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Can Gender-Based Violence Victims Get Help During a Pandemic?

By Ralph J. Riviello, MD, MS, FACEP; Heather V. Rozzi, MD, FACEP | on June 15, 2020 | 0 Comment
Forensic Facts
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It is imperative that patients have access to victim-centered, trauma-informed care during a crisis, disaster, or pandemic. Careful planning is needed to allow these patients to access care and start their healing process. How that care is provided may look different than it does under normal conditions.

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Explore This Issue
ACEP Now: Vol 39 – No 06 – June 2020

Dr. Rozzi is an emergency physician, director of the Forensic Examiner Team at WellSpan York Hospital in York, Pennsylvania, and chair of the Forensic Section of ACEP.

Dr. Riviello is chair and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

References

  1. Fraser E. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on violence against women and girls. Social Development Direct website. Available at: http://www.sddirect.org.uk/media/1881/vawg-helpdesk-284-covid-19-and-vawg.pdf. Accessed May 21, 2020.
  2. Palermo T, Peterman A. Undercounting, overcounting and the longevity of flawed estimates: statistics on sexual violence in conflict. Bull World Health Organ. 2011;89(12):924-925.
  3. Almeron L. Domestic violence cases escalating quicker in time of COVID-19. Mission Local website. Available at: https://missionlocal.org/2020/03/for-victims-of-domestic-violence-sheltering-in-place-can-mean-more-abuse. Accessed May 21, 2020.
  4. Mlambo-Ngcuka P. Violence against women girls: the shadow pandemic. UN Women website. Available at: https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2020/4/statement-ed-phumzile-violence-against-women-during-pandemic. Accessed May 21, 2020.
  5. Addressing DIY sexual assault evidence collection kits: protecting our patients. International Association of Forensic Nurses website. Available at: https://www.forensicnurses.org/page/DIYkits. Accessed May 21, 2020.
  6. Pauly M. DIY rape kit companies see the coronavirus as their chance for a comeback. Mother Jones website. Available at: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2020/04/diy-remote-rape-kit-coronavirus. Accessed May 21, 2020.

 

Key Points

  • Gender-based violence often increases during times of crisis, disaster, and pandemic.
  • Health-service delivery must include care for survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Preplanning is the key to the successful management of gender-based violence in crisis situations.
  • Alternatives to typical service provision must be considered during times of disaster and pandemic.
  • The safety and protection of the responders and the patients are crucial.

                                                                                                   

For Further Reading

  • Unseen, unheard: gender-based violence in disasters. Global study. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies website.
  • Sexual violence in disasters: a planning guide for prevention and response. National Sexual Violence Resource Center website. 
  • Pandemics and violence against women and children. Center for Global Development website.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 | Single Page

Topics: COVID-19Domestic Violenceintimate partner violenceSexual Assault

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