Role of Public Health Professional in Domestic Violence

Rosa Magallon^*
*Correspondence: Dr. Rosa Magallon, Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Charles III University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain, Email:

Description

Domestic violence is described as one individual using authority to assert control over another in a relationship. It means the use of violence and other forms of abuse in a relationship to establish authority and terror. Violence includes psychological abuse, physical assault, financial abuse, social abuse and sexual assault. The violence might be intermittent, occasional, or chronic in nature. Domestic abuse is a global problem that transcends national boundaries as well as socio-economic, cultural, ethnic, and class divisions. This problem is geographically distributed and prevalent, making it a common and acceptable habit across the world. Domestic violence is widespread and deeply rooted, with devastating consequences for women's health and well-being. Its ongoing existence is ethically repulsive. Overall it comes at a high cost to people, healthcare institutions, and society. Yet no other important public health issue has been extensively disregarded and misunderstood. The most common type of violence against women is domestic violence. It impacts women throughout their lives, from the sex-selective abortion of female babies to forced suicide, maltreatment, and can be found in every community on the planet to some extent. According to the World Health Organization, the proportion of women who experienced physical or sexual assault ranged from 15% to 71%, with the majority ranging between 29% and 62%. According to the protection of women from domestic violence act of 2005, any act, behavior, omission, or action that injures or damages has the potential to harm is considered domestic violence. Domestic violence can be a single act of omission or conduct; in other words, women do not have to endure a long period of abuse before turning to the law. The legislation protects minors as well. Domestic violence is committed by and against both men and women. However, women are the most prevalent victims, particularly in our nation. Domestic violence against women has been categorized as a public health emergency. Public health professionals can play an important role in resolving this issue. Because violence against women is both a result and a source of gender inequality, primary preventive efforts that address both gender inequality and the core causes of violence are all necessary. Public health practitioners must raise awareness by developing and sharing materials and unique audio-visual messaging that portray a good picture of girls and women in society. An integrated media campaign that presents domestic abuse as undesirable in electronic, print and cinema media is urgently needed. The importance of enhancing male accountability in ending domestic violence can be overstated. Public health professionals play an important role in the development of social support networks. Networking with NGO’s and volunteer groups can help the victims. Programs addressing abused women's needs, such as those focusing on self-efficacy and livelihood skills are essential. Domestic abuse survivors can be included in program conception and implementation to guarantee accessibility and efficacy. Rather than portraying women as victims in unavoidable conditions, they should be depicted as activists with the ability to change their own lives. Experts in public health may recruit staff who are specifically trained to meet the requirements of victims of domestic abuse. Public health workers can contribute to research by conducting investigations on the ideological and cultural factors that give birth to and sustain the phenomena of domestic violence. Similarly, program execution and effect must be evaluated to offer the required context for policy-making and planning. The health sector must collaborate with all other sectors, including education, legal and judicial, and social services.

Conclusion

Multisectoral activities are critical strategies for creating change and reacting to domestic abuse at the local and national levels. The millennium development goals for girls' education, gender equality, and women's empowerment represent the international community's realization. The concerns of health, development, and gender equality are inextricably linked. As a result, solutions to the problem must be based on an integrated strategy. The efficacy of measures and initiatives will be determined by the coherence and coordination involved in their development and execution. Domestic violence must be addressed in the same way that any other avoidable health condition is, and the best available remedies must be used.