For Immediate Release
MEDICAL EXPERTS' CONSENSUS ON POLICY AND ACTION AGAINST INTIMATE PARTNER
VIOLENCE
Montreal, Quebec - June 2, 2005 -
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) has
identified violence as an important determinant of women's health and is
committed to supporting its members in their care of abused women. The
SOGC released its Intimate Partner Violence Consensus Statement today
developed by experts from across Canada. Intimate Partner Violence is a
significant, underlying cause of poor health and is well-documented as a
serious public health issue. In addition to being at increased risk for
physical harm, victims of all forms of violence are vulnerable to
complications, which eventually lead to chronic health problems.
"Helping to reduce the risk of violence in a domestic situation benefits
women, children and society as a whole. As physicians we have an
opportunity to lessen the chance of miscarriage, low birth weight, and
preterm birth for the mother and unborn child faced with this violence.
Obstetricians, gynaecologists, nurses and midwives, and all healthcare
practitioners, must play a role in ending intimate partner violence,"
says Dr. Vyta Senikas, Associate Executive Vice-President, SOGC.
Dr. Margaret Burnett, Chair of the SOGC's Social and Sexual Issues
Committee, explains why this type of clinical guideline is necessary.
"We recognise that women's health is directly affected by the phenomenon
of intimate partner violence. The purpose of the consensus statement is
to provide our members with an understanding of some of the important
issues affecting these vulnerable individuals. It outlines practical
strategies and tools with which to assist our patients whether or not
they are ready to make a change in their domestic situations.
"Stopping violence against women and girls is everyone's responsibility.
The SOGC's IPV Consensus Statement, is an important tool to enable
health care professionals to provide appropriate support to women and
girls who have experienced intimate partner violence, "adds Cheryl
Hotchkiss, of Amnesty International Canada.
Violence is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women. Those
experiencing violence have an increased risk of substance abuse,
psychiatric disorders and suicide, chronic physical disorders, sexual
complaints and recurrent pregnancy termination. Contact with a
physician often provides a unique opportunity for the victim to disclose
intimate partner violence.
Dr. Catherine Younger-Lewis, of the Federation of Medical Women of
Canada (FMWC) strongly endorses the development of the IPV Consensus
statement. "The impact of IPV on the health of women and their children
cannot be overestimated. The Stages of Change Model is intriguing and a
welcomed tool for healthcare providers."
The SOGC would like to see its members facilitate disclosure as an
essential component of clinical practice. The Consensus provides a
framework for an appropriate response that will allow an assessment of
risk and appropriate referrals to community resources for
information-sharing, advocacy-counselling and protection.
"The SOGC is to be commended for developing a framework for their
members to address the risk of partner violence while treating the women
in their care. Partner violence leads to a series of health concerns for
women and their children. They need the support of their healthcare
providers in recognizing the various forms of violence, receiving
validation and suggestions for action. The privacy of a doctor's office
is an ideal place for these issues to be raised. Physicians can play a
critical role in "de-normalizing" partner violence. The Canadian Women's
Health Network views this as an important health goal," says Madeline
Boscoe, Executive Director Canadian Women's Health Network
"Intimate Partner Violence consensus statement is impressive. As a
director of an emergency shelter for abused women and children and a
former front-line worker, I do believe it is of utmost importance to
have physicians trained properly on how to deal with abused women and
their children. I have seen thousands of women fleeing abused since
1992, of which many had seen a doctor regularly, but were never referred
to a shelter. This document once put into place will hopefully help
women and their children find their way out sooner rather then never, "
says Renee Parent, Executive Director, Nelson House of Ottawa Carleton.
Important Factors on IPV and Women's Health:
. Canadian surveys of IPV, the most common form of violence
experienced by women, have found an annual prevalence of 6% to 8%; this
is considered a conservative estimate due to under-reporting.
. Prevalence rates among pregnant and adolescent women appear to
be greater
. Women, regardless of socio-economic status, race, sexual
orientation, age, ethnicity, health status and presence or absence of
current partner are at risk for IPV
. Women abused during pregnancy are more likely to be depressed,
suicidal, experience pregnancy complications and poor outcomes,
including maternal and fetal death
. Women who are immigrants or refugees, lesbians, women of
colour, Aboriginal women, and women with disabilities may experience
forms of IPV, may experience IPV differently, and may have more barriers
to disclosure, than mainstream women.
. For pregnant women, clinical interventions that included
counselling to increase safety behaviours resulted in the adoption of
these practices and reductions in abusive incidents.
. Children whose mothers experience IPV are at greater risk of
developmental difficulties and may themselves be abused
This document along and an IPV Assessment Toolkit can be accessed
through the SOGC website at www.sogc.org.

About the SOGC:
Founded in 1944, the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of
Canada is comprised of over 2,700 professional members, including
gynaecologists, obstetricians, family physicians, nurses, midwives and
allied health professionals. A leading authority on reproductive health
care, the SOGC produces national guidelines for both public and medical
education on important women's health issues. The Society's mission is
to promote optimal women's health through leadership, collaboration,
education, research and advocacy in the practice of obstetrics and
gynaecology. www.sogc.org.
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(514) 843- 2051


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