From Despair to Repair - Analysis - Health
From Despair to Repair...?
Analysis - Health
The majority of participants (67%) had sought medical help at some point in the relationship as a direct consequence of the abuse they suffered.
"I did not admit to the hospital that he had thrown me out of the car and that was the cause of my miscarriage"
There was a range of injuries or illnesses that participants identified as seeking help as a consequence of the abuse.
These included:
- Rape
- Internal injuries from unnatural unwanted sexual activities
- Miscarriage
- Depression
- Stress
- Insomnia, difficulties in sleeping
- Broken bones including nose, ribs, arm
- Attempted suicide
- General mental health
- Cuts and bruises
- Knife injuries including serious head and arm injuries
- Child abuse
- Wounds to knees, back, head
- Strangulation
- Burns to arms
What prevented you from seeking medical help?
33% of participants had not sought any medical help and there were a variety of reasons for this. Many said that they did not seek help, as there were no physical signs for the abuse they were suffering or felt a doctor could not do anything for them.
Some were concerned about causing more problems if they sought help. Others felt the injuries were not serious enough or that they could live with them. A couple of participants were ashamed of their situation and injuries and consequently did not seek help. One participant had been told that there was nothing wrong with her, as she had no marks on her body even though she had been dragged, pushed, shoved and held by the throat.
Of those that had sought help the majority had sought medical assistance from their local GP (32%) or accident and emergency (30%). Others had sought help form the dentist, police, locum GP, force welfare, hospital consultant and St Mary's Rape and Sexual Assault Centre. Several had reported that they spoke to their GP who was generally supportive although not well informed about options available to them.
Some of the participants had told the professional the cause of the injuries in particular to Accident and Emergency staff.
The participants who disclosed the abuse to one professional and not others, may reflect on how they were treated initially by this person so that they felt comfortable disclosing. Participants sometimes had difficulty disclosing because their partner was invariably with them.
Long Term Health Problems
A high percentage of participants were still suffering from long term effects of the abuse. Specific health problems included:
- Emotional Trauma
- Anger and frustration
- Persistent headaches
- Mental health issues
- Depression
- Possible Surgery
- Insomnia or problems with sleeping patterns
- Loss of mobility
- Dramatic loss in weight
- Anxiety and panic attacks
- Less immunity from infections and illnesses
- Attempted suicide
"The doctor was okay with my problems but I felt like banging my head against a brick wall when asking for help for my husband"
