Women's Views on News |
- Domestic violence very much in the news
- Problems with accessing healthcare?
- ‘What did he know?’ question returns
| Domestic violence very much in the news Posted: 25 Jun 2014 07:30 AM PDT And we need to keep talking about it. To stop it. Domestic violence rises when England gets knocked out of World Cup. Maybe by as much as 38 per cent. Results from a research paper published in the journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency shows “a match day trend that the risk of domestic abuse rose by 26 per cent when the England team won or drew, and a 38 per cent increase when the national team lost.” And though research on the rise of domestic violence during the World Cup is relatively new and for lack of a better word, sparse, the trend is alarming and impossible to ignore. The BBC reported in 2012: '…that there was a surge in domestic violence reports to police during the 2010 World Cup. 'Figures obtained from police forces across England under the Freedom of Information Act show that when England beat Slovenia, nationally the rate per 1,000 people of domestic violence reports increased by 27 per cent. 'And when England lost 4-1 to Germany, domestic violence increased by 29 per cent – however on the two games in the tournament that they drew, there was no noticeable impact overall.' The weather is getting warmer, more drinks will be consumed, emotions will be heightened. None of this excuses violence. And it's not just during football. The rest of the year, every 60 seconds the British police receive a 999 call to a domestic violent incident. Although constantly in the news, abuse within intimate relationships is often kept secret. Many people believe it only happens to older, married women, but girls aged 16 to 24 are as, if not more, likely to experience violence from their boyfriends than their adult counterparts. A couple months ago, Tender, a charity that works to promote healthy relationships, was asked to take part in a BBC3 documentary exploring domestic violence. In BBC 3's programme 'The Truth About Domestic Violence', Stacey Dooley speaks to the now younger anonymous face of domestic violence. She questions victims and abusers to try and understand how deep the issues surrounding domestic abuse are – those who have survived and those currently experiencing the abuse. And she joins the Lancashire police as they deal with domestic abuse cases, as well as getting exclusive access to the national centre of domestic violence and their frontline order server as he comes face to face with abusers. One in four women in the UK suffering abuse from their partner or ex-partner in their lifetime and one in six men in the UK having experienced domestic abuse; Stacey looks into whether there is any way to break the cycle of violence. She visits one of the few perpetrator reform programmes in the UK and gets to quiz the home secretary Theresa May in a rare interview. BBC3 at 9pm this Thursday, 26 June. Tender, currently in the throes of a campaign raising awareness of domestic violence during the World Cup, is also asking you to support Healthy Relationships education. It is imperative that we continue to support young people's right to healthy relationships, and Tender runs workshops to help provide them with the skills to identify early warning signs and support. And get familiar with local support for victims of abuse. Being able to signpost friends or neighbours when they disclose can save a life. The 24-Hour National Domestic Violence Helpline is a good place to start: 0808 2000 247.  |
| Problems with accessing healthcare? Posted: 25 Jun 2014 04:05 AM PDT
Maternity Action and the Women’s Health and Equality Consortium (WHEC) published a report recently on the barriers that women in the UK face when accessing – or wanting to access – healthcare. The aim of the research for the report was to explore potential barriers to healthcare, both for women in general, and for women who experience comparatively poor health outcomes, in order to contribute to an understanding of how these barriers could be addressed. And it has flagged up several areas in which NHS providers can potentially fail to meet the needs of their patients in both their equalities and their public health duties the local community. The report is based on survey data from 300 women residing throughout the UK, as well as focus groups with BME women, asylum seeker and refugee women, women living with HIV, LGBT women and women with learning disabilities. Results from the survey show that: - 40 per cent found it 'hard', or 'relatively hard' to get an appointment. For many, the choice was between having to miss work without prior notice for a same-day appointment, and waiting several weeks to be seen. There were similar issues around childcare. - Many found it stressful to have to convince receptionists of their need for an appointment. - 73 per cent of mothers reported bringing their children into appointments, which is likely to affect communication, especially about sensitive issues. - Only 6 per cent of carers had discussed their caring responsibilities with their GP. - 62 per cent preferred to see a woman GP about sexual and reproductive health, and some preferred to see a female GP for any kind of physical examination at all. Some also preferred discussing their mental health with a woman. But 20 per cent said they cannot ask for a female GP at their surgery, and 14 per cent did not know if this was possible. - Stigma, and not being taken seriously, were two of the main reasons why women had not sought help for a mental health problem. A belief they would only be offered medication was another concern. - Prescription charges were a factor for 41 per cent of respondents, when deciding whether or not to see their GP. - 69 per cent of the women who had experienced domestic violence did not seek help from their GP. There seemed to be little trust in the GP's ability to help. Out of those who had sought help, two thirds had a positive experience. Results from the focus groups for Black and Minority Ethnic women showed that: - Several of the BME women we spoke to had bad experiences of not being listened to by doctors. This was linked with language, and not knowing the correct medical terminology. - The majority felt more comfortable seeing a female doctor, often requesting this specifically, though this was not always possible. Sexual health and reproductive health were seen as particularly difficult to talk about. - Two women who had undergone FGM spoke of highly traumatic experiences of childbirth, with doctors not knowing what to do. The group said that problems persist, with embarrassment preventing women affected by FGM from accessing healthcare. - Some of the younger women had experiences of violence or abuse, but because they lacked confidence in GPs in general, they did not consider them a potential source of support. Results from the focus groups for refugees and women seeking asylum showed that: - Having had their passport retained by the Home Office made it difficult for these women to register, as GP practices demanded proof of ID but did not always accept their Application Registration Card (ARC). - The women received mixed messages in relation to what healthcare they were entitled to. They put this down to health professionals' lack of knowledge, but also prejudice and discrimination. Many felt that they were treated differently from non- migrants. - Several women had found it necessary to call in a third party to negotiate on their behalf, both in relation to