More than 1,400 women from the 2019 New Zealand family violence study ‘He Koiora Matapopore’ informed us about their experiences with intimate partner abuse and their health.
According to this study, more than half (54.7%) of women in New Zealand have experienced violence or abuse from an intimate partner at some point in their lives, increasing their risk of developing a mental health disorder nearly three times (2.8 times) and a chronic physical illness nearly twice as much (1.5 times). In the 2019 New Zealand family violence research ‘He KoioraMatapopore,’ 1,400 women from a nationally representative sample informed us about their experiences with intimate partner abuse and their health. To assess the prevalence of violence against women, we used questions from the World Health Organization’s multi-country research on women’s health and domestic violence against women.
Women who had suffered physical violence, sexual violence, psychological abuse, controlling behaviour, and economic abuse were twice as likely to have poor overall health, recent pain or discomfort (1.8 times more probable), and recent healthcare consultations (1.3 times more likely). Psychological abuse, controlling behaviours, and economic abuse were all associated with a higher likelihood of negative health consequences.
One in every five women reported three or more forms of relationship abuse, and these women were at a much higher risk of ill health. Individuals who require police involvement may be in poorer condition than the ladies we spoke with, offering an even stronger justification for supporting and enhancing anti-violence programmes.
The Violence Intervention Programme of ManatHauora/Ministry of Health requires greater attention and resources, and TeWhatuOra/Health New Zealand must prioritise implementation. The programme has constructed an infrastructure to provide evidence-based tools for diagnosing and intervening in family violence, but it is not yet well-established in the health system and will require strong policy, leadership, and resources to fulfil its full potential.Effective, ongoing training on the prevalence and health implications of intimate partner violence is required for healthcare practitioners to assist women who have been abused.
Universities must take the lead in ensuring that healthcare practitioners have the information and skills necessary to address the issue. We also need to broaden our range of interventions to assist women not just in times of immediate danger and crisis, but also to enable long-term rehabilitation and healing from abuse. We must invest in evidence-based preventative initiatives and assure their nationwide, comprehensive, and equitable coverage. Prevention is one of TeAorerekura’s suggestions, although local initiatives might benefit greatly from tapping into worldwide evidence-based preventative techniques. It is both necessary and practical to target men’s knowledge of power and control in relationships and engage them in violence prevention.
Our research found that, while intimate partner violence can have an impact on men’s health, it does not always contribute to men’s poor health. Men who are abused by their partners, on the other hand, require care and assistance. Work that promotes healthy, respectful relationships might result in a healthier population, fewer incarcerations and criminal justice issues, better educational outcomes, and a more economically productive community.
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