Joseph Long

Bio: Joseph Long is an academic researcher from Trinity College, Dublin. The author has contributed to research in topics: Spouse & Poison control. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 227 citations.

Reported frequency of domestic violence: cross sectional survey of women attending general practice.

Abstract: Objectives: To determine exposure to violence by a partner or spouse among women attending general practice and its association with respondents9 demographic and personal characteristics; frequency of inquiry about violence by general practitioners; and women9s views on routine questioning about domestic violence by general practitioners. Design: Cross sectional, self administered, anonymous survey. Setting: 22 volunteer Irish general practices. Participants: 1871 women attending general practice. Main outcome measures: Proportion who had experienced domestic violence, severity of such violence, and context in which violence occurred. Results: Of the 1692 women who had ever had a sexual relationship, 651 (39%, 95% confidence interval 36% to 41%) had experienced violent behaviour by a partner. 78/651 (12%) women reported that their doctor had asked about domestic violence. 298/651 (46%, 42% to 50%) women had been injured, 60 (20%) of whom reported that their doctor had asked about domestic violence. 1304/1692 (77%, 77% to 80%) were in favour of routine inquiry about domestic violence by their usual general practitioner. 1170 women (69%) reported controlling behaviour by their partner and 475 (28%) reported feeling afraid of their previous or current partner. Women who reported domestic violence were 32 times more likely to be afraid of their partner than women who did not report such violence. Conclusions: Almost two fifths of women had experienced domestic violence but few recalled being asked about it. Most women favoured routine questioning by their practitioner about such violence. Asking women about fear of their partner and controlling behaviour may be a useful way of identifying those who have experienced domestic violence. What is already known on this topic Domestic violence is associated with physical and psychological ill health In community surveys, one in four women have experienced such violence Doctors rarely ask about it, and it is often not recognised even in women with obvious injuries What this study adds Fear of partner and experiencing controlling behaviour were significantly associated with domestic violence Anxiety is more strongly associated with domestic violence than depression 77% of all women were in favour of routine questioning about the issue by their usual general practitioner

Estimating the number of American children living in partner-violent families.

Abstract: The number of American children living in partner-violent households was estimated from a nationally representative sample of 1,615 dual-parent households. Approximately 15.5 million American children were estimated to live in families in which partner violence had occurred at least once in the previous year, with 7 million estimated to live in families in which severe partner violence had occurred. The prevalence of partner violence was higher among couples with children than among couples without children.

Unreported cases of domestic violence against women: towards an epidemiology of social silence, tolerance, and inhibition

Abstract: The “iceberg” of domestic violence Data from different surveys indicate a high prevalence of domestic violence against women in all societies.1 In western countries it is estimated that about 25% of women experience intimate partner violence over their lifetimes.2,3 However, prevalence data show only one side of the problem: the seriousness of the problem in terms of how widespread it is in our societies. Another side of the problem, one that has received less attention, is that most of the cases of domestic violence are unreported. That is, reported cases of domestic violence against women represent only a very small part of the problem when compared with prevalence data. This part of the problem is also known as the “iceberg” of domestic violence. An image where reported cases of domestic violence against women (usually the most severe end of violence) and homicide of women by their intimate partners represents only the tip of the iceberg. According to this metaphor, most of the cases are submerged, allegedly invisible to society. Domestic violence against women has been considered a very serious public health problem.4 But probably few public health problems share this feature of domestic violence against women: a condition affecting about 25% of the population but only a few of those affected, between 2.5% and 15%,5 report that they are suffering from that condition. Again, the image of the iceberg tells us that although we can estimate how many women are victims of domestic violence, we are not reaching them because most cases are unreported. This suggests that we are not dealing very well with this problem. Of course, it is important to further understand why female victims of domestic …

The Cost of Domestic Violence

Abstract: Domestic violence has devastating consequences for both the individual victim and wider society. It drains the resources of public and voluntary services and of employers and causes untold pain and suffering to those who are abused. This report addresses one aspect of domestic violence, the cost, for a range of people and social institutions. While considerations of justice and fairness provide a sufficient basis for public intervention into domestic violence, a better understanding of the full cost of domestic violence provides the basis for action within an additional policy framework, that of finance. Adding a financial dimension increases the range of ways in which policy interventions can be articulated, measured and evaluated. In particular, it may assist in addressing spending priorities. This is complementary to policy frameworks based on need and justice.

Domestic violence and mental health

Abstract: There are clear gender differences in the experience of domestic violence and associated mental health outcomes. There is also increasing evidence of chronic, severe and often long-term adverse mental health effects for victims. This paper explores these gender differences and the evidence on how mental health care services should respond to domestic violence. The authors argue that any strategy to reduce the burden of women's mental health problems should include efforts to identify, prevent or reduce violence against women.