registration and to getting an appointment. They felt they were being 'blocked' by reception staff. - Several participants spoke of being denied appointments and referred to A&E or walk-in centres instead. - Health-related costs were a big barrier to the women, most of whom were destitute. - Mental health problems were associated with a lot of stigma in this group. Results from the focus groups for women living with HIV showed that: - Many participants preferred their HIV-clinic to mainstream health services. They felt that GPs were lacking in knowledge and experience relating to HIV, and that clinic staff were more compassionate. - Confidentiality was one of the main issues for this group and sometimes led to stress and conflict when receptionists asked 'intrusive' questions when other patients could overhear. There were also issues around taking children into consultations if they were not aware of their mother's HIV status. - 5 out of 8 women in the focus group had experienced domestic violence but had found it very hard to seek help, because of perceived stigmas of single motherhood and economic dependency on the partner. - All the women in this group had experienced mental health problems. Most of them had sought help, but from their HIV-specialist rather than GP. Results from the focus groups for LGBT women showed that: - Several women had previous experiences of poor treatment from health professionals, sometimes having other health problems attributed to their sexual orientation. For many, the expectation of doctors reacting negatively had become a deterrent to using health services. - The focus group and many lesbian and bisexual women who took the general survey felt that there was very limited knowledge of their sexual health needs. Mainstream health services were seen as very hetero-normative, for example insisting very strongly on offering contraception. This left the women with the options of lying about their relationship, or coming out. Several women in the focus group and the survey said that they avoid smear tests and sexual health checks for this reason. - Mental health was another area associated with barriers, as seeking help for depression or anxiety would invite questioning about the home situation. Not being able to talk about this had impacted on one woman's mental health treatment. - One woman and her partner sought help from their GP to have a child but the doctor did not know their entitlement, or the referral procedure. Later, they experienced overt discrimination during the birth when the woman who was not carrying the baby was refused access to the maternity ward, on the basis of not being a 'husband or partner'. Results from the focus groups for women with learning disabilities showed that: - Registration forms were inaccessible, jargon-heavy and requiring information they did not have. Two participants had asked reception staff for help to fill in the form but were both told this was not possible. - Automated booking systems were difficult to navigate and some had additional problems with dexterity, making it difficult for them to use the phone. Clarity of speech was another potential problem with phone booking. - Several communication barriers relating to GPs' use of jargon, and not having access to information in accessible formats, for example about how to manage a chronic illness, or about contraception. Not being able to make themselves understood by doctors was another problem. There are potentially serious consequences if women with learning disabilities cannot make themselves heard, as they are at high risk of sexual abuse and domestic violence, sometimes from carers. Women's support organisations may not be well equipped to support women with complex circumstances. - Cervical screening is a potential neglected area of health for this group. Many of the women found the issue of sexual and reproductive health difficult and embarrassing to talk about. One had asked several times to see a female doctor for this, but her request had never been adhered to. - The women spoke of the 'postcode lottery' of mental health services, and the fact that their low-level disability meant they did not qualify for social worker support. Many disabled women only have access to mainstream services, which may be poorly equipped to support them. To see the full report, click here. To listen to the podcast discussing the report, click here. To read the recommendations, click here. Maternity Action was set up to end inequality and improving the health and well-being of pregnant women, partners and young children, and undertakes research and campaigns to improve the lives of all pregnant women, new mothers and their families. Maternity Action is one of six members of the Women's Health and Equality Consortium (WHEC), which is a Department of Health Strategic Partner. The WHEC is a partnership of women's charity organisations who share common goals of health and equality for girls and women and aiming to ensure that health policy reflects the real needs of girls and women. It therefore pools the expertise of member organisations to better influence decision-makers and government. WHEC also works to improve the sustainability of the women's and girls' health and social care sector, and to strengthen women's and girls' capacity to engage with the health and social care systems.  |
| ‘What did he know?’ question returns Posted: 25 Jun 2014 01:30 AM PDT
Fresh calls have been made for the Liberal Democrat’s leader Nick Clegg to clarify whether he knew about the sexual harassment claims brought against Mike Hancock, MP. The allegations were first made over four years ago and the complainant, known only as ‘Annie’, has accused Clegg of deliberately ignoring them. She said that she personally called Clegg’s office to ask for an investigation, and that she sent a letter. Both of which Clegg denies receiving. If Clegg truly did not know, this raises the question of why the people who must have received the phone call and opened the letter did not inform him, if only to alert him to the possibility of a PR scandal. Even assuming he was not told when concerns were first raised, legal proceedings against Hancock began in February 2012 – although he did not resign from his position as whip until June of that year. Hancock eventually apologised to the woman. In June 2014. After repeated denials. Hancock, who is still represents Portsmouth South as an MP but now sits as an independent after being suspended from the Lib Dems in January this year, reached a settlement with the still anonymous woman at the High Court in London recently. She had brought a civil action against him and won the apology as part of the legal agreement. It is somewhat difficult to imagine that Clegg was unaware of a full-blown sexual harassment suit against one of his own MPs. But he has repeatedly denied that he had any knowledge of the allegations at the time, and has said that Hancock will now be expelled from the party. There is an internal system in place to investigate other allegations against MPs, such as claims of abuse of finances, but there does not appear to be one for sexually inappropriate behaviour. Clegg has also faced criticism over his handling in the case of Lib Dem peer Lord Rennard, who was suspended from the party earlier this year for refusing to apologise after sexual harassment claims against him made over several years. If there is any system within the party to deal with such accusations, it does not seem to be working.  |
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