquaintances, and sometimes, strangers. The consequences of this violence require sensitive and comprehensive services for victims—a need which often goes unmet. Forensic medicine has much to contribute to bridging the current gap between the care needs of victims of violence and the services that are available to them. This article describes two initiatives designed to strengthen the health sector response to violence, particularly the role of forensic medicine in that response.
Zusammenfassung
Jedes Jahr erleiden weltweit zehntausende Frauen und Kinder physische, sexualisierte und psychologische Gewalt durch ihre Familienangehörigen, Lebenspartner, Bekannte und, manchmal, durch Fremde. Die Folgen dieser Gewalterfahrungen verlangen nach einfühlsamer und umfassender Versorgung der Gewaltbetoffenen. Diese Versorgung wird nur selten bedarfsgerecht erbracht. Die Rechtsmedizin hat einen wichtigen Beitrag zu leisten—zur Überbrückung der Kluft zwischen dem tatsächlichen Versorgungsbedarf der Gewaltbetroffenen und den Hilfen, die ihnen angeboten werden. Dieser Artikel diskutiert zwei Initiativen, die dem Ziel verfolgen, die Gewaltintervention im Gesundheitswesen zu stärken, insbesondere die Rolle, die die Rechtsmedizin zur Verbesserung der gesundheitlichen Versorgung spielen kann.
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References
Brown AW (2001) WHO background paper: obstacles to women accessing forensic medical exams in cases of sexual violence. Human Rights Watch, New York
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World Health Assembly (1996) Prevention of violence: a public health priority. WHA Res. 49.25, Geneva
World Health Organization (1999) Elimination of violence against women: in search of solutions. WHO/FIGO Pre-Congress Workshop, 30 July-31 July 1997. World Health Organization, Geneva
World Health Organization (2004) Guidelines for medico-legal care for victims of sexual violence. World Health Organization, Geneva
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Gage-Lindner, N., Phinney, A. Strengthening the role of forensic medicine in health sector responses to violence: two initiatives. Rechtsmedizin 14, 200–203 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-004-0257-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00194-004-0257-3
Keywords
- Violence against women and children
- Secondary victimization
- Services for victims of violence
- Health sector response to violence
- Forensic medicine